Remember how you get lost in the greenery while travelling to the countryside. It is soothing to the eye. Back in the city you only see skyscrapers, malls, restaurants, highways etc. Wouldn't it be nice if your home too had a natural feel? You don't need acres of land to flex your green home. Several plant species can be grown indoors that don't need much light or maintenance and don't grow exponentially. So get yourself these 10 houseplants that don't require much skill, space to keep them alive and stand in your balcony with pride alongside your homegrown green paradise.
1. Coffee Plant
A coffee plant in your pot won't be able to cover for your requirement of coffee but the plant does add to the brilliance of the home. If given time, you might be able to collect enough beans from it to roast and brew your own homegrown coffee. You need to keep the soil moist in the pot and keep checking for the moistness every time. However, take care that the pot is not waterlogged. Also, see to it that both the soil and the pot of the coffee plant has good drainage or the roots will rot. The plant loves humidity and has an in-built indicator for letting you know. If it is too dry around, the leaves get super droopy and when you water it, they'll go back to normal. You can arrange to place your coffee plant on a water-filled pebble tray to help with the moisture. Coffee plant requires medium indirect light. Even several hotel rooms and reception lobbies have the plant in their premises.
2. ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is the botanical name of the plant. The name is so unique and a tongue twister that the plant is called as ZZ plant. If you are very careless and tend to forget things, this plant will be ideal for you. The plant can survive on minimum water and even requires less water than a lot of other plants. The plant thrives well in bright indirect sunlight but will also grow even in low light conditions. The ZZ plant is very suitable for Indian conditions and adds to the magnificence of the home. The shiny bright leaves contrast well with the interiors. If you want to grow more of the plant just the leaf of a ZZ plant will do the trick.
3. Rubber Plants
The rubber plant is one of the topmost choices for decorating your interiors and is aesthetically very pleasing. Rubber plant also requires bright indirect sunlight for its growth. While the rubber plant does grow into full-length trees, keeping it in a pot restricts its growth. The roots adapt to the limited space in the pot and only grow to a size that fits for indoor decoration. Rubber plants are a top-notch air purifier so you can comfortably place it in the balcony and sit alongside and enjoy. Rubber plant also needs bright light but direct sunlight is not favourable. However, its water requirement varies seasonally and it requires its soil to be moist with water while it only requires as much water in winters that it prevents the plant from wilting. The rubber plant can neither stand too high or too low temperature but thrives well in a moderate temperature.
4. String of Pearls
Another low maintenance ornamental plant is the String of Pearls. Just place it in a hanging pot and witness the pearly strings branch out on all sides giving it an appealing look. The lengthy strands do make your interiors more lively. These succulent plants are suited for indoor growth and thrive well in almost any weather condition. They do require bright direct or indirect light however, don't place them next to a glass door or window since the trapped heat is not suitable for this species. Water requirements are also not that strict with just a weekly pour fine. The plant loves the summers as well as winters which makes it perfect for rendering a subtle and striking ambience to your home round the year.
5. Money plant
Money plant belongs to the class of plants scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum. The plant does not bear money on it it's just that the leaves are sometimes round, sometimes plump and sometimes flat and appear like coins and notes which gives it the name. This extra leafy plant serves the purpose of removing toxic pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. And of course, if you live and breathe in a healthy environment you will mint money which argues in its favour as well. The plant is kept away from direct sunlight or its leaves get burnt. Also, keep it away from the wind as it can lead to leaf loss. Money plant thrives in humidity making it ideal for humid conditions so maybe your bathroom sill will be perfect for it. The soil needs to be sandy to allow drainage of excess water as it rots in excessive water. There are different varieties of money plant namely: Chinese money plant, Braided money tree plant, Silver dollar, Lunaria money plant etc. You might have seen these in the hotel room or even in the lobby area.
6. Snake Plants
Also known as "Mother in Law's Tongue" this plant is ideal as an indoor plant. The plant does not even require a large amount of water and needs to be watered only when soil is dry. This can also be planted in wall mounted pots and it will liven up the empty wall. Snake plant thus requires minimal care and has superb air-cleaning qualities. It is one of the few plants that remove carbon dioxide even at night and thus you can plant it along your bed. Just take care that there is indirect sunlight in your bedroom during the day. Just rarely water the plant in winter because it thrives even in low water conditions and excessive watering can rot its roots. There are different varieties of snake plant like Hahnii, Silver queen, Black gold extreme, Laurentii, Black coral, Congo, seafoam, Robusta, Black Coral. Snake plants are not used in hotel rooms for aesthetic purpose but you might have seen these in the reception or the lobby.
7. Aloe Plant
Aloe Vera is also known as the Medicinal Plant for its herbal properties. The gel from its leaves have anti-ageing properties and are even applied on hair to reduce hair fall. It is a stemless succulent plant with fleshy leaves and requires the least care. Aloe Vera is even insects and pests tolerant and gives you a gel that acts as an ointment for cuts and bruises as well. Aloe Vera is very tolerant to the sun and requires less water. Pot it in tall pots and water only when the soil dries off usually once a week. Aloe plant has been so popular nowadays that you might even see one in your hotel room.
8. Dragon Tree
The Dragon Tree is the easiest and most tolerant of all houseplants. It has a tough and aggressive root system which can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can grow even in drought-like conditions. The plant looks attractive with its sword-shaped leaves that are red at the edges. This plant is often recommended for beginners as it is easy to take care of. In warm conditions, it can grow up to 20 feet height but in pots, it is generally pruned to 6 feet height. The Dragon plant is also a natural purifier. Don't keep them in direct sunlight as the leaves tend to dry off. Keep them indoors and water occasionally. This is the reason, we can see the dragon tree inside hotel rooms and lobby area.
9. Spider plants
Spider plants show off their long, thin, arched foliage that is solid green or patchy white. The curved leaves are very appealing when planted on hanging pots along the wall and add to the beauty of the place. This plant is ideal as a houseplant since it requires room temperature and only occasional watering to thrive. The spider plant can grow in indirect bright sunlight. The name spider plant is derived from small offsets called pups that look like tiny spiders and hence the name. Spider plants are renowned for their air-purifying capabilities and so line them up along your wall or bed as long as they are away from direct sunlight. Spider plants are very recognized for their decorative uses and even hotel rooms are decorated with it.
10. Gardenia
Gardenia is not the easiest out there to grow and take care of but the efforts will pay off. The intoxicating fragrance of the creamy white flowers contrasting against the leathery, shiny dark green leaves is a must-have in our homes. Gardenia plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to grow. In the hot summer season, morning sun and afternoon shade are perfect for Gardenia. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged or too dry. So neither over water the plant nor completely forget it. Add some organic mulch layer to keep the soil temperature in check and also water with distilled water once a month to wash off the excessive minerals deposited.
You surely remember how you plucked a flower out of your bed side pot in your couple friendly hotel on your honeymoon and how enticed your partner was with this little act of love. Recreate the same aura and magic in your house. Line up the walls, terrace, balcony and even the bedside with these amazing plants and relish the beauty of greenery 24/7.
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