Choosing House Plants

How do you choose the right house plant?

There are several factors to consider when choosing house plants

Location of House Plants

You should match plants to the indoor location where you plan to put them, in much the same way you would examine an external planting area. How much sunlight does the location get? Remember that there are seasonal variations in sunlight, not only because of the sun's angle but because of foliage on trees outside. If you have low sunlight, consider buying shade friendly house plants like peace lilies or ferns. How much moisture is in the air? Some winter heating systems can cause very dry air. Make sure your house plant can survive all the seasonal air conditions of your home, or be prepared to mist frequently, to move your plants outside or into a greenhouse for part of the year, or to buy new plants each season.

Variety of House Plants

Add excitement to your indoor garden by considering a variety of plant types. Some options to consider include flowering bulbs (such as paperwhites), cactuses and succulents (such as aloe), herbs (such as rosemary and basil), flowering plants (such as orchids or African violets), and green plants (such as ivy or philodendron.) You can even invest in specialty plants like potted topiary or bonsai trees. A good mix of plants can keep things interesting all year long.

House Plant Maintenance

Also consider how much care you are willing to commit to your house plants, and whether you are willing to find a "plant sitter" if you go on vacation. Orchids and ferns require consistent moisture (which often translates into consistent effort) while cactuses and succulents are more forgiving of long periods without watering. The best indoor plants are ones that will stay healthy and beautiful for your continued enjoyment.