12 Facts About Colorful House Plants That Will Get You Thinking About The Cooler Water Cooler
Add Colorful House Plants to Your Home
Add a colorful touch to your home without having to rely on flowers. These houseplants with vibrantly colored leaves are easy-to-grow.
Similar to the philodendron snake plant or peace lily, pinstripe plants display bands of color that cover elongated foliage. These tropical houseplants thrive in low light conditions.
Croton
The vibrant, varied patterns on the croton leaf provide visual interest to any room. This exotic houseplant is famous for its fiery colours however its array of shapes and sizes makes it stand out.
This exotic plant can be grown indoors or outdoors. The narrow leaves are flecked with greens, reds, purples, and yellows creating an array of colors.
This croton is renowned for shedding its leaf color when exposed to cold temperatures or drafts, so make sure to bring it inside during cold snaps. It is also susceptible to pests which is why it is a good idea to check it regularly and spray with a horticultural insecticide if needed.
Fittonia
Fittonia has a striking deep-green foliage that is adorned with white, pink or red veins. It can lighten the darkest of spaces and looks especially mesmerizing in an planter.
Like many tropical house plants It thrives in hot conditions and high humidity. Keep it in a warm, humid room away from drafty windows and heaters that could dry the air.
It grows best in well-draining pots, and needs to be replaced every year. When it begins to appear like it's straggly, trim the tips to encourage more bushy growth.
In the spring and summer, nerve plants also require a weekly application liquid fertilizer specifically designed for use on house plants. A balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer diluted to half strength works well. It also thrives when it is in a humid climate. Mist the leaves or use a humidity tray.
Calathea
If you choose to go with the bright green pin-stripe calathea, or the peacock plant with its dark green, purple and silver brush marks These exotic house plants look gorgeous as centerpieces for your table. Their large oval leaves make excellent floor plants when placed on low plant stands. Calatheas thrive in moist air (between 50 and 80% humidity) However, they don't thrive in moist soil. They thrive in a potting mixture consisting of 2 parts coco coir, one part peat and a little orchid bark.
Water calatheas weekly when their top inch of soil is dry to the touch. By using rainwater that is filtered instead of tap water, you can prevent the build-up of chemicals and salts that could damage the plant. This is particularly important during the winter when plant growth slows. It's also a great time to feed your plant with liquid houseplant fertilizer, dilute to half strength.
Red-edge Dracaena
The Red-edge Dracaena will give your home a tropical feel. Sometimes, it is mistakenly referred to as a palm, this plant features slender multiple canes or stems with clumps of thick green leaves, trimmed in yellow or dark red.
It is easy to grow and thrives indoors, just like all Dracaenas. They prefer indirect light that is bright but are tolerant of lower lighting conditions. They thrive in well-drained potting soil. However, they might require fertilization on occasion. Common problems are root decay, brown edges or tips and insects.
They are well-known for their ability cleanse the air. According to NASA's Clean Air Study they are particularly good at removing benzene (produced by cigarette smoke, synthetic materials and car exhaust) as well as formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene out of the air. They are also very easy to propagate from cuttings which can be done anytime during the growing season by dipping into rooting hormone, then placing them in a pot filled with moist soil.
Aluminum Plant
Pilea cadierei, also known as aluminum plant or watermelon pila, is a tropical indoor houseplant that forms a mound of green leaves with silver stripes. It's an extremely attractive and easy to grow plant however it can be susceptible to spider mite infestations.
It is a fan of moderate humidity and indirect, warm light. The temperature should be 60-75 degF (16-23 degC).
It is a low-maintenance plant that prefers moist soil, however the top quarter of an inch of soil must be dried before watering it once more. During the growing season in spring and summer, water often enough to keep the soil damp. In the dormancy season in fall and winter, water less often. It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizer each month during the growing season. Cuttings from stems can be used to propagate the plant in a vegetative manner. These roots easily are cultivated in a mix of peaty and loamy soil.
Waffle Plant
Hemigraphis alternata, or purple waffle plant, has metallic green-purple leaves with a unique puckered texture. It grows well indoors in hanging baskets or in a terrarium. It can be planted outdoors, however it is less tolerant to cold temperatures than other house plants.
As in the equatorial rainforest that is its home, Hemigraphis alternata thrives with bright indirect light and high humidity. To mimic this environment it is possible to mist your Hemigraphis alternata regularly using distillate water spray, or place it in a pebble tray that is filled with water that has been filtered to increase the humidity.
You can cut back Hemigraphis alternata when it gets large to encourage bushy growth or for visual appeal. If it is susceptible to mealybug infestation, use an insecticide or a mix of warm water and neem oil to eliminate the insects. You can propagate Hemigraphis alternata from 4 to 6 inches stem tip cuttings collected in spring and summer.
Rex Begonia
Begonias are tough plants that thrive indoors, specifically ones with a showy leaf. The Rex begonias are distinguished by their veining and ruffling, along with streaks and splotches with the form of a mix of white, green silver, reds and pinks.
These vibrant plants require regular watering. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, avoiding the accumulation of water that could lead to root rot.
To add a smooth texture to your soil mix 50% of standard potting dirt with 25 percent peatmoss, orchids bark or coco coir. This mixture also helps the begonia to retain moisture. If you have a problem with mildew, reduce the amount of water your begonia is receiving and move it into a brighter area to eliminate the mold. You might also notice mealy bugs on your begonia. Soaking a cotton ball in alcohol can eliminate them.
Alocasia
Alocasia 'Black Velvet' has striking, green-black leaves with prominent veins that resemble scales. The leaf's undersides are a whitish or purple tint and add a dramatic contrast to the foliage. This variety is suitable for indoors all year or outdoors in warmer climate zones 4-8a during summer.
This tropical beauty is thriving with bright indirect light, which prevents scorching the leaves. Ideal is a bright and sunny window, but many varieties can tolerate filtered or dappled light.
The soil should feel damp, but not soggy. Every month, a light all-purpose fertilizer is suggested. Avoid feeding the plant in the winter months when it is in dormancy. Check for house plants names or mushy root growths which could indicate a nutrient shortage. Root rot is common with Alocasia and could be fatal for the plant.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads can give color to rooms that are otherwise devoid of color. They are tropical plants and thrive in humid conditions. They can be easily grown by following a regular schedule and their vibrant colors can make dull spaces look more vibrant.
They produce large and vibrant "flowers," called bracts which are actually specialized leaves that attract pollinators. The true flowers of the plant are hidden in bracts, and appear only after the flower has been fertilized.
As they grow, the plant creates offshoots which look like miniature versions of the parent plant. These offshoots are called pups and can be propagated to produce new bromeliad plants. Watering is the same as for the parent. Avoid using hard tap water as it could cause foliage to be spotted. Use rainwater or filtered whenever you can. This is crucial for bromeliads growing in pots.
Hedgehog
The hedgehog is a small mammal belonging to the Animalia class. This nocturnal mammal has cool quills that won't hurt. They are among the oldest mammals on earth and have a distant ancestry to pigs and Shrews.
In the wild they are omnivorous, eating frogs and toads and also grass roots, mushrooms and fruits. When scared the hedgehog can roll itself into the shape of a ball of hairs. Only the strongest predators are able break the ball.
If you find a hedgehog lying on the ground, place it back into its nest or re-cover the site with natural materials. If you have to remove it from its natural habitat and put it in a large jar away from your bedroom. Give as much shelter as you can. They should be kept in a warm, 73-80° environment.