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House Plants - Indoor Plants.
House Plants can bring an incredible amount of joy into one's life, the
reasons for having an indoor garden can be many-fold, but, for the most
- it's just nice to have something vibrant and alive, inside.
There are ofcourse health benefits to house-plants.
For instance, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and also,remove many poisonous toxins and pollutants as well.
House-plants are not only decorative, but good for your health, too.
House Plants - A Love Hate Relationship.
Be mindful, however, you cannot just plonk any old plant into a pot and expect it to survive indoors.
That is why we have 'house-plants' and 'indoor plants'!
If you really like the look of, say, a pine tree, eucalypt, or for that matter a Sequoia - terrific!
Do not think for a moment that it's going to become a house-plant.
Trees, as such, need a lot of room, sunlight, water and nutriment - plant them outside, in your yard.
Unless, ofcourse, you are looking at ultimately - removing the roof and walls, digging up the floor;
and living for another couple of hundred years. Well then, go for it.
Personally, I think that's what forests are for.
Indoor-plants are generally smallish, soft and shiny - and need care.
This does not mean that you have to be constantly hovering over them, fiddling and fussing, as this will often kill them.
Too much kindness.
Some considerations before you buy.
When choosing plants for indoors, make sure the plants are adaptable
and relatively hardy. I would advise that they are purchased from a
reputable dealer of 'house-plants', rather that straight from the
supermarket. Supermarket plants are already on the back-foot, generally
neglected, having flouro-light rather than sunlight - more like as not
they will cark it two days after you get them home. Still, if budget is
a prime concern; and you have lots of time, these plants can be revived
and made to feel welcome.
Light.
How much natural light does your home offer? If, indeed you live
somewhere with no windows, 'grow-lights' can be purchased to substitute
for sunlight. Not a perfect solution, but will work. Natural light, or
sunlight, is always best. This is not to advise you to stick your plant
in the window, as direct sunlight through glass will in effect, cook or
burn the plant. If you have purchased from a supermarket, you can
guarantee it. Filtered light is you best option.
How big?
Well, how much do you want to spend? You can buy a Boston, or fish-tail
fern, in a two inch pot, for about $1. It will have three leaves and
probably look a little silly, too - but it will grow. Or, you can buy
the same type of fern, about the size of an armchair - and pay
accordingly.
Living Space.
Keep in mind the limitations of the area you will be placing the plant
into. Palms look fantastic and are well suited to indoor growing, but
if it is ten feet tall - how high are your ceilings? These plants do
not grow sideways and if it is hitting the ceiling, damage will occur.
It is a good thing that pumpkins don't grow indoors, they DO grow sideways, FAST. Probably end up strangled in your sleep.
NEXT: The Budget Way and When Not to Panic.
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