It was approximately 5000 years ago that the first ever record of house plants was made. There are many theories about who first brought plants indoors and discovered that they could thrive if placed in the right environments. Some say it was the Egyptians, others say it was the Greeks.

However, today we are all just happy that whoever brought plants into their homes, did so in the first place. Today, we can enjoy the countless benefits that they offer as well as the small pieces of nature that they bring along by coexisting with us.

Everyone speaks of these endless benefits associated with indoor plants. But is it really all that great? Honestly, yes, and here’s why!

✯ Benefits of Indoor Plants:

Whether you choose to keep indoor flowering plants, succulents, or other air-purifying plants indoors, the benefits they offer don’t waver. Their ever-lasting greenery and captivating beauty have more to them than meets the eye.

Here are a few benefits of indoor plants for homes that will leave you wanting more!

✧Air Purification:

Indoor plants are natural air purifiers. They absorb pollutants and release oxygen, thus creating and promoting healthier indoor environments.

Some of the best indoor plants to improve air quality within your home are Snake Plant, Spider Plant, and Peace Lily.

✧Stress Reduction:

Biophilia refers to the inborn human tendency to connect with nature. Since house plants bring nature indoors, they foster a connection with the natural world. This connection has been shown to reduce stress, increase relaxation, and improve overall mental well-being.

Some of the best indoor plants for promoting a stress-free environment are Lavender, Aloe Vera, and Jasmine.

✧Enhanced Productivity:

Best Indoor Plants for Productivity: Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Philodendron.

Since plants reduce stress and promote a more relaxed environment, they are also known to subsequently enhance productivity. Your indoor plants, whether you keep them in your workspace or your living spaces, will thus be able to help you focus and get things done faster.

The best indoor plants for increased productivity are known to be the Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, and Philodendron. Some other small plants for home are also known to facilitate better focus, such as succulent plants, Pothos, and Haworthia.

While these are the biggest benefits that indoor plants offer, countless more will have you yearning for these green companions and their presence in your homes!  Their aesthetic appeal, ability to improve indoor humidity, and various health benefits make them the perfect fit for every household.

Coming to their needs and requirements – it is important to know that house plants vary in terms of basic requirements such as light conditions, watering schedules, pruning, and more. But when home growing plants, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind, to ensure the optimal growth of your house plants!

✯ Tips and Tricks to Home Growing Plants:

Caring for indoor plants means paying attention to their individual needs and understanding what you need to do differently for each one of them. Just like us humans, plants also have their own personalities. So, it is crucial to understand and accept their individuality.

Here are some important things to remember when caring for indoor plants:

✾ Light Requirements of House Plants:

Understand the light needs of your plants. Some plants thrive in bright, indirect light, while others may prefer low-light conditions. There are also a few that require direct sunlight for some parts of the day.

Figuring out which plant needs how much light and in which ways will help you place plants accordingly to prevent issues like overexposure or insufficient lighting.

Plants that require bright, indirect sunlight should be kept in places with enough light. For this, east-facing windows are the best option, followed by west-facing windows that don’t receive direct sunlight.

Some of the best indoor plants that require bright, indirect sunlight are Broken Heart, Monstera Deliciosa, Jade Plant, and Anthurium.

Others that prefer and thrive in low light are the ZZ Plant, Bird of Paradise, Fittonia Green Plant, and Bird’s Nest Fern Plant.

✾ Plant Guide for Watering:

It is essential to establish a consistent watering routine, but you should remember to adjust it based on the specific needs of each plant.

Overwatering is the biggest killer of house plants, so remember to allow the soil to dry out between waterings for most plants. Use pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

There are a few plants that need higher levels of water, which means watering them every other day is key. These include the Stromanthe Triostar Plant, Peace Lily, Golden Fern Plant, and English Ivy Plant.

Naturally, there are a few others that require very little water. The ZZ Plant, Anthurium, Money Plant, Ficus Bonsai, and Money Tree are some prime examples of plants that need watering only once every week.

✾ Indoor Plant Guide for Soil Requirements and Repotting:

From different soils, plants derive different nutrients – nutrients that are required based on their species, natural habitats, and root systems.

Here are some easy examples of different plants and the soil they require:

❃ Cactus and Succulents:

Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix with added perlite or sand.

Repotting: Repot when outgrowing the container, typically every 2-3 years. Make sure to use a pot slightly larger than the current one.

❃ Ferns:

Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix to which organic matter can be added.

Repotting: Ferns may need repotting annually or when they outgrow their containers. Use fresh soil and slightly larger pots.

❃ Snake Plant (Sansevieria):

Soil: Well-draining potting mix, such as a cactus mix.

Repotting: Snake plants are slow growers and may only need repotting every 2-3 years. Use a pot that allows for some space but is not excessively large.

❃ Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum):

Soil: Well-draining potting mix.

Repotting: Spider plants produce offsets (pups) that can be repotted to propagate. Repot the main plant if it becomes root-bound or outgrows its container.

❃ Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum):

Soil: Well-draining potting mix with added organic matter.

Repotting: Repot peace lilies when they become root-bound or outgrow their container. Use fresh soil and a slightly larger pot.

The common thing to remember for all plants is that they all need well-draining soil that will allow them enough room to breathe and receive the oxygen they need. When repotting, also remember to use a bigger pot but not one that will leave too much extra room. Just go one size up!

✾ Fertilizing Your House Plants:

Different plants have varying nutritional needs, and understanding these requirements is crucial. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in the soil, promoting healthy growth, flowering, and overall plant vigor.

General-use fertilizers can be used for almost all plants and provide the most required nutrients. However, for different plants, different fertilizers can be used. For instance, indoor flowering plants require fertilizers that have balanced or slightly higher phosphorus content, and so do fruit-bearing plants. Cacti and other succulent plants require higher nitrogen content.

Although fertilizing is important, remember to avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm the plant.

✾ Pruning and Grooming:

Pruning is vital for plant health and appearance. Indoor flowering plants benefit from post-bloom trimming. Evergreen trees need winter pruning to remove dead branches and maintain density.

Fruit trees benefit from late winter pruning to boost fruit production. Perennials should be cut back in late fall or early spring for renewed growth.

In short, you need to remember that every type of plant has different pruning needs. Some plants grow faster than others, which means that they will require more regular pruning.

✾ Pest Management:

Common plant pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs.

Aphids feed on plant sap which causes stunted growth. Spider mites create webbing and damage leaves. Whiteflies secrete honeydew, attracting mold. Mealybugs excrete honeydew and cause wilting.

Integrated pest management involves biological control (inducing other predatory insects to get rid of pests), insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or horticultural oils.

To ensure that you catch all potential problems early, regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation, prune affected parts, and quarantine new plants. Maintaining proper plant hygiene, ensuring good air circulation, and avoiding over-fertilization can also deter pests. Consistent monitoring and early intervention are crucial for effective pest management.

✾ Rotation:

To ensure even growth, rotate the placement of all your indoor plants regularly. This prevents the development of lopsided or leaning plants, as they adjust to the light source. All plants that can grow inside the house still need to be given different spaces indoors to ensure adequate ventilation and adaptability.

✾ Cleaning:

Wipe the leaves of your plants regularly to keep the dust away. This way, you can enhance their ability to photosynthesize and keep them looking vibrant. Your clean plants will also be less prone to pest infestations.

✾ Observation:

Pay attention to your plants and observe any changes in their appearance. This can help you identify issues such as nutrient deficiencies, diseases, or pests early on, allowing for prompt intervention.

For all your needs, at every step of the way, you might need some amount of guidance and expert understanding of plants. Whatever it may be, there always will be times when you need to be pointed in the right direction so that your plants can thrive and blossom. For this, and all your other plant and plant care needs, we have found that Ugaoo provides the best gardening experience! While also giving you space and scope to give the best to your plants, it gives you the best of all worlds like after-sales services, expert advice through video consultancies, and in-depth plant care guides so that you can grow as your plants do. After all, that’s what they believe – that “plants grow people!”