What potted plants are suitable for growing indoors? With care methods

In recent years, with the improvement of living standards, more and more friends like to grow some potted plants at home, such as aloe vera, pothos, clivia, rubber plant, etc., which green up the home environment while also having a very good air-purifying effect, comparable to an air purifier. So, what potted plants are suitable for growing indoors? How do you care for them? Below we introduce some potted plants suitable for growing indoors:

1. Aloe vera

One pot of aloe vera is equivalent to nine biological air cleaners; potted aloe vera has the reputation of being an air purification expert. One pot of aloe vera equals nine biological air cleaners and can absorb harmful substances such as formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. It is especially strong at absorbing formaldehyde. Under 4 hours of light, one pot of aloe vera can remove 90% of the formaldehyde in one square meter of air, and it can also kill harmful microorganisms in the air and adsorb dust, playing a great role in purifying the indoor environment. When indoor harmful air is too high, spots will appear on the aloe vera leaves; this is a signal for help, and as long as a few more pots of aloe vera are added indoors, the indoor air quality will again tend toward normal. In spring, when the temperature is 15-25°C, the watering frequency can be appropriately increased, generally watering once every 5-7 days, following the principle of not watering until dry and watering thoroughly when dry, so that the potting soil is both dry and moist. In summer, the temperature is higher and evaporation is greater, so watering once every 2-3 days is needed. In addition, in the morning and evening each day, water can be sprayed on the aloe vera leaf surface; this can keep the aloe vera leaf surface emerald green and increase its ornamental value. In summer, potted aloe vera should also be careful to avoid too much exposure to the scorching sun, to reduce water loss from the potting soil and the plant. In autumn, watering aloe vera is basically similar to spring; sometimes it is better to water less and replenish after the potting soil is short of water, rather than keeping the potting soil in an excessively saturated state for a long time, which causes insufficient oxygen and difficulty breathing in the roots of potted aloe vera and leads to the death of the aloe vera plant. In winter, when room temperature is low, water as little as possible, generally watering once every 15-20 days; if needed, leaf surface spraying can be used to keep the potting soil appropriately dry, which helps the aloe vera plant overwinter safely.

2. Pothos

Pothos can improve air quality and eliminate harmful substances. Pothos has very strong vitality and a very strong ability to absorb harmful substances, and can help improve air quality in rooms that are not often opened for ventilation. Pothos can also eliminate harmful substances such as formaldehyde, and its function is no less than that of ivy or spider plant. In autumn and winter, the amount of watering should be strictly controlled according to room temperature. Before heating, the temperature is lower, the soil of the plant evaporates more slowly, and watering should be reduced, with the amount controlled at 1/4-1/2 of the original. Even after heating, watering should not be too frequent; when watering, pour less into the pot and let water seep through the coir. In addition, water should also be sprayed at the places where aerial roots grow on the coir pole, to reduce insufficient water absorption by the roots caused by too-rapid evaporation. Water used for watering in winter is better after being left to sit for a day, as water that is too cold easily damages the roots.

3. Clivia

Clivia is a freshener that releases oxygen and absorbs smoke. One mature clivia can absorb 1 liter of air and release 80% oxygen in a day and night, and can also carry out photosynthesis in extremely weak light. It does not release carbon dioxide at night. In a room of just over ten square meters, two or three pots of clivia can absorb the smoke in the room. Especially in the cold winter of the north, because doors and windows are tightly closed and indoor air does not circulate, clivia plays a very good role in regulating the air and keeping indoor air fresh. Clivia has relatively well-developed fleshy roots, and the roots store a certain amount of water, so this flower is relatively drought-tolerant. However, even drought-tolerant flowers cannot be severely short of water, especially in summer when high temperatures are combined with dry air; do not forget to water in time, otherwise the roots and leaves of the flower will be damaged, causing new leaves not to sprout and the original leaves to scorch, which not only affects flowering but may even cause the plant to die. However, too much watering will also cause root rot. So it must be well controlled, and the dryness and moisture of the potting soil should be observed often; when it is half dry, water once, but the amount watered should not be too much, and keeping the potting soil moist but not soggy is just right.

4. Rubber plant

The rubber plant is a generalist at eliminating harmful substances; the rubber plant is a generalist at eliminating harmful plants. It has a certain resistance to harmful gases in the air such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen fluoride. The rubber plant can also eliminate inhalable particulate pollution and can effectively retain indoor dust. The best temperature for the rubber plant is 20-25°C, and it can even grow well above 30°C, but in winter if the temperature is too low the rubber plant will produce a large amount of fallen leaves, and its cold resistance is very poor, so in the northern regions of China it needs to overwinter in a greenhouse. In summer during high temperatures, the rubber plant grows relatively fast and should be given plenty of fertilizer and water, but water accumulation in the pot should be avoided. After autumn begins, gradually reduce watering to promote solid plant growth, which helps it overwinter. Fertilizer acts like calcium supplements, strengthening its “health”; in the cultivation methods for the rubber plant, fertilizing is also one of the key points, as it can reduce the occurrence of markings and make the leaves brighter. Simply using nitrogen fertilizer is enough, and remember to stop fertilizing in winter.