Potted plants make the interior cozy and more attractive. Which plants are inexpensive, do not require special care and have decorative qualities?
The Chinese evergreen is an attractive evergreen pot plant that has characteristically colored, light in the middle and soft leaves that are its greatest decorative asset. What is important, apart from its beautiful appearance, it cleans the air from toxins (e.g. benzene, formaldehyde) – so it is perfect for city dwellers who live in smoggy areas. It is easy in cultivation and we don’t have to devote too much time to it every day. Chinese evergreen can be placed both in a place with diffused sunlight and in partial shade. Regular watering (2-3 times a week) is enough to thank it for its beautiful appearance.
Sansewieria (snake plant) jokingly called mother-in-law language is an easy to grow, long-lived plant that can handle any conditions. It is native to the regions of southern and equatorial Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It has thick, straight, vivid green leaves, sometimes mottled or with yellow-colored margins (depending on variety). Like the Chinese evergreen, it is counted among the most beneficial plants and has the ability to cleanse the air of toxic substances (such as ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene). The serpentine plant prefers warm and well-sunny positions. In summer, the light should be diffused, because too strong sun can burn the leaves, which manifests itself in large white spots with the texture of paper. On the other hand, in a shady place sansewieria loses its intense coloration. It should be watered systematically but with a small amount of water, preferably when we notice that the ground has clearly dried out (once a week in summer and every 2 weeks in winter). During the summer months we can also feed it with a fertilizer dedicated to succulents and cacti.
Another graceful plant to grow is the gerbera – it is often grown in home gardens or used for floral arrangements. It is often grown in home gardens and used in floral compositions. Its discoverer was botanist Traugott Gerber, after whom the plant got its name. Gerbera occurs naturally in the tropical regions of South Africa and Asia. Its flower heads resemble large daisies, which range in color from white and pink to yellow and deep red. Besides its beautiful flowers and trouble-free cultivation, gerbera produces a lot of oxygen at night and cleans the air from harmful chemicals (e.g. benzene, trichloroethylene) – so it is worth placing it in the bedroom. How often should I water my gerbera? Every other day is best because the soil in the pot should be moist all the time. In summer it is advisable to feed the plant with liquid fertilizer (added to water once a week).
Areca palm (Areca Dypsis) is a pot plant with a very impressive crown of leaves that grow from long stems. Elegant habit is not its only advantage. Areka palm, like its green predecessors, has the ability to clean and humidify the air (removes carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene). It is worth putting a palm tree in a bedroom – healthy sleep guaranteed! The homeland of the plant (depending on variety) is Madagascar, Philippines or Malaysia. In natural conditions it can reach several meters of height. When cultivating it in Polish home conditions we can grow about 2 meters high. It thrives on diffused light and high humidity. It is worth to remember about regular sprinkling of the leaves. Equally important is frequent watering (the substrate should be constantly moist).
One last undemanding houseplant is the money plant with its distinctive pointed leaves, loved by many people. It exhibits air-purifying properties and is effortless to grow. By buying this useful specimen, we can get rid of formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and toluene, breathing clean air. Protect the money plant from direct sunlight and water it every 3-4 days. It is worth mentioning that the leaves of this plant are toxic, so it should not be within the reach of small children and pets.
