FLOWERS – Indoor Flora

If you have already started your indoor garden and are looking for more varieties to add to your collection, having tall flowering plants would definitely be a great choice. They add a lot of character to your home and their blooms would add more color to your existing space. In this article you will learn about indoor flowers that grow tall and how to care for them, what are the benefits and disadvantages of having them in your home, and how frequently do they bloom. If you are looking to expand your collection of plants, indoor tall flowering houseplants are definitely something you should explore. There are dozens of plants that fit this criteria, and here are our favorites: Bird of Paradise, Yucca, Corn Plant, Lemon Plant, Banana Plant, Jade Plant, and more. Tall Indoor Flowering Plants Choosing to have tall flowering plants can be quite a huge responsibility. Here is a list of plants that have beautiful blooms, tall statures, and a few tips and tricks to care for them effectively. Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) Also known as the crane flower plant is a species of large flowering plant that is native to South Africa. These plants can grow as tall as 6 feet and have big and broad foliage. Their flowers sit on a stalk and look like birds, hence their name. These plants are very popular as an ornamental plant and can be found in gardens in almost any country. Even if they are more accustomed to growing outside, it is not impossible to have them grow indoors. Care Tips: This plant is not as fussy to care for as other plants but they would need some effort on your end especially if your end-goal is to have them consistently flowering.The Birds of Paradise can manage low-lit spaces but will thrive in full sunlight, which is why it is more ideal to keep them in an outdoor space. Keeping them indoors may not allow them to reach their full potential, but they will still survive.Keeping the soil moist through the spring and summer is quite essential, during their phases of active growth they consume a lot of water. In spite of this need, you must be sure that your plants are not sitting in soggy soil. Nothing can kill a plant faster than overwatering. It is best to dry out the soil in between watering your plants. During winter, it would be best to keep your plant a bit dry. During their dormant phase, this would be ideal since they do not consume as much water as when they were actively growing.In addition to proper watering schedules, you would also need to give your plant salt-free water. Using tap water may cause harm to your plant. Once you notice the leaves starting to brown, you may need to switch to distilled water. It’s best to keep your plants within 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers warm temperatures being native to the deserts of Africa. During cool winter months, they must be kept away from cold drafts and freezing conditions.This plant grows quite fast, which is why it would be necessary to fertilize them during the time it is actively growing. Using an all-liquid fertilizer at least once a month is ideal, and none at all during winter when the plant is technically inactive. Toxicity: The leaves of this plant can be quite toxic to children and small pets. They will cause mild mouth irritation and stomach aches when consumed. Related: Read about other toxic plants here. Potted Yucca Plant (Yucca spp) There are over 40 species and 20 subspecies of Yucca plants in the world, and they are mostly found in the western hemisphere, and some parts of Mexico. But since they are quite popular for indoor decor you can practically find them all over the world. Some variants of this plant can grow up to 10 feet in height with leaves reaching about 2 and a half feet in length. Care Tips: The main ingredient to ensure this plant’s survival is light. Once placed in a bright spot within your home, you can be sure that your plant would grow happily. Access to bright light will give your plants’ foliage better color. Which is definitely something you would want. This will also promote bloom. If your space does not have access to bright light, it’s best to invest in grow lights that can aid in their growth.The soil used for Yucca plants must be heavy. Using light soil will not hold your plants upright, even if it is well draining. An ideal soil mixture would be of peat and sand. Be sure to place your plant in a container that can hold medium growing plants.Watering the Yucca plant is not as tedious. Just make sure that the soil is moist and not overly wet or dry at any given point. Having the soil soggy with water will cause root rot and fungal infections, which is something you would want to eventually avoid. Before watering, make sure the topsoil is dry to the touch. Since the soil holds the moisture longer than light soil, you would not need to water them as often as you may think. The Yucca plant can tolerate a wide range of temperature but since they are more used to warmer climates, keeping them in room temperature while indoors would be great. During winter, they can survive temperatures up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit but not anything cooler. Toxicity: Depending on the variant, Yucca plants are quite poisonous to pets and humans since they contain saponins. These plants are quite dangerous to have around small children and pets, so keep them out of reach entirely. Dracaena Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans) The dracaena comes in so many varieties that are commonly used as decor for indoor spaces. Some of these plants actually bloom and grow as tall as 6 feet indoors. They too originate from Africa and are quite easy to care for. Care Tips: One thing notable about this plant is that it is quite tolerant. It can survive through periods of neglect and still come out strong. But of course, if you aim to have your plant blooming with fragrant white blossoms keeping them in the best conditions would be ideal.This plant would thrive in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature lower than 55 degrees may be harmful to the plant which can be seen through the curling of its leaves. During winter time, keep your plants away from cold drafts.Being native to Africa, this plant loves light. A good bright lit space would be the best for your plant. It would grow quicker and produce more blooms when given enough light. Ideally, 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight would be great.Keep the soil slightly damp to the touch, and avoid overwatering. Like most indoor plants, roots that are soaked in water too much will start to rot. In winter time it is more important to keep the roots dry since the plant is not actively consuming the water in the soil. Speaking of soil, you must mix a combination of peat, perlite, and potting soil to keep it well-draining and airy. This way, water will not accumulate on the plant’s roots that would cause rotting.Feeding your plant is just as important as all the basic care you provide, especially when they are actively growing and you are aiming to have flowers blooming. Use diluted liquid fertilizer once every 2 to 3 weeks during Spring and Summer. Never add fertilizers during the winter time. Toxicity: If you have pets at home, it is very important that they will not be able to access your plant. These plants are highly toxic to cats and dogs. If your pet has consumed the leaves of the plant watch out for vomiting, dilated pupils, general malaise, and excessive drooling. The plant will cause mild to moderate poisoning depending on the amount consumed. Lemon Plant (Citrus limon) Although these plants are commonly grown outdoors, they can definitely survive being potted within an indoor environment as well. Different varieties of citrus plants including lime and oranges can grow in indoor spaces, but it is important that you choose the dwarf variety to prevent it from growing too big inside your home. Care Tips: When you decide to use grow your lemon plant indoors the first thing you must choose is the right pot. Pick a slightly larger ceramic or plastic pot that has holes in the bottom. Fill the draining dish with stones to promote good air circulation in the soil.Having well-drained soil is also important. Use a loam-based potting mix or choose a premixed potting soil specifically made for citrus plants. These soil types are slightly acidic and would be ideal for the growth of your plant. Make sure that the soil is also well-draining if it collects too much water or is heavy the growth of your plant's roots can be compromised.Citrus plants in general love sunlight, which is why it is optimal for them to grow outdoors. Within indoor spaces, it is best to keep your plant by a south-facing window to absorb as much sunlight as possible. In winter months where sunlight is not as abundant, you may need to purchase a grow light to maintain the 8-hour requirement of these plants.Dwarf variants of this species would optimally grow in temperatures between 55- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit. They do no appreciate sudden shifts in temperatures, so it is best to keep them in a space that you do not frequently use air conditioning in. In winter months, keep them away from drafts and heaters.Regular watering is a must, adding pebbles or moss on the topsoil is quite helpful in maintaining moisture. This will help reduce evaporation altogether. In winter months, you must lessen your watering to prevent fungal infections and root rotting. If possible, purchase a water meter to be able to accurately measure the moisture level of the soil. Toxicity: These plants are not toxic to humans at all. For animals, stems, leaves, and roots of the plan can be toxic. Some signs of poisoning would include; vomiting, diarrhea, depression. Banana Plant (Musa oriana) Surprisingly, you can grow a banana plant indoors. If you are fortunate enough to live in warm conditions you can definitely pull off growing this plant with the basic requirements. These plants can grow as high as 6 feet indoors and they produce edible flowers too. Care Tips: Before anything else, you must be sure to get the dwarf variety of this plant. Ordinary banana plants can go as tall as 10 feet, and that would definitely not be ideal in an indoor space.The next thing you must think of is getting a large container that is as deep and as wide as it’s roots. It is also important to have proper drainage holes on the container to allow excess water to seep through. Like most banana varieties, your indoor plant would need rich and thick soil for efficient growth. This will also help it stand in your pot. Choosing light soil may not be as good in holding them within a large pot.These plants require frequent and consistent fertilization, especially during the months of its active growth. Apply a balanced diluted amount of fertilizer every month for the best results.Since they are more used to warmer climates, banana plants would prefer to be within 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They cannot tolerate cold temperature and may not survive winter seasons, which is why these plants are commonly found in more tropical environments.Indoor Banana plants are given more water than the ones that are kept outside. In spite of this, they should not be sitting in soggy soil as it would promote root rot. Allow the soil to dry out before re-watering your plant. You can also promote hydration of your plant by misting their leaves every other week. In addition to this, the leaves must also be wiped of dust that it may have accumulated. Toxicity: Banana plants are one of the safest plants you can have indoors. All its parts are safe to consume by both humans and animals. They are essentially non-toxic and quite easy to care for making them an ideal plant to keep indoors with small children and pets. Other plants that can grow tall and produce flowers include: Jade plants, China Rose plants, Flowering Maples, Jasmine plants, and other citrus variants like the Calamondin. Choosing to have tall flowering plants around can be quite beneficial to one’s home, read on to learn more. Benefits of Having Tall Plants in Your Home Having plants, in general, can be quite beneficial. As we know they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Larger plants will definitely have the ability to double the benefits you can reap. Here are some of the advantages of having tall plants in your home. Reduce Stress People are known to experience less stress when they are surrounded by plants. In fact, there have been studies that prove this theory. By adding plants to your environment, you are dramatically changing the tone of your space. People in offices tend to become more productive; they make little to no mistakes and take fewer sick days. People confined in hospitals, greatly benefit by being around nature as well. They heal faster and generally feel better. Students perform better and learn more in learning environments that are closer to nature. Improve Quality of Air Based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) study in 1989. Plants have been proven to greatly improve the quality of air, and this is not just by producing oxygen, but by absorbing the toxins in a particular environment. The term Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) has been identified in these modern times. There is no specific cause of this phenomenon but it has been linked to poor air quality. With tall plants with larger foliage around, the exchange of gases is more efficient. Essentially, they can reduce carbon dioxide, benzene, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde levels in the air. They can also reduce the amount of airborne dust, that may contribute to allergies of the inhabitants of the space. Reduce Noise It is a fact that plants and trees have been used to reduce noise in general. Placing them indoors will reduce the noise we experience from busy nearby roads and even other background noises we hear indoors. There are studies that indicate that the foliage is able to diffract noise and make the space more peaceful. In this case, taller plants that often have large or more foliage would be incredibly beneficial. Keeping larger plants in your space would definitely contribute to your home’s tranquility. Increase Oxygen As part of photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide we inhale and produces oxygen. This process is beneficial for both the plants and the individuals around them since our bodies get the oxygen they need. Although photosynthesis stops at night, there are specialized plants that can still release oxygen during the nighttime, which would be a great addition to your bedroom. Improve Your Mood There are literally dozens of studies that prove house plants improve your mood, and this is because of all the factors aforementioned. By reducing stress, improving air quality, lessening environmental noise, and increasing oxygen, you can ultimately feel better in greener surroundings. Disadvantages of Having Tall Plants in Your Home Unfortunately, it cannot be all rainbows and sunshine with having tall plants in your home. Yes, the benefits will definitely outweigh the disadvantages but you better be prepared whenever you do take care of indoor plants especially when they are tall and would require more attention. Time Consuming Most houseplants, especially ones that bloom and are quite large would need frequent watering. If you have a tight schedule, it would be better to choose low maintenance plants. For larger varieties, you would need to water it at least once a week, take the time to aerate the soil, dust them, and of course rotate them every now and then. If you choose to care for different varieties of plants you need to be ready to give a portion of your day for their care and needs. Being a plant parent is definitely not a simple job. Humidity Requirements Most indoor plants would need at least 50% more humidity. Winters are not ideal especially during winter. To keep warm, we would often use heating which would cause drier atmospheres and would, in turn, dry the plant in spite of watering. Although there are countermeasures like having a humidifier around your indoor garden spaces and making a pebble humidity tray, it would be an added cost that you may not want to spend on. Molds, Fungi, Bacteria When houseplants do not get enough sunlight or are overwatered, they may contract certain diseases and would develop pathogenic microorganisms on their leaves and soil. These will kill your plant and pollute the air in your home. Although there are only a handful of diseases that can be contracted form the microorganisms from a plant, this can definitely be cause for concern. Once you see signs of an infection, isolate your plant and start treatment as soon as possible to prevent spreading. Vacation Care If you are planning a month-long vacation, this may be bad news for your plant. Most plants can survive a week or two but for extended trips, you would definitely need to get a plant sitter. Finding someone you can trust and is actually dependable to care for your plants in your absence. Another option would be to invest in a timer dependent watering system that can care for your plant. Possibly Toxic If you have small kids and pets at home, large plants that can easily be accessible to them may cause poisoning. As we know not all plants are edible, choosing the right plants to be around your family would definitely make a world of difference. If you choose to have tall flowering plants in your home, keep them out of their reach or research on them thoroughly enough to know if they would be toxic to your kids and pets. Safety should always be your top priority. Do These Plants Bloom All Year? Most plants bloom depending on the growing season. Commonly they live for one growing season, and these plants are known as annuals. However, there are more varieties that can blossom twice a year, and are known as perennials. There are rare kinds of plants that are able to bloom all year round, but these plants are more accustomed to outdoor spaces. Having tall flowering plants do not only provide a decorative purpose. They come with a mountain of benefits that can improve your overall well-being. It may take a little more effort to care for, but choosing the right plant for your home and your lifestyle can truly make a difference.