Let's Talk About Indoor Plants

Um, can anyone say wettest spot on earth? I like rain, but I’m definitely ready for the clouds to part the heavens and let the sun shine in—FOR A SEASON! Until then, I will be snuggling up with a book inside next to my favorite house plants.

Keeping plants indoors is great, but we all have our individual challenges that must be overcome. For example: my house is in a jungle so aside from choosing the “usual” low light plants, I must find the ones who can tolerate Ultra Low Light. On this journey I’ve had epic fails of plants that I absolutely fell in love with-had to have-but they just refused to look as magnificent in my house as they did at the nursery. I’ve learned to enjoy those plants on my lanai. Try your best to determine light levels at your house, for me this came by trial and error so don’t get discouraged. Plant death is a part of life, it’s highly likely that your plant may be reincarnated if you must put it in the compost pile…

Another challenge that can be presented with house plants is watering. Either we forget to water them, or we love them so much we overwater. I have learned to keep my houseplants on the dry side because they are growing slower in the Ultra Low Light. You might need to water more because your house is hotter and brighter. It all boils down to your personal relationship with that particular plant and location (like the realtors always say). I suggest if you’re the type to forget, set a weekly alarm on your phone to water them. That will be better than nothing.

The last thing to keep your house plants looking great is fertilizer. I think a liquid fertilizer for your house plants is great because you can dilute it and apply more frequently, which consistency is key and can easily develop into a habit. Granular fertilizer is great too, they tend to be applied 2-3 times a year which is great for busy people. It is more often forgotten about so definitely put it in your calendar 4 months from now with a notification and be diligent about it! Keep your plants incredible, like you.

Without further ado, here are my favorite house plants. If you don’t already know me, you’re about to find out that I love ferns! Maidenhair ferns! I have 4 and soon to be 5! I have a fragrant maidenhair, who is 4 years old; a wild maidenhair, she’s 3; a giant maidenhair, who’s 2; and my newest addition this year I don’t know her name, we just call her native at the nursery, she’s gorgeous. I did have a peaches and cream maidenhair 4 years ago, who I loved so much, she died from drowning (oops). We have some really great new maidenhairs at the nursery, which I’ll be adding to my collection very soon: The silver dollar maidenhair and the snowflake. All these maidenhairs are available at the nursery except the giant one, I haven’t been able to part with that one and bring cuttings in.

I also have a rex begonia! I love the Rex’s because they are so bright and colorful! They can tolerate the ultra low light at my house and naturally prefer dryer soil. That fits in the watering schedule with my ferns--perfect. We also just got some new rex begonia varieties at the nursery which I’m very excited to begin my collection! Look how beautiful they are! All the colors!

A plant that I do not yet own but have been eyeing for 2 years already is the Chamaedorea elegans. A cute slow growing clumping palm that grows to 7ft. She is quiet and graceful but don’t let her fool you. NASA has certified her as an official air purifier. These plants are simply a show stopper with their beautiful dark green lacey fronds.

Another great house plant is Dracaena compacta, also certified by NASA. Probably the most loving plant ever, this guy thrives on neglect. He survived in my house, in a corner, 8ft from the closest window. I frequently forgot to water him and still he grew. Definitely a champion. I don’t recommend hardcore neglect of any plant, but let’s be honest--it happens. Very slow growing, but a lush addition for your house plant collection. Mr. Compacta is full of surprises. One night you’ll wake up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and you’ll walk past him half asleep like normal but as you pass him, your nose will wake you up and you’ll see the beautiful bouquet he’s holding for you. You might fall in love. If you want something of equal comparison but faster growing and greater in height, check out his brother Dracaena fragrans, his name speaks for itself.

The last kind of house plants I love are the Calatheas. They prefer more acidic soil so be sure to add peat moss to your soil mix and fertilize with Organobloom. I love these guys for their variety in leaf patterns! They add an interesting dynamic with large broad leaves and busy patterns. There’s definitely a lot going on with these guys! It’s important for them to have a consistent watering schedule, not too much, not too little (they’re the Goldilocks of the group), otherwise their leaves brown. Still a highly enjoyable and rewarding sight to see.

This blog was written by Seascapes Employee, Holly.