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 haageocereus chrysacranthus, a columnar cactus found in Peru, has numerous ribs and fine needlelike spines. In order to produce a cactus that is fatter in appearance, provide it with plenty of food, water, and bright light. Learn how to care for this cactus. See more »
Euphorbia succulents come in an enormous variety. Most are cactuslike in appearance with the most popular ones being priced for their flowers. Read about its toxic sap, different varieties, and caring for euphoria.
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False aralia, also known as threadleaf and finger aralia, is a small tree with coppery leaflets joined in a fingerlike pattern. Read more about this easy-to-care-for house plant, its growth, and preferences.
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False shamrock appears similar to clover except it has leaflets in the shape of triangles, which close up at night and reopen at daybreak. Learn how to prevent false shamrock from going dormant.
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The ferocactus, a barrel-shaped cactus found in Mexico, has long, heavy, hooked spines and prominent ribs. Certain varieties are also called the devil's tongue cactus due to the long, borad, red-colored spines. Learn how to care for this cactus.
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Feverfew flowers originally came from South Africa have small, white, flowers on branched stems. It has a strong, mum-like smell. It used to be popular as filler in arrangements, just like baby's breath. Learn more about this tall, beautiful plant.
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The flamingo flower comes in many varieties and, under good conditions, produces large, colorful, heart-shaped flowers year-round. Learn more about growing and caring for the flamingo flower in this article.
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Florist's cyclamen is a house plant that prefers cool temperatures to grow its lovely butterfly flowers of white, ink, red, or purple. Read about caring for this beautiful but demanding plant.
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Florist's gloxina has soft, u-shaped flowers in rich colors. When flowers stop growing, rather than tossing out the plant, withhold water. Learn how long it takes for blooms to return.
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The foxtail asparagus fern (asparagus meyeri) from South Africa has stems up to two feet long. Although the plant looks like a fern, it is actually a member of the lily family. It survives best in cooler weather with moist soil. Learn how to care for this plant.
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Freesia flowers originally came from South Africa. Freesia are fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers that grow on wiry stems. Most are white, cream, and yellow, but they may also come in bolder colors. Learn more about how to choose and care for freesias.
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Gardenia is a small shrub that bears highly perfumed white flowers for which it is specifically grown. Read about the conditions that will provide the best setting for this temporary house plant to thrive.
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The gasteria, a flowering cactus, has thick, smooth, tongue-shaped leaves that are arranged in stacks or spirals. It is similar to an aloe plant, but the leaves of the gasteria are flatter and smoother than an aloe. Learn how to care for this cactus.
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Golden ball cactus catches attention with a clump of yellow flowers at the top of its columns, which are dotted with yellow spines. Learn more about growing golden ball cactus from seed.
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Golden barrel cactus, or mother-in-law's cushion, forms a single, large globe. Its ribs are lined with hooked spines. It needs little nourishment but prefers full sun. Read about this special plant and its care.
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Their blooms are very beautiful, but growing orchids is not difficult. Find orchid history, photos, and tips for growing orchids at HowStuffWorks.
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The great majority of bromeliads in the Guzmania genus are found in the highlands of Colombia and Costa Rica. They have shiny leaves with smooth edges and their flowers are typically a white or yellowish color. Learn more about these unique plants.
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The haageocereus chrysacranthus, a columnar cactus found in Peru, has numerous ribs and fine needlelike spines. In order to produce a cactus that is fatter in appearance, provide it with plenty of food, water, and bright light. Learn how to care for this cactus.
See more »
Hare's, squirrel's, or deer's foot fern are nicknames given to this plant because of its thick hairy rhizomes that look much like animal paws. Read about caring for this easy house plant.
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Heartleaf philodendron looks good displayed from a hanging basket or trained on a trellis. A robust plant, it survives what some gardeners would consider neglect. Learn more about preventing skimpy heartleaf philodendron.
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Hibiscus, also called rose of China, is a very attractive indoor shrub. Its main attraction is its large hollyhock-like flowers with delicately crinkled petals. Unfortunately they are short-lived. Read about this demanding house plant.
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