House Plants: 25 Simple and Easy Gardening Tips on Choosing the Best Indoor Plants And Clean Air Plants for Your Home

Introduction

A houseplant can transform a house into a home. There is something quite appealing and mood-lifting about having plants placed around the home. You can keep them in the kitchen, the living areas, the bedrooms and the bathroom. Figuring out what plant is suitable for the environment you plan on growing it in can be confusing, but this is all explained in the chapters of this book.

There are so many different plants that can be grown indoors, and this even includes tropical flowering plants. With the right temperatures and humidity levels, you can have houseplants that look truly magnificent in their blooming glory. Many tropical plants also have delicious fragrances, so if you want to scent your home these are ideal.

Houseplants aren't just for decoration though. In fact, many plants have a job to do and they do it very well. There are plants that purify the air, balance out the humidity, and even plants that help to relieve allergy symptoms. When choosing a houseplant, think carefully about whether or not you want the plant for a visual reason or to help improve the air in your home.

It is also very important to know what plants are poisonous or toxic, not just for you and your family, but for your beloved pets as well. Many houseplants can cause serious illness in your cat or dog, so knowing what these plants are can help prevent a lot of heartache or expensive vet bills. After all, we all know how cats and dogs like to attack houseplants, so either keep them out of reach, or make sure you have the safer plants in your home.

More people are becoming aware of the harmful side effects of using chemical sprays, such as insect repellents and air fresheners. Instead, they are looking for plants that can do these jobs naturally, therefore keeping your family healthy. There are even plants that can help keep spiders away, which is fabulous for those with a fear of them. And of course the fly and mosquito repellents. These pests are not only annoying, but they can carry disease, so using a natural plant repellent helps to keep them out of your home.

A lot of beginners are hesitant about tackling the growing of houseplants. But you really don't need to be. All you need is a little common sense, a bit of knowledge, and some planning to ensure your plant has the best possible chance of survival. If at first you fail, don't hesitate to try again.

Chapter 1 – Choosing Healthy Plants

Once you have decided what type of plant you want to purchase, and where you are planning on putting it, the next most important part of the process is choosing a plant that is healthy. Often you will find plants that are not in the best shape in bargain lots, but although they may be cheap, unless you have exceptional skills at resurrecting them from near-death, you should avoid them.

You don't have to have expert knowledge about a particular plant to know whether it is healthy or not, as there are simple tips and tricks to identifying one. For starters, if the plant is wilted or drooping, it probably isn't going to survive long. You should always choose a plant that is sitting upright in the pot with strong stems or stalks. A plant with spindly stems and stalks is not likely to survive without a lot of tender loving care.

Look at your chosen plant and check that the leaves all look healthy and firm. The occasional damaged leaf is not a big issue, but you want to make sure the majority are intact. You should look for new growth, such