Common House Plants
If the leaves of your houseplant appear lopsided or leggy it's trying suggest that it needs more lighting. Try moving it closer to a bright window or using a grow light.
Plants that are native to tropical and subtropical zones thrive indoors, since they adapt to the warm and dry conditions of homes. These common houseplants are a ideal choice for people with limited time and space to garden.
Rubber Tree
Rubber Trees (Ficus elastica), with their lush, green leaves are a very popular indoor plant. It is also known for its ability to purify the air in offices and homes. It is an eucalyptus tree, which means it thrives in humid, warm environments that have plenty of sunlight and water.
This plant is easy to maintain despite its beautiful appearance. However, it is important to remember that this plant can grow very tall. If you don't wish to grow into a jungle then it is essential to trim the stems as soon as they get too long. It is easy to do this with a pair of scissors or gardening shears.
This plant also produces a sticky sap known as latex. It is utilized in a variety ways, such as to make rubber balls as well as shoes that are waterproof. The ancient Olmec, Maya and Aztec people used to tap the trees to gather this valuable substance. The sticky latex of the Rubber Plant is also a natural insecticide. It can adhere to the surfaces of insects and kill them.
Because this plant is robust and adaptable, it is one of the best choices for the beginner gardener. In contrast to other plants that are tolerant, the Rubber Tree does not need any pruning to keep its shape. The main focus of pruning should be to remove dead or dying leaves and branches, and to cut the plant back when it becomes too tall.
The most important factor in the maintenance of a healthy Rubber plant is water. This is especially true during the hot summer months when the plant is at its most active. The moisture of the soil is a good indicator of how much water to provide the Rubber plant. When the soil begins to dry out, it is a sign that it is time to water the plant once more.
Like other plants like it, the Rubber plant can be propagated by cutting a stem and planting it. This method is most effective when you place the stem in the rooting hormone prior to planting. Air layering is a method to propagate Rubber Plants. To do this, you will need to cut a small portion of the plant and then stick it into the moss. The moss will naturally grow around the stem.
Spider Plant
The spider plant, also referred to as Chlorophytum Comosum is named for the long, slender plantlets that hang from the mother plant as spiders do on webs. It is one of most sought-after indoor plants due to the fact that it is easy to cultivate and is able to thrive almost everywhere. It's also considered to be a "hardy" plant since it is able to withstand a wide range of conditions.
The most popular use of the spider plant is to serve as an air-purifying houseplant in homes and offices. It has been proven to be efficient in eliminating harmful chemicals from the environment which include carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene. The plant also assists in eliminating allergens in the air, such as mold spores dust mites and pet dander. These can trigger allergy responses.
When indoors, spider plants thrive best in bright, but filtered light with good humidity and warm temperatures. They can tolerate a little shade, but they're better suited to brighter windows that are shielded from direct sunlight. They don't require the same amount of water as other plants. A slight misting from a hose should suffice. They are sensitive to chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals in tap water. house plants may cause browning of leaf tips.
Spider plants, like many other houseplants are susceptible to pest infestations such as spider mites and whiteflies. To reduce their number, wash the leaves periodically and wash the soil between. Repotting is required every now and then particularly when the roots begin to grow out the top of the container.
A healthy spider plant will produce "pups" or offshoots which can be separated from the mother plant and used to make new plants. Healthy plants also produce tiny flowers which can be removed or put into compost to create their own plants. But, it's important to note that fertilization does not encourage flowering in spider plants.
Weeping Figure
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is a common indoor plant with an elegant form and thick foliage. The tree is renowned for its beauty and is often used in bonsai.
The weeping fiddle is a slow-growing instrument and requires specific conditions to flourish. It is ideal for bright rooms with lots of indirect sunlight. It can also be grown outdoors in warm environments. The tree is often employed in indoor gardens to improve air quality. The ficus plant has the ability to filter some contaminants from the air, such as formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Depending on the type you select the leaves of a weeping fiddle could be variegated or green. Certain cultivars have wavy leaves while others have sharper. Some weeping fig plants can reach over six feet tall, however they can be pruned to a smaller height.
Ficus benjamina is simple to propagate by cutting stems. This involves wearing gloves as the plant releases irritating sap when cut. The stems are then snipped and placed in water, where they will begin to develop roots. After a few weeks the cutting can be transplanted into larger pots.
To ensure proper growth, weeping figs require regular watering. However the plant is susceptible to excessive water and needs a well-draining soil. A soil that is too wet can cause root rot. It is also important to avoid too much fertilizer as it can damage the tree.
The weeping fiddle is a heavy feeder that has to be fed regularly throughout the growing season. The plant needs periodic trimming of years to keep it looking fresh and attractive.
The weeping fig produces fruit in the second to third year. The fruits of medium size are edible and can be added to everyday meals as a delicious addition. The fruits should be cleaned before consuming to remove any insects. Fruits are full of nutritional value and can be dried to use later. The fruit has a distinct taste, and it can be consumed raw or cooked.
Peperomia
Peperomia (pep-er-oh-mah) plants have thick, fleshy leaves that store a lot of water. They are available in a variety of shapes and colors, including emerald and silvery green. Some, such as the ripple peperomia, also known as pellucida are characterized by puckered leaves that resemble ruffled fabrics. There are also variegated types of peperomia, with whites and creams on their leaves. Peperomia flowers can be scarce but they are generally spindly spikes of brown and greenish white. These flowers are not attractive and detract from the overall appearance of the plant. Peperomia plants thrive in the home environment and are easy to cultivate.
In nature, peperomias survive as epiphytes or even lithophytes growing on trees and other living things in the rainforest's understory. This makes them an ideal houseplant since they don't need bright sunlight to flourish. They can grow as upright, bushy or upright-growing plants.
The leaves of Peperomias contain medicinal properties and are used for application on the skin to treat burns, rashes, insect bites, and other skin conditions. The dried leaf powder can be mixed with oil to create an oil-based salve that can be applied to the skin or added to bathwater to soften and moisturize the body.
Peperomias are easy to care for however they thrive in remote areas. They prefer warm temperatures and moderate to high humidity. They also need lots of indirect light, which means you should choose a place in your home set back a few feet from a west or south-facing window is the best choice. The sun's brighter rays could harm the leaves and insufficient light will result in less lively foliage.
These plants require regular, moderate or even frequent watering however they don't want to be overwatered. According to the site for houseplants and gardening Bloomscape overwatering can result in yellow and mushy foliage. To avoid this, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
If you overwater your Peperomia plant, take off any damaged leaves and repot it in a fresh well-draining soil. Water slowly and deeply to minimize the risk of overwatering in the future.