Houseplants, flowering with beautiful blooms or featuring lush verdure, are a must for each home or office. Nothing can replace their enchanting scent and their beautiful colors. Homes are especially beautiful with flowering plants, living decorations in beautiful pots, or in other containers which are in abundance nowadays. The care which is taken of houseplants is crucial to maintain their beauty and with it the beauty of the entire home ambience. For keen gardeners who are prevented from their hobby of tending their gardens in the winter, looking after houseplants is another opportunity to engage in their activity. Thus they also take care of the cleanness of the air inside, because plants take in the carbon dioxide exhaled by people, and release oxygen which is necessary for people to breathe. Besides from being beautiful they are also good for the human health.
There are common types of houseplants and also types of tropical houseplants. People can also bring in plants which remain outdoors in the warm seasons, and when the cold period comes, such plants, grown in pots and introduced into the home, continue to spread their freshness inside.
The containers and the soil used for houseplants are of great importance. The containers should have holes in the bottom, in order to provide enough drainage – while houseplants enjoy enough moisture, they are negatively affected by wet soil around their roots. Pots are usually provided with a dish to be kept below the pot, and it is more convenient if the dish is attached to the pot and does not separate. The dish is very important to provide room for excess water in case the houseplants are overwatered, otherwise the excess water will drip onto the floor. The size of the container or the pot is also important, and it should be big enough to give the plant sufficient room to grow. Another requirement is to choose a container that is big enough to be able to support the plant when it starts growing. For replanting, the rule of thumb should be to choose a container or pot that is several sizes larger than its current container.
Temperature is of special importance, and it should be controlled, according to the type of plant. Houseplants and flowers should not be left in draughty areas. Leaving them by sun bathed windows is another adverse factor, as they may be subjected to extreme temperatures and wide temperature differences between daytime and nighttime temperature.
Light is another essential condition for houseplants and flowers, and it should be remembered that they are mostly types which thrive in indirect sunlight or in shady areas. Some indoor plant and flower varieties need more sunlight, so information on the specific type is helpful. Artificial lighting is another solution, in cases when the specific houseplants need more sunlight that the home can provide.
Houseplants and flowers should also have the necessary supply of nutrients, to grow healthy and strong, and in full beauty. People should remember the saying: “You can kill a plant with your kindness”, which is especially true for indoor plants and flowers which thrive on less than outdoor plants and flowers.
