Indoor Plants

In the winter time, we’re often closed in and cooped up in the stale indoors. But did you know that indoor plants can freshen and improve our air quality? Let’s take a look at a few of my easy to grow indoor favorites. Snake plant is a great beginner plant that doesn’t need much attention. The strappy leaves always seem to look fresh with infrequent watering. Did you know NASA research has determined that snake plant removes toxins from the air like formaldehyde and benzene? Another plant that is attractive and easy is schefflera. Also called umbrella tree, the foliage is arranged in whorls that do resemble an umbrella. These plants like bright, but indirect light, like this north facing window. I really like the dwarf variegated selections. An indoor plant I’ve had through the years that is a great choice is pothos. There are many good selections like this variegated variety available. But I think the Neon selection’s chartreuse foliage can shine in any low light situation. But perhaps the perfect interior plant (and this is a month-full) is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which I like to call the ZZ plant. And best of all it thrives on neglect. It needs little water and the thick leaves always seem to have a natural luster. It’s happy in low to bright light and ZZ has a really slow growth rate. Over watering can be a problem and for most houseplants, so always check and make sure the potting mix feels dry to the touch before each watering. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.