INTERIOR

LANDSCAPING
AND DESIGN
INDOOR
PLANTS
SUBMITTED BY:
Shashi
2215981510
M.Des. (ID)
INDOOR PLANTS
Indoor plants should be an essential component of every interior design.
Greenery brightens up indoor spaces and is known to have mood-
boosting qualities.
Indoor plants are popular because they are relatively easy to take care of,
provide health benefits and can be used in a variety of indoor décor
themes.
Indoor plants are a great option for those who have little yard space for
an outdoor garden or for those who live in climates with severely cold
winters.
Indoor plants are plants that grow indoors.
There are a variety of tropical plants, like palms, that thrive in indoor
environments.
Indoor gardening is still enjoying a surge in popularity, fed by
Instagram’s greenery-inspired interior designs, plant-based podcasts, and
online plant subscription services like Lazy Flora and Grounded.
While social media trends are notorious for rapid flourish-and-fade
lifecycles, indoor gardening may endure longer than most because of the
many ways houseplants improve health and well-being.
 Many people enjoy living and working in cultivated greenspaces, and most like IMPORTANCE
having beautiful plants around. Here are seven benefits science says indoor plants
may provide.
1. Indoor plants help reduce stress levels
2. Real plants sharpen attention
3. Working with plants can be therapeutic
4. Plants help recover from illness faster
5. Plants boost productivity
6. Plants improve our whole outlook on work
7. Plants improve the quality of indoor air
 These are several of the species to be most effective in improving the air quality:
 areca, lady, dwarf date, and bamboo palms
 Boston fern
 rubber tree
 spider plant
 Ficus tree
TYPES OF INDOOR PLANTS
Flowering Plants
 Flowering plants generally do best
in moderately bright light and for
this reason windows located on the
south, east or west side of the house
are best for potted flowering plants.
(African violets prefer north-facing
windows.)
 Garden indoors all year long with
a Compact Fluorescent Grow
Light. Low profile design provides
more concentrated light than
standard fluorescents. Plus, NO heat
means that the lamp can be placed
closer to your plants for more light
energy and improved productivity.
 Foliage Plants
 Foliage plants can be divided into three
categories: those requiring low light,
moderate light and high light.
 A dimly lit room should suffice for those
few plants willing to survive in low light
areas. Moderate light-needing plants will
prefer a north-facing window, light
diffused through a thin curtain or
daylight without direct sun. Indoor
plants that prefer high light will need to
be in a south-facing window or under a
grow light.
 Some plants will benefit from being
moved outside in the summer to get a
little extra light. Read about Moving
Plants Indoors & Outdoors here.
REQUIREMENTS FOR INDOOR
PLANTS TO GROW
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
 Light is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants.
All plants require light for photosynthesis, the process within a plant
that converts light, oxygen and water into carbohydrates (energy).
 Plants require this energy in order to grow, bloom and produce seed.
Without adequate light, carbohydrates cannot be manufactured, the
energy reserves are depleted and plants die.
 Plants like geranium become leggy when not grown in enough
light.
 When plants lack light, they don't produce chlorophyll (the green
pigment in plants), and plants can turn pale green to yellow to white.
 Plant stems become “leggy,” meaning stems become long and thin
and appear to be reaching toward the source of light.
 A lack of sufficient light causes the plant to grow long spaces on
stems between the leaf nodes (the point where a leaf grows out from
the stem).
 Plants without sufficient light may also drop their leaves, especially
older leaves.
 One may find that a variegated plant (leaves that are white and
green) may revert to being solid green.
 Flowering plants may fail to produce flower buds.
 Plants exposed to too much light may result in scorched and
bleached leaves.
 Overhanging roofs can block light for part of the day. Even though the window is south-facing with plenty of natural light, the
plants get indirect light for much of the day.
 Before getting a plant or starting seeds, determine the quality and hours of natural light in a space. Then choose plants with light
requirements that match the indoor environment.
 While a plant may tolerate lower light growing conditions, more light may be required to promote dense foliage and flowering.

 Low light (PPF: 50-150 umol m-2s-1 / 50-250 foot-candles / 10-15 watts)
 A low-light plant would be suitable for a north window or a fairly dark corner.
 Low-light plants require little to no direct light. In their native growing environments, these plants are “understory plants”
meaning they grow underneath the branches of larger plants.
 Low lighting is not sufficient for starting seeds indoors.
 In environments with less light, plants grow more slowly and use less water. Avoid overwatering by feeling the soil.

 Medium light (PPF: 150-250 umol m-2s-1 / 250-1,000 foot-candles / 15-20 watts)
 A medium-light plant would be suitable for east-facing windows or located near a west-facing window, but out of direct light.
 One would need artificial lighting for starting seeds in medium light.
 Like the low light plants, these plants will not dry out as quickly. Avoid overwatering by feeling the soil.

 High light (PPF: 250-450 umol m-2s-1 / more than 1,000 foot-candles, more than 20 watts)
 A high-light plant would be suitable for brightly lit locations such as south- or southwest-facing windows.
 One may be able to start seeds without artificial lighting, but seeds that need more time indoors, such as tomatoes and peppers,
may become leggy without extra light.
 High-light areas can be warm, making plants dry out faster. Check these plants more frequently and water when soil is dry.
Just like choosing plants for sunny or shady areas of an outdoor garden, it’s important to choose plants that will grow in the existing
light conditions indoors. And one may decide to add artificial grow lights to increase light energy to plants.

 Adding artificial lighting

 Artificial lighting can be added to make up for the lack of natural sunlight.
 The most common types of lighting include LED and fluorescent bulbs, but one may see incandescent and high-pressure sodium
bulbs when shopping around. There are pros and cons to using each type, and all can be found at local hardware stores or online.
QUALITIES OF GOOD INDOOR PLANTS
Plants add beauty and lushness to our lives. They also filter indoor air, giving us
a clean and fresh living space. Approximately 66 percent of Americans own at
least one houseplant. Here are few of the qualities of a good houseplant:
 Adaptable to Low Light
 Easy to Grow in Containers
 It Filters the Air
 The Right Size :These plants typically won’t get much taller than around 2.5
feet.
 Easy to Care
 Few Watering Requirements: Some houseplants do fine with being watered
just once a week, or even just once every few weeks. Other houseplants need
constant watering, and the soil must be kept moist all the time.
 Easy to Feed: For example, a 20-20-20 fertilizer is a great option for
houseplants. These numbers stand for vital nutrients, including nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium. When the nutrients are perfectly balanced, they
will give your houseplant the food it needs to thrive.
 It’s Easy to Move: Heavy trees and plants in large, heavy pots are a lot more
difficult to relocate. Start small and choose houseplants like herbs, flowers, or
succulents that thrive in smaller pots.
 Healthy when you get them: the plant has a good root system that will stay
strong as it grows. A healthy root system will be thick and light in color.
CARE FOR INDOOR PLANTS
Different plants require different temperature, hydration, humidity conditions to thrive. Indoor
plants often add to the ambience of a house or any place they are kept at. Not only they make a
place look more beautiful but some also purify inside environment. Plants also improve health
and help increase focus.
Here are the ways one can follow to ensure good growth of plants:
 Water the plants regularly
 Put finger in the plant pot to check below the surface
 Do not use very cold or hot water : 68° F or 20° C is the best temperature to keep the water
that one is using to water the plants.[
 Choose an area in the house that receives proper sunlight
 Avoid moving plants around
 Increase the humidity in the room: Dry air may serve certain plants well, like cacti, but
most plants require humidity, especially tropic plants.
 Fill the pot with fertilizer: Most houseplants thrive in balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. House
plants need the nutrients from potting soils and fertilizers in order to survive.
 Prune the plant regularly: Cut off dead branches or stems that can attract bugs. Prune
above the leaf node at a 45° angle to promote growth of a fuller more robust plant.
 Keep potting soil moist, but not wet.
WATERING OF PLANTS
For anyone with a green thumb, watering indoor plants is second nature. For novice
gardeners, however, figuring out when and how much to water can be a challenge –
and incorrect techniques can put houseplants at risk.
 DO Use a Watering Can: A watering can has a long spout that allows one to
precisely direct the flow of water to the base of a houseplant.
 DON’T Use Softened Water: Water softening systems use sodium, which can
negatively affect the health of houseplants
 DO Water Indoor Plants as Needed: To know when houseplants need a drink,
touch the soil. If it’s dry, the plant needs water. If the surface is moist, hold off on
watering. Check every single specimen – just because one needs to be watered
doesn’t mean they all do.
 DON’T Follow a Watering Schedule: Sticking to a once-a-week plan can lead
to overwatering and under watering, as some houseplants may need watered
more or less often.
 DO Soak the Soil Thoroughly: Soak the soil thoroughly, until water starts to
come out of the pot’s drainage holes. Giving houseplants a good, long drink
encourages healthy root system development.
 DON’T Let Indoor Plants Sit in Water: Soaking the soil is important, but don’t
go overboard and add too much – if houseplants sit in water, they can develop
root rot
Following the watering guidelines listed above will keep most houseplants happy,
but some plants – like cacti and certain succulents – may prefer drier conditions.
And, some exotic indoor varieties may need more of a drink.
FOLLOWING POINTS TO BE TAKEN CARE FOR INDOOR PLANTS
 Check the compost (Potting Soil): If it has dried out the plants have been neglected.
 Lift & check the base of the pot: If lots of roots are coming out of the bottom, the pot should have been reported sooner. A few
small roots through the bottom of the pot is not a sign of neglect and is normal where the plants have been grown on capillary
matting.
 If a flowering plant, make sure that there are still plenty of buds to open, otherwise, the display may be brief.
 Look critically at the shape. If the plant is lopsided, or the plant is bare at the base.
 Make sure the plant is labelled. A label should tell how to take care of the plant, and unlabeled plants suggest a lack of concern
for plants & customers.
 Avoid plants with broken or damaged leaves.
 Turn the leaves over. Look for signs of pests & diseases.
 Any plant kept in the protective sleeve should be checked properly by removing the protective sleeve, before buying.
 Overwatering
Too much water is just as detrimental as too little. Frequent watering forces air from the soil and opens the door for root-killing
bacteria and fungus to move in. Overwatering is the number one killer of houseplants.
Signs of overwatering include:
 Fungus or mold on the soil surface
 Mushy brown (maybe stinky) roots at the bottom of the
 pot
 Standing water in the bottom of the container
 Young and old leaves falling off at the same time
 Leaves with brown rotten patches
GOOD INDOOR PLANTS
 PHILODENDRON (Philodendron spp.)
Size: Vines to 8 feet long
Water: Prefers evenly moist soil, but not soggy. Water if top inch of soil is dry.
Fertilize: Apply a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer from spring through fall.
Very easy-to-grow houseplant, similar to pothos. Tolerates low light, but will grow faster in
medium to bright light. Foliage comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Philodendrons can
also be grown outdoors in mild climates.

 PEACE LILY (Spathiphyllum spp.)

Size: 1 to 6 feet tall

Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Don't allow the soil to dry out completely. Reduce
water in the winter when plant growth slows.
Fertilize: Apply a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer at half strength every two months.

Pure white spathes surrounding creamy white flower spikes bloom from mid-spring through late
summer. Peace lilies love warmth and humidity. Avoid exposing them to temperatures below 55
degrees F.
 POTHOS (Epipremnum aureum)
Size: Vines 6 to 10 feet long
Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.
Fertilize: Light feeders, so use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 1 to 3 months.
One of the easiest houseplants to grow. This tropical vine comes in a variety of foliage colors and patterns.
Pothos can be trimmed and kept compact, allowed to trail from hanging baskets, or trained up vertical
supports.

 Succulents and Cacti

Succulents and cacti “thrive on little to no care. These plants are drought-resistant, meaning they
don’t need regular watering; only just when the soil is completely dry. They also come in many
shapes and sizes to decorate a space and can help clean the air. Some varieties, including the jade
plant, can increase humidity in a room. Aloe vera plants, in particular, also have medicinal
properties and can help heal cuts, burns, and other skin ailments.

 Ferns
A 2022 study published in Applied Sciences showed that Boston ferns performed best when it comes to air
cleaning by naturally VOCs from the air. The plants grow easily and look the best indoors in hanging baskets or
on plant stands, which allow their fronds to drape. They need medium bright light and consistently moist soil.
 RUBBER PLANT (Ficus elastica)
Size: Up to 10 feet tall
Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Water when it becomes slightly dry to the touch.
Fertilize: Fertilize every two weeks when actively growing from spring through fall; monthly in
winter.
Rubber plants can threaten to outgrow a room, but can be kept in check by pruning off the top at the
central stem. This will encourage growth of side branches. Keeping the plant in a smaller pot will also
curb its growth.

 MONSTERA (Monstera spp.)

Size: 3 to 20 feet tall

Water: Deeply water every 1 to 2 weeks, or whenever the soil feels dry. Drooping leaves often mean
your plant needs a drink.
Fertilize: Not necessary, but an occasional dose of all-purpose houseplant food during the spring and
summer will encourage more vigorous growth.

Also called mother-in-law's tongue, this hardy houseplant is almost impossible to kill. Although it
prefers bright light, it will also persevere through dim lighting, temperature fluctuations, and lapses in
watering.
 AFRICAN VIOLET (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Size: Usually under 4 inches tall
Water: Water when soil feels slightly dry to the touch. Try not get the leaves wet, which can cause
spotting.
Fertilize: Apply a specialized African violet fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks, or according to package
directions.
Thousands of cultivars give you a choice of almost any flower color, as well as single, double, and
bicolored blooms. African violets will bloom repeatedly during spring and summer when given
enough sunlight, with the blooms lasting up to a few weeks.

 SNAKE PLANT (Sansevieria spp.)

Size: 6 to 20 inches tall

Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry completely before watering. Snake plants store water, so it's
almost impossible to underwater them.
Fertilize: Not necessary, but an occasional dose of all-purpose houseplant food during the spring and
summer will encourage more vigorous growth.

Also called mother-in-law's tongue, this hardy houseplant is almost impossible to kill. Although it prefers
bright light, it will also persevere through dim lighting, temperature fluctuations, and lapses in watering
 ALOE(Aloe vera spp.)
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall
Water: Water deeply, but not too often, allowing the soil to dry to a depth of 1 to 2 inches between
watering.
Fertilize: Aloes generally don't require fertilizing.
Aloes prefer tight quarters and keeping them slightly root bound may help promote blooming, which
doesn't always happen when they are grown indoors. Grow them in a sandy, well-drained soil such as a
cactus potting mix.

 Passion Flower
Most gardeners think of flower vines as outdoor athletes, ready to be trained up exterior fences and walls.
But climbers can also soften windows inside, so long as provide them with something to scale (a few nails
and fishing wire will do the trick).
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
Sun Exposure: bright light
Soil Condition/pH: well-drained / slightly acidic to neutral
Helpful Tidbits: Passion flower is toxic to humans and animals, but poisoning is rare due to its bitter
taste. Keep plants away from small children and pets.
 JADE PLANT (Crassula ovata)
Size: Dwarf varieties, 12 to 18 inches tall
Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and water only sparingly in the winter months. Too
much moisture can cause stem and root rot.
Fertilize: Only occasionally with a diluted liquid fertilizer from spring through early fall.
Jade plants can live for decades and are easy to propagate from leaf or stem cuttings. Let the cuttings dry
out for a few days and then stick them in a good potting mix, preferably one for cactus and succulents.

 SPIDER PLANT (Chlorophytum comosum)

Size: 6 to 8 inches tall, with cascading runners

Water: Water generously when the soil feels dry; more sparingly in winter.
Fertilize: Monthly during the active growing season, early spring to late autumn.

One of the easiest plants to propagate. Simply cut the baby spiders from their runners and place in
moist potting soil. One can also stick them in a glass of water for a week or so until roots form and
then pot in fresh soil.
THANKYOU