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