Popular Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are quite different from plants that you normally grow in a greenhouse. It is important to note that no green plant can grow completely in the dark. The amount of light required depends on the type of plant and the natural environment from which it has come.
For example, ferns and similar plants which normally grow in woods can be grown in parts of a room which are not well lighted. For plants that are normally grown in a bright places, the best spot would be the the window sill. Regardless, you must realize that the sun at noon can be very hot. This is especially true if it is shining through a glass window which is closed and not properly ventilated.
Most indoor plants like warm surroundings and moist atmosphere and they prefer to grow in the shade. Spraying the leaves alone doesn't help much at all. To keep the surrounding air moist, you need to spray the plants and stand the pot on an inverted saucer in a bowl of water so that the water does not touch the pot. Below is a list of popular indoor plants that you can grow if you place them in a warm, moist and shady place:
Achimenes
Achimenes are summer flowering plants that are trumpet-shaped, violet in colour and beautiful in contrast with the bronze-coloured leaves. They have a tendency to drop their flowers well before they are over if they are placed in a location that is either too sunny, too dry, too little light or lack of water.
They are usually available in July and August and they can grow well in a north window if the room is not too cold.
They can also be grown in a sunny room if they are shaded from the sun. To do this, simply place paper between the window and the pot. Make sure that you keep the soil moist with tepid water and give them suitable fertilizer.
Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)
Anthurium main beauty lies in the beautifully coloured spathe and it may flower for several months. The flowers themselves are inconspicuous and attached to the quaintly twisted spadix which arises from the centre of the scarlet spathe.
Many beginners are very happy with this indoor plant as it doesn't require much attention.
However, a moist atmosphere is essential so make sure that you stand the pot on an inverted saucer in a bowl of water so that the evaporation wwill provide humidity it needs. Also make sure that you do not plant too deeply so that the air can penetrate into the soil and use plently of crocks for good drainage. To prevent the the Anthurium from drying out, cover the surface of the soil with a layer of living sphagnum.
Azalea Obtusa (Japanese Azalea)
The Japanese Azalea is one of the brightest flowering plants in the spring (February to May). Its star-shaped flowers are really amazing and beautiful. When the buds begin to colour, spraying should be discontinued but the soil still kept moist. If the water between the ball of soil and the pot tends to run over, the pot should be stood in a deep pail of water until it ceases to bubble.
Dead flowers should be removed at once to conserve the strength of the plant. This indoor plant must be looked after carefully, sprayed every day if there is no rain and given manure or fertilizer every fortnight. Be sure to remove the damaged leaves as soon as you spot them before the powder (spores) develop as these fungus diseases are spread by spores. To prevent it from spreading, dust it with sulphur.
Calceolaria Hybrida (Slipper Flower)
Calceolaria is one of the popular indoor plants during February to April because of their bright-coloured and slipper-shaped flowers.
Since it is herbaceous, you need to make sure that there is a moderate amount of water on the soil and be sure to spray it if the leaves are getting dry. Calceolaria doesn't like direct sunlight at all.
The best places for it would be airy positions such as in front of window facing north or a slightly warmed room. The plant's greatest enemy is greenfly so be sure to spray it with nicotine to prevent the trouble from spreading and getting worse.
Nephrolepis
Most indoor plants can't survive long in a dark room. Nephrolepis are one of the exceptions though as woodland plants in nature, they are already adapted to live in the shade. You can place them in the dullest room and they only need but little light to survive. Regardless, you must never place it in the darkest corner as it cannot live with no light at all. Regular spraying is needed to ensure that a moist atmosphere is present.
Neoregelia
The Neoregelia is a very unique an indoor plant with leaves that are longitudinally striped with yellow and red.
The main attraction of this plant is the bright red colour assumed by the inner leaves during and after flowering.
Neoregelia likes positions with plenty of light especially from the morning sun to retain its beautiful colour. A moist atmosphere is desirable and can be provided by damping down with water from a radiator or a kettle.