How to Select Houseplants

Learn to Select the Right Houseplants for Your Needs

Even in a crowded house, a little imagination reveals plenty of places for houseplants. On top of the refrigerator, nestled on a bookcase, on a piano, or in the corner of a bathroom are all great spots for plants. Houseplants can help decorate a room, add to the décor, bring a sense of style and even bring a sense of the outdoors inside. Best of all, many are easy to maintain with very little effort. Since you control the environment, you can choose almost anything to grow indoors. As long as you provide the plant with the moisture, potting soil, plant food and light it requires, you should be successful with virtually any houseplant.

1. The Right Plants: Space

What plants should you choose? First, let common sense be your guide. In a smaller home or apartment, you probably don't have room for a big palm tree. But an African violet produces colorful blooms, is easy to maintain, and takes up little space.

2. Select Plants for Your Light Conditions

If your house doesn't get much light, you may still be able to grow houseplants that don't require a lot of natural light. Try growing pothos, heart-leaf philodendron, snake plant, arrowhead vine, cast iron plant, dieffenbachia or Chinese evergreen. A great option if you're looking for a plant that will flower in low-light growing conditions is the peace lily. If you have bright, sunny spots in your home, try growing Norfolk Island pine, dracaena, fiddle-leaf fig, spider plant, croton, jade, or rubber plant.

3. Get Inspiration

If you see a plant you like in someone's home, ask them what it is and what it needs to grow along with where it was purchased. For other ideas, just visit your local nursery or garden center, browse Pinterest, surf the Internet or simply pick up a book at the library. Florists often sell houseplants and are knowledgeable sources who can help match plants to your specific conditions.

4. Decorate - Let Houseplants Say Something About Your Style

Houseplants aren't just green. African violets, cyclamen, poinsettias and azaleas are a few plants that provide color during dreary winter and early spring months, and the leaves of the croton plant are glorious shades of red, yellow and orange year-round. There are plenty of options for adding a little vibrant color to your home.

5. Select Decorative Plant Containers

Mix up container sizes, colors and material, like copper pots, ceramic glazed pots or lined wicker-style pots. And don't forget plant stands, shelves and other decorating ideas to help add some spice to your indoors.