Small House Plants - Add a Green Touch to Your Home With These Easy-To-Care For Houseplants
Bring a lush green look to your home by using our selection of small house plants. These tiny beauties are ideal for any corner, desk or corner.
Many plants appear to be large popular plants, but are actually quite compact. They thrive in bright sunlight and require regular watering. Be aware of signs of dryness in cacti. They do not like being overwatered.
String Of Pearls Plant
Curio herreanus, better known as string of pearls is a succulent which resembles the plastic beads in your childhood dress-up box. This trailing plant adds the appearance and color to your house, while cleaning the air in the space and lowering stress levels. It's easy to propagate and grow which makes it a great option for those who are just starting out looking for an easy-care houseplant.
The best way to begin when taking care of your string of pearls plant is determining the amount of water it requires. This will depend on the soil type, climate and size of the container. A good rule of thumb is to water your plant whenever the top inch of soil appears dry, however it's also important to check the soil frequently and use a moisture gauge or your finger to determine soil consistency.
Pruning your string of pearls plant is another important maintenance practice. This will stimulate new growth, which makes your plant healthier and more affluent. It is recommended to trim any dead stems and pearls and also leggy or overgrown parts of the plant.
Repotting your string of pearls plant should only be done when the plant has become root-bound. If low maintenance house plants are tangled and crowded in the container, you will be able to see that it has happened. To continue to grow the string of pearls, cut several stems of 4 to 5 inches from the growing end with an sterilised pair of snips or scissor. Place the stems into the pot of succulent or cactus soil, then place it in direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist until nodes begin to grow, which should happen within several weeks.
Polka Dot Plant
As the name implies, this beautiful foliage plant has pink or white spots. It's native to South Africa, East Asia and Madagascar but it can be planted as an annual in temperate zones too. Tucked into planters with colorful flowers or in a greenery display, Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) can add texture and color to any room.
Polka dot plants thrive in nutrient-rich soil that drains well and is slightly acidic to neutral in pH. They don't like soil that is too moist, but they also don't want it drying out. The best way to water them is to apply chilled, filtered water until the soil is completely wet. You can also check the soil's moisture by using your finger or a small piece of wood. It should feel damp but not saturated.
The timing of watering will vary based on the growth stage of your Polka dot plant. During the growth period that runs from spring through autumn, it is important to keep the soil consistently damp. Do not let it become wet as polka-dots are susceptible to root rot. The plant can also benefit from a monthly application diluted fertilizer for your houseplant.
Polka dots are susceptible to fungus diseases like leaf spot and root decay. To avoid them, ensure that they're planted in a properly draining pot, and then water them thoroughly when the top soil is dry, and remove any dead or damaged leaves.
String Of Heart Plant
A string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a stunning and unique addition to your home. It can be grown either from seeds or through layering. To layer it is as easy as draping a vine over a new pot of damp compost and make sure a tuber makes contact with the compost. Keep the compost moist for around one month, and you will see roots form out of the tubers into the soil. String of heart plants can be propagated through cuttings from the soil or in water.
The best time to propagate the plants is in spring and summer. Cuttings should be taken from the bottom of the plant with some nodes on the top. They can then be submerged in water, and they will begin to grow roots. Once the roots are long they can be repotted.
In the spring and summer the string of hearts plant will thrive in warm temperatures and indirect sunlight. Water the plant regularly to keep it damp. Avoid overwatering, since this could cause root rot. It is also essential to make sure that the soil drains properly.
It is a simple plant and is not susceptible to many diseases or pests. However, it could be affected by fungus gnats, and it is also susceptible to other pests of houseplants like mealybugs. If your plant is yellow or unhealthy, it may be due to overwatering. Let the soil dry before watering again.
Button Fern
The Button Fern is a low-lying native New Zealand fern. Its densely covered fronds give it its name. As house plants it can be placed in a hanging basket or a terrarium. It is also a beautiful accent for a shady area of the garden.
This plant requires an acidic, moist soil. A peat-free ericaceous potting mix is ideal. Ferns prefer to grow in shade and thrive with moderate to high levels of humidity. They need to dry out a little between waterings and prefer less misting than other ferns.
In the growing season, fertilize the Button Fern every two weeks by feeding it diluted liquid food. Avoid temperatures that are too high, which could cause the plant's leaves and roots to become burnt. Button Ferns are rarely repotted because of their small root system.
Button ferns are susceptible to overwatering, especially when they are grown in self-watering pots. You can observe a wilted or yellowish appearance to determine if you've overwatered your plant. If you see a lot of black roots in the bottom of the pot, it might be dying and needs to be removed. To prevent this from happening be aware of your soil moisture and only water your plant when the top inch of soil is a little dry. Button Ferns are sensitive to salt in tap water, so make sure to use rainwater or distillate water instead of tap water that is regular. If you have to use tap water, filter it instead of using hard or bottled water.
Baby Tears Plant
Baby Tears Plant is a quickly-growing houseplant with green leaves and a pretty bloom. It is a great choice for those who are new to the world of foliage plants as it grows well in a variety of settings that are humid, such as bathrooms and terrariums. The plant can be used as an ornamental ground cover or in hanging baskets. It can grow quite large and therefore regular pruning is important to keep it under control.
In its natural environment, this plant is found in tropical forests and thrives in warm temperatures between 20 and 38 degC (68 to 100degF). It is a great candidate for partial shade or misting in the hot summer months. It is susceptible to root rot, just like the majority of other plants. This is the reason it should be watered regularly.
It is fairly simple to propagate, and you can easily plant your own in a pot or in the garden. To do so, simply wrap a piece of paper towel or moss around the base of an established stem. Spray the tissue or moss with water until it is damp but not saturated and then cover it with plastic wrap and inspect it every few days for signs of roots.
The ideal time to water a Baby Tears plant is when the first two to three inches of soil are dry. In the summer and spring, it is best to water this plant at least twice per week. In winter, however, the frequency of watering is reduced to only when the soil feels dry a few inches down and as with all plants, avoid overwatering.
Senecio
Senecio is a genus of succulent plants, is popular for indoor plant cultivation. They are easy to propagate and require very little maintenance. This genus can be planted in soil that is well-drained or in containers. It can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Senecio is an extremely hardy plant that can withstand extreme temperatures and drought conditions. However, it is recommended to avoid freezing temperatures because they can harm the roots.
The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus 'String of Pearls') is an evergreen perennial flowering succulent that can reach up to 3 feet in length. It is native to dry areas of Southwest Africa, and grows as an elongated succulent. The leaves are gray with a waxy covering and small cream-colored flowers appear at the end of the branches. This plant requires bright indirect sunlight, and soil mixes that drain well. A cactus mix or one made from standard potting soil with the addition of sand or grit can improve drainage and prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the pot which can cause root decay.
This Senecio variety, also referred to as the Fishhook Senecio or the Weeping Jade, is a glabrous, perennial creeper that has long, fleshy beans and green stems. It is renowned for its curved leaf tips that can be flattened, crimped or twisted, and its silvery white felt cover, also known as tomentum. It is a good choice for those who are just beginning as it can be propagated with seeds.