A beautiful houseplant that’s been a favorite for years, this one comes in a number of varieties with the most common of them having green leaves with cream or white stripes. The arching stems have an old fashioned appeal and reach up to one foot tall and two feet wide. They make handsome hanging plants and require medium to bright light to grow. This elegant plant is also fabulous at removing poisonous gases and for best effects, it should be kept in the kitchen or near the fireplace as these are the places where carbon monoxide accumulates. To keep your spiders healthy, use distilled water to reduce the incidence of brown tips on the long leaves. When you buy you plant, remember to look for a specimen that has plenty of green foliage and no brown under leaves.
BOSTON FERN
An exotic plant that has gracefully arching fronds and frilly leaves, this graceful houseplant became common about a hundred years ago, largely replacing the leafy sword fern of the Victorian era. The plant’s benefits go beyond the aesthetic; the Boston fern acts as a natural humidifier, absorbing common air pollutants and releasing water vapor. By releasing moisture into the air, they remove nasty air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and xylene, and provide clean air inside the home. The best way to care for your fern is to simulate its native tropical woodland. Hang it by an east or north-facing window as ferns like moderate indirect light. Water very often and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Mist fronds regularly and if you notice yellowing fronds at the base, it means that your fern is too warm. If the fronds are yellowing with no new growth, it means the air is too dry and you need to mist it. If the fronds are pale and bear scorch marks, obviously, it’s getting too much sun. Remember to always protect ferns from midday sun in the summer.
ENGLISH IVY
The most common of all, the English Ivy, is exceptionally easy to maintain and is very versatile. The plant must be washed periodically to prevent spider mites. English Ivy is well suited to asthma patients and those with allergies. The leaves are deep green and are ideal as topiaries. Easy to grow in bright sunlight, the plant has the amazing capability of removing benzene, formaldehyde as well as off-gassing various chemicals released by synthetic materials, keeping the inside air non-toxic. With its ground-covering property, the plant often serves well in landscaping.
ALOE-VERA
This succulent plan, known as the "healing plant" for its first-aid benefits, grows very easily. Aloe thrives without needing much care which makes it an ideal choice for a busy or an absent-minded plant lover. In winters, give your aloe good exposure to light and don’t water it too often. Let the soil dry out completely before watering. Come summer, it can be set outside and left to its own devices. Not only does the plant work wonders on our skin, but it also filters various gas emissions from dangerously toxic materials. When you buy your aloe, make sure to choose an aloe plant with no brown spots and plenty of thick, hearty leaves.
SNAKE PLANT
Widely used as an ornamental plant, the snake plant is an evergreen perennial one that is tolerant of irregular watering and less lightning. Scientists at NASA have found out that this plant has the amazing capability to absorb formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides and a variety of other chemicals present in the air. Available in taller and shorter forms, the snake plants can grow under low or bright light conditions. Having sword-shaped leaves, the plant touches up to four feet in height and creates great accents to any room.
PEACE LILY
Winning the award for the most elegant, the Peace lily has white flowers with long, dark leaves, and does not require too much sun; yellowish leaves may indicate that the plant is receiving more sunlight than it needs. The plant is also known for reducing harmful indoor toxins that may cause cancer. An easy-to-care-for houseplant it does best when placed within six to eight feet of a window. If the leaves begin to droop, it may need more water; make sure the soil dries out between watering sessions. Beware cat owners! Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested. They have not shown the same poisonous effects to dogs. To keep them healthy and pretty, you need to keep the roots moist but not wet. A lily requires less water in winter, and mist the leaves frequently. To keep them blooming, repot your plant every spring.
JADE PLANT
Also called the Money Tree, it is both beautiful and is thought to bring good luck. Water your jade with the “drench and drain” method, allowing the soil to dry out before completely soaking the root system again. It can go all together without aqua for up to a month! It is tolerant of a little shade, but will do better if placed next to a window. Best of all, there’s no need to spend more on a large plant, if cared for properly, not only will the plant outlive you, it can become pretty huge. If grown under particular conditions, Jade plant may produce small white or pink leaves. If you want to spread the luck associated with this plant, all you need to do is to cut off a stem below the node and plant it directly in the moist soil in a friend’s house.
AFRICAN VOILET
The African violet can flower throughout the year and fits neatly on a desk. To ensure its prosperity, adhere to these simple rules; the African violet needs more sun than the average green foliage plant. Wait till the surface of the dirt is dry then water directly at the roots of the plant. Keep the plant moist by placing the plant on a tray of pebbles or mist it often. If you want to share your new found beauty, all your friends need, is a snippet of a leaf cutting from an adult violet.
AMAZON ELEPHANT EAR
Huge, arrow-shaped leaves, ridged edges and bright white veins give the elephant ear an air of the spectacular. This is a truly tropical plant and therefore you should care for it in a way so that plant is fooled into thinking it’s still in the jungle. Here’s what you do; Mist its leaves often to create jungle-like humidity. Keep the plant in bright, indirect light in winter and semi-shade in summer. Do not expose to direct sunlight! Water it only sparingly in the winters and more often in summer. The general rule of thumb for how much you need to water it is few inches into the soil to make sure the root system is moist. If the tips of the leaves curl up and turn brown, that’s a sign of over-watering. Repot the plant every spring.
BROMEDIADS
This colorful group of jungle natives loves artificial light, making them perfect for home or office. Most bromeliads bloom once a year if the climate is sufficiently warm and moist. Many varieties, such as the Amazonian zebra plant, and the neoregelia tricolor, have striking foliage all year round. To make sure that you have healthy plants, ensure that your plant has good drainage and don't over water it; bromeliads have tiny root systems and are easily drowned. Mist the leaves in the summer and water every one to two months from above, filling the vase-like structure in the center of the plant to simulate rainfall. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
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