| Houseplants can be soothing because of their | | | | don't have adequate daylight for houseplants, the |
| visual impact. Besides being naturally appealing, | | | | best method for keeping your houseplants healthy |
| interior plants can make you feel cooler on hot | | | | is to have two plants for each desired space. |
| days, especially when they move softly in the | | | | Keep one plant in a sheltered outside area and |
| breeze from a ceiling fan.Houseplants are natural | | | | one in its decorative site, and switch the plants at |
| air filters, and can remove up to 70 percent of | | | | least once a week. Special plant light bulbs can also |
| indoor air pollutants. Plants such as English Ivy, | | | | help.Low light plants include the cast iron plant, |
| scheffleras, spider plants, and philodendrons | | | | philodendrons, pothos, Chinese evergreen, English |
| absorb large also quantities of formaldehyde, | | | | Ivy, and Satin. Flowering plants, like begonias, |
| carbon monoxide, and benzene. The most | | | | impatiens, and fuchsias, require more light. Plants |
| effective plants at removing air pollution are spider | | | | requiring considerable amounts of water generally |
| plants, pot mums, snake plants, and aloe vera. | | | | have hair-like roots, such as ferns and coleus, |
| They're so effective, in fact, that environmental | | | | while plants requiring less water have thicker |
| scientists recommend one plant per 100 square | | | | roots, like spider plants and cactuses.You can |
| feet in your home and office.Plant lights, in | | | | remember to fertilize your plants by doing it on |
| canister fixtures placed on the floor, can highlight | | | | the first of every month, except in cold winter. |
| a houseplant while casting dramatic shadows on | | | | Adding fish emulsion in the middle of the month |
| walls and ceilings. Uplights, placed under palm trees | | | | during spring will help feed hungry plants like ferns. |
| cast magnificent line-type shadows, while plants | | | | My staghorn fern has thrived for 15 years on |
| with holes in their leaves, such as Swiss Cheese | | | | banana skins and an occasional misting of orchid |
| Philodendron, will cast lace-like shadows.You can | | | | food.Flowering plants, like white flag or peace lilies, |
| use houseplants to make a uniquely individual | | | | need water-soluble fertilizer with a 20-20 |
| statement. For instance, one of my friends has | | | | concentration. Applying Plant Shine, a spray |
| only spiked-leafed plants in her home -- spider | | | | available in garden centers, once a month will clean |
| plants, snake plants, corn plants, cast iron, and | | | | and beautify leaves.They may take some effort |
| bromeliads. My cousin could only seem to get | | | | to help them continue to thrive, but the benefits |
| pothos to grow in her home, so she filled her | | | | you'll derive from keeping houseplants in your |
| entire house with them.Delicate houseplants | | | | home will be well worth any inconvenience, and |
| soften your space, while spiky plants add | | | | you'll be healthier and happier as a result.Joy to |
| interesting texture. Collections of African violets, | | | | you and your healthy, happy home!(c) Copyright |
| ferns, or trees of all sizes can look fantastic, too. | | | | 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights |
| Topiaries, shaped like globes or animals, can add a | | | | reserved.Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of |
| feeling of luxury and amusement, while Bonsai | | | | Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the |
| plants will add a sense of richness to your | | | | Home, and other books teaches Real Estate |
| home.Keeping Plants HealthyBecause some houses | | | | Investing and Design Psychology. |