INDOOR PLANTS – Knowledge Base

THE SOUL STABILIZERS

Indoor plants can be grown under shade or require low intensity of sunlight. Direct sunlight can harm indoor plants.
Indoor plants can create a green heaven, which act as source of joy. If you choose to add some indoor plants to your house or apartment you will find they become reason for overall happiness and improvements in your health.

BENEFITS OF INDOOR PLANTS

Each plant is unique in its characters and purifying properties, which further help to create healthy environment. Keeping combination of different indoor plants, together all can provide astonishing effect and also keeping the environment healthy.

1) Improve air quality

Indoor plants have capability to absorb maximum of carbon dioxide and other toxins, in return releasing oxygen which will improve indoor air quality as:

• Increase humidity levels
• Reduce the levels of certain pollutants like benzene and nitrogen dioxide
• Keep air temperatures down
• Act as filter to remove toxins thus purifying air quality.

2) Health benefits

• Indoor plant named English Ivy when planted inside the home can  reduce airborne molds. Such plants have health benefits for those who are suffering from asthma and breathing problems.
• Aloe Vera is air purifying plant which acts as pollutant filter able to emit oxygen and absorb toxins. Further leaves of aloe Vera are used to heal cuts and wounds. Aloe Vera is used as herbal drug in Ayurvedic science.
• Peaceful sleep can be attained by keeping the plants like snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) and peace lily in bedroom.

3) Improve work environment

Office plants do not only provide beautiful look, also impact the health of workers. Indoor plants enrich the environment with fresh air by removing carbondioxide.
As per Vastu Shastra many plants are planted inside the house and kept in rooms as per direction requirement. It is said that vastu plants improves health, wealth, prosperity of people. Vastu plants enrich the house or office environment with positivity. Commonly used plans are Money plant and Tusli.

4) Lowers down background noises

Plants used inside the houses, their leaves are able to absorb background noise even with high frequencies there by making internal environment more comfortable.
Bamboo plant kept indoor, act as natural humidifier.

ARRANGEMENT OF INDOOR PLANTS

Arrangement of indoor plants is challenging step as some plants need to be kept at dry places, some need too much moisture content and some can grow in drought conditions. Some plants do not need much attention, whereas some other plants seek too much care. Depending upon the type of plant, they look good in open living room and some look nice in smaller spaces. Aura and ambience of your home can be attractively improved by using indoor plants.
Indoor plants can be placed as per their size and look. Sometimes plant choice and location is selected on the basis of vastu as Lucky bamboo plant, Aloe vera, Tulsi, Money plant.
Indoor plants can either be large or small. Based on their size, type and requirements following locations are selected for their arrangement in house.

1) Open location plants: Terraces are the eye catching locations of any house. Before entering any house or apartment if terrace plants are available one can easily identify the location. During summer season open locations become very hot, in such case only those plants that can tolerate too much heat and warm environment can be placed in open. As agave and cacti can tolerate too much heat can be kept on open locations.

2) Choosing veranda location: Veranda of any house provides grace to any looks of house if it is well managed with indoor plants and flowers .In veranda light supplement is low and air enter as sufficiently required. Plants like Begonias, Livistona, Areca lutescens, Ferns are best suited for Veranda locations.

3) For living room and Drawing room: Living rooms and drawing rooms are those places of any house where everyone whether family or guest spends maximum time. Sensational look of such area can be visualized from the smile and happiness created by positive appeal of indoor plants.

Plants with brighter foliage and occasionally herbaceous flowering can be placed near window, whereas plants like Tradescantia Zebrina, Sedum, with drooping foliage can be kept away from windows.

Places where indoor plants can be kept in drawing room and Living rooms:

• The top of a cabinet
• The entry table
• On a stand
• A bathroom ledge
• In the corner
• By window
• Stair well corner
• On desk

Keep in mind

• In small rooms like bedrooms and study rooms, use Small potted plants as they need small space.
• For your home to look bright and bold, use contrasting colors.
  Keep the plants of same colors, foliage, textures together otherwise they lose their look.
• Keep taller plants in background and smaller ones in front by using tables, stands, windowsills or furniture.
• For large plants like Ficus, center is best location to make them staggered.

TYPES OF INDOOR PLANTS

1) Flowering plants

No one can resist adding indoor flowering  plants as  they are rich enough to keep on increasing attractiveness with their color and blooms.
Two type of flowers plants

• Pot plants
• House plants

Keep in mind

• How and when flowers bloom
• Sunlight requirements of flowers

E.g: Rose of China Flowering Maple, Flamingo Flower , Flaming Katy, Lollipop Plant.

2) Tree Plants

They are generally used in offices and house galleries.
Keep in mind:

• Light and temperature requirements as indoor plants can thrive in bright light.

E.g: Dragon Tree, Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata), Rubber Plant (Ficus_elastica), Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana), Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina).

3) Foliage plants

These plants are popular for their differentiated leaf shape and colors. Here leaves are given more importance than flowers.
E.g: Green Velvet, Mother of Thousands (Bryophyllum daigremontianum), Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum), Heartleaf Philodendron ,Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus), Rose Painted Calathea (Calathea roseopicta), Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia).

4) Low light plants

These are the plants that do not need so much attention as they are recommended for people who are busy in their life schedule and cannot give sufficient time to take care.
E g: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior), Corn Plant, Dracaena trifasciata (Snake plant), Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco), Parlor Palm, ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).

5) Climbing and trailing plants

These plants need support for their growth. Split bamboo cane support driven deep into compost will be enough to support the growth of climbing plants. The creeper or trailer should be tied to the cane taking care that the knot round stem is loose enough for the future growth of the plant. Moss sticks, also called totem poles, are made by tying sphagnum moss all around and along the wire length of a thick cane and supporting against it generally creepers such as Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron scandens, money plant (Devil’s Ivy) and Hedera helix (common ivy) having aerial roots.

Climbers

Ficus pumila, Ficus radicans variegate is a beautiful variegated creeper suitable for hanging baskets. The creamy white variegation starts from the margins, Asparagus plumosus, Asparagus sprengeri, Hedera helix, Philodendron elegans, Philodendron laciniatum, Philodendron melanochrysum, Scindapsus aureus “Tricolour” and Syngonium podophyllum.

Bushy and upright foliage plants

This group of plants possesses beautiful foliage and is suitable for display in arrangements. Such as Aglaonema commutatum, Aralia elegantissima, Araucaria excelsa, Begonia Rex, Brassaia actinophylla, Dracaena godseffiana, Dracaena sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo), Fatsia japonica, Fittonia verschaffeltii, Maranta leuconeura, Monstera deliciosa, Peperomia caperata, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron burgundy.

Arrowhead Plant

Syngonium Podophyllum, Creeping Fig – Ficus Pumila, Heartleaf, Philodendron Scandens, Donkey’s Tail Plant (Sedum Morganianum).

6) Basket plants

These plants are generally grown in baskets and hanged near window, and patio areas. These plants grow to fall around baskets that provide awesome looks.
Common examples are: Spider Plant, Boston Fern, Rabbit’s Foot, Wandering Jew, Creeping Fig, Donkeys Tail Plant.

7) Bulb plants

Annual bulbs

Bulbous plants are selected carefully. They are generally recommended for indoor places as they grow inside under temperate conditions where weather is cool enough. They are very difficult to grow inside, and success may not be satisfactory. The bulbs recommended are Daffodils (Narcissus), Crocus, Hyacinths and Tulips.

Permanent bulbs

Only Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) grows well indoors year after year.

8) Indoor palm plants

The expensive choice of plants. They lift up the gracefulness and bold appeal of living room and other rooms within house and office.
Some of the common examples are: Areca Palm, Sago Palm, Canary Island Date Palm, Lady Palm, Sentry Palm, Kentia Palm, Parlor Palm.

Keep in mind:
• Palms grow upto 5-8ft in height, so correct living space should be considered
• Repotting to be done if needed
• Low light conditions required for their happy growth
• Damaged leaves should be removed immediately
• Over watering should be prevented as it can cause rotting and root damage
• Care should be taken against insects

9) Indoor Ferns

Ferns require perfect environmental conditions to grow preferably humid conditions.
Such as Maidenhair Fern Rabbit’s Foot, Cretan Brake, Boston Fern, Birds Nest.

10) Office flowers

Selecting best office plants which will  not only increase look of office,  will also  improve work environment by improving air quality.
E.g. Peace Lily, Dragon Tree, Lucky Bamboo, Kentia Palm, Jade or Money Plant.
Keep in mind:

• Care should be taken while purchasing plants for office and puttingthem their as per their light requirement Eg. Putting plants in east, west, south facing window provide bright light whereas toward northern side low light plants can be placed.
• Low maintenance plants should be selected for office.

11) Living stone type

These plants have outer look like a stones also called Mesembs. They are highly difficult to grow.
E.g: Lithops pseudotruncatella, Conophytum ficiforme, Lithops optica ‘Rubra, Lithops fulleri

12) Large plants

These plants  grow taller having larger and attractive leaves to improve room décor. E.g:Calathea zebrine, Philodendron scandens, Howea forsterianaAspidistra elatior,Dieffenbachia amoena,Pachira aquatic

13) Cactus plants

The special kind of plants available in wonderful shapes and sizes. They generally require low water application. They can grow in desert environment too.Too much water application can make them to burst out.
E.g: Peruvian Apple, Bunny Ears, Rat’s Tail, Christmas (Thanksgiving), Easter Cactus, Orchid, Golden Barrel Cactus.

14) Common indoor plants

The common type of in house plants that you can generally see in others house. Their care conditions are very low.
E.g: Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, Peace Lily, African Violet, Jade Plant, Baby Rubber Plant.

15) Vastu plants

Plants are the source of hope that brings positivity in life. Plants has power to energize surrounding and removing negativity. As per vastu shastra some plants are planted inside the home to improve health, wealth, prosperity or good fortune to bring out green lifestyle.

Keep in mind:

• Choosing right plant
• Selecting right direction for placing

Money plant

Best fortune bringing plant. Keeping in right direction showers money in home. It is also considered to be the best air purifying plant.

Tulsi

Believed to be goddess as queen of herbs. It is placed in north east direction. Tusli is helpful to detoxify our body and remove toxins from our blood.

Lucky bamboo plant

It is said that it bring fame and wealth when gifted to each other, promotes luck and peace.

Aloe vera

Attracts best positive energy. Keeping aloe vera plant in north or east direction bring no. of health benefits. Moreover it has great medicinal properties to heal burns, inflammations and  Skin irritation. It improves the  air quality by absorbing  carbondioxide and emitting oxygen.

Lily plant

As per vastu keeping lily plant in bedroom improve your sleep and keep you away from nightmares. Moreover its sign of love, harmony and peace.

Snake plant

Keeping snake plant on computer gives best benefits as having anti radiation properties, remove toxins providing good health and positive vibes.

Lavender plant

According to vastu fragrance of lavender plant is, if kept in bedroom, helps to improve sleep patterns. It is well known to promote inner peace and help in killing your inner demons.

16) Unusual house plants

Such as Coral Cactus – EurphorbiaLactea Crest, Urn Plant – Aechmea Fasciata. Medusa’s Head – Tillandsia Caput Medusae, Goats Horn Cactus – AstrophytumCapricorne, The One Colored Paphiopedilum, Flaming Sword – VrieseaSplendens

Classification of indoor plants, based on light requirement

GROWING INDOOR PLANTS OR MAINTENANCE OF INDOOR PLANTS

Household plants are categorized into two types- Tropical & Succulent

Tropical

They like humid conditions. Eg. palm and ferns

Succulent

They like dry warmth condition. E.g. Aloe vera and Aeonium.

Repotting

Repotting is the process in which we shift the plant from small pot to large container. This is applied when plants has grown well through extensive roots going out of drainage holes and with new shoots making its top heavy. Using excess soil in new container will increase moisture. Repotting soil is required to be sterilized at 180-200F temperature to kill harmful bacteria. After cooling, mixture of leaf mould added to retain moisture is also added. Ph should be maintained at 5.0-6.0. During transplantation coiled roots should be removed. The newly filled soil in the pots is allowed to settle down by repeated tapping. Plant along with earth ball is transplanted in the center of pot.

Pest control

When plants are grown indoor under low light and excess water, pathogens can grow from the soil. In such case we need to apply pesticide.
Eg: Aphids generally attack newly grown young leaves, and suck their juices.
Thrips: Adults and larvae develop on Shoots, tips, flowers and leaves sucking sap and cell contents.
Spider mites is also common pest reside on the underside of young leaves. It thrives in hot and dry conditions.

Keep in mind:
• Use swab cotton dipped in alcohol to remove aphids.
• Using insecticidal soap 2tps in one gallon of water, cleaning foliage and      stems with soft cloth.
• Heavy infestations should be discarded.

Pruning

When a plant is growing properly, to maintain its size and shape light pruning is required to remove small shoot and shoot tips.

Time of Pruning

When a plant has out grown its container.

Advantage- Stem branching increases resulting into stockier and fuller plant.

Cleaning: Cleaning of Indoor plants is required to be done regularly to keep them shinny and healthy.

Keep in mind:
• Plant leaves should be cleaned with damp sponge as deposition of dust reduces the value of plant. Deposition at lower surface of leaf clog stomata and reduces gas exchanges, dust on upper surface reduces normal leaf coloration.

FACTORS AFFECTING INDOOR PLANT GROWTH

Plant growth is affected by light, temperature, humidity, water, nutrition, and soil.

1) Light

Light is the most important ingredient required for the growth of in house plants. Light is the required for the survival of plants.If any plant is suffering from light deficiency following symptoms will appear as:
• Growth of plants will stop
• New leaves grown will be smaller than older grown leaves
• Leaf color will become dull.
• Older leaves become dead.
• Internodes will be more elongated as compare to older plant internodes.

Handheld light meter is used to check how much light is entering our house. On the basis of light entering in house within 8 hrs per day, we divided the area into four parts as:
1. Low-light areas: 25 ft-c – 75 ft-c
2. Medium-light areas: 75 ft-c – 200 ft-c
3. High-light areas: over 200 ft-c but not direct sunlight
4. Sunny light areas: at least 4 hours of direct sunlight
Indoor plants should be selected as per their light requirement. Eastern exposure for the indoor plants provide them morning light, this light is cooler than south or western light. Southern exposure from windows, as low sun shine crosses the room most the day hrs. Least light and low temperature generally exists in northern exposure. The plants with green foliage are bets to grow in northern regional areas.

2) Temperature

Second most important factor is temperature having immense effect on environment. Interior plants can tolerate temperature ranging within 58 to 86 F depending upon their origin tropical or subtropical. High temperature can prohibit or slow down the respiration process, which can further effect growth of the plant by breaking down sugar and reducing its level required for growth. For the proper growth of plants either increase the process of photosynthesis, by improving light levels leading to increased sugar production or reduce the temperature at night which will further improve respiration process thus allowing more sugar production.

Keep in mind:
• Temperature should not fall below 50 Degree F or chill environment will impact the foliage leaves making them to defoliate.
• The best temperature range for indoor plants is 70 degrees F – 80 degrees F day and 65 degrees F – 70 degrees F night.

3) Relative Humidity

Humidity means the amount of moisture present in air, is a very important factor. if it is not handled carefully rapid transpiration and water loss will occur which can deteriorate indoor plants. Indoor plants generally tropical plants come from highly humid area. Manage your plants to adjust with low humidity levels by altering the temperature

Humidity level for interior plants:
Low Humidity: Less than 20 percent.
Medium Humidity: Between 40-50 percent.
High Humidity: More than 50 percent.

Keep in mind:
• Relative humidity can be increased by creating microenvironment, by keeping plants together.
• Spray water around plants using mist bottles
• Use humidifier
• Using shallow container or gravel suitable to increase relative humidity
• Avoid spraying of water on foliage or flower plants, as in retained water on leaves disease spores can germinate.

4) Water

Water is that important part which is required for all living organisms to keep them alive, but in case of indoor plants their water requirements are different depending upon the type of plant.
Considerations
Plant type: Requirement of water is based on the plant type. Some plants like Croton and Cactus has similar light needs and dissimilar water requirement. As croton need frequent watering where as cactus need rare watering.
Plant size: Lager plants have higher water requirements as compare to smaller plants.
Soil Moisture: Water requirement is directly related with moisture content. Check the soil moisture content with finger, or using water meter to determine further water requirement.
Light Intensity: Low light can lower down the transpiration process as compare to plants under high light.
Quality of water: it should be checked before applying. Water should be free from fluorine and chlorine. Eg: Ti Plant, Peaccock plant, corn plant or plants with longer leaves are highly susceptible to these chemicals.
Container type: Take care while watering the plants as soluble salts released from saucers containers can damage the roots leading to impeded growth.
Moisture content: Check the soil moisture content with finger, or using water meter to determine further water requirement.

5) Nutrition

Fertilizer is the kind of nutrient we provide to the plants. Indoor plants need small quantity of fertilizer as more quantities can degrade can spoil plants by degrading their roots. Various verities of fertilizers are available in market with different formulas especially for indoor plants. These fertilizers have varying quantities of minerals to protect them from over fertilization.

Fertilizer requirement:
During growth time: Low using one fourth label rate for monthly applications.
Winter or low light: Low quantities should be used.
Summer of high light: Quantity of fertilizers can be increased.

Based on leaf growth:
• When leaf color become light fertilize every two week.
• If leaves are smaller than decrease fertilize rate.

Keep in mind:
• The mixture used in soil should be well drained and aerated to hold water and nutrients sufficiently.
• Ph should range between5.0-6.5.
• Soil mixes should be applied as per type of plant.Eg. Bromeliads, orchids, African violets need special mixes.

STERLIZATION OF SOIL

Sterilization is required to kill diseased organisms and weeds in soil. Adding equal quantities of peat moss, moisten it and keep in oven and bake at 180 -200F for 1 hour. It can be used after it cools off.

CONTAINER TO BE USED

Plant will be complemented if it is grown well as per its container requirement. For the small and slow growing plants, small containers are used where as for fast growing plants, large containers required.

Two types of containers used for indoor plants

1) With drainage holes

If plant in such pot is overfilled, salt build up can be there. In such a case, leach the soil once in month by applying a gallon of water to every cubic foot of potting medium.

2) Without drainage holes

Suitable for the plants which need plenty of water Eg: Peace Lily.
Fast growing plants, large containers required.

Types of containers or pots for indoor plants

Terra cota: Most popular, made from fired clay.
Advantage: Good air exchange.
Clay: Range from brown to gray color.
Glazed clay: Restricted air exchange but offer many design choices.
Unglazed pots: Evaporate water faster.
Disadvantage: they can chip and break.
Plastic: Made from Polyethylene, polyurethane, recycled plastic, fiber glasses, plastic.
Advantage: Lower weight.
Disadvantage: Danger of over watering.

VERTICAL GARDENING

Vertical gardening is new concept of creating garden on roof and on walls. Vertical gardening is recommended inside as well as outside the houses on walls. As in urban area houses are constructed in small spaces hardly covering gardens inside so the concept of vertical gardening is appealing for the plant and garden loving people. Vertical gardens can be developed on walls in porch, balcony, patio etc. Providingaesthetics to your home. Medicinal herbs, flowers or vegetables can also be grown.Despite of having high expenditure, vertical gardening too has many advantages to compensate that expenditure as:

• Raising vegetation on surfaces to control pollution
• Aesthetic effect
• Absorb heated gas in air
• Reduces both indoor and outdoor temperature
• Improved air quality for health by removing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen
• Eye appealing and beautiful look
• Generates cooling thus saving energy costs
• Easy to maintain
• It can hold rain water and providing food and shelter for wildlife.
• Act as sound and noise absorber
• They can also be developed in those spaces where no other methods of creating greenery or growing plants are possible

For proper plant growth and moisture retention, Mixture of Cocopeat and vermicompost in 1:1 is used. Regular water and nutrient supply through drip irrigation is maintained in the pots by using automated timer. The over grown plants in the vertical garden are trimmed for maintaining the shape and gap filling is done for plants regularly.
Plants in vertical garden are grown in cold drink bottles, plastic or canvas bags, pot stands using wire mesh baskets, hanging baskets, boxes or even in Hydroponics. The plants like Ferns, Day lily, Sansevieria, Chlorophytum, Tradescantia, Syngonium, Asparagus, Ophiopogon, Roheo, Zephyrantes etc. are suitable for vertical gardens.

Following is the list of plants can be grown as per requirement:

Indoor Green walls

Herbaceous perennials: Egs.Pepromia, Syngoniums, Philodendron, Epipremnum, Pepromia, Begonia, Anthuriums, Chlorophytum, Pilea, Rheo discolor, Fittonia, Spathiphylum, Schefflera
Shrubs:Egs.Schefflera, Ficusspp
Succulents: Egs.Rheo discolor, Zebrinapendula, Setcreaseapurpurea
Ferns: Egs.Nephrolepis

For Exterior green walls

Herbaceous perennials: Egs. Asparagus spp., Pileamicrophylla, Alternenthera, Mentha spp.
Succulents: Egs. Jade plant, Sedums, Portuluca
Shrubs: Egs.Dusty miller, Cuphea
Ground covers: Egs.Baby’s tear, Callisarepens
Grass like foliage forms: Egs. Ophiophogon, Dianellatasmanica

Type of vertical gardens

1.Green façade
2.Living/green wall
i) Modular green walls
ii)Vegetated mat wall

Green Façade

The kind of wall systems in which plants are grown in ground or in elevated containers. From their base level they raise up getting support from specially designed structures. In this case watering and supplement supply is done at ground level.

Living/Green wall

Here Structural wall or frame support pre-vegetated panels, vertical modules. These panels may be made of plastic, synthetic fiber, polystyrene strong enough to support density of plants. They require more maintenance

• Modular green walls: Vertical garden module has attractive look, durable in nature can be easily used for making garden in your home.

• Vegetated mat wall: In this case a fabric wall with pockets filled fixed on it at equal distances. Pockets are filled with growing media and plants in it. A water proofmembrane is provide on backside of wall which act to provide water and nutrients to the plants.

Selection of plant and location for vertical gardening, consider following points:
• Consider temperature requirements
• Checking if any passage creating strong winds along the wall can damage the wall.

Growing media:

Requirements:
1. Weightless media
2. High Water holding capacity
3. High Nutrient holding capacity
4. Good Porosity
5. Neutral pH

Irrigation and plant Nutrition

Green wall systems are success full systems but can fail also, reason may be insufficient water supply or improper moisture content and less care. Nutrient level in water supply, maintenance of Ph level, frequency of water delivered, substrate moisture content should be properly maintained. A supervisor should be there to take care about all these factors. Irrigation system is designed with an automation unit with control systems for nutrient and water cycle, and volume control. A drip tube is integrated within multi layers on the surface. The water supply from them averages between 2-5 l/day. Irrigation is done many times in a day at different intervals. At base of green wall a tank is present which receive all overflowing or water falling from pockets and recycle it.

Keep in mind:
• Background color should be light.
• Careful selection for wind prone areas.
• Keep the structure clean.
• Low light shady conditions for dark green foliage plants.
• Removing the dried and damaged leaves.
• Watering and nutrient should be applied at proper time.
• Pruning depends upon the requirement.
• Light weight potting media should be used because of downward movement of water. It is advisable to use those plants that require less water.