Houseplants are great decorative choices for apartments, condos, office cubicles and other scaled down areas. Compact and slow growing varieties do best, but even some larger plants can be contained in smaller pots, or trimmed back occasionally.
Houseplants and Air Quality
A study conducted by NASA found that houseplants significantly reduce substances like formaldehyde in the air. The presence of one plant for every 100 square feet of space in your home has a positive impact on air quality, and air-cleansing plants can be particularly welcome in small, enclosed areas that are prone to stagnant and stale air.
Houseplants in Interior Design
Natural focal points that draw attention away from bare walls and minimal window treatments, houseplants also help make rooms look more welcoming and well dressed at a fraction of the cost of many other design solutions. The following varieties have a small footprint, are easy to care for, and have real design appeal. Three of them are also very effective air purifying plants.
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
These small beauties pack a big design wallop. They require minimal care, will do well in moderate light, and bloom almost year round. There are many color choices and leaf shapes available, and African violets can be refreshed and repotted into the same pots year after year.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Its distinctive cascade of long narrow leaves and constellation of young plants makes spider plant a perpetual favorite. It will tolerate most light conditions, and enjoys being root bound, so you can keep a healthy specimen in the same pot for years. To control growth, trim runners and small plants and delay repotting. The baby plants are easy to root and make nice gifts. Spider plant is an excellent air-purifying plant.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is a low-light tolerant, almost indestructible plant. It is easy to pinch off new growth and keep plants a manageable size. A vine that can also be coaxed into unique shapes when pinned to a lattice or other foundation, pothos makes an interesting, low care focal point. It is also an air-purifying plant.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Its thick leaves store water efficiently, making jade plant a great choice for people who don't want to worry about frequent watering. A slow grower, jade plant makes a dramatic statement when showcased on a coffee table or on top of an entertainment center, particularly when it has been trimmed to resemble a bonsai tree.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
A full pot of snake plant has a tight, linear appearance that can work well where you want to create upward movement or screen something from view. It has modest light requirements and will tolerate a lot of punishment. You can select leaf colors from rich green with yellow margins, to shades of sage and emerald. Snake plant is a slow grower that will reward you with years of service. It is also an effective air-purifying plant.
Even your small space will benefit from the addition of a plant. A houseplant on your desk, windowsill or your coffee table is worth a little water every once in a while and will also reward you with color, texture, design appeal, and cleaner air.
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