Add Color and Fragrance to Your Home With House Plants With Flowers
Add some color and a scent to your home with fragrant houseplants. Many of these plants produce their best blooms in summer.
Be aware of the lighting requirements of your new plant when you shop. Choose a plant that is able to thrive in your home's climate. Consider a plant that needs indirect light, not direct sunlight to thrive.
Begonia
Begonias are easy-care plants with vibrant blooms that can be used as a focal point or a filler in containers. They come in a range of colors and shapes and include double-flowered varieties which are ideal to be cut. One of the most popular hybrids, 'Non-Stop Series', has flowers that seem to be blooming continuously and is a good choice for containers that are a 'thriller'.
The Genus Begoniaceae includes more than 2000 species, a lot of which feature vibrant flowers or leaves. They are native to subtropical and tropical regions. Begonias are cultivated as houseplants, and depending on the climate, they could be annual or perennial.
Both begonias require a little shade and a dense well-draining potting mix which is high in organic content. Fertilize your begonias throughout the growing season with organic fertilizers that slow release or granular fertilizer. Apply tall houseplants topdressing of the soil each spring.
Tuberous begonias, which are the most common garden type have large blooms that come in neon-like shades such as pink, red orange, yellow, purple or white. They are available in single- or double-flowered varieties as well as different sizes, ranging from tiny miniatures to giants. Plant them in borders and beds or as a houseplant and ensure that they are well-watered.
The more common wax begonias have fibrous roots and are used as a spreader, which is why they're an ideal option for containers. They come in a variety of colors, and are generally mixed with yellow or white spots on green leaves. One illustration is the 'Bedding' begonia that is characterized by vivid yellow splotches on bright green foliage.
Both begonias are edible and their petals are an excellent way to make a tea that will help alleviate headaches, fever and cold symptoms. They contain oxalic acids, which are harmful to those with kidney problems.
Orchid
Orchids have beautiful flowers that last for a long period of time. They are simple to take care of and require minimal maintenance, but it is important to keep the conditions of your orchid in mind to ensure that your orchid is thriving.
The orchid (Orchis) is monocot, which means that it has only one cotyledon, also known as an embryo leaf, in contrast to the two found on other flowering plants. It has been appreciated for its fragrant, extravagant flowers. It is also used for medicinal purposes and its starchy paste is a well-loved food item in Mexico, where it is used to make candy for the Day of the Dead celebrations.
There are over 24,000 species of orchids and each color has its own distinctive symbolism. White orchids are associated with beauty, elegance and purity. Pink ones represent happiness and love. Purple orchids symbolize admiration and grandeur. Yellow orchids represent friendship and new beginnings.
The orchid is one of the most robust plants on Earth. It is able to survive in conditions and temperatures that are extreme. Some claim that the orchid has health benefits. The orchid flowers and stems have been used to treat diabetes, fever and kidneys.
Many orchid flowers are designed to attract pollinators in order to help them reproduce. For instance the Lady's Slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum) has a deep pocket that traps insects that are visiting, and has only one exit leading to the anthers, which then deposit pollinia on the insect. This is a typical method of reproduction for orchids and some orchids depend solely on this deception to pollinate. Other orchids have more sophisticated methods of attracting. The labellum of the poke bonnet orchid Cypripedium is shaped to resemble an eagle's nest. The labellum is utilized to draw male insects.
Anthurium
The anthurium plant, also known as the flamingo lily, brings exotic elegance to offices or homes. The stunning heart-shaped leaves and vibrant blooms can brighten up any space with minimal maintenance requirements. This tropical beauty is also an ideal choice for new lovers of plants, as it is able to thrive with moderate water and light. Anthuriums aren't just beautiful and require little care however, they also offer many interesting advantages.
According to research conducted by NASA Anthuriums are capable of eliminating harmful pollutants from the air. This includes common toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene. These harmful chemicals are typically released from wall paints and furniture made of wood, rubber and even car exhaust. When inhaled, these toxins they can trigger respiratory issues. However, anthuriums can assist get rid of these toxins by absorbing the toxins through their leaves.
Anthuriums can also enhance cognitive function and concentration, by boosting blood flow and reducing stress levels. They also have medicinal properties and may be used to relieve pains in your muscles.
If you are planning to plant anthuriums, be sure to provide them with plenty of indirect sun. They can't take direct sunlight because it can cause bleaching of the color of their leaves. Be sure to mist your plants regularly. Anthurium fertilizer that is high in phosphorus can be added to soil to promote healthy growth. Keep your anthuriums in a pot that is large enough to prevent them from becoming root-bound. Overcrowded roots will stunt the growth of the plant and could stop it from flowering.
Crown of Thorns
Crown of thorns, a flowering plant in the succulent family, thrives in bright and dry conditions. It's a perennial bloomer in the right conditions and its thick, fleshy leaves help it store water and tell you when it's thirsty. This makes it a great houseplant for people who forget to water their plants regularly. It is also easy to propagate as it produces long peduncles that can be cut off and placed in different containers.
It is essential to choose a soil mix that drains quickly with this plant, since excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Crown of thorns can be susceptible to pests like spider mites and mealybugs. It is essential to treat any infestations immediately. This plant can also be a great air purifier, removing harmful gases such as formaldehyde as well as benzene.
When you are growing Crown of Thorns, it's ideal to put it in a sunny area since it requires direct sunlight to create the energy needed to photosynthesise. It can tolerate a little some light shade, but it will not grow as quickly in these conditions. Watering this plant is easy however it is important to keep in mind that it isn't a fan of sudden temperature changes. It could cease flowering until it adjusts to the new climate in the event of shock.
Repotting is required only when the plant outgrows its container or when the soil is compacted. Repotting is done by carefully removing as much old soil as you can without damaging the roots. Then, fill the new pot with quick draining soil. Crown of thorns isn't very demanding in terms of feeding, but it is recommended to feed it a balanced fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season (spring to summer). It can be reduced to a single time in winter, as it doesn't require as much energy to grow in these conditions.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe plants aren't as fussy like other houseplants, but they still need a good home. They do well in temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They don't require much humidity. The exception is if you plant them outdoors as garden or container specimens, which require protecting from frost in colder areas.
Many varieties of Kalanchoe can produce flowers for up to 8 weeks. They are low-maintenance and readily available in supermarkets, garden centers and florists. They are easy to cultivate and can often be encouraged blooming again after they have finished blooming. This is particularly true if you own a hybrid such as calandiva or K. blossfeldiana which has longer-lasting double flowers.
If you wish to see a kalanchoe plant to flower again, place it in a spot with moderate sunlight. Direct sunlight can hinder the development of buds. It's also a good idea to remove spent blooms throughout the summer. A fertilizer that is high in phosphorus could trigger continued flowering in the coming years.
Kalanchoe can be propagated by making three-inch cut from the tips of branches of varieties. Then, plant the cuttings into a moist potting mix, such as peat and vermiculite in equal amounts. You can add horticultural grit to help with drainage. Many kalanchoes reproduce viviparously. This means that they produce bulbils or tiny baby plants along the edge of their leaves.
You can either let them fall and become roots in the soil where they fall, or gently move them to a different area to grow new kalanchoes. In fact, kalanchoe is one of the easiest succulents to propagate using cuttings.