The Little Green Friends Inside Our House

A photo story of our houseplants

“Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy.” — Terri Guillemets

I spent my childhood mostly in rural parts, which made me connected more to nature. In the later part of my life, when I moved to the cities, I felt like losing its touch due to the concrete structures of development, removing nature from the human-made civilized world.

Now, clasped within the city embraced buildings and surroundings, I look for the same. Luckily, my partner also feels the same about nature. While we were organizing our current residence, we both opted to surround ourselves with a little green around.

And then came the pandemic. The reality changed, so did the regular dealings of life. The green plants have often helped to assure our sanity during this time. Our little friends are helping us to cheer up.

Let me introduce you to the little friends I have around my residence. Maybe, they can enlighten your mood too!

Dracaena Limelight

Also known as ‘corn plant’ or ‘Dracaena fragrans,’ it is a tropical plant with chartreuse glossy strap-like leaves. It is a relatively low-maintenance plant and doesn’t require direct sunlight. One of the leading causes of this plant’s death is the rotten root, if given excess water. As some studies show, these plants can also eliminate significant benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Regular misting helps, as this is a slow-growing plant. Beware that this plant is toxic to pets and humans. I have this plant for over a year, and it is still happening to be one of the liveliest plants that spark my morning.

Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)

An easy-care houseplant that doesn’t require that much love, although it will slowly grow to love you continuously. It doesn’t require much water, hence an easy maintenance plant for the house. Known as ‘mother-in-Law’s Tongue,’ this is a hardy houseplant and a member of the asparagaceae family (like corn plant). This plant is famous for air purification. It is an ideal container plant that thrives on bright light or almost dark corners.

The one standing in a corner, growing according to its mood, I guess. The other one is the greenish ones, called Sansevieria Black Coral.

Epipremnum aureum or ‘Devil’s Ivy.’

This plant is mostly known as pothos, a tropical forest plant, one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. It thrives in low light and humidity and one of the plants that purify indoor air (significantly reduces formaldehyde, benzene fumes, and carbon monoxide). It is a poisonous plant if ingested by any pet or human.

We have three pothos, one in water vas (cutting it from one mother plant), and the remaining two containers with soil.

One of the best parts of pothos is that it is easier to propagate; you can cut a stem with a node and put it into a glass of water (or a vas with water). Once the root grows, you can plant it in a small pot like any other plant, and eventually, that will become a mother plant.

Can you tell what type of pothos the following ones are?

ZZ plant

‘Zamioculcas zamiifolia’ is a plant with dark green leaves that grow in low maintenance, low light condition worthy environment while purifying your indoor air by reducing toxins like xylene and tolu, and benzene. Poisonous for pets and humans if ingested.

I love the dark green leaves glowing in the center of the room, like a green lantern.

Jade Plant

The botanical name, ‘Crassula ovata’, is a succulent with fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and thick, woody stems, with a small tree-like exposure within the house. Overwatering is one of the leading causes of this plant damage. This plant loves light and is susceptible to frozen conditions or high moisture. It is also easier to propagating for making more of these plants.

The one Jade plant we have inside the house is on the breakfast bar. And, it seems like we are failing to keep it alive.

“A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house.” — Beth Ditto

I hope my houseplants could lighten up your mood and refresh you to deal with a busy day coming ahead.

Let me know, what are your favorite houseplants, or what sort of houseplants you are looking forward to having if the opportunity prevails in the coming days?

Quote Source: the leafy little home.

Suntonu Bhadra ▪ February, 2021

Alternative words to explore, here goes the following: