10 Best Green Plants for Home Growing and Points to Note
Green plants have always been a very important element of home life. Through the use of green plants, a warm and comfortable home atmosphere can be created. However, due to factors such as poor indoor air circulation, relatively high temperatures and insufficient light, not all plants are suitable for indoor cultivation. Today, let us talk about the 10 green plants best suited for indoor growing and the points to note when growing them!
1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant has thick, deep green leaves with a glossy surface. Although it is a species from Africa, it is also highly adaptable in shady spots. So when growing it at home, insufficient light will only slow its growth rate and will not affect the full, rich colour of its leaves.
Points to note when growing: The ZZ plant is a very easy plant to care for. It is naturally drought-loving, so it only needs watering once or twice a week. If the leaves at the top fall off, that is a warning sign that the soil is too dry, but never allow water to accumulate in the pot, as this may cause the whole plant to rot and die starting from the roots.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
In Europe the snake plant is also called "mother-in-law's tongue", an allusion to its slender leaves being like a mother-in-law's endless lecturing. The snake plant originates from Africa and the Middle East and has very low requirements for light and humidity, so it suits any type of person.
Points to note when growing: The snake plant only needs watering every two to three weeks. If the soil in the pot is still moist, watering can be postponed.
3. Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
The dragon tree, also known as the "tree of joy", is an island tropical plant. Because it has many subordinate branch varieties, it is very popular across the whole landscaping market. Its distinguishing feature is its almost needle-like, slender leaves that spread out radially around the main trunk.
Points to note when growing: Because it is a tropical plant, it needs watering at least once a week in summer, and the frequency can be gradually reduced in winter.
4. Kentia Palm
The Kentia palm is a shade-loving palm species. In its native environment, it generally grows beneath the canopy of other tall plants. In an unrestricted surrounding environment, it can reach a height of about ten metres, while when grown indoors it generally does not exceed two metres.
Points to note when growing: The key point in growing the Kentia palm is that it needs very regular watering to keep the soil around the roots moist all year round. If it is grown in a shady indoor spot, watering once a week can be maintained, but be sure to keep it regular.
5. Indian Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
The Indian rubber tree is naturally shade-loving and needs to be kept out of direct sunlight. "If you want to add some greenery to a corridor, the Indian rubber tree is absolutely the best choice, because it does not like strong light or heat," Felix advises.
Points to note when growing: The Indian rubber tree does not need excessive watering, so after each watering you need to remove the excess water from the bottom of the pot. Watering can only be done once the soil in the pot has completely dried out.
6. Succulents
No plant variety is as drought-resistant and easy to grow as succulents. Succulents come in all shapes and are small in size, making them suitable as ornaments placed in every corner of the home. Just remember to keep them away from direct heat sources, such as heating stoves.
Points to note when growing: The extremely strong drought resistance of succulents means they can go the whole winter without watering, and in summer they only need watering once every two weeks.
7. Corsican Mint
Corsican mint is also called angel's tears. It can be used for greening every area of the home, in both shady and sunny spots; just be careful to avoid prolonged direct sunlight. Corsican mint originates from the Sardinia region of southern Italy and belongs to the mint family.
Points to note when growing: Because Corsican mint belongs to the mint family and its stems and leaves are rather slender, in day-to-day care you must keep the soil at the right moisture level and avoid it being too dry or too wet for long periods. So the ideal watering method is to add water directly to the saucer and let the moisture seep naturally into the soil.
8. Calathea
Calathea comes from the tropical rainforest. It is naturally light-loving, but it can also tolerate areas with low light levels.
Points to note when growing: Compared with other plants, the day-to-day care of calathea is more complicated. Too much watering easily causes the rhizomes to rot, while too little watering causes the leaves to turn yellow and withered.
9. Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)
When listing indoor landscape plants, the monstera certainly cannot be forgotten. This tropical plant from South America has always been loved by many for the unique shape of its leaves. The more light it gets, the faster it grows.
Points to note when growing: The day-to-day care of monstera is somewhat similar to that of calathea. Water it once every one to two weeks, and you can regularly clean the dirt off the leaf surfaces.
10. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
If there is a flower that can bloom in the dark, it must be the peace lily. Its leaf veins are slender, and its petals are pure white, creating a strong contrast with the deep green leaves. It is naturally shade-loving.
Points to note when growing: Although the peace lily likes cool shade, its requirements for the environment are actually very high, especially the humidity of the surrounding environment. A space that is too dry will make the whole plant turn yellow and withered.
How to Grow Moringa and Points to Note
The frangipani tree and the moringa tree are the two green plant varieties most favoured by flower lovers who have a rooftop at home. Because of the moringa tree's edibility and beauty, it has gradually become the top choice for flower lovers to grow. The moringa tree has characteristics such as fast growth, rich nutrition and a cute appearance, so it is gradually becoming popular. However, if you do not master the correct growing method, your moringa tree may grow thin and tall, and its ornamental value will be greatly reduced.
How to grow moringa
Temperature: The moringa tree is a perennial tropical and subtropical deciduous tree. Its growth requires plenty of sunlight and a warm, humid environment - so you should consider the spot where the moringa tree will receive the best light.
Soil: The moringa tree is not suited to growing in hard soil, clay or vermiculite soil. They are mostly suited to growing in poor soil, sandy soil and lean soil, but their roots do not need too much water. If necessary, buy some sand and mix it with potting soil, or use soil you can find nearby mixed with coconut coir, peat, perlite or loose soil. All of these allow the moringa tree's roots to grow freely downwards and provide sufficient drainage. The moringa tree has a taproot, which means it has only a single root that can grow downwards, just like a carrot. It has small absorbing roots, but no branches. Therefore, plant the moringa tree somewhere with enough space for it to grow downwards. If you are going to plant it in a pot, find as deep a pot as possible. Moringa trees can be planted individually, in rows or in circles.
Watering: Put the moringa seeds into a hole about 2 to 2.5 cm deep. Cover with soil and firm it down. Once the soil is covering them, water the soil thoroughly. Whether you plant them in pots or in the ground, they need to be watered thoroughly every day. Once they sprout, you can water every other day until they reach 4.8 m tall. After that, watering once a week is enough.
Propagation by cuttings. Select branches about 5 to 6.5 cm in diameter and 5 to 6.5 cm long and cut them off. To leave a larger area in contact with the soil, cut at a 45-degree angle at the base of the branch. Then insert the cut surface into the soil and bury about 20-23 cm of the stem in the soil. Water regularly, and before long new leaves will grow from the stem. The advantage of growing from cuttings is that they grow and flower faster than other plants developed from seed. A moringa tree grown from a cutting still retains the characteristics of the mother plant.
Points to note about growing moringa
Because the moringa tree grows so quickly, the simplest way to keep it at a certain height is to prune the new leaves at the top of the tree and cut the branches vertically by half. This will help encourage the moringa's branches and leaves to spread along the trunk, preventing it from growing into a 30-foot-tall tree, in which case the buds, petals, leaves and seed pods would all be very difficult to pick.
The moringa tree is drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant. Severe cold will cause the moringa tree to die.
If you want to pick those fruits, keep its height at around 8 to 12 feet. If you do not prune it, you will end up with a tall, thin and ugly tree, with branches growing only at the very top, very difficult to reach.
Prune the moringa tree regularly from the top. This will help it grow more branches and leaves downwards along the trunk. You can also cut off the leaves on half of the branches to force those new leaves to grow at the forks of the main branches. Do not casually throw away the pruned leaves. Throw them under the tree, where they can serve as the best mulch and suppress weed growth.
The buds and petals, as a nutrient-rich vegetable, can be eaten after being cooked briefly.
Moringa leaves, seed pods, buds, petals and seeds are all edible. The buds and petals should be eaten after being cooked, the seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, and the moringa leaves are also edible. Many places online will tell you how to add moringa leaves to your daily food. They can be eaten directly raw; you can pick and eat them right from the tree, or add them to salads and spreads. In many countries around the world, many people add a little moringa leaf as an ingredient when cooking chicken, fish, pork, beef, lamb or other meats, or stir-fry them casually as a side dish. Moringa leaves can also be added to soups, stews, rice, grains and baked goods. When they are added to a main dish, it is best to extend the cooking time to preserve as much of the nutrition in the food as possible.
People all over the world eat the moringa tree, but never eat the roots. They taste like horseradish, but the bark of the roots contains a powerful neurotoxin. When the toxin accumulates to a certain level, it can be fatal, so stay away from those roots.
Which Flowers Are Suitable for Planting in Summer? (With Growing Methods)
Summer has arrived, and the hot weather leaves once-vibrant flowers listless in the face of the sun. So, are there any flowers and green plants suitable for growing in summer? Below, the editor of Huinong Network has put together 5 kinds of flowers that become more energetic the hotter the weather gets.
1. Mint
The coolest plant of summer. It also needs sunlight. It also fills out its pot extremely quickly. Pick a few leaves and steep them to make tea. It is so easy to grow that it almost needs no care at all.
How to grow mint: You can also soak cut branches in water, and they will grow roots, or you can simply plant them in a pot. Water often, and after a few days they will sprout. After that, add plenty of fertiliser or nutrient soil to the soil, and they will grow like crazy.
2. Copper Grass (Pennywort)
It can be grown in water or planted in soil. As long as you pour water in every day, tender green leaves keep popping out. Such a lovely green.
How to grow copper grass: Just find a few roots and plant them in any cup or bottle that holds water, fill it with water, then add a small amount of ordinary soil, half soil and half water, and after a few weeks it will fill the pot.
3. Bowl Lotus
Some seeds cost only a few mao each, and planting a whole potful does not cost much. It will soon grow lots of small leaves, so beautiful, and it will also produce pure, flawless and incomparably beautiful flowers.
How to grow bowl lotus: Prepare a larger pot. After soaking in water for two days, cut open the skin at the tail end and it will sprout. Add some pond mud or soil to the water, covering the roots with the soil, and put it in the sun often, in the sun - it especially loves sunlight.
4. Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)
This one really is not afraid of heat. Even placed under strong sun it will not be scorched to death, and as soon as it is watered it becomes even more energetic. It will also produce small flowers for you to see every day, and its purple leaves are all like flowers, like butterflies.
How to grow purple shamrock: Go to a flower lover's home and get some rhizomes to plant. In the second and third years, it will grow in every flower pot. Except in winter, it will bloom every day, filling pots in no time at all.
5. Petunia
This flower is most suitable for planting in summer. It can be grown in ordinary soil. It is not afraid of heat, not afraid of sun, and even less afraid of harsh environments. It also blooms non-stop, making it a potted plant that easily fills its pot.
How to grow petunia: No need to sow seeds, no need to buy seedlings. In the yard or the neighbourhood, just pinch a few cuttings from whoever has some nearby, bury them in the soil, and they will grow roots and survive.
The above are the flower varieties suitable for growing in summer put together by the editor of Huinong Network. Are you tempted? The growing methods for the above flower varieties are simple. Flower lovers who like them should give them a try.