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.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) originally came from Europe. The fragrant, white flowers hang like small bells on their five to eight-inch stems. Read more about when to buy, how to care for, and how to arrange these beautiful flowers. See more »
From wriggling amoebas to roving rhinos, delicate dandelions to majestic redwoods, everything that lives on Earth needs one superstar element to survive: water. But succulents need a little less water than some of their thirstier counterparts.
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These bromeliads get their name from the Greek work for "spear tip." These plants grow leaves in a tight, stemless, overlapping rosette that forms a vase which can hold more than a gallon of water. Read more about these clever plants in this article.
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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.
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African violet grows furry leaves and flowers in several colors except red. They can be tricky, preferring strong light but not hot temperatures. Learn more about how to maintain flowering.
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The agave is a type of flowering cactus used for producing tequila and rope. The plant is similar in looks to the African Aloe plant. The main difference between the two plants is the way in which they flower. Learn how to care for this cactus at HowStuffWorks.
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Air plant completely changes color when in bloom. Most of its varieties sprout silver or green leaves. Because it doesn't have many roots, submerge it when watering. Learn more about unique display options.
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The alluaudia procera cactus from southwest Madagascar can grow quite tall and is covered in sharp thorns. It has been known to reach a height if six feet when grown indoors, and a height of thirty-six feet in the wild. Learn how to care for this cactus.
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The sap of the aloe medicine plant offers a soothing remedy for sunburns and other skin irritations. Learn more about growing and using this handy house plant in this article.
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Aluminum plant, a quick grower, comes in creeping and upright varieties. Though the flowers are unremarkable, the leaves range from green to a dark brownish gold. Try restarting it from stem cuttings for best results.
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The amaryllis is an easy house plant that produces beautiful, showy flowers in winter. Learn how to care for the amaryllis at HowStuffWorks.
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Ananas are a world-famous family of plants that include the pineapple. They are short-stemmed ground-growing plants with leaves that can grow three or more feet tall outdoors. Learn more about these tall, delicious bromeliads in this article.
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Anguloa uniflora, or tulip orchid, grows a large white fragrant flower. Learn about this orchid's history and best growing conditions in this article.
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Aralia grows almost gnarled stems and branches, perfect for that bonsai look without the fuss. Be sure to maintain consistent conditions, or it will drop its leaves. Learn what light intensity it prefers.
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Arrowhead vine grows on a trellis or drapes nicely from suspended pots. Leaves often have streaks of color and actually turn palmate with the passing of time. Learn more about its water requirements.
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Ascocentrum curvifolium boasts a full spray of orange-red flowers. Learn about this orchid's history and ideal growing conditions in this article.
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Baby tears plant looks good draping out of its container but can also maintain a moundlike shape with pinching. It does well in humid climes but prefers well-circulated air. Learn why to use it in a terrarium.
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Begonias, a popular house plant that comes in many varieties and colors, often are planted in hanging baskets. We'll show you how to grow this easy house plant in this article.
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Billbergias are among the easiest bromeliads to produce from seed, probably because fresh seed is fairly easy to get. These fast-growing plants were named after a Swedish botanist. Learn more about the tough, tolerant Billbergia in this article.
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Bird of paradise is a flower from South Africa. Birds of paradise have five to seven inch orange and blue flowers. The stems are two to four feet long. Birds are heavy and need good support. Learn more about this colorful and queenly flower.
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The bird's nest fern, or spleenwort, is a house plant that loves humidity, but it can be demanding to grow. Learn how to care for the bird's nest fern in this article.
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