Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the Perfect Decorative Houseplant
Are you wanting to add some greenery to your home but aren’t sure where to start when it comes to decoration plants? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a beginner plant parent or looking to expand your collection, this guide will provide answers to all your questions about selecting the perfect decorative houseplant.
Deciding on the Right Type of Decorative Plant
The first step is determining which plant variety is best suited to your home’s conditions and aesthetic preferences. Here are some top decorative plant options to consider:
- Pothos: One of the hardiest and lowest maintenance plants, pothos is pretty much impossible to kill. It can survive in low light and doesn’t need frequent watering. Great for beginners!
- Snake plant: Another very hardy drought-tolerant plant. Snake plants can go longer between waterings than most and add a striking vertical element to any room.
- Philodendron: Comes in many varieties with beautiful heart-shaped or tear-drop leaves. Philodendrons are versatile plants that do well in medium light.
- Chinese evergreen: Adds lush greenery with colorful variegated leaves. Chinese evergreens prefer medium to low indirect sunlight.
Consider factors like light levels, nearby foot traffic, and watering needs when matching plants to spots in your home. But as any gardener knows, plants have their own personalities too. You may end up loving a variety you didn’t initially expect.
Choosing the Right Pot
The pot you choose can totally transform a plant’s aesthetic. When plant shopping, the available pots often influence my buying decision as much as the plant itself! Some tips for selecting the perfect decorative pot:
- Pick a color, material, and style that complement your home’s design.
- Choose a nursery pot 1-2 inches wider than the plant’s root ball for good drainage.
- Glazed or terra cotta pots work great for many houseplants allowing moisture to evaporate.
- Plastic pots are good for low light plants as they hold moisture well. but may look cheap compared to nicer materials.
- Make sure the pot has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent overwatering issues.
A plant’s pot is like its outfit – it should flatter the plant but also fit the surrounding aesthetic. With some trial and error you’ll learn what styles suit each plant and space best.
Caring for Your New Decorative Plant
Once you’ve selected your plant and pot, the fun really begins – caring for your new leafy friend! Proper care will keep it looking its best for months or even years to come. Here are some basics:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Underwatering is safer than overwatering, which can cause root rot.
- Fertilize monthly in the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant food following label instructions.
- Provide adequate indirect sunlight as too much or too little light can cause leaf drop or stringy growth.
- Dust leaves occasionally and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dirt and pet hair.
- Repot yearly in early spring before new growth begins using a potting mix suitable for houseplants.
- Trim off any dead, diseased or pesky branches to keep a neat appearance.
Healthy soil, proper light levels and regular care will reward you with an attractive decorative plant for months and years of enjoyment. As they say, happy plants make happy people!
Common Pests and Problems
No plant care article would be complete without touching on potential issues that could arise. Here are a few of the most common decorative houseplant pests and problems:
- Spider mites: Tiny pests that cause leaf stippling or webbing. Wipe down leaves with soapy water or use insecticidal soap.
- Mealybugs: Fluffy white masses that suck plant sap. Carefully dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball.
- Scale: Hard brown or black rounded shells on stems or leaves. Scrape off with your fingernail or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Root rot: Caused by overwatering leading to fungal issues. Improve drainage and decrease watering until soil fully dries out.
- Leaf drop: Could be due to too much or too little light, temperature changes, or overwatering. Adjusting care practices is key.
Be on the lookout for any changes in your plant’s appearance. Addressing problems promptly gives the best chances of a full recovery. Don’t beat yourself up though – we’ve all had plant casualties now and then due to learning experiences.
Final Tips for Decorative Plant Success
To wrap up, here are some additional tips that may help you become a pro plant parent:
- Label plants so you remember their specific care needs down the road.
- Shake up plant locations every month or so to make the most of different light levels in your home.
- Planters outdoors in summer make terrific self-watering containers for certain tropicals like philodendrons.
- Try your hand at propagation to expand your collection for free over time.
- Join local plant clubs or follow knowledgeable bloggers for new plant ideas and troubleshooting help.
- Above all else, be patient with yourself and your plants. Gardening indoors takes practice just like anything else worth doing.
I hope this guide has answered any questions and inspired you to start or expand your collection of beautiful, low-maintenance decorative houseplants. Enjoy nurturing your leafy friends – it’s one of life’s simple pleasures. Let me know if you have any other plant questions!
Choosing the Perfect Houseplant
| Plant | Light Needs | Water Needs | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Allow soil to dry out between waterings | Low light areas |
| Succulents | Bright indirect light | Let soil dry out completely | Low maintenance |
| Chinese Evergreens | Medium light | evenly moist soil | Low light areas |
| Peace Lily | Medium light | Keep soil moist | Bathrooms |
| Spider Plant | Bright indirect light | Let soil dry slightly between waterings | Low light areas |
FAQ
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What kind of plants are best for decoration?
Flowers are usually the easiest to keep looking good inside. However, some foliage plants like pothos or spider plants can also spruce up a space without much effort. Basically anything green will brighten things up a bit.
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How often do I need to water decoration plants?
It kind of depends on the specific plant. As a general rule, you’ll want to check the soil everyday and water when the top inch gets dry. For flowers, you may need to water every few days but plants with thicker leaves sometimes lasts for over a week before getting parched. Be sure not to overwater though – soggy soil can lead to root rot.
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Is sunlight important for indoor plants?
Most definitely! While you can find plants labeled as “low light,” even they’ll appreciate at least a few hours of sunshine every day. Kind of makes sense when you think about it – plants use light for photosynthesis after all. So find a bright spot near a south or west facing window if possible. On the other hand, direct midday sun can scorch some more delicate flowers so experiment to see what they prefer.
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What should I do with plants that aren’t looking their best?
Don’t feel bad – we’ve all had plants that just didn’t seem to thrive indoors. First, check the basics like sunlight, water and fertilizer. It may just need some TLC to perk back up. But sometimes a plant is a goner despite your best efforts. If it appears beyond saving due to disease, bugs or simply not adapting to indoor conditions, it may be better to replace it with something hardier. RIP to all the fallen plants out there!
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Are there any low maintenance decoration plants?
Marble queen pothos and Snake plants are often cited as two of the most sturdy, strong and low maintenance plant varieties you can have in your home. They seem to survive just about anywhere with neglect and don’t need constant watering like other plants. Spider plants, ZZ plants and Peace lillies also apparently are very forgiving of imperfect conditions. So if you “forget” to tend your plants, these may be your best chance of success!
Where can I find plants to spruce up my place?
Your local garden store or big box store will obviously have a good selection. However, you may get better deals at supermarket flower sections or discount chains. Some people have luck finding cool plants on the side of the road too – just be careful about hitchhikers if sourcing plants this way. Additionally, plant exchanges on sites like Facebook or Nextdoor are a great place to both give and receive unique clippings to try propagating.
Do indoor plants improve air quality and mood?
Research appears to show that plants do help purify indoor air by removing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. They may also increase humidity levels which can be drying in heated buildings, especially during winter. Additionally, there is some evidence that simply having plants around boosts happiness and reduces stress. So at the end of the day, they seem to provide more benefits than just aesthetic value. Even if plants don’t cure anxiety or disease, they are sort of nice to have around anyway as home decor.