There are signs you can look out for to know if your plant is dormant. You should see little to no new growth, any flowers will have dropped, and some leaves will die. Don’t worry about leaves falling; your plant is conserving energy and letting unhealthy foliage go. The most important rules to follow with a dormant plant are not to fertilize them and to water less. Here’s how to keep them hydrated without overdoing it.
Houseplants can be finicky. That’s because when they’re growing in a pot, they don’t get the same interaction with other species or the same type of soil as outdoor plants. Try as we might, we just can’t quite mimic the environment plants have outside. But there are some things we can do to ease the stress of the transition from outdoors to inside, and keep them thriving all winter long.
“Buy something that likes to live the way you do,” advises Gwenn Fried, manager of the Horticulture Therapy program at NYU Langone. “If you’re more of a waterer, an excellent plant is a Chinese evergreen.” It’s super forgiving if you overdo it on H2O, and it comes in tons of different varieties. Asparagus Fern This fluffy plant tolerates a lot more abuse than other ferns — thanks to the fact that it’s technically not a fern. Asparagus setaceus adapts to both bright spots and darker corners. Keep the soil moist and it’ll thrive. Fiddle Leaf Fig These trendy trees have more than just lush foliage going for them. Their hardy disposition can adapt to most bright locations (minus direct sunlight). Water generously in the summer and slow it down when winter comes. Guiana Chestnut More commonly known as a money tree, Pachira Aquatica frequently features a braided trunk. You’ll want to stick it in a spot with bright, indirect light and water frequently — its native habitat is a swamp. Chinese Money Plant Here’s another plant with fortuitous associations, although it also goes by the adorable nickname “Pancake Plant.” Pilea peperomioides prefers a shady spot (or winter windowsill) and weekly watering, according to The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery. Bonus: You can replant the offshoots that sprout from the base of the stem and keep money plants all over your house. Yucca The recipe for a happy yucca is easy: sun, sun, and more sun. Water sparingly and plant in a deep container to prevent the top-heavy woody stems from toppling over. African Violets -good housekeeping… of the most popular houseplants in the world, this flowering favorite blooms several times per year. Keep it thriving in bright but indirect light with moist soil. Good drainage and an African violet fertilizer administered every other week can help too. Peperomia These waxy plants do best in more humid conditions than trendy succulents. Bring ’em work too — the species even flourishes under fluorescent lights.
Luckily, the path to cleaner indoor air is easier than you might think. Here are six indoor plants that will cure your asthma, bronchitis and more… simply by cleaning your air.
1. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
In addition to providing a sensuous, sculptural flair to any living area of bedroom, snake plants are one of the most powerful ways to remove airborne pollutants from your home. In a 2014 study that compared the air-purifying abilities of 12 different indoor plants, snake plants turned out to be the most effective for removing the volatile organic compound (VOC) toulene.
And because toulene is a leading cause of asthma, a little less toulene in your air, thanks to snake plant, is definitely a good thing.
2. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
And while we’re on the topic of animal-themed plants, that same 2014 study showed that spider plant, another easy-to-grow indoor shrub, was the most efficient out of the 12 for ethylbenzene removal. Ethylbenzene is another toxic VOC which has been strongly linked to various forms of cancer, so there’s really no question as to whether you should invest a few dollars in a spider plant or two.
Spade-leaf philodendron was arguably one of the first indoor plants to be studied for its role in combating air pollution. In a series of studies conducted by NASA, spade-leaf philodendron was shown to efficiently remove large airborne concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide from indoor air… all of which can cause anything from cell mutations to sudden death.
Incidentally, philodendron is one of the easiest plants to grow. I have it growing all over my house, and it’s less about keeping it alive than from taking over the entire living room!
4. Aloe vera
Another common household plant that’s dynamite in ridding your home of toxic airborne pollutants is aloe vera. In addition to it’s wonderful uses as a home remedy, aloe vera has also been shown to filter pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
5. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Few would disagree that peace lily is one of the most calming, pleasant indoor plants to have around the house. But in addition to it’s a soothing aura and pleasant aesthetic, peace lily (a genus that includes around 40 different species) has also been scientifically proven to remove benzene, toleune, and n-hexane from indoor air. N-hexane is often found in lacquers and wood finishes and has been linked to sensory loss and general health issues.
6. English ivy
In a 2011 study that compared the formaldehyde-purifying capacity of four common indoor plants, English ivy emerged as the clear winner. As a well-known carcinogen and cause of conditions like chronic bronchitis, it’s surprising just how prevalent formaldehyde is in the average home — it can be found in household cleaners, particle board, furniture polish, glues, certain fabrics, plywood and more. So, setting up a few pots with English ivy around the home to combat this health hazard is definitely a good idea!
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