Bringing The Green Indoors

By Marc Hess
Editor, Milberger’s Gardening South Texas

Indoor plants are easy to maintain and can be placed in any room of your home. From ferns to ficus, houseplants can add color, beauty and texture to your space and offer air cleaning health benefits. The key is to know which varieties work best indoors, what level of care is required for them, and understanding what you can realistically expect from your indoor plants.

Picking the right houseplant is easy- but it does require a little forethought if you want to get the most from it. Light and air flow are the two most important factors that will determine which house plants to put in which location. Areas in your home that have low light can still be used for indoor plants. For instance, the Zanzibar Gem (or ZuZu) requires a minimum amount of light. Additional low light indoor plants include Peace Lily, English Ivy, Boston Fern, Cast Iron Plant, Palms, Pothos, Dracaena and Orchids.

Different rooms will naturally have different light and airflow patterns, plus there’s something to be said for what you will be doing in that room. Take your bedroom, for example – the room where you want to relax, get some good sleep and wake up refreshed. Is there a plant for that? Several, actually, but one the best are plants from the Bromeliad family which release the majority of their oxygen – while working to remove pollutants – at night so they are a great option to have in your bedroom while you sleep. Plus, due to their variety, there’s a bromeliad to go with virtually any bedroom decor.

Another choice indoor plant that makes the most sense for your bedroom is the Sansevieria (aka Devil’s Tongue, Snake Plant, or Bow String Hemp), which lowers airborne allergen levels while it releases moisture into the air.

Think about your kitchen from a plant’s point of view. You can guess that fluctuating temperatures, varying light levels, (from sun-drenched to overheard lighting), and all manner of smells and other airborne “extras” will play a major role in deciding which plants work best in the heart of your home.

Plants that help with moisture control are the best types to have in your kitchen. Ficus Lyrate, also known as Fiddle-Leaf Fig, controls humidity and purifies the air, naturally cleaning your kitchen of chemical compounds and dust. Additionally, Hedera Ivy can substantially reduce the amount of mold in the air.

Just like outdoor plants, indoor plants need care and maintenance with water, light and proper nourishment to grow, survive and thrive. However, keep in mind that indoor plants do not like standing in water.

While most houseplants are low maintenance, there are a few varieties that are especially easy to care for.  Bromeliads, Cacti, Succulents, Airplants, Ponytail Palm, Hedera Ivy, Maidenhair Fern and more are all easy to manage – even for beginner gardeners.

Another important factor when considering the best houseplants for your space is the location or room you want to put your plants in.