The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors

Whether its winter or you are looking to spruce up your home, growing plants indoor provides year round interest. Since most homes are 70°F (20°C), almost any plant can be grown inside. If you are new to gardening, or you are looking for another easy plant to cultivate, then consider some of these amazing plants to grow indoors.

Succulents and Cacti – The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors

Succulents and cacti are both types of drought resistant plants, and they are usually slow growing. They will survive well when placed on a windowsill or under a grow light. These plants can survive weeks without water and will thrive in poor soil. Many will remain small, making them the easiest plants to grow indoors.

Succulents and Cacti will require only a few minutes of maintenance per week and can survive almost any indoor environment. These are by far the easiest plants to grow inside and here are some of the best kinds to choose from:

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is hardy and will spread quickly by putting up small shoots from its base. The offsets can be planted in their own pots once they are large enough, and they will eventually grow into full size plants.

Aloe vera requires a lot of bright and indirect sunlight. A south facing window will usually provide enough light, but artificial grow lights can work well.

Plants should be watered 1-2 times every three weeks and even less in winter months.

Aloe vera can survive in temperatures 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Any cooler temperature will result in stunted growth or wilting due to freezing. Any hotter temperature will cause the plant to dry out and wilt.

When potting aloe plants, the bottom of the pot should have drainage holes to prevent sitting water (sitting water can cause root rot). A layer of semi large rocks at the bottom of the pot will aid in drainage. On top of the rock layer, a cactus soil mix should fill up almost the rest of the pot. Lastly, a thin layer of fine gravel can be placed on top of the cactus soil. The gravel aids in holding plants in place and helps water drain quickly.

Click Here to learn more about designing succulent gardens and choosing the proper pot to keep plants healthy.

Jade Plant

Jade plants can easily be propagated through stems and leaves. The fleshy leaves can be planted into the ground and will grow new roots that develop new plants, and stems can regrow leaves if care for properly. These hardy succulents can quickly spread and are easy to care for.

Jade plants should get full sun or 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Grow lights will also work well. Also, these plants will develop a purple highlight on their leaves if they get too much sun. This is usually harmless, but it can be an early indicator of sunburn.

Water 1-2 times every 2 weeks. During the warmer months of the year the soil should be moist, but never soggy. Water 1-2 times per month during winter, allowing the soil to dry between watering.

Plants can survive in temperatures 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Any cooler temperature will result in stunted growth or wilting due to freezing. Any hotter temperature will cause the plant to dry out and wilt. Jade plants are houseplants and will thrive indoors.

Peanut Cactus

The peanut cactus is a perfect cactus for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. These beautiful plants are actually a cross breed between between the genera Chamaecereus and Lobivia, being native to South America. The produce vibrant tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow.

Like most cacti, peanut cacti should get full sun, especially during summer months. It is recommended to keep them outside during the summer, however, southern facing windows will provide enough light all year indoors.

Water once every 1-2 weeks, or when the top half of the soil is dry. As long as peanut cacti do not sit in water, they will survive. Water once every 3-5 weeks during the winter.

They will do best in temperatures 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). They can survive outside as long as the temperature remains above 40°F (5°C), though anything lower can stunt growth or injure the plant.

Peanut cacti will rapidly grow in summer, growing taller and plumper over time. New buds will develop into large arms that can support multiple flowers at once.

Click Here to learn more about the unique peanut cactus.

Zebra Plant/Zebra Aloe

Zebra plants are everywhere in stores and are cheap. These beginner plants are hardy and great for any office space. Furthermore, zebra plants grow slowly and can remain in the same pot for many years. Cost effective plants such as zebra aloe will make a great addition to any succulent garden with its unique zebra-like pattern.

Zebra aloe and other Haworthia species will thrive in indirect sunlight. Try to give plants 4 hours of direct sunlight each day set them by a window indoors. Zebra plants can be easily sunburned, and they should get some shade each day.

Unlike other succulents and aloes, zebra plants prefer wetter environments. They need watered once or twice a week during summer, and less in winter. Plants should be kept moist at all times, but they should never sit in water.

Zebra plants are picky about temperature and will need 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). They are best kept indoors where conditions are stable all year, preventing the plants from entering shock. If put outside it should be in the summer.

These succulents are perfect for office or desk spaces. They will thrive indoors and remain small, and they can be put anywhere.

Snake Plant

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s-tongue, is a very hardy house plant. There are different varieties that range from succulents to tropical plants. Overall, care for each variety is similar and they will survive nearly any condition.

Snake plants will do best in indirect light, however, they can survive in darker or lighter areas. It is recommend to keep them inside to avoid full sun and extended dry periods. Any room with a window should be fine for these plants.

The soil should dry out about halfway between waterings. Water once every 2 weeks unless the plant shows signs of wilting. Snake plants are often overwatered, which results in falling leaves. They need less water during winter.

Sansevieria (snake plants) are native to Africa and therefore require hot temperatures in order to survive. They need a temperature of at least 50°F (10°C) in order to prevent freezing. Anything above 90°F (32°C) for extended periods of time may cook the plant. The best temperature to house snake plants is at room temperature, about 68-74°F (20-23°C).

These half-succulent and half-house plants are perfect additions to any home. Because they come from hot environments, snake plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night and remove toxins from the air. This results in a healthier environment within a home.

Find more succulents to grow indoors at balconygardenweb.com

True House Plants – The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors

House plants are easy to grow and generally require weekly maintenance. Most plants will not require a lot of light and a drought tolerant. There are hundreds of unique varieties with many benefits. House plants can reduce stress and are effective at removing toxins from the air and boosting oxygen production in a home.

True house plants are generally larger, however, they are hardy and some of the easiest plants to grow indoors.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are hardy and grow quickly. The plants reproduce by growing long stalks that will develop plantlets, which will eventually grow roots and can be replanted. The stalks will occasionally bloom with small white flowers, and blooming periods can last for a few weeks at a time.

Some varieties are all green, or have green leaves with white or yellow stripes and accents. Some types have curly leaves, resulting in a bush-like appearance.

Spider plants need bright, indirect light for most of the day to thrive. They can live in shaded environments but will be less vibrant. Any room with a window is best.

Plants prefer to be on the dryer side, so allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. As a general rule water once to every 1-2 weeks and make sure the soil never remains soggy.

These plants will do best indoors but may be moved outside during warmer months of the year. Spider plants will do best in room temperature, about 68-74°F (20-23°C), and will thrive year round.

The tips of spider plant leaves are prone to turning brown and dry. This is caused by water stress, which means the plant is receiving too much or too little water. Brown tips are not devastating to the plant, however, slowly increasing or decreasing water can fix them.

Pothos

Also known as Devil’s Ivy, pothos will grow like a vine and has heart-shaped leaves, occasionally with white tips. They can survive a wide range of environments and will grow down shelves in a waterfall pattern, or they will climb up trellises like a true ivy.

Pothos prefers bright indirect light, but it can survive in shaded areas. Placement on a table or near a window offers the best light and results in more vibrant color.

The top few inches of the soil should dry out between waterings, and the plant will thrive in long breaks between water. Water once a week or every other week. If the leaves turn brown, the plant needs to be watered more often. Avoid flooding the soil often, as sitting water causes root rot or other fungal infections.

As a house plant, pothos need a consistent temperature of 68-74°F (20-23°C) year round. If placed outside during summer, make sure the plant is shaded by a building or trees.

It should be noted that pothos plants are quite poisonous. Keep them away from cats, dogs, and other pets as ingestion may cause vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Pothos is also poisonous to humans.

Rubber Tree

Also known as Rubber Plants, or Rubber Figs, are larger indoor plants. Proper maintenance results in a medium sized house plant, or if there is room available the tree will grow from floor to ceiling. Leaves are colored from deep green to light green with white highlights. New leaves grow from the center of branches and are a vibrant red color.

Rubber Figs need a lot of bright, indirect light. They should be placed next to large glass doors or across from windows to thrive. They can tolerate direct light, but too much can result in sunburn or wilting. Plants can be placed outside during summer months.

Plants need watered once every 1-2 weeks. Keep them moist in summer and allow them to dry out between waterings during the winter. Because of their large leaves, rubber trees will collect a lot of dust. It is important to mist the leaves or wipe them down with a cloth so they can continue photosynthesis in order to survive.

Rubber Trees are tropical plants native to Southern Asia and need warm, consistent temperatures. They need kept around 68-74°F (20-23°C) to thrive, though they can tolerate slightly cooler or warmer temperatures.

These large plants are perfect for cleaning air and adding beauty to a home. With proper care they can grow tall with broad and dense leaves.

Find more house plants to grow at gearpatrol.com