Plants
Beautiful plants for indoors and out
Plants are a lovely addition to any home, whether it's an apartment or a single-family dwelling. There are also many benefits to owning plants, especially indoor ones. Studies have shown that people who own plants derive much pleasure from them. Plants also filter the air.
If you would rather not grow plants inside, you can still derive pleasure from nurturing plants outdoors, where they will also bring pleasure to those who pass by.
Types of Plants
Plants can be classified into four main groups:
- House plants: These are the type of plants most often grown indoors because of their beauty, relatively small size and ability to be cared for easily. There is a pretty wide range, but you should start with a fairly low-maintenance plant. Cactuses are easy to care for because they require little attention and watering. Many people grow Aloe vera, a type of cactus, because it is a remedy for burns.
- Garden plants: If you'd like to eat the fruits of your labor, you can grow your own herbs, fruits and vegetables as a way to supplement your diet and lower your grocery bill. Each of these plants has different requirements, but your local nursery should be able to help you pick the plants that will grow best in your region. If you live in an apartment or do not own your own land, you can still grow some garden plants. Windowsill herb gardens are popular in cities, and container gardening has been gaining popularity in recent years.
- Flowering plants: These are the plants you should choose if you are looking for some color in your environment. Generally, they are meant to grow outdoors in garden beds. There are many varieties that can be planted once and will regrow each spring (tulips, for example), as well as annuals that have to be planted each year.
- Exotic Plants: These plants are more difficult to care for and often die if you are inexperienced or unable to attend to their specific needs. The most common exotic plant you will see available for purchase is the orchid. Orchids are very pretty plants and look easy to maintain but require very sophisticated lighting and temperature changes to thrive. If the temperature is too low, even for just one night, the plant will die. Don't attempt to nurture an exotic plant until after you have some experience under your belt.
Whatever type of plant you choose, be sure it is a good fit for your lifestyle and for the region where you live.
