Decorating with Houseplants: Green, Clean and Low Maintenance
Indoor plants can be a real boon to your home environment. Not only can they add some color, texture and visual interest to your home, but they also have some health benefits too. Houseplants can help de-stress your home environment, which can lower blood pressure, and some plants can even clean the the air in your home of toxins.
I love having plants in my home; it adds a layer of character and warmth to our living space. There really isn’t anything much better than some fresh greenery to brighter one’s mood, and it is a wonderful way to bring that function into your home.
Unfortunately for me, I don’t have a green thumb. I’m able to keep the cats alive, but plants…well, my track record isn’t quite as successful. My new sister-in-law has a real affinity for plants and she is always extolling the virtues of having houseplants in the home. She’s actually made me want to jump into the fray again. So, I’ve been picking her brain and doing some research to find out which are the easiest houseplants to care for. And because I am me, I’ve also cross-referenced those with plants that are attractive and the most versatile for fitting into home decor.
Image: Jim, the Photographer
African Violets are a pretty low flowering plant with a soft leaf. They thrive in bright, yet indirect light. They are also beautiful when planted in a wide urn, topped with moss. They would make a pretty everyday centerpiece for the dining room table.
Image: garryknight
Aloe Vera is a variety of succulent that is very easy to grow as it requires little care or water. It’s also great to have around to soothe sunburned skin and other skin irritations. Aloe vera is able to grow quite large and looks great in a terracotta pot placed in a corner that get at least several hours of direct sunlight a day.
Image: marissa
Snake Plant is a striking tropical plant that is often described as difficult to kill. It is a bicolor plant of a dark green and a bright yellow-green. It has broad leaves that grow straight up–it’s actually very sculptural. It looks great in a neutral colored vessel placed on a mantle.
Image: smiley_river
The Peace Lily is also a tropical flowering plant that features dark green leaves and has striking white blossoms. They do prefer shade, so this one might be just what that windowless powder room needs to brighten it up. It was also named by NASA as one of the best plants for removing toxins from the air.
Top Image: F. D. Richards
Sources: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/best-indoor-plants-zmaz87ndzgoe.aspx#axzz2eGLTcANa
