Identical to folks, houseplants have their very own distinctive personalities that may vary from laid again to absolute diva. Discovering the plant that may match effectively into your family members’ residence, way of life, and skillset is an artwork.
Fortunately, the horticulturalists on the William T. Kemper Middle for House Gardening know simply what you’re on the lookout for and have created this information that can assist you discover houseplants everybody can take pleasure in. Whether or not the one you love considers themselves a plant mother or father or they’re simply dipping their toe into the soil, there’s a plant for everybody in your checklist this vacation season.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). Photograph by David Stang / Missouri Botanical Backyard.
Though no houseplant can truly be grown in complete darkness, ZZ vegetation (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are a superb alternative for rooms with solely oblique gentle.
They’re additionally usually easy-care vegetation: tolerating drought, low humidity, and affected by only a few assaults by frequent houseplant pests.
Haworthia attenuata. Photograph by Suzann Gille/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
For the traveler: zebra plant (Haworthia attenuata)
Like many succulents, Haworthias retailer water of their foliage and solely want an intensive watering as soon as each few weeks, making them excellent for individuals who discover themselves away from residence typically, or who simply at all times overlook to water their vegetation.
They make glorious houseplants on account of their comparatively low gentle necessities, which means that they are going to do effectively in shiny to reasonable oblique gentle, whereas most different succulents do greatest indoors with no less than some direct gentle.
Umbrellaa plant (Cyperus alternifolius). Photograph by David Stang/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
A houseplant can’t be overwatered, proper?
It’s true! However these family of papyrus desire soil that stays evenly moist and doesn’t dry out, even tolerating standing water.
They do require loads of gentle to develop effectively. Place the pot outside for summer time and overwinter indoors close to a shiny, sunny window.
Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata contained in the Emerson Conservatory as a part of the Vacation Floral Present. Photograph by tom Incrocci/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
For the houseplant beginner: Snake plant (Sansevieria)
Tolerant of drought, dry air, and normal neglect, snake vegetation are a superb alternative for the first-time houseplant proprietor.
They develop slowly and like to be barely rootbound, which means that repotting is required solely occasionally. Frequent houseplant pests akin to mealy bugs and scale additionally have a tendency to go away snake vegetation alone.
Elephant ear (Alocasia). Photograph by tom Incrocci/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
For the houseplant knowledgeable: Elephant’s ear (Alocasia)
These leafy tropical vegetation are primarily grown for his or her showy foliage which frequently reveals distinctive veining, markings, and/or coloration.
Nonetheless, their sensitivity to dry, indoor air and propensity to draw spider mites amongst different frequent pests makes them a difficult houseplant to develop. This can be a nice plant for expertise houseplant homeowners on the lookout for a problem.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’) Photograph by Daria McKelvey/ Missouri Botanical Backyard.
For the trend-setter: yellow variegation
Market analysis has indicated the following development in houseplants shall be vegetation with yellow or chartreuse colorations.
Classics akin to Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’ pothos, and newcomers akin to E. aureum ‘Lemon Meringue’ and Z. zamiifolia ‘Chameleon’ (ZZ plant), would make glorious items for somebody who’s at all times chasing the following “it” look in houseplants.
Need assistance along with your vegetation?
If you happen to do give considered one of these featured vegetation or some other vegetation this vacation season, be sure to inform the one you love about our Plant Physician and Horticulture Reply Service. We shall be blissful to reply any questions they’ve about their new houseplant.
Plant Physician
Professional Backyard employees and Grasp Gardener volunteers can be found in particular person to reply your gardening questions. This walk-in service is out there free with admission.
- April – October: Open 7-days every week, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- November – March: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Closed weekends
Horticulture Reply Service
Backyard employees and Grasp Gardener volunteers present personalised solutions to your particular gardening questions over the cellphone or by e-mail.
Written by Justine Kandra, Horticulturalist with the William T. Kemper Middle for House Gardening.