If you want to add some greenery to your home but aren't sure how much care you can realistically give your plants, there are several varieties of indoor plants that can thrive with minimal attention.
Indoor Plants That Thrive With Minimal Care: Why Indoor Plants?
We spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, and adding some indoor plants can bring benefits beyond aesthetics. Research suggests that indoor plants can have positive effects on diastolic blood pressure and academic achievement. However, indoor houseplants shouldn't be over-watered because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorganisms which can affect allergic individuals.
Top 5 Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants
The best low-maintenance indoor plants include snake plants, aloe vera - golden pothos, succulents, and air plants. These are easy to grow and maintain, even for novice gardeners.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are often the go-to recommendation for novice plant owners because they're tolerant of low light and forgiving when you forget to water them. They don't need lots of sun or water; you can go up to two weeks between watering. They can survive in low-light areas, defined as 25 ft-c - 75 ft-c.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants enjoy lots of sunlight and don't require much water - needing water every two to three weeks. They're ideal for sunny windowsills and can tolerate periods of drought.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos, also known as devil's ivy, can thrive in low-light conditions and can also be grown on an activated carbon filter system to reduce air levels of benzene and trichloroethylene. They can be grown in hanging baskets or on shelves and do well in low-light conditions.
Succulents
Succulents can be great additions to any home, requiring minimal maintenance and thriving in a variety of lighting conditions. They can use a light misting every three to four days and a drink of water once a week.
Air Plants
Air plants are unique in that they don't need soil to grow. Instead, they absorb moisture through their leaves and can be grown without any rooting medium. They need a light misting every three days and a soak in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes to an hour once a week. They can be grown in a variety of settings - including on driftwood or mounted on a wall.
Plant Placement and Care
To ensure that your plants thrive, it's important to place them in appropriate locations based on their needs. Most houseplants do best in bright, indirect light. It's also important to ensure that your plants receive adequate water and that you avoid over-watering, as this can promote the growth of microorganisms. Underwatering is safer than overwatering, as underwatering is a much easier problem to fix.
In addition to proper placement and care - it's important to choose the right size of plants for your space. The Rural Development Administration of South Korea suggests placing one small potted plant and one large potted plant per 6 m floor area in a room to improve the indoor quality.
Conclusion
Indoor plants can be a great addition to any home, providing aesthetic benefits as well as potential health benefits. By choosing low-maintenance varieties such as snake plants, aloe vera, golden pothos, succulents - and air plants, you can enjoy the benefits of indoor plants without the stress of daily care. With proper placement and care, these plants can thrive and enhance your living space.
