Houseplants can do more than add a pop of colour to your home. They also help circulate oxygen! A human typically uses around 550 litres of oxygen per day. A medium-sized houseplant can produce 5 millilitres of water per hour. While it may not provide all the oxygen you need, having multiple plants in a living space can help with air filtration. And as mentioned, they’re beautiful to look at!
From the Monstera plant, which may look like Swiss cheese, to the gorgeous and colourful Nanouk plant (also known as the “Wandering Dude”), there are multiple options when it comes to making your home a green space.
Tips for Houseplants
Be sure to learn all about your plants’ lighting needs – direct light, indirect light, or low light. The same goes for water levels. Each plant will have a different capacity to grow with the sun and water you give it. Also, be thoughtful of where you place your plants. Which area of your house gets the best sun?
Let’s look at some easy-to-grow, low-maintenance houseplant options that will help bring your home to life.
1. Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)
The Monstera can sometimes resemble Swiss cheese – not in its colour or consistency, but rather because of the holes in its heart-shaped leaves. Some people prefer to prop their Monstera up with a pole, while others love the natural weight of the large leaves. The Monstera can grow as tall as 13 feet when planted outdoors in prime conditions, while indoor Monstera plants can range around 3–8 feet in height.
The Monstera thrives with partial sun exposure and moist soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Be careful! Monsteras can be toxic to pets if ingested. If you have pets, place them in a high spot where they’re unreachable by your furry friends. The Monstera holds various spiritual significance across many different cultures, symbolizing growth, abundance, and new beginnings – making it the perfect plant for a new home!
2. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)
We all know what a money tree represents, but did you also know that a money tree is considered a holy tree in Feng Shui? It also symbolizes vitality and positive energy. In Eastern Asian cultures, people plant these trees for strength, power, and financial enrichment. The braided trunk of the tree is said to trap fortune within its folds.
A money tree loves bright, indirect light. Places such as an open bookshelf next to a window work well. It’s advised to place a money tree in either an east-, west-, or south-facing window. It can be watered every 1–2 weeks, but this also depends on the tree size. Rule of thumb: If the topsoil feels dry, it’s time to water it.
Money trees are generally considered safe for pets, as they don’t contain dangerous toxins found in other houseplants. However, it’s still possible for your cat’s or dog’s stomach to get upset if they eat the leaves in large quantities.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Lucky for you, a spider plant won’t attract spiders. The name comes from their leaves, which are said to resemble spider legs. This is especially true of the baby plants, called “siderites,” that sprout from the central plant, resembling spiders on the web.
Truth be told, if you’re scared of spiders, you should be fine around a spider plant. The long, light green leaves bring a sense of peace and calm to any room. Spider plants are thought to represent resilience, adaptability, and interconnectedness of life. Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light.
If your thumb isn’t quite as green as you’d like it to be, fear not. Spider plants can withstand a little neglect. Now, we would never recommend neglecting a plant, but if you miss a watering or two, your spider plant should be able to recover. Survival of the fittest!
Spider plants are considered generally safe for pets but should not be consumed in large quantities, if at all. A fun fact about spider plants is that they can cause felines to hallucinate. Sounds like a trip!
4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants produce lots of oxygen at night, so they’re great for improving indoor air quality – especially in bedrooms. Snake plants can help reduce dust and dander, plus they’re low-maintenance and have a vibrant green hue. They can grow 1–6 feet tall when planted indoors.
In some cultures, snake plants represent good fortune, protection, and resilience. Some even believe that the snake plant absorbs negative energy.
To care for a snake plant, place it near a window with bright, indirect light. Snake plants are known to be pretty drought-tolerant, so underwatering is rare. It’s recommended to water only when the top 3 inches of soil feels dry. There are various species of snake plants, so you have a diverse array of looks to choose from.
Snake plants are known to be toxic to pets, so be cautious if you let your pets near them; it’s best to keep them out of reach.
5. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Yes, it’s commonly referred to as the “devil’s ivy,” but Pothos symbolizes ambition and higher goals because of its climbing nature. This plant’s longevity suggests endurance and perseverance, as it thrives in both light and shady conditions. They are pretty versatile and available in various colours and styles.
The Pothos is perfect for hanging in a kitchen window or placing on an office bookcase. It is one of the most common houseplants due to its ease of care. Be sure to fertilize regularly during the growing season. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be sure to water only when necessary – about every 1–2 weeks or when the top inch of the soil is dry.
The Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets. It can grow long, so it can be trimmed. Indoor Pothos may grow up to 6–10 feet.
6. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
A ZZ plant, also known as Zanzibar Gem, is a drought-tolerant and resilient plant. It has low-light adaptability and adds a modern aesthetic appeal to any office or bedroom.
A ZZ plant should be placed in bright to low indirect light and should be watered only when the soil is arid. It is said (though not recommended) that a ZZ plant can go months without watering.
Putting a ZZ plant in your home is thought to bring growth, endurance, and good fortune. It can grow 2–4 feet tall and should be kept away from pets, as their leaves can be toxic to both cats and dogs.
7. Nanouk Plant (Wandering Dude)
If you’re looking to add a pop of colour other than green to your plant population, a Nanouk plant is a beautiful purple or pink plant that thrives as a houseplant. Like most houseplants, the Nanouk plant grows well in bright, indirect light. A good place to put it is in front of a window with filtered light, like a sheer curtain.
Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. For the Nanouk plant, make sure the top inch of soil is moist.
A Nanouk plant represents the joy of growth and the beauty of adaptability. As beautiful as this plant is, it is toxic to cats and dogs, and if ingested, it may cause diarrhea and vomiting. So, try to keep it in a high, well-ventilated area away from pets.
8. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
A fiddle leaf fig is a statement piece in any room. With its lush, large green leaves and height of 6–10 feet, this plant is the perfect conversation starter. The fiddle leaf fig might need a little more upkeep than other plants. It is recommended to water regularly, but make sure not to overwater. Having a weekly watering schedule will help you stay on track while also ensuring that you’re not overwatering your plants.
The fiddle leaf fig is another plant that is not suitable for pets. It can irritate if ingested and is best kept away from dogs and cats.
The fiddle leaf fig signifies growth, abundance, and new beginnings – perfect for your new home set-up!
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
Rubber plants are known to be sleek, bold, and a great stamp of greenery in any room. They get their name from the latex their leaves produce that can be used to make rubber. Fun fact – people in India have guided the roots over open land and formed living bridges.
Rubber trees thrive in bright, indirect sunlight but struggle in hot temperatures. In the wild, rubber trees can grow up to 130 feet. While indoors, your rubber tree should grow between 6–10 feet.
Rubber trees represent wealth, abundance, and resilience, but they are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach, as they can cause irritation and nausea.
10. String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)
Succulents may seem like a college cheat code to make a space look good, but if used properly, they can look chic. String of Pearls elevates the succulent game with its unique cascading form. It can transform any shelf or hanging planter into a statement. The trick is placement – let your String of Pearls stand alone rather than crowding it with other plants.
Like most succulents, your String of Pearls won’t need too much water. It should be watered once, and wait until it’s almost or completely scorched before watering again.
String of Pearls are toxic to pets and can cause stomach issues if ingested, so be sure to clean up any foliage that falls off the vine. They thrive in bright but indirect light and represent elegance, beauty, and wealth. They are a great hanging selection, so kitchens, patios, and bookshelves are great places for these beauties.
Vibes and Oxygen
Getting the right houseplants is all about creating a balanced plant collection for your home. Be sure to diversify your plant selection, ensuring you can take care of them all. Remember, your houseplants are just as crucial for air quality as they are for vibes. They bring a great pop of colour indoors, plus they can help you breathe clean air.
Quick Final Plant-Care Tips:
- Try bottom watering, which may reduce the risk of overwatering
- Start your plant collection small and expand slowly
- Make sure to have a watering and light schedule
- Fertilize the soil when necessary
- Choose the correct potting soil
When finding the right houseplants for your home, ask yourself: “How frequently do I need to water this?” “Is it toxic to pets?” And, of course, “Where will this look good?” With these tips, along with the excellent plant options listed above, you can transform your home into a garden oasis in no time.
