Hip & Healthy Houseplants

photo source: musely.com

Houseplants are making a comeback and are becoming an important part of your indoor décor.  Ditch the plastic pots and select stylish containers that reflect your personal style.  Choose from ceramic, terra cotta, wood and metal to bring color and texture into your interior space.  Don’t forget to use soil toppings like moss and stones for interest.
 
Succulents are the easy-to-care-for choice for Millennials and even Generation Z.  With minimal water requirements, just place them in a sunny location, and they virtually take care of themselves.  Choose from various types of echeveria, cactus, agave, jade, aloe and more.

photo source:elledecoration.co.uk

In addition to using trendy pots for your plants, hanging planters are back from the past.  If you aren’t quite ready for that macramé hanger again, there are other varieties that use natural jute or metal chain for hanging.  English Ivy, Heart-leaf Philodendron and Golden Pothos are great houseplants to hang.

photo source:domesticsoul.com

​Houseplants that Purify the Air
In the late '80s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lucky for us, these plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air.  Recommendation:  1 plant per 100 square feet in home.

Aloe (Aloe vera) -  Prefers sun and dry soil.
 
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Pet Friendly
Thrive in cool-to-average home temperatures and prefer dry soil. Bright indirect sunlight keeps them growing best.
 
Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) – Pet Friendly
Needs at least six hours of direct sunlight every day.  The brightly colored cut blooms can last as long as two weeks.
  
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii') – “Mother-in-law’s tongue”
Low light and dry out between waterings
 
Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures)
Needs bright, indirect light.  Don't overwater or you'll end up with a case of root rot.  Perfect plant for use in hanging pots.
 
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Moderate sunlight – can eventually grow tall.
 
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Grows best with moist soil and four or more hours of direct sunlight each day.  Great for putting in hanging pots.
 
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Crispum) - they thrive in low light and will grow in places where other plants won't grow.  They prefer slightly humid air.
 
Heart leaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium) - They thrive with indirect light and very little maintenance.  Great for hanging planter.
 
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) - Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms.
 
 Belinda Abendschein
Landscape Designer
Burlington Garden Center