What are the Different Types of Houseplants?

There are many different types of houseplants that you can choose for your home to add a splash of color, a tropical flare, or even a tasty treat.

Some of the easiest houseplants to grow are those that require the least care. Cactus plants, for example, are rather easy to take care of because they can go a long time without water. There are many different small cactus varieties, and a collection can be planted in a terra cotta plate and mulched with rocks for a quick and easy desert rock garden.

Other houseplants that are very easy to grow include philodendrons, ivy, and shamrocks. Philodendrons are beautiful broad-leafed climbing plants that grow on and on if treated well. A philodendron in a basket hung from the ceiling can easily trail down to the floor or be trailed along a wall or bookshelf to brighten up a corner that doesn’t get a lot of light. Ivy is a similar, though less prolific, grower that makes a great addition to your indoor landscape.

Shamrocks are almost impossible to kill, even when you think you’ve done them in. They are cheerful plants with lovely white flowers. They are best for sunny spots and require occasional grooming, but otherwise these unsung houseplants are true winners.

If you’d like to bring a tropical feel to your home, there are many tropical houseplants that can be grown indoors with direct sunlight. A south-facing window is ideal for these colorful houseplants, such as palms, rubber trees, birds of paradise and ginger plants. Orchids also fall into the category of tropical houseplants. These beautiful plants offer graceful flowers but are a bit picky about conditions, preferring warm and humid places. If you’re new to gardening with houseplants, give the orchids a pass until you have a little bit more experience.

Useful houseplants can also be grown quite easily. For instance, aloe vera, a wonderful plant to have on hand for treating small cuts and burns, is very easy to grown in your house on a sunny windowsill or in a warm bathroom. Aloe vera prefers to be outside during the summer but won’t survive a frost. To use the aloe inside the plant, just pinch the tip off one of the fronds and apply the cooling gel found inside to whatever ails you.

Culinary herbs can be grown as houseplants with great success. Whatever you like to cook with is the best choice for an indoor herb garden. Rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, chives, parsley, and mint are all easy to grow in containers inside or outside. There is nothing better than having a supply of fresh herbs in your kitchen at all times.

Some trees make good houseplants. Ficus trees have bright green leaves and are lovely to look at, but they don’t like to be moved. If you have a lot of sun, such as in a sun room or greenhouse, you can grow small fruit or citrus trees indoors. They may not produce a lot of fruit under these conditions, but they still make lovely houseplants.