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Houseplants - Endless Design Choices an Imagination Away

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Written by Keith Markensen

Thursday, 20 March 2008

Although there are endless possibilities of arrangements of indoor houseplants, the following three are the most commonly used:

by KeithMarkensen

Although there are endless possibilities of arrangements of indoor houseplants, the following three are the most commonly used:

1. Individual pots. You can set up and move them very easily, changing the look of your home anytime.

2. A tray or box. You can arrange your plants in a tray or box near a window, growing a number of plants in the same area.

3. Terrariums. These are sealed containers that hold plants. They create moisture on their own through condensation.

The easiest method is with individual pots, so you should choose this if you are just learning. You can take care of each plant individually this way, and you can give it specifically what it needs. You will likely have a much higher success rate than with the other methods. You can be very creative as well, choosing interesting pots and locations for the pots.

It is great to be able to move the potted plants around whenever you want. For example, some plants need direct light to grow well, but once they flower, you can move them to wherever you like to decorate, even if the room is not well lit. You just have to remember to take them back to the window to get sun before leaving them away from it too long. Growing houseplants in pots is simple and cheap.

If you are a more experienced gardener, you can make a beautiful tray arrangement. You can choose a variety of plant species, put them in individual pots, but all in one box or tray. You can have a large, intricate box with flowers by a window or out on a patio, or you can have a little garden. There are a lot of possibilities, but if you want to move the plants around, they all have to go at once. If you choose the plants wisely, you can have different flowers blooming for the whole year.

The problems with trays or boxes is that all of the plants receive the same environmental conditions. They will receive the same sunlight, humidity, temperature, and water. Many plants can live together just fine, but a cactus can't live with a water lily. Make sure you choose compatible plants.

The third arrangement method for your houseplants is a terrarium, or Wardian case. It is very unique. In the 1800's, Nathanial Ward of England accidentally discovered that wood plants grow well on their own if they are in a sealed container. You can use almost any glass container to grow things like moss, ferns, or lichens.

The negative aspects of terrariums is that not many types of plants can grow in them and the enclosure doesn't allow the beauty to be seen as easily.

The third planting arrangement mentioned, terrariums or Wardian cases, is a completely different approach to house-plant culture.

Back in the middle of the 19th century an English botanist by the name of Nathaniel Ward discovered by mistake that many wood plants will grow and prosper with little or no care if kept in a sealed container. Terrariums growing moss, ferns and lichens can provide a woodland in miniature for your home, and almost any glass container can be used, from a fish bowl to a cocktail glass. There is not just one method for houseplant care. The only restrictions are the resiliency of the plants and your imagination. Houseplants can liven up your home for you and your guests.

About the Author:

More knowledge, more power, more success when you better understand the subject of care of houseplants Visit us at http://www.plant-care.com.