Best Plants for Indoor Use
About two years ago, I embarked on a wonderful journey of learning how to keep something alive and happy without losing my mind, learning how to feed it, water it, and make time for it—I became a plant mom.
I have learned quite a few things about taking care of plants since then. My mini garden has grown into about seven plants (all of which at the moment are succulents) and I intend to obtain more. I was never one with a green thumb and I know many people out there feel the same. But taking care of plants can be easier than you think. I'm going to list below the best plants for indoor use.
Best Plants for Indoor Use:
The best plants for indoor use are those who require little watering and less sunlight. This is why succulents are often referred to as being "ideal" indoor plants. My favorite type of succulent is the cactus. Cacti do require more sunlight than some succulents, however they don't require too much attention or watering.
The Cactus:
Cacti require a lot of sunlight and little watering. Cacti are desert dwelling plants so these are the circumstances they are accustomed to. For my cactus, I like to keep it near a window where I know it'll be sunny all of the time. In the spring and summer (growing season) I water my cactus about every 12-14 days. I've done a bit of reading and some cacti need to be watered every seven days. I own one decently sized cactus (only about 7-9 inches tall) and one miniature cactus that is hardly a centimeter in height. Both get watered every 12-14 days during growing season.
In the fall and winter, cacti become dormant. Therefore, they can handle the lower sunlight levels that winter often has and don't need as much water as is typical. Many sites and stores I've visited suggest watering the cactus about once a month. I personally don't count the days between watering during winter. I've owned my cacti for about two to three years now and I've become accustomed to how they look when they're in need of a good drink. I would estimate, though, that it is likely about a month or longer between watering.
The biggest question I've received about cacti is, "How much water do you give the plant at a time?" The answer is simple: enough to make the top of the soil moist.
Overwatering cacti and any succulent for that matter is very easy to fall into. My mother drowned a cactus once. To ensure you don't over water, go slowly. pour about a fourth of a cup in the pot (for a cactus above at least 4 inches) and wait.
If you're still looking for more information on cacti, I've found a few websites and blogs that are pretty helpful.
Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera is probably the most common house plant/succulent in the world. The reason being because of it's healing capabilities. Aloe works wonders on burns of all kinds and helps to revitalize skin. The gel inside the leaves has also been used in flavored water!
Aloe Vera is a very easy plant to take care of. It needs to be watered sparingly which makes it ideal for people who don't have time to tend for a plant every day. Aloe Vera requires a lot of sunlight like the cactus and does best near a window where it can receive the most light.
Aloe Vera also has a dormant season, like the cactus, when overwatering becomes a bigger threat. A good thing to note with Aloe Vera is that when watering, make sure to soak the soil but don't put too much water in that puddles form on the top of the soil or create sitting water on the bottom.
I like to pot most of my succulents in clear glass jars so I can monitor the amount of water resting in the glass.
I am new at owning an Aloe Vera plant. I've only had mine for about three or four months now. I definitely recommend looking at other sites like the one listed below if you're looking into buying one for yourself.
Spider Plant:
I've actually been doing some research about the spider plant recently. It's a plant that has been recommended to me numerous times though I haven't officially gone out to buy one yet. Although I don't personally own this plant, I believe I can still provide a decent summary of the plants' care and needs for those who are curious.
Unlike cacti or Aloe Vera, spider plants need little to no sunlight. They do well in shaded areas (think bathroom) and often don't require much water. Like most succulent plants, the spider plant only requires enough water to keep the soil moist and can go two weeks or more between watering.
This is a more "spread out" plant and needs a bit more space to grow than most succulents.
Again, I've never owned a spider plant before, so I highly recommend checking other sites before taking my word on the plants habits and needs.
The Jade Plant:
The Jade plant is also a plant that I've been looking at in the hopes of one day purchasing. Many succulents sprout off shoots called "pups" that you can cut off and propagate to make more plants. A lot of Jade plants I've seen end up with a number of pups that can be sprouted and grown into their own plants. And as a plant mom, I find this very heartwarming.
These plants require full sunlight; I've often read that they do best in a south facing window. As far as watering goes, they don't require a lot of water, but the top soil needs to remain moist. Watering them systematically isn't always best (as one would with other plants). For Jade plants, it's best to only water them when the top soil becomes dry.
Personally, I want a Jade plant in order to propagate it with the intention of handing off the grown pups as gifts to my friends and family. Of all the succulents I own, none have sprouted off any "pups" to be propagated. But this isn't unusual since many of the plants I own don't require it. Therefore, I am not well-versed in propagating plants. A friend of mine owns a plant that has been propagated three times now, so I know the basics of cutting off a pup and replanting it.
Below is a link to care for the Jade plant as well as a link to propagation.
Rubber Tree:
My grandma owned a rubber tree for the longest time. She didn't water it much from what I remember, but from research I've done, it seems my memory could be a little off. Like the Jade plant, the top soil of the rubber tree needs to be kept moist. In addition to this, it is good to mist the leaves as well every now and again to prevent the leaves from decaying. As far as sunlight is concerned, the plant needs an abundance of sunlight, but not direct sunlight.
This makes the Rubber Tree seem like a complex plant to take care of. The reality is, however, that they don't require much upkeep. Watering is sporadic and only necessary when top soil is dry. And lighting may be specific but not hard to maintain.
Below are a couple of links to answer any questions about Rubber Tree owning that I might not have covered.
For most of these plants, I've only talked about the amount of sunlight and water needed to care for them. There is much more to caring for plants than that, but unless you're a serious plant lover then this is a good basis for owning any of the above plants. I've owned my first two plants for about three years now. When I first got them, I knew nothing about plant care. They've been growing fine.
However, if you're interested, definitely look into fertilizers, proper pots for each plant, watering techniques, how to propagate, etc.
For more information on good indoor house plants, check out these sites as well!
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