House plants not only add a dash of greenery, a splash of colour and a whole lot of joy to the home – they’re also a source of good health and happy vibes! House plants have been proven to have air-purifying qualities, increase productivity, promote better sleep, boost your mood and reduce anxiety.
They’re also the perfect option for those folk who might live in big cities, small spaces or apartments without gardens. Once you’ve mastered a few simple steps for caring for your indoor plants – you’ll be hooked on just how rewarding and enriching they can be! And the great news is there are so many to choose from. Your home will soon become a lush, tranquil oasis, and you’ll be super impressed with your newfound, green-fingered prowess.
In this blog, we will explore a few popular houseplant options and the basics of caring for them.
Best low-light house plants
Snake Plant (low light, drought tolerant)
Snake plants are a popular home décor choice. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or sansevieria, they’re attractive, super easy to care for and don’t need a lot of water to survive. They’re low maintenance, so there’s very little chance you’ll kill them, even if you don’t have a green thumb.
Snake plants look similar to artificial plants with their characteristically thick, sword-shaped leaves. They’re the perfect aesthetic addition to smaller spaces, too, due to their lack of branches and upright growth. This common houseplant, which is native to both Asia and Africa, also acts as an air purifier. It’s best to keep them away from animals and children as they can be mildly toxic if ingested.
Snake plants are prone to root rot due to overwatering, so it’s recommended you let the soil dry out between waterings.
Snake plants can be fast growers in the right conditions and can be easily propagated which makes them great gifts for family and friends.
Propagation is most effective during springtime. However, newly propagated plants grow more abundantly during summer. To propagate, simply trim two to three inches of leaves containing roots, then place these leaf cuttings about one inch deep in the soil and wait for them to grow.
To ensure healthy growth, you can replace your snake plant’s soil every eight to 12 months. If your snake plant’s new leaves begin to wilt before they can grow, or if the older ones appear to be unhealthy, you’ll need to re-pot your snake plant. Repotting at least once every two to three years can help them flourish and maintain their health. Also, prune your snake plant as needed, clean the leaves regularly and use fertiliser.
Peace Lily (low to medium light, high humidity)
The Peace lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii, is a low-maintenance popular house plant with gorgeous glossy green leaves and white flowers known as spathes. Native to Central America, it's used to a warm, humid environment and is ideal for adding a splash of luscious greenery to a well-lit humid bathroom.
Peace lilies are relatively hassle-free and easy to grow. They don’t need a lot of light and thrive in bright indirect light. They’re not fans of cold draughts, so don’t place them near doors or fireplaces. Water your peace lily regularly, keeping the compost moist but not wet. In spring and summer, you can feed them good quality house plant food every two weeks. Wipe or dust the leaves regularly to ensure they photosynthesise effectively, and mist around the leaves to increase humidity if your room is dry.
Water your peace lily regularly so the soil is never completely dried out but is also not waterlogged – wait until the top few centimetres of compost have dried out before watering again. If you don't water them often enough, you'll soon be alerted as peace lilies