October 8th, 2014

Black Girls Garden | Uncategorized

blog Be an Indoor Gardener with these 4 Houseplants

I LOVE my houseplants.  Not only do they clean the air in my home, which is crucial due to my hubby’s allergies, but they also give life to every room they are in. Houseplants can be like a modern version of the knickknacks that your grandma had.  You can literally put them anywhere.  I use one of my plants as a filler in my fireplace that I never ignite.  Houseplants can accent a bookcase beautifully or can decorate an empty corner of a room.  Plus, they add color to monotone spaces and accent woodwork in your home wonderfully. Indoor plants come in a variety of shapes, textures, flowers (or no flowers) and maintenance plans.  Some houseplants need to be watered every few days, while some hardy houseplants can go a whole month with no water. And, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got tons of natural light, or only one your rooms gets the sun once a day, there is a houseplant somewhere out there that will work in your space. With that said, here’s how I’m using houseplants to beautify my home.  

The Spider Plant

You probably have a grandmother, or aunt who has a spider plant.  Don’t worry its not called a spider plant because it attracts spiders.  It actually gets its name for the long tendrils that it produces which bare its babies. The spider plant is a very neglect-resistant green.  As long as it gets shade from the sun, and a comfy pot that allows its roots to stay close together it can usually withstand a week or two without water before it begins to wilt.  Plus, this plant inhales carbon-dioxide.  They are native to South Africa, so they’ll feel right at home with a brown mama’s family.

Dracaena

This is also a common houseplant.  It is low maintenance and is also an African native with the name Madagascar Dragon Tree.  It sprouts long, thin leaves of varying colors.  Dracaena just wants low, bright light, and like the spider plant, your dragon tree doesn’t need much water.  A light drenching every other week should do.  This plant will grow at the same rate as your children.  It gets up to 8 feet tall, but will take about 10 years to do so.  Keep your Dracaena in a the hottest room in your house.  It likes humid and still air.    

Peace Lily

Although this plant is peaceful, it is not a lily.  It actually gets its name from the white lily-like flower it blooms in the summer and for its easy care.  The Peace Lily needs very little water and very little sun.  It prefers to be watered from the roots, and has been known to survive with very little sun.  It is native to Central and South America and therefore enjoys a shaded and humid environment.  The beautiful flower it sprouts in the summer months will give the whole family a beautiful treat to look forward to.  

Zebra Plant

I love, love, love this plant.  I’m really into textured plants,.  The bubbly yet, arrow shape of the leaves is a sight to see. Plus, like the Peace Lily, when treated right, the Zebra Plant will sprout a beautiful, equally textured yellow flower.  This plant however does need a little more sun, and needs consistent watering.  Plus, the zebra plant cannot survive below 70 degrees.  That means if you go on vacation, and turn off the heat while you’re gone, your Zebra Plant will be dead when you get home.  It likes indirect, bright sun and prefers a humid, hot environment.  I move this plant outdoors in the summer and it really blossoms.   As you can see mamas, there’s a houseplant for everyone out there.  Add some life to your home right now, your kids and lungs will thank you for the clean-air later.