Notes

24 Hours To Improving Colorful House Plants
Add Colorful House Plants to Your Home

Bring a vibrant look to your home without relying on flowers. These houseplants with vibrantly colored leaves are easy-to-grow.

Similar to the philodendron snake plant or peace lily, pinstripe plants sport bands of color that cover elongated foliage. These tropical houseplants thrive in low light conditions.

Croton

The bright, varied markings of croton leaves add visual interest to nearly any space. This exotic house plant is most known for its fiery colors however the variety of sizes and shapes makes it stand out by itself.

This exotic plant enjoys light and indirect sunlight. It can be grown indoors or out. The leaves are narrow and flecked with reds, greens, yellows, and purples creating an kaleidoscope.

This croton is known for its leaves turning brown if it is subjected to cold temperatures or drafts, so bring it inside during cold snaps. It is also prone to insects. Inspect often and spray horticultural insecticides if required.

Fittonia

Fittonia is an eye-catching plant with dramatic deep green foliage and contrasting pink, white or red veining. It can bring brightness to a dark space and is particularly captivating when it is placed in a Terrarium.

Like many tropical house plants It thrives in hot conditions and high humidity. Place it in a humid, warm space away from drafty windows or heaters that could dry the air.

It grows best in well-draining potting soil, and it needs to be regularly repotted. Cut off the tips if it appears straggly, to encourage growth that is more bushy.

In the spring and summer, nerve plants also require a weekly application of liquid fertilizer that is specifically designed for use on house plants. It is recommended to apply a balanced 5-5-5 fertiliser diluted half strength. It is also a great choice for a humid environment so spray the leaves with mist or introduce a humidity tray to maintain high humidity around it.

Calathea

These exotic house plants are beautiful centerpieces for tables, whether you pick the calathea with its bright green pinstripes, or the peacock which has dark purple, dark green and silver brush marks. Alternatively, their large oval leaves make excellent floor plants that can be placed on low plant stands. Calatheas like humid air (between 50-80 percent humidity) however, they do not thrive in moist soil. They thrive in a potting mix that is well-drained comprising 2 parts peat one part coco coir, and some orchid bark.

Water calatheas weekly when their top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. By using filtered or rainwater instead of tap water, you can prevent the build-up of salts and chemicals which could harm the plant. This is especially crucial during winter, when growth slows for plants. It's also a great time to feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer for houseplants, dilute to half strength.

Red-edge Dracaena

The Red-edge Dracaena can give your home a tropical feel. Often mislabeled as a palm, this plant has slender canes or stems with clumps of thick green leaves, trimmed in yellow or dark red.

Like all dracaenas, it thrives as an indoor houseplant and is easy to care for. They prefer indirect light with a bright hue but are tolerant of lower lighting conditions. They prefer a well draining pot mix, but might require occasional fertilization. Common issues include root decay and brown edges or tips and insects.

These plants are well-known for their ability clean the air. According to NASA's Clean Air Study they are particularly effective in removing benzene (produced by cigarettes, synthetic materials and car exhaust) and formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere. It is also easy to propagate them from cuttings. This can be done anytime during the growing season. Simply dip them into rooting hormone, and then put them in a pot filled with moist soil.

Aluminum Plant


Pilea cadierei also known as aluminum plant or pila watermelon, is a tropical indoor plant that forms a mound of safflowering green leaves that have silver stripes. It is a striking and easy to grow plant, but can be susceptible to infestations of spider-mite.

It likes indirect light, warm temperatures and moderate humidity. The temperature should range between 60-75 degrees F (16-23 degrees C).

It is a low-maintenance species that prefers moist soil, however the top quarter of an inch of soil must be dried before watering it once more. During active growing seasons in spring and summer, it is important to water the soil enough to keep the soil moist. The frequency of watering is lower in winter and autumn. It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizer each month during the growing season. Stem cuttings are a great method of vegetative propagation for this plant. They can be easily cultivated can be found in a mixture of loamy soil and peaty.

Waffle Plant

Hemigraphis alternata, also known as a purple waffle plant, has metallic green-purple leaves with an unusual puckered texture. It grows well indoors in a hanging basket or in a terrarium. It can also be grown outside, however it is less tolerant to cold temperatures than other house plants.

In its equatorial rainforest habitat, Hemigraphis alternata thrives with bright indirect light and high humidity. You can replicate this environment by misting your Hemigraphis Alternata with distillate water or placing it on a tray of filtered water and pebbles.

Hemigraphis Alternata is a good candidate for pruning when it becomes gangly. This will encourage growth that is bushy and add visual appeal. If it is susceptible to mealybug infestation, use an insecticide or a mix of warm water and neem oil to eliminate the insects. You can reproduce Hemigraphis alternata with 4 to 6 inches stem tips taken in the spring and summer.

Rex Begonia

Begonias thrive indoors and are particularly hardy for those with a showy foliage. Rex begonias have distinctive veining and ruffling, with streaks and splotches with the form of a mix of greens, white silver, reds and pinks.

These beautiful plants require a regular watering routine. Water the plant as soon as the soil's top layer is dry to the touch, avoiding pools of water that could lead to root rot.

To add a soft texture to your soil mix 50% of standard potting dirt with 25 percent peatmoss, orchids bark, or coco coir. This mixture also helps the begonia to retain moisture. If you find yourself struggling with powdery mildew, reduce your begonia's watering and move it to a brighter location to help get rid of the mold. You might also notice mealy bugs on your begonia. Soaking a cotton ball in alcohol can remove them.

Alocasia

Alocasia"Black Velvet" is a striking, greenish-black leaf that are adorned with prominent veins, resembling scales. The leaf's undersides are a purple or whitish tint, which creates a striking contrast to the foliage. This type of jewel is ideal for indoors all year long or outdoors during summer in zones 4-8.

This tropical beauty thrives in indirect light that keeps the leaves from burning. A bright, sunny window is ideal, but many varieties can take filtered light, or even shaded by dappled.

The soil should feel moist but not spongy. A moderate all-purpose fertilizer is recommended every month, but it is best to avoid feeding during winter, when the plant is entering dormancy. Look for brown or mushy root growths that could indicate a nutritional shortage. Root rot is common in Alocasia, and it can be fatal to the plant.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads provide an element of color to rooms where a variety of house plants may struggle. They're tropical in nature and thrive in humid conditions provided. They grow easily when they are given a regular routine, and their bright shades can brighten otherwise dull spaces.

They produce large, vibrant "flowers," called bracts which are actually specialized leaves that attract pollinators. The true flowers of the plant are hidden in bracts and will only appear after the flower has been fertilized.

As they grow, the plant creates offshoots that resemble miniature versions of the mother plant. The pups can be propagated into new bromeliads. Watering is the same as for the parent. Avoid the use of hard tap water, which could cause foliage to be spotted. Instead using rainwater or filtered water. This is especially important for bromeliads that are in pots.

Hedgehog

The hedgehog is one of the smallest members of the mammalia class, Animalia. The nocturnal mammal is a cool quills that won't hurt. They are the oldest mammals on the planet and have a distant connection to Shrews and pigs.

In the wild, they are omnivorous, eating frogs and toads and also grass roots, mushrooms and fruits. When frightened the hedgehog will roll itself into a ball of spiny hairs. Only the most powerful predators can pry the ball open.

If you find a hedgehog that is rooted in the ground, you can put it back in its home or cover the area with natural materials. If you need to remove it from its habitat and put it in a large container far from your bedroom. Provide as much shelter as you can. They should be kept in an environment that is warm (73-80 degrees).

Homepage: https://houseplantalley.com/