Plants can add so much to your home. They bring the outdoors indoors. They clean the air and ask very little in return. The range of plants that are suitable for indoors is huge. These plants come from every corner of the world from tropical rain forests to arid deserts. The one thing that they have in common is that they can all live inside and add beauty to any decor.
You could fill an entire indoor landscape in a mansion with nothing but varieties of one species such as Ficus. This prolific genus includes creeping and trailing plants, shrubs and trees. There are so many different leaf types and sizes from so many different climates and habitats that they can easily fill all areas of an indoor landscape. Some gardeners grow many types of plants. Some will specialize in one type only. Some are cactus or orchid enthusiasts or connoisseurs of bromeliad or palms. Here are some plants that are good choices because they are relatively easy to care for and are proven adaptable to indoor usage.
1. Ficus. There are over 800 species of this genus. Most are from warmer climates. They do well indoors. A suitable ficus can be found for just about any indoor situation. Most do well with medium light but can stand to have direct sun. Thoroughly soak them when watering and water again when the soil is more than half dried out. Fertilize often during growing season. A ficus does not like to be moved from one place to another. When they are moved some tend to lose a lot of leaves till they adjust to the new home. Popular plants are F.benjamina (weeping fig) , F.elastica (rubber tree) and F.repens (creeping fig).
Lightly variegated ficus tree
2. Monstera deliciosa. When this striking plant grows in the wild it will climb the trunks and grow in the branches of trees. It places aerial roots to help in anchoring and taking up water and nutrients. Leaves can be 18 inches across. They do best in bright filtered light and do not like the cold. Do not overwater. Moist but not too wet. These plants will need support when they grow larger, so have some stout canes or moss covered poles. They can get big up to 15 feet.
Monstera deliciosa
3. Aloe. This is one house plant that every household should have. There are hundreds of kinds in this genus. Many of them can also flower which is a bonus. Aloe vera is a very common garden plant in the South. It has many medicinal purposes. It soothes sunburn, minor burns, cuts and scrapes and insect bites. It is also eaten and made into juice. They will do best with a lot of lite. Most can take direct sun. Water and feed more frequently during the growing season.
aloe vera
4. Bromeliad. There are many different types and names of this versatile ephyphitic plant genus.The roots of his plant are used for support only. Water and food are absorbed from the atmosphere. They like bright indirect light, but some can take full sun. They do well with adequate water and fertilizer. If they are to go in pots use a well drained mixture because the mixture is mainly to hold the roots for support. There are many belonging to the genera including Aechmea, Billbergia, Tillandsia and Guzmania.
bromeliad
5. Coleus. This plant is actually a perennial in most temperate climates, they are difficult to overwinter. But in South Florida and the tropics they can last for years. They propagate easily by cuttings. The species that is most often grown as a houseplant is C.blumei. The color combinations are vast and seemingly endless. Bright light and plenty of direct sunlight. Likes warm temperatures, lot's of water and moderate feeding.
Coleus blumei
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houseplant
