Summer Heat: Retreat with Indoor Plants
Indoor plants can turn your home into a calm, cool and relaxing retreat from the heat of summer. It’s wonderful to return home and be surrounded by the beauty of nature, plus many of the indoor plants we’ve suggested not only beautify your home, they also purify the air and emit oxygen, which helps to cool the indoor temperature of the air.
Most nurseries recommend that you transplant plants into containers that are 1-2 inches larger than the container they have outgrown. Plants that have outgrown their containers become rootbound, can topple over, and grow poorly because there is not enough soil for the plant. Make sure you choose a container that has plenty of holes in the bottom to allow excess water to get out. Water the plant in the sink, if possible, allow to drain, and then place the plant onto a plant saucer that is under the pot so that it can collect any water runoff.
Recommended Indoor Plants
Air Plants
These tropical plants are epiphytes, which means they don’t need potting soil and require only minimal care. Air plants do best with at least a few hours of bright, indirect sun daily. Place within 1 to 3 feet of an east- or west-facing window, or within a foot or two of an artificial light source is ideal. Give them a 15-minute soak once a week.
Succulents
Succulents are perfect indoor plants because they need little water! Make sure you don’t over water them; only give them a drink when the soil is completely dry.
Chinese Money Houseplant
This popular plant is gorgeous and can add fun to your indoor décor. The plant has round coin-shaped leaves. Chinese Money houseplants prefer bright, indirect light and grow to a height of 8 to 12 inches.
Aloe Vera
Along with being a great aid in treating sunburns, this plant grows successfully indoors and has low-water needs.
Snake Plant
This plant with gorgeous sword-shaped leaves is great to help you sleep at night (even more because it emits oxygen at night; it cools the air while you sleep. Place in indirect light and allow soil to dry between waterings.
Ficus Houseplant
This classic houseplant enjoys bright indirect or filtered light. Cold drafts will harm them, so make sure to place them somewhere where drafts will not be an issue. They don’t like overly wet roots, so water only when dry.
Spider Plant
Another traditional houseplant, this one purifies the air and cools it at the same time. Prefers bright light, water liberally and mist occasionally.
Pothos Houseplant
Also known as the Money Plant, Pothos removes formaldehyde in the air and is hard to kill; it’s great for gardening beginners.
Boston Ferns
This plant is a natural air humidifier and purifier, which is great for keeping air quality high. Does well in part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil.
Rubber Plant
No matter the size of your home, a rubber plant makes a significance difference in air quality. According to PopSugar, “It releases high levels of oxygen, helping to cool the ambient air temperature, and excels at purifying toxins such as formaldehyde from the air.”
Note that while you escape heat by enjoying air conditioning, it can be harmful, even deadly to your houseplants. Move plants away from air conditioning vents and provide sun as needed.
Enjoy your indoor sanctuary!
Read more at Gardening Know How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/
Nurseries by Mariposa:
Santa Ana Garden Center, 960 Highway 550, Suite C, Pueblo of Santa Ana
Sunbelt Landscape & Nursery, 4990 Corrales Rd., Corrales
Lowes, 3805 Northern Blvd., NE, Rio Rancho
Looking for a new home or custom homesite near Albuquerque? Nestled among the foothills of Rio Rancho, Mariposa is a master-planned community just 30 minutes north of Albuquerque. Mariposa is designed for living naturally and offers a fully equipped fitness center, resort-style indoor and outdoor pools, parks, sports courts and miles of trails and abundant open space with endless views of the Mariposa Preserve and surrounding mountains. Learn more at https://liveinmariposa.com/.
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