Gardening Beneficial plants for indoors

Good day, gardeners. I hope you’ve all scheduled your professional tree pruning to be done before the hurricane season begins.

You can thank me for reminding you when you’ve got far less yard debris after the first blow than your neighbour does, and then you would be good to suggest that they begin reading the Weekend section of the Tribune!

This week, let’s step inside and have a look at some classic, longlasting and effective plants for inside the house or office.

When it comes to indoor plants, it’s important to choose plants that are well-suited for the environment in which they will be growing. One of the most common challenges when it comes to indoor plants is a lack of sufficient light.

Fortunately, there are several plant species that thrive in low light environments, making them perfect for indoor use. Here are some examples of plants for low light indoors, along with their benefits:

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata

Sanse trifasciata)

The snake plant is a popular lowlight indoor plant that is known for its resil ience and easy care. It can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light.

Snake plants have stiff, upright leaves that grow straight up from the soil. They can grow up to several feet tall, but also do well in small pots. There are varie ties that do not grow as tall, as well as with yellow stripes and a leaf that’s almost black, it’s such a dark green.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, snake plants are great air purifiers, removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant is another popular indoor plant that thrives in low light conditions. It is native to Africa and has glossy, dark green leaves that can grow up to 3 feet long. The ZZ plant is well-known for its ability to tolerate neglect and low-light conditions. In fact, it can even survive in artificial light. There are a couple of new varieties that are almost black with a brighter green new growth. The ZZ plant is also a great air purifier, removing toxins such as xylene and toluene from the air.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is another low light indoor plant that is easy to care for and very adaptable. It is often called “devil’s ivy” because it is so difficult to kill. Pothos have trailing vines with heartshaped leaves that can grow easily past 30 feet long. They do well in low light, but will grow more slowly in darker conditions. Pothos is also a great air purifier, removing formaldehyde, benzene and xylene from the air.

Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)

Philodendron is a low-light indoor plant that is popular for its heart-shaped leaves and ease of care. It can grow up to 10 feet long and is perfect for trailing from a hanging basket or climbing a trellis. Philodendrons thrive in low to moderate light conditions and prefer moist soil. They are also excellent air purifiers, removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The peace lily is a low-light indoor plant that is known for its beautiful, white flowers. It prefers low to moderate light and should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. The peace lily is an excellent air purifier, removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. In addition to its air purifying properties, the peace lily is also known to help reduce stress and anxiety, making it a great addition to any indoor space.

In summary, low-light indoor plants can offer several benefits beyond just their aesthetic appeal. They are excellent air purifiers, removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and xylene from the air. They also help to increase humidity levels in the air, which can reduce the risk of respiratory problems and dry skin. Lastly, some indoor plants, like peace lilies, have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. With their ability to thrive in low-light environments, these indoor plants are a great addition to any home or office. They make a great gift, for yourself, or for someone else.

As always, I wish you happy gardening, indoors and out!

(References available upon request)