Sometimes, when I look at a list of "The Best… (fill in the blank)" I wonder why it's the best. My favorite lists are the ones that inform me of the qualities I can expect out of the product or service. That is why I have put together this SPECTACULAR list, just for you! As you browse through this lovely collection of Mother Nature's beauty, you will notice that each heading includes why we consider that plant to be one of the best. Peruse till your heart's content or focus on the area that is most important to you. We ask only one thing of you…enjoy!
Best Indoor Plants: Low Light
Some plants require more sunshine than others to thrive, not to mention survive. Proving decent sun exposure is easier said than done when positioning an indoor plant. Those that live in a warm climate have to balance sunshine exposure with temperature. Sun-loving plants can get too much heat when in direct sunlight. Be cautious to avoid baking your plants in the window.
With these things in mind want less hassle, we have a few plants that do just fine with less light.
Peace Lily
This plant checks a few of the boxes on our list. It is gorgeous, of course, but it also requires very little care. It does not demand a lot of sunlight, nor does it need to be pampered with water all the time. To top it off, the peace lily smells great and can improve air quality. Does it sound like the perfect plant? Let’s not get carried away. The peace lily can contribute to allergies as they tend to produce pollen that can cause allergic reactions.
Dumb Cane
This plant is a popular option for homes and businesses alike, and for good reason. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) is attractive in a classic way; not too casual or pretentious. It requires very little care and only a small amount of light. On the flip side, this beauty will not shrivel up in greater amounts of sunlight, which makes it very versatile for placement.
A word of caution to those who have "Dumb Cane" in their homes. This plant is toxic to pets and small children. Keep that in mind when deciding whether to own one or where you may place it. Dumb Cane is one of many plants that are toxic to cats. It is not a bad idea to do a bit of research before the final decision on your indoor plants.
Dragon Tree
Are you hoping for something on a bit of a larger scale and easy to maintain, while providing a "wow factor?" Look no further than the Dragon Tree. This bad boy is darn near bulletproof. However, like most superheroes, it is not 100% invulnerable. Large amounts of direct sunlight can toast the leaves. Outside of that, water it now and then and enjoy!
If you want more examples of plants that do not need a bunch of light to survive, check out this article that we found to be very informative from Typically Topical.
Best Indoor Plants: Air Quality
If you are anything like me, you don't want to spend absurd amounts of money on an ugly air purifier that may or may not be effective. Having some attractive plants around the house doesn't sound too bad though. Here are a few plants that are known for improving your air quality. Just for the record, I understand that air purifiers are definitely good for those with acute circumstances. Here’s an idea! Hide the purifier behind an attractive plant! Ok, I digress. To learn more about how plants can improve air quality, check out the NASA Clean Air Study, that right, NASA!
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is a fun one to have around. It looks so good, so consistently, that it almost seems fake. Kind of like that one soccer mom that brings the kids to every game in the chromed-out Hummer. Unlike the Karen, the rubber plant is good for the environment. According to Clever, by Architectural Digest, no other plant can produce as much oxygen as the rubber plant. Additionally, it can reduce air-borne bacterial and mold spores by up to 60%! With stats like that, it may be a bit tempting to carry a rubber plant around with you in a backpack. However, keeping one or two in your home or office may be a bit more practical.
Bonus: check out this article about rubber plant care.
Aloe Vera
When I was growing up it seemed like everyone had an Aloe plant in their home. As it turns out, that may not be a bad idea. The aloe vera plant can do your body good, inside and out. The aloe gel is great for topical use when you stayed out in the sun a bit too long on that first day at the beach or burned your hand because you forgot that you just took that pan out of the oven. However, Aloe plants can also do a lot of good internally. Your respiratory system will thank you because Aloe plants absorb carbon monoxide and produce oxygen.
English Ivy
This is a great plant to have indoors. It is beautiful, easy to keep alive for quite some time, and can remove harmful chemicals in your home. Where should you put it? Pretty much anywhere! It can handle quite a bit of sunshine and will also grow in full shade. You can train English Ivy to grow in a specific direction to keep it from getting in the way, or simply to get the look you prefer. Lastly, it thrives outdoors but can get out of control which is why I would keep it indoors if the decision were up to me.
Best Indoor Plants: Lovely Fragrance
I don’t know about you but when I see a flower, I want to smell it. No one needs to tell me to stop and smell the roses; I am one step ahead. However, not all flowers have a strong distinguishable scent. Yet, some can fill your home with a pleasant fragrance. If you want your home to smell amazing, try skipping the chemicals and adopt some of these plants into the family.
Scented Geranium
The Geranium falls with the category of flowers that have multiple varieties, some of which produce fragrance, others that do not. The interesting thing about the scented geranium is that you can find them in different scents. If you do not care for a note of citrus, you can find breeds that have a floral scent, as well as a spice-like fragrance.
Lavender
This one is a classic! Lavender is a very popular scent used in everything from candles to trash bags, to laundry softeners. If you like the scent of lavender, consider bringing a potted lavender plant into the house. One thing to keep in mind is placement. Consider avoiding a small room with little to no sunshine. The Lavender plant needs plenty of light. The reason we suggest keeping it in a spacious area is that the fragrance can spread throughout the home.
Hoya
This is a gorgeous plant that requires minimal maintenance. In addition to having attractive, waxy foliage and stunning blooms the hoya smells incredible. The ideal placement for this plant will be in a place with a good amount of indirect sunlight and a lot of space. The reason for the space is that the hoya's fragrance can fill a sizable area.
These are just a few great options. If you want to see what else is out there and get some great care tips, check out Smart Garden Guide.
Best Indoor Plants: Hanging Plants
Hanging plants are great for so many reasons. If you live in a space that has limited surface space, you don’t have to deprive yourself of green goodness. Simply suspend your plants from something and let the cascading begin. Plus, in my opinion, there is just something about a cascading plant that seems grand. The big drawback is maintenance. Unless you have thought out how you can easily access the plant once in place, watering can be inconvenient. So, the suggestions below are amongst some of the more carefree plants.
String of Pearls
This is a wonderful plan in the succulent family. We love succulents at Tandem Studio Floral! We often have a small section dedicated to succulents that are ready to take home and enjoy. We also enjoy including them in creative arrangements. But, back to the string of pearls. It has a very distinct look. It needs little water to survive. It does well in low light. What you just experienced here is VERY RARE; it’s the indoor plant trifecta!
Boston Fern
The Boston Fern is classic, and perhaps even refined if I may be so bold as to say so. Again, we have a hanging plant that needs very little water, which means that when you water it you do not need to drench it and deal with a dripping mess. Another cool characteristic is that it is easy to propagate or share. So…when company comes over and just cannot believe how amazing your fern is, you can just cut a piece off and they can grow their own. This has been known to significantly reduce plant theft.
Morning Glory
Did you hear me right, Morning Glory? Yes! Even though the Morning Glory is more commonly known as an outdoor plant, it can do well indoors. Plus, we had to include a flowering plant in the mix. This little guy can grow pretty quickly and the blooms last for a while; win, win! There are a couple of downfalls, but they are not necessarily deal-breakers. First, this plant requires a little more water than the others do. that makes sense because this plant blooms. The second drawback is that this plant is poisonous to cats and dogs so if you have fur babies in your home you may want to avoid this one or be sure that your pets cannot gain access to it.
Whether you are just getting started with plants or you are an expert green thumb, you will no doubt enjoy having these spectacular indoor plants in your home or office. If you live in or around Grand Rapids, MI we encourage you to stop by Tandem Studio Floral and check out our selection of flowers and plants. You are sure to find a wonderful selection of gifts for yourself or those you love. If you have any questions about custom arrangements or appropriate flowers for any given circumstance, give us a call at 616-888-0219.
