Houseplants have become very trendy in recent years. Although there are now so many varieties to beautify our homes, there are a few that are more popular than others. In this article, I present the top 5 most popular houseplants (in my opinion!): Bird of Paradise, Monstera Deliciosa, Ficus Lyrata, String of Hearts and Spades, and Alocasia.
Strelitzia: Bird of Paradise
Want to add a tropical vibe to a room? The Bird of Paradise is a very large plant that’s ideal for this kind of setting. Although it’s a very trendy plant, it requires special care.
Bird of Paradise Maintenance
It’s a plant that needs a lot of direct sunlight. As for watering, I suggest watering only when the soil is very dry. I also recommend spraying it when it grows new leaves. Sometimes the leaves are large and curled and have trouble developing properly. Spraying it will help the leaves unfurl more easily.
It’s Leaves and Flowers
Did you know that the Bird of Paradise can produce beautiful flowers? It's quite rare indoors, but with the right conditions it's possible! There are also several varieties of Strelitzia. The most common are the Strelitzia Reginae and the Nicolai. It is also quite normal for the leaves to "split." In nature, the leaves will crack to ensure that wind can pass through the plant’s foliage.
Monstera Deliciosa
My décor wouldn't be complete without a beautiful Monstera! It’s a very resilient and easy-to-care-for plant. As the name suggests, it can become a monster in our homes, so don't forget to have plenty of space for this type of plant. It’s a plant that grows relatively fast when in an ideal environment.
Positioning and Watering the Monstera
To ensure your Monstera grows nice, big leaves, I recommend placing it in a sunny area. As for watering, it should be watered when its soil is completely dry. In the wild, the Monstera is a climbing plant. As such, you’ll have to install a stake in the pot to help it stay upright. A sphagnum moss stake is ideal, allowing the Monstera to use its aerial roots to cling to the stake and grow upwards.
Cleaning its Leaves
Much like the Ficus Lyrata, the Monstera has large leaves that can collect a lot of dust. I suggest cleaning the leaves about once a month with a solution of water, a few drops of dish soap, and lemon juice. (Lemon juice will help make the leaves shiny but be careful not to use pure lemon juice.) Although it does best in the sun, it can easily tolerate shadier spots.
Ficus Lyrata
Known for its small, indoor tree shape, the Ficus Lyrata is without a doubt one of my favourite plants. With its large green leaves, it grows quite quickly. It prefers and thrives in a sunny location. When it comes to watering, remember to keep it moist! It’s best to keep a slightly moist potting soil surface at all times.
Treating the Ficus with Care
When you find the perfect place for your Ficus Lyrata, don’t move it! The Ficus hates being moved. It’s a plant that can easily grow to 6 feet, perfect for placing in the corner of a large room.
If your Ficus lacks light during the winter months, consider installing a grow light to give it an extra boost.
String of Hearts or Spades
String of Hearts (or String of Spades) is a small, delicate hanging plant, perfect for garnishing a shelf or placing on top of a cabinet. It’s called String of Hearts because of its heart-shaped leaves. (Same thing goes for the String of Spades.)
String of Hearts or Spades Maintenance
To ensure your String of Hearts maintains a robust and healthy base, place it in a location where it will receive sunlight from above. (Hanging in a window is ideal!) Otherwise, it can lose leaves on top and continue producing new leaves on the bottom only. Which just isn’t as pretty in my opinion! I suggest watering when the potting soil is dry. Don’t forget about it! Otherwise, it will lose a few leaves.
This is a plant that I find quite original and that doesn't take up too much space.
Alocasia
Lately, I've found that these plants are becoming increasingly popular as part of home décor, especially visible on social networks. If you're a plant fanatic like me, you probably follow several Instagram accounts that have to do with plants.
Alocasia are particularly beautiful plants with their long stems and very large leaves. They are sometimes called "elephant ears." Although they’re stunning plants, they require special care. They require soil that is slightly moist at all times and a fairly frequent application of fertilizer. They don’t tolerate direct sunlight on their leaves because it can burn them. Your best bet is to find them a sunny spot, away from direct sunlight. They do, however, tolerate morning rays. I strongly recommend using a well-draining potting mix to keep moisture in without causing the roots to rot. (I use potting soil but add perlite and orchid potting soil to my mix.)
Its Hibernation
During the winter, Alocasia tend to go into a dormant state. They may lose the majority of their leaves, but don't worry, they’ll grow new shoots in the spring or summer. My trick to having a stocky Alocasia is to have several plants in the same pot. There are a lot of varieties of Alocasia. My favourites are Frydek, Amazonica, Silver Dragon, and Black Velvet.
Having tested it myself, I can confidently say that the Alocasia particularly appreciates PON. PON is a semi-hydroponic substrate that doesn’t require much maintenance. Just keep the substrate moist and you're good to go.
Plants In, Décor Done!
In conclusion, incorporating these trendy plants into your décor can not only beautify your space, but also improve your well-being. Whether you opt for the imposing Ficus Lyrata, the majestic Monstera Deliciosa, the exotic Bird of Paradise, the delicate String of Hearts, or the elegant Alocasia, each of these plants will bring a unique and lively touch to your décor. I hope this article inspires you to decorate your home with plants!
