What Houseplants are Right for You?

Some use houseplant purely as decorations, like paintings on the wall, others treat them as botanical specimens, choosing examples of flora from around the globe.  However, if you want to get the most out of your plant, you need to first treat as a plant and as a decoration second.  Let's take a look at some of the many types of houseplants to find what might fit your needs.

Dependable Evergreens

Choose some of the easiest and most dependable evergreens as the backbone of your collection.  Many of them are tough enough for the more difficult spots around the home, and many make bold focal points.  Perhaps the most well known evergreens are Philodendrons, Ficus, and Yucca.

Variegated Plants

Variegated (irregular colored) foliage will bring color and a touch of the exotic into a dull corner or bright window, depending on the type.  Many variegated houseplants are derived from forest-floor dwellers.  The color and patterns allow the plant to use light across a broad spectrum, making it more efficient at producing energy via photosynthesis.  Popular variegated houseplants include Dracaena, Crotons, Begonia Rex, and many Ivies.

Cacti and Succulents

Some people are fascinated by cacti and they become a passionate hobby, others dismiss them as not quite "real" houseplants.  Whatever you think of them, cacti and succulents are some of the easiest plants to look after and make the perfect choice if you often have to leave your houseplants unattended.

Flowering Houseplants

Flowering houseplants are usually short-lived in the home, but they bring a splash of color and vibrancy that not even colorful foliage can achieve.  They also add an element of seasonal variation that foliage plants lack.  Popular flowering plants include African Violets, Orchids, Pot-grown Lilies, and many others.

Other great types of houseplants include ferns palms, fragrant plants, bromeliads, and a whole host of others.  Houseplants make a great hobby, but be prepared for the occasional failure.  Like any plant in your landscape outdoors, houseplants require dedication.  Houseplants are full of surprises, many of which only reveal themselves when you really care for them.