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The Week

Adding a plant to your home

Indoor plants have become a necessary décor accessory of sorts for a chic looking living space. Along with making you look like an environmental enthusiast, the freshness that comes with having a plant in an indoor space can add a lot of character to a home.
By The Week Bureau

Indoor plants have become a necessary décor accessory of sorts for a chic looking living space. Along with making you look like an environmental enthusiast, the freshness that comes with having a plant in an indoor space can add a lot of character to a home. However, indoor plants do require extra love and care to flourish and look good. But with the right amount of effort and a few tips and tricks up your sleeve on how to care for them, it shouldn’t be too arduous to keep your indoor plants thriving. If you are planning to introduce a plant or two to your indoor space, here are the best ones you can choose from. These are fuss-free plants and we guarantee you will manage to keep them alive with minimal effort.  


Swiss cheese plant

There is no doubt that you have seen this plant at someone’s home or maybe even have it at your own place. Their lush green leaves with distinctive holes make a stunning statement in any room and they can grow to fit any space. Monstera deliciosa, as they’re called scientifically, prefer a warm and humid climate away from direct sunlight and they look best when you regularly clean them with a soft, damp cloth. It is also best to provide it with a grid they can climb up to as well as keep it at a place away from artificial heating and cooling – somewhere that’s naturally more airy. For best results, these plants should enjoy conditions that are fairly moist especially when they require monthly feeding, mainly in spring and summer. In its natural habitat, the plant likes climbing so provide it with some kind of grid for support to do so if you choose to bring it indoors.


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Devil’s Ivy

Devil’s ivy, also known as golden pothos or pothos, is a fast-growing and forgiving vine, suited for any position in the house. Whether they’re potted in hanging baskets or you place cuttings of it in glass vases, these plants are super low maintenance and absolutely stunning. The leaves are waxy, heart shaped and the color depends on their many varieties. The best thing is that they’re highly drought tolerant and don’t require regular fertilization. So if you are the type who brings in a plant and then forgets all about it, devil’s ivy might be the perfect pick. Make sure you water the plant at least once a week and cut back to every other week in winter. Spring and summer is the best time to prune your plant, placing the cuttings in glass jars filled with water to encourage rooting. 


Mass Cane

This plant is popular amongst those who are trying to cultivate a green thumb and it’s often an office staple thanks to its sturdy nature. Mass cane often grows between 1.2 to 1.8 meters tall with stalky stems and long, green leaves featuring light yellow and green stripes running through them. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a large plant. This plant is best placed in indirect bright light but it can tolerate low light too. You’ll only need to water it once a week. However, it’s important to note that Dracaena ‘massangeana’ is toxic to dogs and cats so it’s not the best option if you have furry friends around the house.


Mother-in-law’s Tongue

The plant originates from Southern Africa and Asia, and is another low maintenance houseplant. Also known as the snake plant, it is known as mother-in-law’s tongue as the leaves have pointed tips, apparently symbolizing the sharp tongue of a mother-in-law. This upright, succulent plant can grow up to two meters and is extremely sturdy too. It takes a lot to kill it, so this is another great option for those who tend to neglect their plants. It should be placed in bright light with some direct sun for several hours a day. It will tolerate shade, however the plant will take longer to grow if it doesn’t get the light it needs. Moderate water is required, maybe a little extra in summer, but keep it a little dry in winter to avoid rotting. Don’t over water this plant as it is a variety that would rather prefer to be a little dry than be too damp.


Chinese Money Plants 

Chinese money plant is one of the most common indoor plants found in Nepali homes. But we have all seen it green and shiny at some places but wilted and brown at others. To properly take care of it, begin by watering your Chinese money plant once a week. However, you should be aware that depending on where you place this plant it will need more or less watering. The main goal when watering Chinese money plants is to get water into the roots. For this, you can poke holes into the gravel or soil around the plant using a knife or a pencil. Moreover, you can use your finger to check the moisture level of the soil, and add more water if it feels bone dry. It’s also important to use fertilizer to keep the Chinese money plant nourished. It should be diluted and used during spring and early fall, which is this plant’s growing season. Also, make sure you trim its dry leaves and clean the other leaves to give it a polished and thus fresh look.

 

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