Every plant has its own unique development characteristics and requires both knowledge and skill to care for it. Almost all houseplants hail from distant warm regions—Africa, India, Mexico, Argentina, the Mediterranean, and more. They cannot withstand not only frost but also temperatures dropping to 32°F (0°C). Therefore, before purchasing a plant you like, find out where it originates from and what it prefers: light or shade, moisture or drought, nutrient-rich soil or moderate conditions. Also, consider the direction your windows face.
For rooms with moderate lighting and east or west-facing windows, the following types of plants are most suitable: flowering varieties such as African violet (Saintpaulia), royal begonia, Kredner’s begonia, purple vallota, clivia, eucharis, and amaryllis. For foliage plants, consider golden tree (Aucuba), cast iron plant (Aspidistra), kurkuligo, asparagus, ferns, tradescantia, and ivy.
In brightly lit rooms with south-facing windows, flowering plants like amaryllis, Arabian jasmine, geranium (pelargonium), Chinese rose (hibiscus), pink lily (crinum), zephyr flower (zephyranthes), sultan balsam (impatiens), tuberous begonia, indoor maple, and lantana thrive. Foliage plants such as palms, dracaenas, bay laurel, arum, chlorophytum, snake plant (Sansevieria), yucca, aloe, cacti, opuntia, and cereus also do well. In rooms with north-facing windows, I recommend cultivating African violets, ivy, tradescantia, feathered asparagus, begonia, and cast iron plant (Aspidistra). These plants can be purchased at a store or a garden center.
However, acquiring plants is just the beginning; you also need to know how to grow them. Here are some tips to help you.
It’s best to place plants closer to the windows. In corners and near walls between windows, the lighting is very weak, which can hinder their growth.
Most houseplants should be watered moderately in late autumn and winter, compared to spring and summer. Use water that has been left to sit for a day at room temperature. Avoid misting, especially for those with soft, fuzzy leaves (like African violets and others), as this can cause spots. Do not mist the plant’s crown during flowering, as the flowers may wilt or turn yellow.
Moisten the soil evenly. Overwatering, just like underwatering, negatively affects the growth and development of plants. Ensure that not only the surface layer is moist but that the entire soil in the pot is hydrated. Therefore, water from the top and occasionally pour water into the saucer under the pot.
Plants prefer calm air; they are sensitive to drafts. Thus, it is not advisable to place them under a window, especially in winter.
If the windowsill is narrow, you can create special shields above the radiator to prevent hot air from drying out the soil and leaves.
Most houseplants, except for some bulbous varieties, should be repotted in spring (from March to May), no more than once a year. Sometimes, if plants are damaged or sick, they should be repotted immediately. Before doing so, water them well, and carefully transfer them to a pot with nutrient-rich soil without damaging the roots and leaves.
Do not plant in pots painted with oil-based paint or glazed pots, as they do not allow air to reach the roots. For decorative purposes, pots with plants can be placed in attractive cachepots—made of majolica or plastic.
Repotted plants should be kept in a shaded area for a week before moving them closer to the light.
Some plants thrive in larger pots (like Arabian jasmine, lantana, and aucuba), while others do best in smaller containers (like palms, amaryllis, eucharis, and vallota), or in low, wide pots (like African violets and azaleas)—these are plants with roots that are close to the soil surface.
Bulbous plants (amaryllis, vallota, hyacinths) should be planted in pots in such a way that not the entire bulb is buried; at least one-third of it should remain above the soil surface. Conversely, bulbs like eucharis, zephyr flower, and tulips grow better when their bulbs are completely buried.
Fertilizing repotted plants should not occur until at least 2-4 months after repotting.
Feed houseplants only in spring and summer, from March to August, except for certain types (like azaleas and others), and no more than once a week, or better yet, every 10-12 days.
Before the onset of vigorous spring growth, plants should be pruned, especially those varieties that tend to become leggy (like geraniums and indoor maples). Additionally, remove any damaged, sick, or dry branches from the crown, as well as those growing inward. Prune above a bud.