also known as the Ficus elastica, it, is an unusual-looking varietal native to the tropics of Southeast Asia. This long-lived plant boasts oversized, oval-shaped leaves with a rich emerald hue and can grow quickly, reaching up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. It’s not the easiest plant for beginners because it’s not very forgiving if it doesn’t get the care it needs. However, it’s more often grown indoors as a houseplant, where it can be planted and cared for year-round, and its size is kept more manageable.

When it comes to caring for a rubber plant, care is straightforward. It needs adequate light, moisture, and warmth (it is a tropical plant). Give it a southern or eastern exposure, but keep it several feet away from the windows, and you’ll be rewarded with an exotic addition to your indoor plant collection.

How to Grow Rubber Tree Indoors

The rubber plant has waxy-looking leaves that start with a pink-coral hue, eventually deepening to dark rich green. As the plant grows, it will begin to droop, so you must help support  its leaves by using a long wooden dowel (or bamboo stalk) to help keep them upright.

Sunlight

Like most plants in their genus, rubber plants love lots of bright, diffused light. They can tolerate soft morning sunlight but should be moved out of the line of harsh direct rays in the afternoon as they can singe the leaves. Plants that do not receive sufficient light will become leggy, lose their lower leaves, and their leaf color will become dull instead of glossy and vibrant.

Watering

Water your rubber plant frequently—they like to be kept steadily moist but not soaked. Rubber plants also are vulnerable to excessive dryness and don’t tolerate drought well. To check if its time for another watering, check the moisture levels in the first few inches of soil—if they’re dry and crumbly, it’s time to water your plant again.

Temperature and Humidity

Like other types of ficus trees, these plants are vulnerable to cool drafts. Unhealthy plants will become leggy, with stretching internodes, and the leaves might first turn yellow and then brown before dropping off entirely. Generally, rubber trees are best kept in moderate to warm temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity as well. If your home tends to be dry, invest in a space humidifier to increase the levels.

Fertilizer

Feed the plant a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. They are relatively heavy feeders when healthy. Some experts recommend only lightly fertilizing indoor plants to prevent stretching and plants becoming root-bound because they grow too fast.

Bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) are naturally epiphytic, meaning they grow on the surface of other plants. In their rainforest homes, they can be found growing high in the crooks of trees. They form a series of erect, spoon-shaped, bright green fronds that rise from a central rosette. Healthy plants can have fronds up to 5 feet long, but bird’s nest ferns kept as houseplants typically have fronds that grow only about 2 feet long. These ferns have a slow growth rate. They’re best planted in the spring, though houseplants generally can be started year-round.

Bird’s Nest Fern Care

The key to a healthy bird’s nest fern is providing it with ample warmth, humidity, and moisture. When growing it as a houseplant, one of the best places to situate a bird’s nest fern is near a shower or tub in a bathroom where it will receive optimal humidity and warmth, though it must have a light source as well.

New leaves will constantly emerge from the central area of the plant, which resembles a bird’s nest. Do not touch, move, or handle the new, delicate fronds as they emerge from the center. They are extremely fragile, and if you touch them, there is a high chance of them becoming damaged or deformed.

Light

Bird’s nest ferns grow well in filtered sunlight to a moderate amount of shade. Don’t expose them to direct sunlight other than the very early morning sun. Harsh direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Indoors, an east- or north-facing window is ideal.

Soil

These plants like soil that’s loose and rich in organic matter with excellent drainage. A peat-based potting mix is good for container plants.

Water

The ferns prefer a consistent amount of soil moisture, but they don’t do well sitting in soggy soil. Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid watering directly into the center of the plant, as this can encourage mold growth and rot in the dense nest. Aim water at the soil to avoid wetting the fern’s fronds.

Temperature and Humidity

The bird’s nest fern thrives in warmth with temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate temperatures down to 50 degrees, but anything colder than that can harm the plant, especially with prolonged exposure. Indoors, be sure to protect your plant from cool drafts, such as air blowing from an air-conditioning vent.

This fern prefers high humidity and moist environments, such as a bathroom, greenhouse, or terrarium. To raise the humidity around a bird’s nest fern, you can use a humidifier. Or you can set its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. But make sure the bottom of the pot isn’t sitting in the water because that can lead to root rot.

Fertilizer

During the fern’s active growing season (April through September), fertilize once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer that’s diluted to half strength. Make sure to apply the fertilizer to the soil and not the fronds, as direct contact with fertilizer can burn foliage. Withhold fertilizer for the rest of the year because too much food can cause the fronds to have an abnormal shape or take on a yellowish or brownish color.

 Philodendrons are some of the most exotic and beautiful plants in the tropical world. There are about 400 species of philodendron worldwide, including the Philodendron erubescens, or ‘Red Emerald’, which is native to Costa Rica and the rainforests of South America. P. erubescens is an aggressive climbing plant. These plants are highly valued for their leaves, which feature reddish and colored undersides that form a lovely display as the leaves cascade down a growing surface. Like other philodendrons, P. erubescens is toxic to people and pets, so it should be grown in a safe location.1

In its native environment, the red leaf philodendron has been known to reach heights of 60 feet and sometimes converts to fully epiphytic growth if its connection with the ground is severed. As a houseplant, however, it’s likely that your plant will remain about 3 feet in length, and it’s easy to care for.

Philodendrons are some of the most exotic and beautiful plants in the tropical world. There are about 400 species of philodendron worldwide, including the erubescens, or ‘Red Emerald’, which is native to Costa Rica and the rainforests of South America. P. erubescens is an aggressive climbing plant. These plants are highly valued for their leaves, which feature reddish and colored undersides that form a lovely display as the leaves cascade down a growing surface. Like other philodendrons, P. erubescens is toxic to people and pets, so it should be grown in a safe location.1

In its native environment, the plant has been known to reach heights of 60 feet and sometimes converts to fully epiphytic growth if its connection with the ground is severed. As a houseplant, however, it’s likely that your plant will remain about 3 feet in length, and it’s easy to care for.

The Philodendron erubescens is a robust climbing philodendron with large, emerald-green leaves. It is also commonly known as the blushing philodendron due to the back of its leaves which can be shades of red and pink. There are many different popular cultivators of p. Erubescens including the pink princess philodendron, Philodendron ‘Imperial Green’, Philodendron ‘Imperial Red,’ and more!

• Watering requirements: always allow the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry up before watering your philodendron. Do not allow the soil to go completely dry at any time. Water with room temperature water.
• Humidity: Cardinal plant Green likes high humidity, between 60 and 80%! Mist spray it regularly or use a saucer as a “water tank” to keep humidity high. High humidity will result in larger leaves!

also known as Rhapis excelsa, is a small palm species that grows in dense clumps of slender upright green stems. On the stems are fan-shaped, glossy green fronds that each have between five and eight narrow, lance-shaped segments. Because this plant is extremely tolerant of low-light conditions, it’s popular to grow indoors as a houseplant.its best planted in the spring at the start of the growing season, though houseplants generally can be started year-round. This  has a fairly slow growth rate, gaining less than a foot in height per year. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, this plant is easy to grow. Tolerant of low-light conditions, Lady Palm has large, hand-shape leaves with long, glossy, dark green, finger-like leaflets. The foliage forms a dense canopy above clumps of sturdy stems that are covered with dark brown fibers that have a woven appearance.

Pothos is arguably one of the easiest houseplants to grow, even if you’re someone who forgets to water your plants often enough. This trailing vine, native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, has pointed, heart-shaped green leaves that are sometimes variegated with white, yellow, or pale green striations. Pothos can be planted indoors throughout the entire year and will grow quickly, often adding between 12 to 18 inches of length in a month.

Potting Pothos Plants

• Pothos plants do not like to sit in wet soil; their roots will rot.
• Plant pothos in a general well-draining potting mix (or a soilless mix). If you have it on hand, feel free to mix in a few handfuls of perlite or coco coir to increase the drainage capacity of your potting mix.
• Pothos does well in a hanging basket to show off the vines, or in a regular pot placed on a plant stand. They can be allowed to grow up walls, though their aerial roots—which they use to attach themselves to surfaces like trees or other vertical structures—can strip paint, so keep an eye on where their vines are growing.

How to Care for Pothos Plants

• Keep pothos plants in a warm location; room temperature is ideal. If exposed to regular drafts or colder temperatures, the plant’s growth can be affected.
• Place pothos in bright, indirect light. They will tolerate low light, but will not grow as vigorously and may lose some or all of the variegation in their leaves.
• Only water when the soil feels dry. Pothos do not like wet soil; leaves will begin to yellow.
• Cut back vines just above a leaf to make the plant bushier.
• The large, waxy leaves can gather dust; gently wipe them periodically.
• Remove any rotted or dead stems and any spotted leaves.

Native to the rainforests of Central America, the big, bold Monstera deliciosa plant is also known as the “split-leaf philodendron.” This easy-to-grow climbing evergreen can be found in many designer spaces for its “wow” factor.

Indoors, the plant has a moderate growth rate and can grow in height about 1 to 2 feet a year. Its naturally glossy large heart-shaped leaves have a characteristic split. You’ll also spot intricate aerial roots growing out of the soil which benefit the plants by supporting the stems that hold leaves that can grow to 3 feet long.

Alii doesn’t exist in the wild. ‘Alii’ is a fairly new cultivar and makes a handsome indoor tree.

The long, narrow leaves are naturally glossy and taper to a point. As this ficus tree grows, it may drop its lower leaves revealing a bare woody trunk, giving this tree a palm-like appearance. Sometimes its trunks are braided by growers making it look like a topiary. It makes a bold statement in any brightly lit room.

Care is easier than for many of its relatives. You’ll find it’s less temperamental than F. benjamina, that drops its leaves when it doesn’t get what it wants. However, leaf drop is possible with ‘Alii’ if it doesn’t get enough light and regular waterings.

Repot only when necessary in spring, using the smallest pot that will contain its roots. Ficus plants are slow-growing and prefer to be slightly pot-bound. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Sansevieria-zeylanica, commonly known as the snake plant, is one of the most popular and hardy species of houseplants.  it was botanically classified as Sansevieria-zeylanica, but its commonalities with Dracaena species were too many to overlook. The plant features stiff, sword-like leaves and can range anywhere from six inches to 36”. Snake plants can vary in color although many have green-banded leaves and commonly feature Green color. These plants are easy to grow and, in many cases, are nearly indestructible. They will thrive in very bright light or almost dark corners of the house. Snake plants generally grow slowly in indoor light, but increasing its exposure to light will boost growth if it receives a few hours of direct sun. Planting and repotting is best done in the spring.

Plant Care

 plant is an ideal choice for beginner gardeners because it is difficult to kill. It’s great in a container and grows well on the floor or on tabletop displays. Snake plant thrives in warm weather and struggles in cold conditions. This plant is drought-resistant but is susceptible to overwatering which lead to root rot.2 Only water the plants if the soil feels dry. These plants can go two months between waterings in the winter months. In warmer months, water no more than every two weeks.

Light

Snake plants prefer indirect but steady light with some direct sun. They can adapt to full sun conditions and will also survive dimly lit situations.

Soil

Snake plants prefer a loose, well-drained potting mix. This plant will do well in sandier soils. Use a potting media low in peat content. Peat works well in many situations, but it can become tightly packed and sometimes has problems rehydrating or draining. An all-purpose cactus potting soil is a good choice.

Water

Let the soil dry between waterings. During the winter, reduce watering to monthly, or whenever the soil is dry to the touch. Err on the side of under-watering; too much water can harm the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Snake plant prefer warm conditions and will suffer if exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the plant in a place where it will be protected from drafts. A temperature range between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit is best. Frost will kill this plant.

Fertilizer

Feed with a mild cactus fertilizer during the growing season or a balanced liquid slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer or a 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do not fertilize in the winter.