Cool House Plants That Will Brighten Up Your Room
It's not always possible to fill every corner of your home with greenery but a few unique plants can add some sparkle to any room. We've collected a selection of attractive house plants that have interesting blooms and patterns that will grab your attention.
For jungle vibes in a small space, try a Madagascar dragon tree with the wavy fringes. Beautiful palms look stunning when lit by bright indirect lighting.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are simple to care for and provide an exotic look to your home. They are usually tolerant of dry conditions, and they don't require a lot of sunlight. If you're looking to brighten up your space by planting plants, the Lemon Lime Philodendron is a great option. Its leaves start out pinkish, and then change into neon yellow and lime-green.
This climbing variety can grow to 2 feet in the wild and have an almost plastic patina. It is also referred to as the Naugahyde Philodendron because of its appearance resembling fake leather. It can be cultivated as a cascading or upright plant.
Horsehead Philodendron is another option. It has deep green leaves and a horse-like appearance however with the ears up top and the nose down below. It is ideal as a climbing plant and has a post it can attach to. However potted house plants can also plant it in a straight position.
The philodendrons that are upright are generally slower to grow and can take up less space. They often have larger leaves and are available in a wide range of variegated or striped colors, including the Snake Plant, which has an ruffled leaf that appears like a slender version of the pothos plant.
Anthurium
Anthurium flowers last a long time and are stunning. They are easy to care for and make a beautiful centerpiece or a gift. They are a symbol of love and friendship. They are also a symbol of longevity and are a popular wedding choice.
This tropical plant needs bright light to flower but not direct sunlight, which can dry the leaves and cause brown patches. The best placement is a sun-filtered curtain. Maintain the soil evenly moist from spring through fall, and slightly dryer in winter. Overwatering is a common cause of leaves turning yellow. Repot anthuriums every two years to promote the development of new air roots.
best houseplants thrive indoors in temperatures of 75 F with a high humidity. If the relative humidity drops to less than 50%, spray the plants with water several times a week or make use of a humidifier.
The 'Flamingo Flower' 'Hawaiian Heart' or 'Painters Palette' are some common names for anthurium. Its flowers come in shades of pink, red, purple, white and bi-colors like pink/green and red/white. The 'fluff on the stem' is actually an actual spathe. It shields the tiny flower on the spike. The spathe comes in various shapes and colors.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo (Dracaenasanderiana) can be grown either in water or soil. The plants in soil must be planted at least an inch more deep, and those in water must maintain the water level at the top of the pot. This plant likes bright indirect light. Its proximity to a window could cause scorching its leaves, so if you notice a brown hue on its edges, move the plant to a shaded place. Lucky bamboo that is water-grown is best fed every other month or so by a weak liquid fertilizer.
Lucky bamboo that is grown in water should be changed on a regular basis to prevent stagnation and the build-up of bacteria that could harm roots, stems and leaves. The water should be treated as filtered or distilled, as tap water may contain chemicals that can cause harm to the plants.
This plant is said by some to attract prosperity and wealth. It can be placed in your living room or family room, or as a dining table centerpiece. It is said to bring wealth and prosperity. Two stalks of lucky Bamboo represent love. You can use this plant to promote a happy relationship or marriage. This plant is also known as the Feng-Shui love charm.
String Plant
Ceropegia woodii, also known as string plant (also called string of pearls), is a cool house plant that thrives in indirect, bright sunlight. It has a bizarre, pea-shaped foliage that gives it a distinctive appearance. It is a good option for hanging baskets or terrariums.
String plants are a good option for those who are new to houseplants, as they require minimal care. It's also a great alternative for those who are unable to keep plants outdoors because it can withstand light frost.
Unlike other succulents, string plants prefer dry air and high humidity. Avoid placing it near drafts coming from windows or appliances. They could cause the delicate foliage to fall.
If you notice that your string plant is looking unbalanced with spindly vines and huge gaps between leaves, it's time to cut the vines. This kind of plant is prone to overwatering therefore, water it only when the soil feels dry.
Be aware that string of pearls plants contain sap that can be toxic to both humans and animals. Ingestion of the sap can cause skin irritation and mild gastrointestinal symptoms. For this reason, it's recommended to keep the plant away from pets and children.
Staghorn Fern
Staghorn Ferns are epiphytes which attach themselves to the canopy of trees in the rainforest. They don't require soil in order to grow and can be placed on a variety of surfaces in the home. These unique foliage plants can be used to anchor airplant collections, add interest to orchids or stand alone as a striking accent piece. They look like they're from space or from the ocean.
Staghorn ferns, aside from their striking appearance are non-toxic for children and pets. They're also a great way to provide natural texture to your living space.
To keep a staghorn fern healthy keep it hydrated, spray it using water that is filtered or rainwater that has been allowed to sit out a bit so the chlorine can evaporate. This is particularly important during dry and hot weather.
Fertilize every month with an diluted, balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. You can also increase humidity around the plant by placing it on a tray filled with wet pebbles or using a room humidifier. While staghorn ferns are not as drought tolerant as some other houseplants important to avoid overwatering. Root decay can result from too much water. It is acceptable to cut dead or dying fronds, but be cautious not to take away the sterile brown shield fronds that play an important reproductive role.
Ficus
Ficus benjamina is one of the most stylish house plants. It adds beauty and freshness to your home. They are versatile and often found in hanging baskets, climbing trellis, or on tabletops. Silver Cloud ficus is a beautiful plant that can be used in hanging baskets or on the tabletop. It has green leaves with a white edge. Burgundy Rubber Plant is a different variety with deep-green, burgundy colored leaves when planted in bright sunlight. Weeping fiddle leaf figs and figs are two more options that can grow into small trees with dense dark green leaves with lighter veins.
Remember that ficus can quickly outgrow their pots and the household, so they need to be repotted regularly. When repotting ficus, make sure to use a larger container with a top-quality soil. Avoid overwatering. Ficus can become soaked and grow brown roots. Place tall house plants into the soil to see if there is any moisture.
It cannot withstand sudden changes of light or humidity. Moving it from one room to the next could cause it to shed its leaves. To help prevent this you should give it an area in the house where it will receive moderate to bright indirect sunlight.
Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera deliciosa, commonly known as Swiss cheese plant, is a fabled green house plant with perforated leaves. Also referred to as ceriman, Mexican breadfruit or split leaf philodendron the epiphyte is native to the rainforests of southern Mexico and thrives in our homes if given the space needed and a location with indirect light. A large mature Monstera plant can produce fruits that taste like the fruit mix or a mix of banana and pineapple.
This is a climbing plant, so it will thrive in a pot that has drainage holes or a Trellis. To encourage tall house plants , loosely connect the main stem to a moss stick or a sturdy pole. This mimics the natural environment, where it evolved by climbing mossy tree and other structures.
Swiss cheese plants thrive in bright indirect light. They do not need to be watered frequently, but should be kept well-hydrated. Water the plant whenever the soil's top inch appears dry. To speed up growth, feed the plant with an ad hoc liquid fertilizer each month, using a diluted mixture. It is important to stop feeding your Monstera plant food during the winter months when it's not growing.