Apart from adding to the beauty of your home décor, indoor plants are beneficial in boosting your overall wellness and improving the overall air quality. Recently, more and more people have turned to indoor gardening. In this article, we tell you the names of the top 10 indoor plants that you can consider for your home.
“The Coronavirus pandemic also brought anxiety and uncertainty with it. Many people have turned to gardening, as a coping mechanism. Tending to plants keeps one calm, grounded and joyful. The feel-good factor is also supplemented by the fact that plants give out oxygen during the day. There are several house plants that keep the air pure,” says Anu Ganapathy, founder, Its Thyme to Garden, Bengaluru.
“With a little bit of planning and creativity, even a small indoor space can be spruced up with greenery. To begin with, opt for plants that are easier to tend for. With some basic knowledge (whether the plant is shade or sun-loving), one can nurture a variety of house plants,” she adds.
See also all about: Hymenocallis Littoralis
List of 10 low maintenance plants for beginners
1. Snake plant: This plant adapts itself well to indoor or outdoor environments, bright light or a dark corner, over watering or complete dryness for long periods of time. “It gives out oxygen even at night. Like other indoor succulents, it helps to filter the air and reduce air pollution. It can be easily found, has great benefits and requires minimum attention,” says Ganapathy.
2. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): “One can forget to water ZZ plants for long periods and it will still survive and look vibrant. Shiny leaves give them a unique feathered look. It looks great indoors or outdoors and helps to purify the air. It thrives in medium to low, indirect light.
3. Spider lily: Pleasing to the eye, these plants have long green leaves and pretty white flowers that look like spiders and smell divine. Belonging to the Amaryllis family, they also keep the air pure and can dispel the gloomy look of any space. They need plenty of water and filtered sunlight. It is among the common indoor flowering plants in India used for enhancing the room décor.
See also: How to design an indoor garden
4. Ficus: It is a beginner-friendly plant which grows quite tall and has lush green leaves. Ficus foliage can enliven any corner of your home. They need a bright room but not direct sunlight. Watering regularly is important.
5. Aloe vera: Aloe vera is an air-purifying plant, which removes toxins from the air, emits oxygen at night and has medicinal value. It is one of the best plants to grow at home as it thrives in part shade, needs little maintenance and watering it once a month is enough. Make sure not to over water or else its roots will rot.
See also: The best lucky plants for home
6. Money plant: Money plant (pothos) one of the most well-known house plants, can be grown in water as well as soil. This evergreen creeper can add to the beauty of your home and needs indirect sunlight to grow. Money plant is considered one of the best indoor plants in India. Apart from bringing good luck, money plants absorb the chemical toxins from the air and release fresh oxygen to breathe.
See also: Where to keep money plant at home
“I have a small balcony and one of the walls has a vertical lush green look, as the money plant covers it. The entrance of my living room has a money plant kept on a high stool in a huge vase and it trails beautifully down. They can be styled in hanging pots, wooden frames in vertical gardens or kept with a moss stick. It can even adorn any corner in a glass container with water,” says Meera Sachdeva, a Mumbaikar, who is into indoor gardening.
7. Chinese evergreen: Aglaonema or Chinese evergreen come in different colours and are quite hardy. They require watering just once or twice a week and are great to keep air pollutants away, as well. It is easy to maintain and can be kept indoors or outdoors.
8. Peace lilies / spathiphyllum: A beautiful, low-maintenance tropical evergreen plant, peace lilies keep the air pure. It has the ability to break down and neutralise toxic gases and the moisture given off can boost a room’s humidity. Peace lilies are among the most preferred indoor flowering plants in India. They require minimal care and instantly perks up the space.
See also: How to grow indoor plants in water
9. Bamboo: The lucky bamboo plant, or the Dracaena is a versatile, low-maintenance plant available in different sizes. It thrives in water easily and can be grown in soil, too.
One of the auspicious plants to grow at home, this popular air purification plant attracts positive energy and adds ornamental value, with its twisted stalks. If it is kept in water, change the water of the container twice a week, to replenish the oxygen in the water. Avoid keeping the plant under direct sunlight.
10. Succulents: There are quite a few varieties here in terms of colour, shape, size and hardness. These hassle-free indoor plants can grow in partial or indirect light. Mini-sized exotic cacti are ideal for desks and are easy to maintain for those who forget to water plants. These dry terrain plants are easy to care for and come in a range of wonderful textures.
“One needs to know if the succulent that one has, needs sunlight or shade and maintain it accordingly. Go for flower-bearing cacti to enliven your home décor,” suggests Ganapathy.
See also: Easy plants to grow
Tips for taking care of the indoor plants
- If you are choosing plants for the first time, start with a few plants and learn the basics of plant care for each plant.
- If space is a constraint, create a green area vertically by using ladders and shelves or use a window sill. Hanging baskets add visual appeal to the windows.
- The soil that one prepares for a new plant should be mixed with sufficient amounts of compost and manure.
- A good compost is important for healthy plants. Compost comprises nitrogen and carbon, which act as food for microbes in the soil.
- When choosing plants to grow at home, always use organic fertilisers.
- Ensure that the planters have small holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out when keeping the plants indoor and keep a tray underneath the pot.
- Opt for decorative pots of different materials and sizes for a refreshing look.
- When picking indoor plants in India, one must be observant about pest attacks. Changes in the colour or texture of leaves may indicate an insect problem.
Know about: moss stick
FAQ
What is the best indoor plant to clean the air?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, spider lily, Aloe vera, money plant, Chinese evergreen, peace lilies and bamboo plants can clean the indoor air.
Is it bad to have too many plants in your bedroom?
Most plants release carbon dioxide, not oxygen, at night. Hence, it may be a good idea to keep only a few plants in the bedroom.
Which plant removes stress and anxiety?
The scent of the lavender plant is known to relieve stress and anxiety.
Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.
Email: [email protected]
