How to choose the right plants for your home
There are a huge variety of indoor plants available so it is advisable to think carefully about the position of the plant and the effect you want to create.
You need to take into consideration the room the plant will live in, temperature and light, whether you want foliage for all year interest, or temporary plants to provide a continually changing splash of colour.
You need to take into consideration the room the plant will live in, temperature and light, whether you want foliage for all year interest, or temporary plants to provide a continually changing splash of colour.
Another thing to take into consideration is the price. Mature, established plants are much more expensive than a younger specimen.
Some plants are classed as practically indestructible, whilst others need pampering and nurturing.
When choosing your plants it is wise to take into consideration the amount of experience you have and free time available.
Some plants are classed as practically indestructible, whilst others need pampering and nurturing.
When choosing your plants it is wise to take into consideration the amount of experience you have and free time available.
Size and shape
The placing of your plant will depend upon the surroundings. Small plants look out of place against a large bare space. Larger plants look unsteady on windowsills. Some plants may start off quite small and then take over your home. There are six typical shapes to choose from.
Grassy plants
These have a grass - like appearance with long, narrow leaves. Not many grasses are available as house plants but plants such as Acorus, Carex and Scirpus are popular.
The broader leaved grass plants are more readily available. Chlorophytum comosum, the spider plant, is popular everywhere. In addition, some flowering plants have grass type leaves. These include Billbergia nutans and Narcissus.
The broader leaved grass plants are more readily available. Chlorophytum comosum, the spider plant, is popular everywhere. In addition, some flowering plants have grass type leaves. These include Billbergia nutans and Narcissus.
Upright plants
These are plants which, as the name suggests, grow vertically. They can vary in height, from minute to ceiling height. In a mixed group it is always advisable to have at least one medium height specimen to create balance with surrounding plants. The larger of the upright plants are often used as specimens-standing alone to provide a focal point.
"Column Plants" have the appearance of just that. They have no leaves, or leaves which blend in with the column effect. Cacti and succulents often fall into this category.
Trees are generally used in large displays or as a specimen plant. These are upright stems with branching stems and leaves. There are miniature types available as well as the larger growing types. Trees suitable for indoor gardening include Citrus, Ficus benjamina and Schefflera.
Finally, False Palms are generally used as specimen plants. In a mature plant there are normally only leaves on the upper half of the plant creating a palm-like effect. Species include Dieffenbachia and Yucca.
"Column Plants" have the appearance of just that. They have no leaves, or leaves which blend in with the column effect. Cacti and succulents often fall into this category.
Trees are generally used in large displays or as a specimen plant. These are upright stems with branching stems and leaves. There are miniature types available as well as the larger growing types. Trees suitable for indoor gardening include Citrus, Ficus benjamina and Schefflera.
Finally, False Palms are generally used as specimen plants. In a mature plant there are normally only leaves on the upper half of the plant creating a palm-like effect. Species include Dieffenbachia and Yucca.
Climbing and trailing plants
These plants bear stems which are left either to trail over the edge of the pot or can be supported for upward growth. Many can do both.
Climbers are grown upright. Some will twine themselves around supports, others have tendrils which need to be attached to the supports and others have aerial roots which need a moss stick to support them. Passiflora and Stephanotis are climbing varieties.
The diversity of the Climbers/Trailers make them a popular indoor plant. An attractive display can be made when grown over a trellis. As trailers, the pinching out of growing tips encourages a thickness of foliage. These types include Hedera and Scindapsus.
Trailers are always grown with stems hanging down or growing along the soil surface. They often have attractive foliage and flowers and look good on a pedestal or trailing from a hanging basket. Begonia pendula, Columnea and Sedum morganianum are all good examples.
Climbers are grown upright. Some will twine themselves around supports, others have tendrils which need to be attached to the supports and others have aerial roots which need a moss stick to support them. Passiflora and Stephanotis are climbing varieties.
The diversity of the Climbers/Trailers make them a popular indoor plant. An attractive display can be made when grown over a trellis. As trailers, the pinching out of growing tips encourages a thickness of foliage. These types include Hedera and Scindapsus.
Trailers are always grown with stems hanging down or growing along the soil surface. They often have attractive foliage and flowers and look good on a pedestal or trailing from a hanging basket. Begonia pendula, Columnea and Sedum morganianum are all good examples.
Rosette plants
These plants form around a central growing point in a circular pattern. They are low growing and blend in well with most displays.
Flat Rosette plants, such as the African Violet, have loose, horizontal leaves.
Succulent Rosette plants, like Aloe humulis, have fleshy, tightly packed together leaves which can grow horizontally or almost vertical.
Funnel Rosette plants, such as the Bromeliads, use their leaves to form a funnel or cup which holds the rain water in their natural habitat. These are normally quite large plants.
Flat Rosette plants, such as the African Violet, have loose, horizontal leaves.
Succulent Rosette plants, like Aloe humulis, have fleshy, tightly packed together leaves which can grow horizontally or almost vertical.
Funnel Rosette plants, such as the Bromeliads, use their leaves to form a funnel or cup which holds the rain water in their natural habitat. These are normally quite large plants.
Ball plants
These have no leaves and have a distinctive round shape. All are Cacti and may have spines, hair or be completely smooth. Examples include Ferocactus and Mammillaria.
Bushy plants
There are a large variety of plants which do not fit into the other groups. These normally have several stems growing upwards and outwards, coming in a variety of sizes. Pinching out of the growing tips encourage bushiness. Plants include Begonia rex and Maranta.
The indoor environment
It is essential when choosing your plants to consider where it will live. A lot of plants may suffer for a short time when being moved from the nursery to your home, but with the correct amount of light and heat for that plant, should rally in a few weeks.
Plants which prefer shade should be grown well away from windows, but have some available light. These include Aspidistra and Sansevieria.
Azalea, Ferns and other semi-shade plants need to be away from bright windows or in front of a sunless window facing north, for example.
Fuchsia and Philodendron are examples of plants which require light but no sun. Other plants, such as Chlorophytum and Cordyline, require some sunlight but may need protecting from extreme temperatures in the summer.
For a sunny, south facing window choose plants such as Bougainvillea, Cacti and Pelargonium. Some shading may be required in the summer months.
Extremes of temperature from summer to winter can also be detrimental. For unheated rooms choose hardy plants such as Cyclamen, Fatsia and Hydrangea. If you have central heating then either increase the humidity around your plants or choose types such as Eucalyptus and Ficus elastica decora.
Plants which prefer shade should be grown well away from windows, but have some available light. These include Aspidistra and Sansevieria.
Azalea, Ferns and other semi-shade plants need to be away from bright windows or in front of a sunless window facing north, for example.
Fuchsia and Philodendron are examples of plants which require light but no sun. Other plants, such as Chlorophytum and Cordyline, require some sunlight but may need protecting from extreme temperatures in the summer.
For a sunny, south facing window choose plants such as Bougainvillea, Cacti and Pelargonium. Some shading may be required in the summer months.
Extremes of temperature from summer to winter can also be detrimental. For unheated rooms choose hardy plants such as Cyclamen, Fatsia and Hydrangea. If you have central heating then either increase the humidity around your plants or choose types such as Eucalyptus and Ficus elastica decora.
