I believe that houseplants are an excellent way to spruce up the home. It seems that this notion is enforced by home improvement channels that say there’s no replacement for real plants – sorry artificial ones!
While we can all agree that real houseplants look better than their fake alternatives, caring for them is much harder. Not only do you have to remember to water on a regular basis, but plants also require certain environmental settings that may be difficult to replicate. I learned this the hard way when I tried to bring a California palm tree back to Chicago.
If you happen to live in a dorm or apartment, trying to recreate a bright, sunny and warm setting can be all the more difficult. But don’t skip out on the fresh flowers quite yet. After all, plants have been known to improve the quality of air, filter out toxins and add color and warmth. Fortunately, there are quite a few plants that are easy to care for and can be welcomed into any home, anywhere.
1. Peace Lily – Also one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality, the peace lily looks lovely and is simple to care for. It basically tells you when it’s thirsty, as the leaves will begin to wilt. And, only low levels of light are needed.
2. Lucky Bamboo – Although this plant isn’t bamboo at all, it’s certainly unique looking and associated with some good luck! Keep in moist, but not too wet, and in low light conditions. It can be planted in soil or left in a decorative pot.
3. Pothos – This plant is not only easy to grow, but it’s nearly impossible to kill. (If you succeed, you can probably consider yourself a really poor plant keeper). These plants keep on growing even if you ignore them, although the tips of the leaves will turn brown when they’re dried out. To keep them looking their best, a simple pruning job will do.
4. ZZ Plants – These plants can survive in just about any setting and have few demands for light and water. With their flexibility, you can set them anywhere and enjoy their beauty.
5. Spider Plants – Because these plants continue to grow, they are often planted in hanging baskets and need to be re-potted every few years. They are easy to care for and will successfully fill a pot with little effort.
If you’re looking for other easy plants to add to your home, a few others to consider include aloe, jade plants, prayer plants and soft succulents.
Image Source: ob-noxious.org
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“During the 112th Congress, the Republican House majority has taken aim at issues ranging from labor protections to women’s right to choose. But it may be the environment that’s hardest hit by Republican efforts to reshape the federal government.” (Huffington Post) And according to Henry Waxman, it is the most anti-environment house in history.
