5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes

Armed with extraordinary air-purifying qualities, these plants take to our climate like a fish takes to water

Shristi Nangalia 6 March 2017

Houzz India Contributor, Architect, Architectural Writer and Content Writer. Painting, craft work, pets and good food are my getaways. Cultures and colours always inspire me. Email: shristi012@gmail.com, Business profile: @decoretteindia.

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A plant can liven up any decor. Thriving, lush greens propagate a sense of good health and well-being. For these reasons and more, plants are welcome in our homes. Here are five species that are great for our interior spaces – especially because they are amongst the best natural air purifiers around. Not only do they thrive in our climate, they are great additions to mitigate stress and aid better health.

Landmark Lofts

Areca palm or Dypsis lutescens
Growing up to 2 to 3 metres in height, the areca palm is one of the easiest houseplants to grow in India. This sturdy plant can combat stressful weather conditions and is reasonably low on maintenance. Its beautiful fronds are great at releasing moisture and breaking down xylene and toluene (commonly found in nail polish, petrol, paints, adhesives, etc.) from the air. It is also found to eliminate carbon monoxide and formaldehyde due to its continuous gas absorbing property. The areca palm is non-toxic and non-poisonous; if you have small children or pets that like taking everything into their mouths, this plant will be a great pick for you.

Incorporated

Pot type: Use a sturdy pot as these plants can grow big and heavy. Shift the plant outdoors or to a bigger container when there is no room for growing roots in the existing one. Choose containers with drain holes as this plant is prone to rot from waterlogged soil.

What it needs: Areca palm needs filtered or indirect light. Water it sufficiently on a daily basis. However, you should reduce the amount in winters because the water loss is reduced in this season.

Tip: Check for spider mites and mealy bug infections on the stem and foliage regularly. Keep the leaf stems clean and prune the brown tips, if you see any. Add fertiliser once every three months.

Martin Hulala

Money plant or Epipremnum aureum
The money plant is an evergreen vine that is super easy to grow as it can withstand the sudden changes and extremes of Indian weather, and can grow well in low light too. You may have seen this common houseplant hanging from pots or covering trellises in many homes around you. With attractive green heart-shaped leaves with yellow speckles, this plant can turn any latticed structure into a living wall.

This vine can effectively clean the indoor air by absorbing harmful VOCs. The money plant is also considered auspicious and lucky, according to Vastu Shastra, when placed in the southeast part of the house.

Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Pot type: This plant can grow in any container – and in water too. Bottles and jars come handy for DIY projects for this low-maintenance plant. Small containers can be hung up or kept high on stands to let the leafy strands trail downwards. You may also let it climb a jaali or netting. Re-pot the plant when the container gets congested with roots.

What it needs: This plant grows best in indirect sunlight. If soil is your medium, watering or spraying once or twice a week will do. Or water when it feels dry. Avoid over-watering.

Tip: Look out for yellow or brown leaves which indicate poor soil conditions. Prune once every three months for a lush and healthy output. Spray it with a little liquid nitrate if the plant starts to look dull.

This plant is slightly toxic in nature; it is advised you keep it out of the reach of small children and pets.

Shibanee & Kamal Architects

3. Peace lily plant or Spathiphyllum wallisii
The peace lily is not from the lily (Liliaceae) family but from the monocot flowering Araceae family. It is a favoured houseplant across the subcontinent because it can comfortably adapt to most temperatures and climate conditions.

Apart from being visually attractive, this houseplant cleanses the air by removing pollutants like acetone, benzene and alcohols (exuded by to furniture, electronics and cleaning products). You might best place it in your bathroom to purify the air or in the living room as an ornamental piece.

Patterson Custom Homes

Pot type: The ideal pot would be about 25 centimetres in diameter, sufficient to bear the load of a fully grown peace lily plant. It must have drain holes to prevent rotting of the roots. You can also put the pot inside a larger decorative container to balance the volume of the growing foliage.

What it needs: This plant does well in shady and no-sunlight areas. It is enough to water it every two to three days in hotter seasons and four to five days in winter.

Tip: Trim only the dead or brown leaves and stems. The peace lily plant holds an irritant sap; make sure your pet is trained to not chew on the flowers. You can also make your own DIY fertiliser out of vegetable and fruit peels by blending them into a paste. Add this paste to the soil every two to three months.

Sarah Greenman

Beth Kooby Design

Snake plant or Sansevieria trifasciata
The snake plant is an evergreen flowering plant with strong and long pointed leaves. This succulent is proved to arrest more than 100 different kinds of air pollutants including chloroform, alcohols and oxides. Sansevieria produces oxygen at night, making it a great species to keep in bedrooms. The snake plant is very sculptural, adaptable and easy to maintain.

Pot type: Pick a free-draining pot. You should go for a big and strong container that remains stable when the leaves grow big.

What it needs: This tough and resilient plant grows best in moderate, indirect light or low light areas. It can withstand dark and cold areas too. Do not water it much; twice a week should do the trick.

Tip: This self-protective (from pests and allergies) houseplant is mildly toxic to pets.

Manou Design Group

Aloe vera or Aloe vera
Known widely for its many healing and health-giving abilities, this succulent has been used for ages in medicines, beauty products and health drinks. Nonetheless, it is known to be a beloved houseplant too. Formaldehyde (released from paper products, sanitary products, kerosene, stiffeners and wood products) and benzene (in paints and cleaning products) are eliminated by this tropical plant effectively. Aloe vera is also recommended for bedrooms and living areas as it is believed to radiate positive energies. Its therapeutic properties and wild, spiky look makes it a ‘must-have’ in every home.

Lola Nova

Pot type: You can grow this plant in a small- to medium-sized pot. Make sure there is proper drainage. Re-pot when the roots get crowded.

What it needs: This decorative succulent needs bright, indirect sunlight. You may keep it on the window sill during the day and bring it inside afterwards. This species requires well-drained, sandy soil to thrive. Water it only when the soil looks dry.

Tip: If you see the leaves turning brown from the tip, replace the plant to a relatively shady area.

Read more:
How to Live With Plants
Where to Grow Vines and Creepers
Rethink These 7 Decor Trends

Tell us:
Which one did you pick? Show us pictures of your houseplants in Comments below.