Add Colorful House Plants to Your Home
Give a splash of color to your home without having to rely on flowers. These houseplants with vibrantly colored leaves are easy-to-grow.
Similar to the philodendron snake plant, or peace lily pinstripe plants have bands of color along the elongated foliage. These tropical houseplants thrive in low lighting conditions.
Croton
The bright, varied patterns of croton leaves provide visual interest to any space. This exotic houseplant is renowned for its fiery colors, but its variety of shapes and sizes make it stand out.
This exotic plant loves direct sunlight that is bright and can be grown indoors or outdoors. The leaves are narrow and Croton are strewn with red, green, purple, and yellow creating a kaleidoscope of hues.
The croton is famous for shedding its leaf color when it is exposed to cold temperatures and drafts, so it is recommended to bring it inside during cold snaps. It is also susceptible to insect activity which is why it is a good idea to check it regularly and spray with a horticultural insecticide when required.
Fittonia
Fittonia has a striking deep-green foliage that is adorned with white, pink, or red veining. It is able to brighten up an otherwise dark area and is amazing in the planter.
It thrives in high humidity and warm temperatures, just like many tropical houseplants. Keep it in a humid, warm space away from drafty windows or heaters that could dry out the air.
It is necessary to repotted every year. When it begins to appear straggly, prune the tips to encourage bushier growth.
Like most tropical plants, nerve plants need a weekly application of a liquid fertilizer designed for houseplants during the growing season. A balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer diluted to half strength is effective. It also thrives in a humid area. Mist the leaves, or use a humidity tray.
Calathea
These exotic house plants make beautiful centerpieces for tables, whether you pick the calathea with its bright green pinstripes or the peacock which has dark green, purple and silver brush marks. Also their large oval leaves can be used as floor plants that can be placed on low plant stands. Calatheas prefer humid air (between 50% and 80 percent humidity) however, they are not able to thrive in soil that is wet. They thrive in a potting mixture consisting of 2 parts coco coir, 1 part peat and a small amount of orchid bark.
Water calatheas every week when the soil's top inch is dry to the touch. Using filtered or rainwater instead of tap water will prevent the buildup of salts and other chemicals from the water, which can cause damage to the plant. This is especially important during winter, when the growth of the plant slows down. This is also the ideal time to feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer, diluted to 1/2 strength.
Red-edge Dracaena
The Red-edge Dracaena can give your home a tropical vibe. It is often mistakenly referred to as the palm. It has slim stems and multiple canes with clumps that are long thin green leaves that are trimmed in yellow or dark red.
Like all dracaenas it is a great indoor houseplant and is easy to grow. They prefer indirect, bright light but are tolerant of lower lighting conditions. They thrive in well-drained potting soil, but they might require periodic fertilization. Root rot, brown tips or margins, and insect infestation are all common issues.
These plants are known for their ability to purify the air. According to NASA's Clean Air Study, they are particularly adept at getting rid of benzene in the air (produced by cigarette smoking synthetic materials, car exhaust), as well as formaldehyde and xylene. It is also easy to propagate by cuttings. This can be done anytime during the growing season. Simply dip them into the rooting hormone and place them in a container with moist soil.
Aluminum Plant
Pilea cadierei, also known as an aluminum plant or a pila watermelon, is a tropical indoor plant that creates a mound of green leaves that have silver stripes. It's a attractive and easy to grow plant, but it can also be susceptible to infestations of spider mites.
It favors moderate humidity and indirect warm light. The temperature should be 60-75 degF (16-23 degC).
It's a low-maintenance plant that likes soil that is moist, but the top quarter inch of soil should be dry before re-watering. During active growing seasons in spring and summer, it is important to water the soil enough to keep soil damp. Water less frequently during dormancy in winter and fall. It is recommended to use liquid fertilizer every month during the growing season. good house plants are a simple method of vegetative propagation for this plant. These root easily in a mixture of loamy and peaty soil.
Waffle Plant
Hemigraphis Alternata, also referred to as the purple waffle plant, has a metallic green-purple leaf with a unique puckered surface. It grows well indoors in hanging baskets or in a Terrarium. It can also be planted outside, however it is less tolerant to cold temperatures than some other house plants.
As in its native equatorial rainforest, Hemigraphis alternata thrives with bright indirect light and high humidity. To recreate the environment you can mist your Hemigraphis alternata regularly with a distillate water spray, or place it on a pebble tray filled with filtered water to increase the humidity.
You can trim Hemigraphis alternata when it gets gangly to encourage bushy growth or to enhance the visual appeal. Use an insecticide, or a mixture of warm Neem oil and water to kill mealybugs if it is prone. Hemigraphis Alternata can be propagated from stem tip cuttings of 4 to 6 inches taken in spring and summer.
Rex Begonia
Begonias are tough plants that thrive indoors, especially those with showy leaves. The Rex begonias are distinguished by their veining and ruffling, with splotching and streaking, in the form of a mix of white, greens, silver, reds, and pinks.
These beautiful plants require regular watering. Water the plant whenever the soil's top layer is dry to the touch, avoiding the accumulation of water that could lead to root rot.
Mix 50% potting soil, and 25 percent peat moss, orchid bark or coco coir to give a light, porous texture to the soil. This mix also assists the begonia retain the moisture. If you're having problems with mildew, decrease the amount of water that your begonia gets and then move it into a brighter area to eliminate the mold. Mealy bugs can also appear on your begonia. soaking a cotton ball or swab in alcohol will help remove them.
Alocasia
Alocasia "Black Velvet" has large, green-black leaves that have prominent veins that look like scales. The leaf's undersides are a purple or whitish tint and add a dramatic contrast to the foliage. This jewel-type variety is well at home all year round or outdoors in warmer climate zones 4 to 8a during summer.
This tropical beauty thrives on the bright indirect light that prevents scorching the leaves. Ideal is a bright, sunny window, but many species can tolerate filtering or diffused light.
The soil should be moist to touch, but not soggy. Every month, a weak all-purpose fertilizer should be applied. Avoid feeding the plant during winter when it is entering dormancy. Be on the lookout for roots that are brown or mushy that could indicate a nutritional shortage. Root rot is common with Alocasia and can be fatal to the plant.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads add the color of rooms where other house plants might struggle. They're tropical by nature and thrive in humid conditions provided. They grow easily with a consistent schedule and their vibrant shades can brighten otherwise dull areas.
They produce large and vibrant "flowers," called bracts which are actually leaves that attract pollinators. The plant's true flowers are hidden within the bracts and only appear after the flower is fertilized.
As they grow, the plant produces offshoots that resemble miniature versions of the mother plant. The pups can be propagated to create new bromeliads. They require the same care as the parent plant, which includes watering. Avoid watering with hard tap water, as it can spot the foliage. Instead, use rainwater or water that has been filtered. This is especially important for bromeliads that are in pots.
Hedgehog
The hedgehog is a small mammal of the Animalia class. This nocturnal animal has cool quills that aren't harmful. They have distant ancestry with pigs and shrews and are among the oldest mammals to exist on earth.
In the wild they are omnivorous, eating frogs and toads as well as grass roots, mushrooms and fruits. If frightened the hedgehog can form a ball of spiny hairs. Only the strongest predators are able pry the ball open.
If you find an animal that lives in the ground, put it back in its nest or cover the area with natural materials. If you must remove it from its habitat, place it in a large jar away from your bedroom. Make sure you provide as much protection as you can. They must be kept in a place that is warm (73-80 degrees).