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For example, snake plants are houseplants with a
very distinct look that most people will easily recognize. These
plants go well with all sorts of interior decoration, and can be
found in offices, living rooms, kitchens - anywhere in the home. The
snake plant goes well with solid color planters, and is infamous for
its relative difficulty to accidentally kill.
Snake plants are easy to find for sale. They also do not need as
much attention. Snake plants only need water when the soil is
completely dry, and while brighter light is helpful in promoting
faster growth, it’s not necessary, and they do just fine in corners
or darker rooms.
Devil's Ivy (Pothos) is similar to snake plants in terms of care. Of
the two, it is usually cheaper. Devil's Ivy grows well in the more
humid rooms in the home, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and does
require a little more frequent watering than snake plants, but not
by much.
Devil’s Ivy is a hanging plant, meaning you will need space for it
to grow down and out around the area. Drainage might be an issue to
watch for- another reason it’s good to keep such a plant in a
kitchen or a bathroom, or somewhere a little moisture leakage won’t
be a problem.
However, if you're looking for something more colorful and can
actually blossom, look for something like an African Violet. African
violets thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and, unlike the other
plants, need moist soil. This means watering them more often, and
making sure the soil has enough nutrients.
These plants feature round, dark green leaves. The blossoms can
range from light to dark purple, burgundy and various shades of
blue.
African Violets brighten up living spaces and bedrooms. They should
be placed far enough away from windows to make sure that any sudden
cold does not become a problem, as they are sensitive to sudden
temperature changes.
African Violets stay relatively small, so this is the time to make
them shine with a decorative planter. You can also plant them
individually in smaller planters, helping each one to stand out on
its own with unique styles.
Another colorful option is the Kalanchoe plant. These plants can
bloom more than once a year if treated well, and come in a wide
range of colors. They are also relatively small, and can be planted
in a variety of planters to help them stand out, and go well in
bedrooms and living rooms and dining areas.
Kalanchoe plants require a bit more natural light than some of the
others, but don’t really require any more water than you might
expect. So long as they get moisture every few days, these plants
should thrive.
More often than not, stores sell kalanchoes mid-bloom. Again, they
are capable of multiple blooms per year, so long as they are
properly taken care of. This means trimming off dying pieces and
making sure the soil has enough nutrients, and that the sunlight is
just right. These plants are a little more fickle, but worth the
effort in the long run. One last example is
the dragon tree plant. Dragon trees are also colorful plants, coming
in a range of greens and yellows. Depending on the species, they
also feature shades of orange or red. They do not need frequent
watering, and prefer watering when the top inch or so is dry.
Dragon tree plants aren’t really trees, but they do look like them,
featuring trunk-like stems and thin, long leaves. They don't need a
lot of light and can thrive in corners, so they are perfect for
low-light rooms, or areas with plenty of space. But they are also
potentially taller than a lot of other indoor plants.
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This means choosing a series of planters, should you
need to transplant it in the future. However, they do grow very
slowly, years to gain a foot, so you should have plenty of time to
figure out when to transplant.
Once you’ve picked out your plants, you’ll need a planter or two as
they grow. Again, if the goal is help save money, an easy way to
provide a relatively inexpensive yet still useful home for your
plants is to repurpose other materials. You’d be surprised at what
simple things most people have laying around the home that can be
used to contain an indoor plant.
For example, most of us have a variety of old cans, jars, and
bottles taking up space that we’ve been meaning to throw away. These
old containers make for a good planter for certain kinds of plants.
You may decide to decorate with a bit of paint or some added
material attached to the outside, or not. After all, old containers
can help provide a rustic look to go with plants, if that’s
something you care about.
Alternatively, search the cabinets for old coffee mugs and kitchen
supplies. Older items, especially if they’re made of metal or
ceramic, make for excellent makeshift pots.
Old crates can make good planters as well. Wooden boxes, if properly
stored and cared for, can last a long time, and can make excellent
spaces for plants large and small. And speaking of wooden
containers, consider looking outside for your planting needs. If
you’re lucky enough to have an old stump in your yard, it can always
be turned into a home for another lucky plant or two.
For hanging plants, it’s actually relatively easy to attach bits of
rope or chain to a container to be hung. Even if you decide to buy a
hangar instead of doing it yourself, they aren’t that expensive, and
come in a variety of materials and lengths for any needs.
However you decide to plant your indoor garden, make sure that you
have some way to drain surplus water so roots do not sit in water.
Double pot solid containers. The inner container should have holes
in bottom so that excess water can drain. Pebble or charcoal bits
can be used elevate the pot above any excess water, or the excess
water of small planters can be dumped after drainage is complete.
When it comes to indoor planting, you certainly don’t have to break
the bank to brighten up your home. Sticking with simple plants and
looking at what you already have in containers can look good and
reflect your personality.
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