Common House Plants

If the leaves of your houseplant appear lopsided or leggy it's trying tell you that it needs more lighting. Try moving the plant closer to a window with plenty of sunlight or use the grow light.


Plants from subtropical and tropical zones thrive indoors, since they adapt to the warm and dry conditions of homes. These common houseplants are a ideal choice for people with limited time and space to plant.

Rubber Tree

The Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) is a popular indoor house plant due to its green lush leaves. It is also known to be able to clean the air in offices and homes. It is an eucalyptus tree, which means it thrives in humid, warm areas with plenty of sunshine and water.

Despite its exotic appearance, it is actually easy to care for. However it is important to remember that this plant can get extremely tall. If you do not want it to grow into a jungle, then it is crucial to cut the stems whenever they begin becoming excessively. You can easily do this using a pair or gardening shears.

Another thing to keep in mind about this plant is that it could produce a sticky sap that is known as latex. It is utilized in a variety ways, such as to make rubber balls and shoes that are waterproof. The ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec people gathered this precious substance by tapping trees. The sticky latex of the Rubber Plant is also a natural insecticide. It is able to stick to the surface of insects and kill them.

Because this plant is so tolerant and adaptable, it is one of the best choices for the beginner gardener. Rubber Trees do not require much pruning to maintain their shape. The primary focus of pruning is to remove dead or dying leaves and branches, and to trim the plant when it becomes too tall.

Water is the most crucial element to maintain a healthy rubber plant. This is especially true during the hottest summer months, when the plant is at its most active. A good way to determine the amount of water to give a Rubber plant is by looking at the levels of soil moisture. When the soil begins to dry out, this is a sign that it is time to water the plant once more.

Like other plants like it, the Rubber plant can be propagated by taking a stem cutting and planting it. This method works best if the stem is submerged in rooting hormone prior to planting it. Another way to propagate a Rubber Plant is through air layering. To do this, you'll have to cut a small portion of the plant and then stick it in moss. The moss will naturally root around stem.

Spider Plant

The spider plant, also referred to as Chlorophytum Comosum is named for the long, wiry plants that hang from the mother plant like spiders tangled in webs. It is one of most sought-after indoor plants due to the fact that it is easy to cultivate, and thrives almost anywhere. It's also regarded as to be a "hardy plant" because it can withstand various conditions.

A popular use for the spider plant is as an air purifying houseplant in offices and homes. It has been proven effective in getting rid of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the environment. It can also help remove airborne allergens like mold spores, dust mites and hair of pets, which could cause allergic reactions.

Indoors spider plants thrive in bright light that is humid and filtered with warm temperatures. They can tolerate a little shade, but they're more for windows that are brighter and are protected from direct sunlight. They don't require as much water as other plants. A gentle misting with a hose will suffice. They are sensitive to chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals in tap water. This may cause browning of leaf tips.

As with other houseplants spider plants are susceptible to infestation by common pests like spider mites and whiteflies. To minimize their number, wash the leaves periodically and rinse the soil between. A periodic repotting may be required, particularly when the roots begin to sprout out of the top of the container.

A healthy spider plant produces "pups" or offshoots which can be separated from the mother plant and used to make new plants. Healthy plants will also produce tiny flowers that can be removed or put into compost to form their own plants. However, it's important to keep in mind that fertilizing doesn't encourage flowering in spider plants.

Weeping Fig

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is an indoor house plant that has a beautiful shape and lush foliage. The tree is well-known because of its beauty, and it is often used to create bonsai.

The weeping fiddle develops slowly and requires a set of specific conditions to thrive. It is best suited to bright spaces with plenty of indirect sunlight. It is also able to grow outdoors in warm areas. It is a popular choice for indoor gardens because it can improve the quality of air. The ficus plant has the ability to remove certain airborne pollutants such as formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.

Depending on which variety you choose the leaves of a weeping fiddle could be green or variegated. Certain cultivars are distinguished by wavy leaves, whereas others have pointed leaves. Weeping plants may reach over six feet in height, but can be pruned down.

Ficus benjamina is easily propagated through stem cuttings. This involves wearing gloves since the plant releases irritant sap when cut. The stems are then cut and placed in water so that they will begin to develop roots. After a few days the cutting can be transferred to a larger container.

To ensure proper growth, young weeping figs require regular irrigation. The plant is sensitive to excessive water and needs drainage-friendly soil. A soil that is too wet can lead to root rot. Be careful not to apply too much fertilizer, as this could also harm the tree.

The weeping fiddle is a heavy feeder that has to be fed regularly throughout the growing period. The plant needs a light trimming every couple of years to appear fresh and attractive.

The weeping fig is a fruit that grows during its second and third year. The fruits of medium size are edible and can be added to daily meals as a delicious addition. The fruits should be cleaned before consuming to remove any insects. Fruits have a great nutritional value and can be dried for later use. The fruit has a distinctive flavor, and can be consumed raw or cooked.

Peperomia

Peperomia plants (pronounced pep-er-ohmah) have thick, fleshy foliage that stores a lot water. They come in a wide range of shapes and colors that include deep emerald green and silvery markings. Some, like the ripple peperomia or pellucida, have puckered leaves that resemble ruffled fabric. There are also variegated varieties of peperomia, which have whites and creams on their leaves. Peperomia flowers aren't common but when they do appear they create spindly spikes of brown and greenish-white. These flowers are not attractive and hinder the overall appearance of the plant. Peperomia plants thrive in the home environment and are simple to grow.

In nature, peperomias thrive as epiphytes or lithophytes, growing on trees and other living things that live in the rainforest's understory. This makes them a great houseplant since they don't require bright sunlight to thrive. They are typically seen as cascading or hanging plants, but can also grow as upright or bushy plants.

The leaves of Peperomias contain medicinal properties and are used for topical applications to soothe burns and insect bites, rashes and other skin conditions. The powder of dried leaves is mixed with oil to make an oil-based salve that can be applied to the skin. It can also be added to bathwater in order to soothe and moisturize.

Peperomias are easy to take care of however they thrive in somewhat isolated areas. They prefer warm temperatures, and medium to high humidity. They also require plenty of indirect lighting which is why a place in your home set back a few steps from a window facing either south or west is the best choice. The sun's brighter rays could cause a burning effect on the leaves, and insufficient light will result in less lively foliage.

These plants require regular, moderate or even frequent watering but they don't like being overwatered. Overwatering can cause weak stems and yellowing leaves, according to the houseplant and gardening website Bloomscape. To prevent this, allow the soil to dry out in between waterings.

If you do overwater your Peperomia remove the affected leaves and plant in fresh, well-draining soil. It is important to water slowly and thoroughly to minimize the risk of overwatering in the future.