10 Houseplants That Are Easy to Maintain

Houseplants not only look beautiful but they are great for keeping the environment clean. And if you think growing indoor plants needs a lot of efforts and maintenance, you are wrong.  You don’t have to be an expert gardener to grow houseplants in your home. You can be new to growing plants with little or no knowledge about them, or you can be busy with little or no time to take care of houseplants. Well, whatever be the case, these 10 easy-to-grow houseplants can stay alive and thrive even with the laziest or busiest souls.

Lucky Bamboo

Apart from the fact that it is considered as a sign of luck, what makes the Lucky Bamboo a lucrative houseplant is it is low maintenance. The plants belonging to Dracaena genus need no direct light and can grow if you just provide water in abundance. It is a good idea to provide iron fertilizer once in a while though.

Devil’s Ivy/Golden Pothos

One of the easiest houseplants to grow, the green-yellow, heart-shaped leaves of the plant are surely a treat to the eyes. Capable of tolerating both drought and moisture, Golden Pothos has great air purifying property. The only thing you need to be careful from is direct sunlight as it may result in drying of the leaves.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of the most robust houseplants that grow rapidly without any maintenance. You can go without watering it for weeks altogether. Just place it close to a sunny windowsill and forget about it. Next time you need some aloe gel for your skin, you will find the houseplant all grown up.

Jade Plant

Just like Aloe plants, even the Jade plant can grow with minimum watering. It can grow well even in the poorest of soils and its thick leaves ensure that it doesn’t lose much water through precipitation. Do not place it under direct sunlight and do not overwater it as both of these can hamper the growth of this shrub like houseplant.

Snake Plant

If you are someone who travels too much and is out of home for weeks, the Snake Plant is the best option. Not only is it one of the easiest to grow but it is also extremely drought-resistant.  That means you can water it once before going out on a tour and it will be fine and all grown-up when you are back a fortnight later. And by the way, the plant is also called the mother-in-law’s tongue.

Umbrella Tree

It is one of the most commonly grown houseplants in Indian offices and homes. It grows straight and tall inside a pot when grown indoors. Avoid overwatering and direct sunlight to help it grow best.

Philodendrons

Philodendrons are found in several varieties and you can easily find the one that you would like to grow in your indoor garden. It looks best when placed in terrace gardens or in balconies. The plant requires occasional sunlight to thrive. It requires moderate watering and grows well if you let the soil dry between two watering sessions

Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane)

If your house receives low light, Dieffenbachia is the perfect houseplant to grow at home. Just keep the soil evenly moist and the plant grows well even in shade. Water moderately and let the top surface of the soil dry before watering it again. Don’t let water accumulate in the pot as it may hamper the growth of the plant.

Rubber Tree

If you live in an area with high air pollution, the Rubber Tree is a great option for you. It is a natural air purifier and helps in removing carbon monoxide and benzene from the air. One of the toughest plants to mismanage, it can survive the harshest of temperatures and can do well with occasional pruning.

Spider Plant

Apart from the fact that it looks great, the popularity of the Spider Plant is due to its toughness and low maintenance. The plant can grow in almost any weather conditions and with minimum watering. Place the plant in a bright spot with indirect light, and you are good.

 

This article was originally published on www.thehindu.com dated July 09,2017