The Advanced Guide To Colorful House Plants

Add Colorful House Plants to Your Home

Bring a vibrant look to your home without relying on flowers. These houseplants that have colorful leaves are easy to grow.

Related to the philodendron, snake plant, or peace lily pinstripe plants have bands of color across long, elongated leaves. These tropical houseplants thrive in conditions of low light.

Croton

The vibrant, varied markings of croton leaves add visual interest to nearly every room. This exotic houseplant is famous for its fiery colors however, its variety of shapes and sizes make it stand out.

This exotic plant is a fan of direct sunlight that is bright and can be grown outdoors or indoors. The narrow leaves of this Croton are strewn with red, green, purple, and yellow, creating a rainbow of colors.

Bring it inside during cold snaps. The croton is susceptible to lose its color if exposed to cold temperatures or drafts. It is also prone to pests so be sure to check it often and spray with a horticultural insecticide as needed.

Fittonia

Fittonia has a striking, deep-green foliage with white, pink, or red veining. It is able to brighten up an otherwise dark area and is especially mesmerizing in an Terrarium.

Like many tropical house plants indoor plants; click the next website, that thrive in warm conditions and high humidity. Keep it in a warm room and away from cold windows and heaters that could dry out the air.

It should be replanted every year. Cut the tips when it appears to be straggly. This will encourage a bushier growth.

In the summer months nerve plants also require a regular application of liquid fertilizer specifically designed for use on house plants. A balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer that is diluted to half strength is ideal. It also thrives when it is in a humid environment. Mist the leaves, or use a humidity tray.

Calathea

Whether you opt for the bright green pin-stripe calathea, or the peacock plant with its dark green, Tropical House Plants purple and silver brush marks These exotic house plants common plants look stunning as centerpieces for tables. Alternatively, their large oval leaves can be used as floor plants when placed on low plant stands. Calatheas like moist air (between 50 and 80% humidity), but they do not grow well in soggy soil. They thrive in a potting mix consisting of 2 parts coco coir, one part peat and a little orchid bark.

The water calatheas every week when the 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 that could damage the plant. This is especially important during the winter when growth slows for plants. This is also a good time to feed the plant with a liquid houseplant fertilizer that is diluted to 1/2 strength.

Red-edge Dracaena

Red-edge Dracaena gives an attractive tropical look to your home. Sometimes, it is mistakenly referred to as a palm, this plant is characterized by its slender stems or canes that are adorned with clumps of long thin green leaves that are trimmed with a dark red or yellow.

It is easy to grow and thrives indoors like all Dracaenas. They prefer indirect light and bright but are tolerant of lower lighting conditions. They do best in a well-drained potting soil. However, they may require occasional fertilization. Common problems are root mold and brown edges or tips and insect infestation.

The plants are well-known for their ability to purify the air. According to NASA's Clean Air Study they are especially effective in eliminating benzene (produced by smoking cigarettes, synthetic substances and car exhaust) as well as formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air. They are also easy to propagate from cuttings which can be done anytime during the growing season, by dipping into rooting hormone, then lanting them in a pot of moist soil.

Aluminum Plant

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

It prefers warm, indirect light and moderate humidity. The temperature should be 60-75 degF (16-23 degC).

It is a low-maintenance tree that prefers moist, but the top quarter of an inch of soil should dry before watering it again. During the active growing season in the spring and summer, water often enough to keep the soil moist. In the dormancy season in winter and fall it is recommended to water less frequently. A liquid fertilizer is a great idea to apply every month throughout the growing season. Cuttings from stems can be used to propagate the plant vegetatively. They can easily root in a mixture of loamy and peaty soil.

Waffle Plant

Hemigraphis alternata, also known as a purple waffle plant, has metallic green-purple leaves with a unique puckered texture. It is a great indoor plant to grow in a hanging basket or a Terrarium. It can also be grown outside, but it is less tolerant of cold temperatures than some other house plants.

As in its native equatorial rainforest, Hemigraphis alternata thrives with bright indirect light and high humidity. To recreate the environment, you can mist your Hemigraphis alternata routinely using distillate water spray or put it on a pebble tray containing filtered water to increase the humidity.

You can trim Hemigraphis alternata when it becomes big and swollen to encourage growth, or to add aesthetic appeal. Use an insecticide, or a mixture of warm Neem oil and water to kill mealybugs if it is prone. Hemigraphis Alternata can be propagated by stem tip cuttings ranging from 4 to 6 inches taken in spring and summer.

Rex Begonia

Begonias thrive indoors and are particularly hardy for those with large, sassy leaves. Begonias of the Rex variety are distinguished by their distinctive veining, ruffling and puckering together with streaking, spotting, and splotching in a mix of greens, silver, pinks, whites, and reds.

These beautiful plants require a regular watering routine. Water the plant whenever the soil's top inch is dry to the touch, and avoid the accumulation of water that could lead to root rot.

Mix 50% potting soil, and 25 percent peat moss, or coco coir, or orchid bark to add a light, porous texture to the soil. This mix also assists the begonia keep moisture. If you are having issues with mildew, reduce the amount of water your begonia is receiving and then move it into a brighter space to help eliminate the mold. Mealy bugs may also appear on your begonia; soaking a cotton ball or swab in alcohol will help remove them.

Alocasia

Alocasia "Black Velvet" has bold, green-black leaves with prominent veins that resemble scales. The leaf's undersides exhibit a purple or whitish tint and add a dramatic contrast to the foliage. This jewel-type is suitable for indoors all year round or outdoors in the summer in zones 4-8.

This tropical beauty thrives with bright indirect light, which keeps the leaves from burning. A bright sunny window is ideal, however some varieties can tolerate filtered light or even dappled shade.

The soil should feel moist but not spongy. A light all-purpose feed is suitable once a month, but avoid feeding during winter, when the plant is in dormancy. Look for brown or mushy roots that may indicate a nutritional deficiency. Root rot is common in Alocasia and could be fatal for the plant.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads can bring colour to rooms that are otherwise void of color. They are tropical plants that thrive in humid conditions. They can be easily cultivated by following a regular schedule and their vibrant colors are able to make dull spaces look more vibrant.

They produce large, vibrant "flowers," called bracts which are actually specialized leaves that attract pollinators. The real flowers of the plant are hidden inside bracts and will only appear once 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 to create new bromeliads. Watering is the same for the parent. Avoid using hard tap water, as it could cause foliage to be spotted. Instead you should use rainwater or water that has been filtered. This is particularly crucial for bromeliads in a pot.

Hedgehog

The hedgehog is the smallest member of the mammalia group, Animalia. This mammal that sleeps at night has cool quills that won't hurt. They are the oldest mammals on the planet and have a distant ancestry to pigs and Shrews.

In the wild they are omnivorous, eating toads and frogs, as well as mushrooms, grass roots and fruits. When scared the hedgehog will turn into an elongated ball of hairs. Only the strongest predators are able to pry the ball open.

If you see an animal that lives in the ground, put it back inside its nest or cover the area with natural materials. If you must remove it from its habitat, place it in a large jar away from your bedroom. Give as much shelter as you can. They are best kept in a space that is warm (73-80 degrees).