Easy Care Plants for your Home
House plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also have numerous benefits for our health and well-being! As someone who loves to surround myself with low-maintenance greenery, read on below as I’m sharing five of my faves that are easy to keep alive, and how to sprout new plant babies from the OG’s! 🪴
🏡 In regards to Real Estate, plants add color and texture to a room, making it feel more inviting, clean, and cozy - they’re ideal to showcase in a home for sale. 🔑
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): A popular and easy-to-care-for house plant that is native to West Africa. It is a member of the Asparagaceae family and is known for its long, upright leaves that resemble snakes. These plant babies have several unique features that make them an excellent choice for those looking for a low-maintenance indoor plant. They are very adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of lighting conditions, making them an ideal plant for those who may not have access to a lot of natural light in their home or office. They can tolerate both bright, direct sunlight and low light conditions.
They also have a stellar ability to purify the air - according to NASA, snake plants are effective at removing toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air, making them a great choice for improving indoor air quality.
In addition to their air-purifying properties, snake plants are also very resilient and can tolerate neglect. They are drought-tolerant and can go weeks without water, making them an ideal plant for those who travel frequently or have a busy schedule. However, it is important to note that overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's important to let the soil dry out between waterings.
🪴Snake plant Propagation: Select a healthy plant and choose a leaf that is at least 3-4 inches long. Cut the leaf just below the lowest node and let it dry for a few hours. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and water it thoroughly. Keep the soil moist but not too wet and place the pot in a warm, bright location.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia): A popular houseplant native to Eastern Africa. It is a member of the Araceae family and is known for its unique appearance and low-maintenance care requirements.
The ZZ Plant has glossy, oval-shaped leaves that grow on long, thick stems. The leaves can range in color from dark green to almost black and have a waxy texture that helps them retain moisture. Unlike other plants, the ZZ Plant stores water in its rhizomes, making it very drought-tolerant and capable of surviving in low-light conditions. It thrives in low to bright, indirect light and only needs to be watered every few weeks. In fact, overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make with this plant, as it can lead to root rot. ZZ Plants prefer well-draining soil and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
In regards to air purity, according to a study by NASA, the ZZ Plant is effective at removing toxins such as benzene, toluene, and xylene from the air, creating a healthier living environment.
🪴ZZ plant Propagation: Choose a healthy plant with mature stems. Cut the stem just below a leaf node at a 45-degree angle and let it dry for a few hours. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, burying it up to the first leaf node, and water the soil thoroughly. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet, and place the pot in a bright, indirect light location. Monitor the new plant's growth and care for it as you would a mature ZZ plant.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): A popular succulent native to South Africa, known for its thick, fleshy leaves and easy-to-care-for nature, making it a favorite among gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
Jade Plants are slow-growing and can reach heights of up to 3 feet tall. Their thick, oval-shaped leaves range in color from deep green to blue-green and have a glossy, waxy texture. They can also produce delicate, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white.
It is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers to be kept on the dry side and can go weeks without water. It also thrives in bright, indirect light and can even tolerate some direct sun.
In addition to their beauty, Jade Plants are also believed to bring good luck and prosperity. In some cultures, they are referred to as "money trees" and are often given as gifts to encourage wealth and abundance.
🪴Jade plant propagation: Jade Plants are also easy to propagate, making them a popular choice for beginner gardeners. They can be propagated from stem or leaf cuttings and can even grow roots from fallen leaves. Select a healthy plant and take a stem or leaf cutting. Allow the cutting to dry for a few days, then plant it in well-draining soil and water it sparingly. You can also just throw a stem in a cup of water, and wait for it to develop roots.
Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum): A popular houseplant known for its ease of care and attractive appearance. Native to the Solomon Islands, this trailing vine plant is easy to care for, making it a favorite among novice and experienced gardeners alike.
Characterized by its long, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of colors, including green, variegated, and golden, Pothos is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 6 feet in length, making it ideal for hanging baskets or training on a trellis.
One of the most appealing features of the Pothos plant is its low-maintenance care requirements. It can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from low to bright indirect light, and can even survive in low light conditions. It is also a forgiving plant when it comes to watering, as it can handle periods of drought and overwatering. It prefers well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.
🪴Pothos plant propagation: Super easy to make tons of plant babies from this trailing beauty. Simply take a few stem cuttings, and root in water or soil.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): A popular houseplant that is native to India and Southeast Asia, it is a member of the Ficus family and is known for its large, glossy leaves and tree-like appearance.
The Rubber Plant can grow up to 30 meters in height in its native habitat, but it can also be grown as a smaller indoor plant. Its large, thick, shiny leaves can grow up to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide and come in a range of colors, from dark green to variegated.
One of the appealing features of the Rubber Plant is its ability to purify the air by removing harmful toxins, such as formaldehyde and benzene. It is also easy to care for, requiring moderate watering and indirect sunlight.
🪴Rubber plant propagation: Propagated through stem cuttings or air layering. Stem cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and should be at least 6 inches long. They should be planted in a well-draining potting mix and kept in a warm, bright, indirect-light location until they develop roots.
For air layering, make a small cut in the stem of the plant and place a rooting hormone on the exposed area. A small amount of moist sphagnum moss is then wrapped around the cut area, and it is covered with plastic wrap to create a humid environment. Once roots have formed, the new plant can be separated from the parent plant and planted in its own pot.
👉🏽 In conclusion, not only do your plant friends purify your air, and create a serene, calming space - they also are proven to improve productivity! According to a study conducted by the University of Exeter, having plants in the workplace can increase productivity by up to 15%.
🌱 Happy house-planting and propagating! 🌱
