The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Growing, and Caring for Indoor Plants

Including indoor plants in your interior design is a must. Not only do they add brightness to your home, but they also have mood-boosting benefits.

Indoor plants are a great way to add greenery to your home without having to worry about harsh weather conditions.

They also purify the air and help improve your overall health. With so many benefits, it's no wonder indoor plants are becoming increasingly popular.

If you're new to indoor plant care, our guide will give you all the info you need to ensure your plants thrive.

What are indoor plants?

Indoor plants are a great addition to any home. They help purify the air and add a touch of nature to your living space. There are a variety of indoor plants that thrive in different environments.

How do you plant indoor plants?

Indoor plants are usually already in pots, so you won't need to plant them. The only times when you might need to plant an indoor plant are if the pot is too small or if the roots have outgrown the container.

How much light do indoor plants need?

Cacti and succulents that have leaves need direct sunlight for several hours each day. Around eight hours of sunlight is ideal for these plants. The amount of sun your plants need will depend on the type of plant species.

What qualities make for a good indoor plant?

When looking for an indoor plant, there are a few qualities to take into account. 1. A good root system is very important. You can check the roots by taking the plant out of its pot (if it's a small plant). Healthy roots are thick and light in color. 2. Make sure the foliage is thick enough that you can't see through it. 3. Check for pests or disease. Some signs of a plant with pests or disease are: white dots, sticky residue on the leaves and a bad odor.

Which indoor plants require low light?

If you're looking for an indoor plant that doesn't require much light, there are several options to choose from. Here are four plants that will do well in dimmer light: 

• Philodendron – This is a very common indoor plant that is also relatively pest-free. It's a hearty plant that is adaptable to various environments.
• Pothos or Devil's Ivy – This plant has colorful and vibrant leaves. It does great in a variety of environments, including low light or bright, indirect light.
• Dracaena – This is another popular indoor plant with long green leaves. If the foliage gets too long, you can prune it back.
• Peace Lily – This plant thrives best when the soil is moist, but not overwatered. If you want flowers to appear, move your plant to a darker room.

Which indoor plants are the easiest to take care of?

Below, you'll find a list of indoor plants that are easy to take care of:

• Sansevieria
• Philodendron
• Most succulents
• Pothos
• ZZ plant

Which plants are considered indoor plants?

Common indoor plants are typically those that require a low amount of light and water to thrive. Ambius has compiled a list of these plants:

• Dracaena
• Hedera Helix
• Sansevieria Zeylanica Superba
• Scindapsus

What are examples of some common indoor plants?

Additional examples of common indoor plants:

• Aglaonema
• Dracaena
• Ferns
• Philodendrons
• Palms
• Pothos
• Spathiphyllum
• Succulents

What are the best indoor plants?

Some good indoor plants that tolerate lower light and humidity are the rubber plant, snake plant, and philodendron. Also, they will be less likely to deal with pests. Plus, they usually do not grow too much (you wouldn’t want an indoor plant to grow at a rapid rate). The best indoor plants are:

• Aglaonema: It is attractive and can tolerate low light without growing too quickly. 
• Aspidistra: You won't need to give it a lot of water and it can handle low light. If you want to take a vacation without having to worry about your plant, aspidistra is a great option. 
• Succulents: Make sure you give them bright light.
• Dracaenas
• Philodendrons

How do you re-pot indoor plants?

You typically don't need to re-pot indoor plants unless your indoor plant has become too large for the pot it is in.

How do you care for indoor plants?

Here are some tips that will help you care for your indoor plants: 

-To keep the potting soil moist, make sure to water your plant regularly and check to see if the soil is dry before watering again. 

-Make sure the plant pot has drainage holes in the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not sitting in water. 

-Place your plant near a light source, whether it’s natural or artificial, so that it can photosynthesize. 

-Determine what species of plant you have so you can more accurately care for it by doing research on the specific plant.

How do you prune indoor plants?

If you don't have a reason to prune your plants, don't do it. However, if you notice your plant getting lanky and spindly, then we recommend you prune it.

What are some of the common reasons indoor plants die?

The most common reasons plants die are:

• Overwatering or underwatering
• Not enough light or too much light
• Neglect

How long do indoor plants typically live?

Indoor house plants usually last 2-5 years. After that, they stop thriving and it’s best to get a new one.

Which interior plants improve air quality the most?

Although all plants can act as air purifiers, some are more beneficial than others.

• Red-Edged DracaenaWeeping Fig
• Bamboo Palm

How do indoor plants affect people’s moods?

Not only do plants clean the air, but they also reduce noise levels and stress in the workplace—people are often surprised at how beneficial indoor plants are.

Are indoor plants expensive?

Indoor plants are known for being very affordable. The smaller the plant, the less expensive it will be. We do warn customers from buying plants from large retailers. Oftentimes, large retailers will sell coconut or palm trees, which are large indoor plants sold at a relatively low price.

Just because a plant is large and sold for a low price does not mean you are getting the best deal. We recommend doing some research prior to buying or speaking with a salesperson at a gardening center.

Which indoor plants work well for small living spaces?

Here is a list of small plants that are great for those living in apartments or working in small spaces.

• Philidrens
• Succulents, if you have a good light source
• Hedra helix
• Devil’s Ivy

What is the best kind of indoor plant fertilizer to use?

Go to a garden center and look for a fertilizer that says "indoor plant" on the label. You'll use less fertilizer for plants inside than you will for plants outside, so make sure you use the rate specified for indoor plants. If you're getting fertilizer for plants that bloom, look for a fertilizer that's labeled with the type of plant (orchids, for example). But if you're not sure which one to pick, it's okay to use fertilizer for houseplants.

How do I get rid of bugs on indoor plants?

Bugs on your indoor plants can be really annoying! If you spot pests, go to a garden center and purchase an insecticidal soap, which usually is contained in a spray bottle. When you notice bugs, spray the entire plant – the undersides and tops of the leaves as well as the stem. Next, wait about two weeks and repeat the spraying. Then, wait two more weeks and spray again.

You will want to spray three times because the soap usually will not eliminate eggs, which could hatch. If your plant is dealing with a severe infestation and you are unable to eradicate the pests, throw out the plant. You can also use a damp paper towel to remove a pest.

How do I know when to water my indoor plant?

Water your plant only when it needs it, otherwise you run the risk of overwatering.

Here are some ways to tell if it’s time to water:

• Soil probe – This probe will draw out soil, which will help you understand how dry the soil is below the surface.
• Moisture meter – This tool tells you, on a scale, how dry soil is.
• Lifting the plant up – Heaviness signifies the plant has enough water, but lightness signifies the plant is dry.
• Wilting – Wilting typically happens because the plant is not getting sufficient water. Lift the plant to see if it is light in weight or if it’s heavy.
• Tipping – If the leaf edges begin browning and are crispy to the touch, the plant likely needs water. If the leaf edges are becoming brown but feel mushy, the plant has likely gotten too much water.
• Yellow leaves – Yellow leaves may also signify that a plant has too much or too little water, but this is not always the case.

How do I care for peace lily plants indoors?

If you're looking for a plant to brighten up your indoor space, a peace lily (spathiphyllum) could be a good option. They don't need too much water, but make sure you don't underwater them either – if your peace lily starts to wilt, just give it a drink. You'll know it's had enough water when you see water seeping out of the drainage holes in the pot. Peace lilies are also tolerant of low light, so a north-facing window is a good spot for them, but they don't need to be in a window if you don't have one that would work.