7 Fascinating Indoor Plant Facts

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Wax Plant Has a Noble Namesake

The wax plant, Hoya carnosa, is named after Thomas Hoy, a botanist and gardener for an English duke in the 18th century. Check out the best plant gifts to give and receive.

Best Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants

Philodendron, aloe and snake plants are three very low-maintenance indoor plant options for beginners that thrive in different amounts of light. Want more low-maintenance indoor plants? Consider these easy-to-grow houseplants all plant parents need.

Add Grow Lights for Indoor Plants

To ensure your plants get the two types of light that they need—red and blue wavelengths—gardeners can use both warm- and cool-toned fluorescent bulbs or a LED plant light. If you have a darker spot in your home, pick one of these low-light houseplants that’ll thrive.

African Violets Come in Many Colors

African violets, a longtime favorite flowering indoor plant, come in shades of seven different bloom colors: white, pink, maroon, blue, lavender, violet and deep purple.

Best Temperature for Indoor Plants

Most indoor plants grow best between 70 and 80 degrees during the day­—although some like it hot, tolerating temps up to 86 degrees. Even if it’s cold outside, you can still keep cultivating your green thumb with these easy-care holiday plants.

Try Fuss-Free Air Plants

There are more than 500 species of Tillandsia, which are also called air plants. The nickname comes from their ability to grow in any nook or cranny instead of in soil.

How to Repot Indoor Plants

When repotting a houseplant, make sure the soil reaches about a half inch below the pot’s edge. Get more tips from real gardeners on how to grow indoor plants.