While the norm has always been to keep plants outdoors, indoor or house plants are now a trend. Besides beautifying your spaces, indoor plants have a number of other benefits such as reducing fatigue and stress levels, raising productivity, improving air quality by purifying it, healing for some health complications and even boosting mental health.

However, while choosing plants, experts say you should consider other inhabitants of the household including children and pets. Different plant species can cause allergic reactions among some people or may even pose a risk to children or pets.

Therefore, it is important to first make consultations with a plant specialist while choosing indoor companions.

Riber Divine Lynn, a florist at Happy Petals in Kampala says, “Plants are beautiful; they speak good energy wherever they are and its nature’s way of speaking to us. When you see flowers, you see love whether it is a happy or sad moment.”

Money plant

In Feng Shui, (a Chinese philosophy which involves the arranging of pieces in the living space to create a balance with the natural world), money plants are best to fill the house with greenery and bring in good luck, happiness, and prosperity.

They are perfect to gift your loved ones on different occasions and promote the concept of green gifting. Instead of offering things that are going to add to their bin bag, gift greenery that is more long-lasting.

The money plant is also known to purify the air, absorb radiations and reduce stress. To grow indoors, the plant requires a spot with indirect sunlight and water when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Peace lilies

A peace lily is indeed a replica of its name. The plant grows into glossy, dark green oval leaves that narrow to a point directly rising from the ground. 

The peace lily featured on NASA’s top list of air filtering plants. It is also known to promote restful sleep, prevent formation of mildew and remove mold spores from the air.

With its beautiful foliage and pure white flowers, this plant can grow in any indoor situation but you should avoid direct sunlight. Also, ensure that the soil is moist at all times but avoid drenching since this causes soggy soils.

Snake plant

According to research, it is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo. The plant is also referred to as Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tongue, and viper’s bowstring hemp.

Snake plants usually have green banded leaves that typically feature a yellow border. In the ancient Chinese times, it was believed that eight gods bestowed each of their virtues upon those that grew them. It is also referred to as an air purifying plant.

The plant is easy to grow, durable and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. However, consider placing it in a spot where it receives some indirect sunlight. While watering, avoid getting the leaves wet and ensure that the soil is dried out before the next watering.

Jade plant

Jade plant care is easy and simple. Being a succulent plant, it doesn’t require too much fuss to grow well. Many people enjoy growing jade plants in their homes and offices, and they are considered to be symbols of good luck.

Jade plants can live for long when grown in the right conditions and can reach up to 3 or even 6 feet tall despite its slow growth.

There are different varieties of jade plants, all of which are said to bring good luck to the owner. Therefore, jades are often given to new business owners or even as house warming gifts. When placed near the entrance of the home or office, it is thought to bring prosperity and success.

Always be careful not to overwater the plant just like most succulents and keep them in a well-lit place so they can achieve their full growth potential.

Spider plant

The spider plant is named so because of its long narrow leaves which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders’ legs. These are also air purifying plants, which make them perfect for indoors.

Originating from Africa, these plants are among the sturdiest on the planet. Pretty and very resistant, they require moist but not soggy soils, and bright indirect light or partial shade. The plants do not prefer direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves which makes this a perfect indoor plant.

Other than being a decorative plant, the spider plant clears airborne irritants and purifies the air.

Aloe Vera

Many also refer to this plant as the “Healer Plant” due to its many uses in the health and beauty. The gel on the inside of the leaves can heal burns and scraps, improve digestive health, clear acne, and even act as a mouth wash.

Aloe Vera is also an air purifying plant that emits oxygen while taking in carbon dioxide during the day which cleans the air.

The plant should be placed in pots with well-drained soil near a sunny window so they can receive lots of indirect sunlight. Ensure that you turn the plant regularly so that all leaves can receive equal amounts of light.

Aloe Vera is a succulent and stores water in its leaves for a longer period of time so it doesn’t need to be watered frequently. Only water the plant once the soil has dried out completely to keep it from rotting.