Does your house look like a jungle full of lush, green plants on every surface? Or do you steer clear of flora due to a black thumb and zero confidence in sustaining the life of a plant? If it's the latter, there's help out there for you.
Besides being pretty to look at, house plants offer a variety of benefits around the house. They can improve the air quality of your home or office and can improve your mood. At the very least they can give you something to do. Still not convinced that you can successfully nurture a living thing in your home?
Not all house plants need to be watered every day. Some can even go days without any water. Not all house plants need to be in direct sunlight, receive fertilizer or be trimmed back. And no, you don't have to talk to your plants in order for them to thrive. You should pick a plant that works with your lifestyle; one that you can devote as much or as little time as you need to keep your plant beautiful.
Easier said than done, right? Wrong. HowStuffWorks has already done a lot of the research for you. All you need to do is visit the House Plants page to get the lowdown on which plant is right for you (and which plants may not be so right for you). If you're interested in turning your thumb from the darkest of black to the greenest of green, then we can help. After all, our thumbs match the greenest of rolling hills in Ireland; or at least that nice, fluffy fern in the kitchen!
House plants bring the fresh beauty of the outdoors inside your home. Learn about different kinds of house plants and how to care for them.
The aeonium is a type of flowering cactus found in the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean region of North Africa. Aeoniums typically look like hens or chickens on top of a thick stalk. Flowers tend to be yellow in color. Learn how to care for this cactus. See more »
Boston fern, easily recognized by its long stems that grow over the edges of its container, comes in green and golden varieties. Learn more about how to prune Boston fern.
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The Brassavola group orchids are some of the easiest to grow indoors. Learn about these orchids and their ideal growing conditions in this article.
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Broom or Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a type of foliage originally from the Mediterranean region. It is usually available from late summer to early spring and can last for years. Learn how to care and use its long, thin stems in this article.
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Bulbophyllum lobbii is an orchid with a single buff and yellow flower. Read about this orchid's traits and best growing conditions in this article.
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Burro's tail plant gets its name from the lengthy stems that produce round leaves, giving the appearance of a tail. Flowering isn't common, and it drops leaves when disturbed. Learn how to use fallen leaves.
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Cacti and succulents, tolerant and low maintenance plants, are ideal for busy people and indoor spaces. Cacti come in many varieties, and can survive in any number of light and moisture conditions. Learn about caring for these resilient plants.
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Cacti and succulent plants come in a variety of types, sizes, shapes, and colors. Some species of cacti produce leaves, while others are known for producing flowers. They can tolerate a wide variety of climates. Learn about cacti and how to care for these plants.
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Calamondin orange is a close relative of the true orange and a decorative house plant, which grows very bitter fruit. Read about caring for this demanding plant and learn which pests to look out for.
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The calibanus hookerii cactus from Mexico, a tolerant, tough plant, has tuberous roots and grasslike leaves. It was bred to withstand dry air and soil, and can withstand less than ideal conditions for years. Learn how to care for this cactus.
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Bromeliads are plants that grow from the southern United States through Argentina. They can vary greatly in size, shape, color, and ease of growth. Learn about their characteristics and how to properly light, water, pot, and fertilize these plants.
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The cast-iron plant, or parlor palm, is a hardy house plant. Named for its strong constitution, this plant is great for people without a green thumb. Learn how to grow it in this article.
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Catopsis bromeliads grow in Florida, the Caribbean, and tropical South America. Their seeds are slow to germinate and the seedlings also take their time. The plants eventually show green leaves that are soft and spineless. Learn more about Catopsis.
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Cattleya orchids include numerous varieties and hybrids. Read about the traits and growing conditions of the popular cattleya orchid in this article.
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Cattleya orchid, corsage orchid, is one of the better known house plant varieties of orchids. It is somewhat difficult to care for but its beauty makes up for the extra attention. Read more about it.
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The century plant derives its name from the legend that it blooms only once in a century. Learn more about this long-lived house plant in this article.
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China doll sprouts leaves that look like feathers. Be prepared to pinch it more often starting one year after it's purchased. That's when the artificial growth retardant wears off. Learn which potting mix to use.
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The Chinese evergreen is a hardy, handsome house plant that's great for adding color to rooms in any house or apartment. Learn more about growing and caring for the Chinese evergreen in this article.
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Christmas cactus does not produce spines but does have toothed margins as a defense mechanism. It blooms in a variety of colors late in the year. Learn about how to encourage flowering.
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Christmas kalanchoe has glossy green succulent leaves and thick clusters of red, pink, yellow, or orange flowers. It is a demanding house plant but the flowers can last for months. Read about its care.
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The yellow flowers of the Chysis laevis orchid are flecked with violet. Read about the traits and growing conditions of the Chysis laevis orchid.
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