Filling your house with green living plants is the best way to bring the outdoors inside. When choosing which plant to get, the choice itself can be difficult. We have compiled a list of some of the most requested types of houseplants, from hard-to-kill to fast growing, and pet-friendly to blooming... we have the information to make your choice easier!
Hard-To-Kill Houseplants
(A) Snake Plant: Snake Plants are one of the most tolerant houseplants you can have. They like to be dry and need very little light. Snake plants can be neglected for weeks at a time and show no sign of damage. They are also listed by NASA as a plant that helps to purify air in our homes by removing harmful toxins.
(B) ZZ plant: This plant is easy as can be! It barely needs water, doesn’t need much light... in fact, it really doesn’t need much of anything. It's extremely slow growing so don’t expect much dramatic response from your ZZ. The number one killer of a ZZ plant is overwatering, so be mindful with your care and you will be successful with this waxy-leafed beauty.
(C) Succulents: Succulents are other plants that need very little in the way of active care. Many species make up the succulent family but one thing they all have in common is a dislike of soggy soil. Let your succulents dry out between waterings. Succulents need quite a bit of bright light, if your succulents start to stretch, there is a good chance that they need more sun.
(D) Air Plants: Such a cool plant, because as the name implies, they need no soil to survive. There are over 650 different varieties of air plant, each as unique and beautiful as the next. Simply put in a place with good air circulation and mist daily. We recommend giving your air plants a full submersion bath once a week to re-hydrate them. Keep them out of direct sun and use water with fertilizer once a month to encourage blooms. Air plants are also non toxic to your furry friends!
Fast-Growing Houseplants
(A) Philodendron: One of the broadest ranges of plants, philodendron species can be quick-growing vines or upright, waxy-leafed beauties. Philodendrons prefer bright, indirect sunlight. This plant's ability to tolerate inconsistent watering and its adaptability to change in environment makes it perfect for those that struggle with their green thumb. While the vining types grow quickly in length, the upright varieties grow quickly in girth so make sure that you account for the space they will fill.
(B) Pothos: Easy and undemanding, pothos are a great way to add a little green into your home. Another perk of pothos is that they are high on the list of air purification plants. Pothos is a fast growing jungle vine that can survive in low light and can tolerate periods of dryness. If you have a variegated variety of pothos, make sure that it gets enough indirect light to keep the variegation but never place in direct sunlight. Since pothos grow as a vine they have a tendency to look leggy. To keep your pothos bushier, simply pinch back new growth to encourage branching.
(C) Rubber Tree: Rubber tree, or Ficus Elastica, is a tough plant that can reach staggering heights in a short amount of time. While you can prune your rubber tree, keep in mind that it will eventually get quite tall. Rubber trees like filtered light… a spot beside an east or west facing window with sheer curtains would be perfect. For best results, water your rubber tree thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out before re-watering.
(D) Pilea: Often overlooked for showier specimens, pilea are easy, fast growing plants that are available in many different varieties. Pilea thrive in bright, indirect light or under grow lamps when natural light is not available. They love humidity, which can be achieved by simply placing a tray with pebbles in it underneath your plant. This allows for humidity to evaporate without water-logging the roots. Pilea tend to get leggy, so simply snip off the ends of the tallest branches. Put these snippets in water to propagate new plants within just a couple of days!
Pet-Friendly Houseplants
(A) Rex Begonia: This plant is known for its stunning leaf coloration. They have large textured leaves that come in any range of colors- from green, to red, to silver and even pink and purple! Rex begonias like to be evenly watered, but never soggy, and thrive in bright, indirect light. Choosing which one to get is often the hardest part! Make sure to use a grow light or place by a table lamp during the winter months so that your begonia does not revert to tuber.
(B) Boston Fern: With their arching green fronds, Boston ferns add the perfect touch of life to any indoor space. More forgiving than other fern varieties, Boston ferns are perfect for hanging baskets or pedestal planters that allow their fronds to hang free. Keep moist to encourage the best growth and place in a spot that gets filtered light. Boston ferns are also listed as a plant that purifies the air in our homes.
(C) Spider Plant: These plants are known for the graceful baby ‘spiders’ that hang from the mother plant. Their easy personality makes them the perfect fit for newbie gardeners or for those that struggle to keep plants alive. They will also purify the air in your home!
(D) Hoya: Hoya has long been a favorite houseplant with its waxy green leaves, tolerance to dry soil, and fragrant porcelain blossoms. This non-toxic stunner likes to be in bright light and away from drafts. Keep the roots tightly root-bound to encourage flowering.
(E) Palms: While not all palms are considered non-toxic, bamboo and parlor palms are safe to have around your furry friends. Both have arching fronds that give them a feathered canopy look, adding a touch of the tropics to any home. Place in an area with filtered light and keep dry, watering only when the soil is dry to the touch. Palms do like to live in high humidity so we recommend misting 2-3 times a week, to combat our dry Colorado air.
Blooming Houseplants
(A) Spathiphyllum: Of all the flowering houseplants, spathiphyllum, or peace lilies, are probably the easiest. Peace lilies naturally bloom in the summer and their graceful white heads can last up to three months. Place your peace lily in a spot that gets bright, indirect light to encourage blooms. Usually a plant that won't bloom is not getting enough light. Water thoroughly, but don’t allow the soil to become soggy. This plant will also purify the air in your house.
(B) Bougainvillea: While these are not your typical houseplants, bougainvillea can make a great addition to your interior jungle. Bougainvillea like lots and lots of light, the more the better, so if you have a bright, south facing window or a sun room, that would be best. Keep dry and root bound, bougainvillea do NOT like their roots being messed with. Prune back new runners as they grow (please be cautious of thorns when pruning or moving); bougainvillea bloom off new growth so your plant will become very large, very quickly if left unchecked.
(C) Jasmine: With incredibly fragrant white blooms and green glossy leaves, jasmine is a stunner. Typically more fragrant at night, jasmine produce hundreds of white blossoms in the middle of winter. Cool temperatures and lots of light are important for the blooms to set, a south facing window is best. Keep the soil moist, not soggy, and prune branches once blooming has ceased. Blooms of the Sambac jasmine can also be harvested for tea!
(D) Bromeliad: Prized for its thick foliage and brightly colored flower stalks, the bromeliad is much easier than its tropical appearance would indicate. Bromeliads grow naturally as epiphytes, clinging to trees and structures without soil, so they like their roots to be well ventilated. Grow your bromeliads in a coarse potting mix and keep moist but well drained. Bromeliads will generally start to die back after flowering but the mother plant will produce ‘pups’ that can be propagated to start new plants. This plant is also non toxic to your furry friends.
(E) Geranium: Although typically planted as annuals in outside beds, geraniums make very good houseplants as well. Geraniums will continue to share their cheery blooms all winter long, provided they receive enough light. The best spot is in a sunny window that receives at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. Water only when soil is dry to the touch, overwatering can produce mold and rot.
I have very little light in my apartment, might need to resort to lights. Can you suggest plants that can handle low light?
ZZ plants, Sansevieria, Cast Iron, Pothos and Philodenron can all handle very low light growing situations!