Cool House Plants That Will Brighten Up Your Room
It's unlikely that you'll be able to cover every corner of your home with greenery. However, a few interesting house plants can add more flair to any room. We've rounded up a few cool house plants with interesting flowering patterns and bloom patterns that will catch your interest.
Try an Madagascar dragon with wavy leaves to create a jungle feel in a small space. The majestic palms look stunning under bright indirect lighting.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are easy to care for and can add an exotic touch to your home. They usually tolerate dry conditions, and do not require a lot of light. If you're looking for a plant that will brighten up your room, consider the Lemon Lime Philodendron with leaves that begin with pink and transform into the neon lime green and yellow.
This climbing variety has leaves that can reach 2 feet long in the wild and have an almost plastic patina. It is also known as the Naugahyde Philodendron because of its appearance resembling fake leather. It can be cultivated as an upright or cascading plant.
Another alternative is an alternative is the Horsehead Philodendron, which has deep green leaves that resemble the of a horse, but with a nose-down-below and ears-up-top appearance. It is best used as a climbing plant, and comes with a post it can be affixed to. However you can also plant it upright.
The upright varieties of philodendron are usually a little slower to grow and can take up less space. They come with larger leaves in a range of patterns and colors and include the Snake Plant.
Anthurium
Anthurium flowers last a long time and are beautiful. They are easy to care for and make an exquisite centerpiece or a gift. They symbolize love, friendship and affection. They also represent the concept of longevity and a popular wedding theme.
This tropical plant needs bright light for it to bloom, but not direct sunlight, as this could cause the leaves to dry out and brown patches. The ideal location is a curtain-filtered sunny window. Keep the soil evenly damp 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 formation of new air roots.
Anthuriums thrive indoors in temperatures around 75 F with a high humidity. If the relative humidity falls to less than 50%, spray the plants with water a few times a week or use a humidifier.
The 'Flamingo Flower' "Hawaiian Heart" or "Painters Palette' are some common names for anthurium. The flowers of anthurium are in shades of red, pink white, purple, and bi-colors such as pink/green or red/white. The 'fluff' that is on the stem is actually a spathe, that protects the tiny flower on the spike (spidix). The spathe itself is available in various shapes and colors.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo (Dracaenasanderiana) can be grown in soil or water. The plants in soil must be planted one inch or more deep, and those in water should keep the water level at the top of the pot. This plant prefers bright indirect light. If you notice a brownish tint on the edges of its leaves after placing it close to windows, move it to a more shady area. The bamboo that is grown in water should be fertilized every two months using an ineffective liquid.
Lucky bamboo that is grown in water should be changed regularly to avoid stagnation and the accumulation of bacteria that can compromise roots, stems and foliage. The water should be treated as filtered or distilled, since tap water could contain harmful chemicals that could cause harm to the plants.
This plant is said to bring prosperity and wealth. Place it in the fame and reputation sector of your living or family room, or add to the centerpiece of your dining table to enhance wealth energy. Two bamboo stalks mean love, and you can even use this plant to encourage a happy marriage or relationship. This plant is also known as the Feng-Shui love charm.
String Plant
Ceropegia woodii, or string plant (also known as string of pearls), is a cool house plant that thrives in bright, indirect light. The plant has bizarre pea-shaped leaves, which give it a distinctive appearance. It is a good option for hanging baskets or terrariums.
String plants are an excellent choice for beginners to houseplants as they require only minimal maintenance. It is a great choice for those who cannot keep plants outdoors as it can tolerate a light frost.
String plants, unlike other succulents prefer high humidity to dry air. Avoid placing it near drafts from windows or appliances. They could cause the delicate foliage to fall.
Cut the vines If you notice that your string plant is becoming unbalanced with spindly leaves and large gaps between the leaves. This type of plant is prone to overwatering and should be watered only when the soil feels dry.
Be aware that the sap from the string of pearls could be harmful for pet and human beings. Ingestion can cause skin irritation and mild gastrointestinal symptoms. It's best to keep this plant away from pets and children.
Staghorn Fern
Staghorn Ferns are epiphytes that attach themselves to the canopy of trees in the rainforest. As such, they don't require soil to grow, and they can be positioned on many different surfaces around the home. These unique foliage plants can be used to anchor airplant collections, as accent plants or stand on their own as a striking design element. They look like they've come from outer space or from the ocean.
Apart from their stunning appearance, staghorn Ferns are safe for pets and children. They also make a wonderful addition to any living space.
To keep your staghorn plant healthy, mist the plant often with water that is filtered or rainwater. This is especially important during hot and dry weather.
Fertilize your houseplants every month using liquid fertilizer that has been dispersed and balanced. You can also increase the humidity around your plant using a humidifier or a tray containing wet pebbles. While staghorn ferns are not as drought tolerant as some other houseplants, it's still important to avoid overwatering. Root decay can result from too much water. You can cut off dead or dying fronds but don't take away the brown shield fronds that are vital to reproduce.
Ficus
Ficus (Ficus benjamina) is one of the most well-known cool house plants that can add beauty and fresh air to your home. They are versatile and often found in hanging baskets, on a climbing trellis or on tables. Silver Cloud ficus has green leaves that are broadly bordered with white and is a lovely plant to hang from hanging baskets or tabletop. Burgundy rubber plant is a different variant with deep-green leaves that transform into a burgundy-colored color when placed in bright sunlight. Weeping fiddle leaf figs and figs are two more options that grow into small trees with lush, dark green leaves that have lighter veins.
Remember that ficus rapidly outgrows their pots and the household. They need to be regularly repotted. When repotting ficus, make sure to use a larger container with a top-quality soil. Avoid overwatering. Ficus can become soaked and develop brown roots. The best method to determine whether your ficus needs water is to poke your finger into the soil to determine if it is dry.
Be patient with your ficus since it cannot stand abrupt changes in light, humidity or moisture. Moving it from one area to the next could cause it to lose its leaves. To avoid this, put it in a location where it will get moderate to bright indirect sunlight.
Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera Deliciosa is also referred to as Swiss cheese Plant and has perforated leaves. This epiphyte, also known as Mexican breadfruit split leaf philodendron or Ceriman, is native of the southern Mexican rainforests. It is most productive when it has a bit of space as well as indirect light, and a space to grow. Interestingly, a large mature Monstera plant can produce fruit that is believed to taste like the taste of a fruit salad or a mixture of banana and pineapple.
This plant is a climber, which means it is ideal in a pot with holes for drainage or a trellis. To encourage this, loosely connect the main stem to the moss stick or stable pole. This is akin to its natural habitat, where it evolved by climbing mossy tree and other structures.
Swiss cheese plants thrive in bright indirect light. common house plant is not necessary, but they should be kept in good condition. Water the plant only when the top inch or two of soil appears dry. It is possible to feed your plant a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month by feeding it diluted mixes to promote faster growth. However, it is important to stop feeding your Monstera plant during winter when it is not actively growing.