urban jungle

Turn Your Apartment into an Urban Jungle

Houseplants are seeing a surge in popularity. Not only are they stylish, but they also offer a wide variety of health benefits. Bring some life into your space with an urban jungle!

Houseplants first became popular during the Victorian Era, then again in the 1970s. All it takes is a quick glance at Pinterest to see that they’re back in style. Plants remove toxins and increase oxygen levels in the air, making them a perfect addition to any space. Here are some of the best houseplants to add to your urban jungle.

Pothos

Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a trailing vine that tolerates nearly all light conditions. The individual vines can grow up to eight feet long. Pop pothos in a hanging basket, or put it in a tall planter and let it trail down a bookshelf. Pothos thrives on neglect and bounces back quickly if you forget to water it for a while. It also propagates easily, so you’ll be able to start new plants whenever you’d like!

Snake Plant

Snake plants, also known as Mother In-Law’s Tongue, is another plant that does best when it’s mostly ignored. It’s a slow grower and is happiest when its soil is a little dry. It prefers low light conditions and is one of the best plants for adding oxygen to the air. Add a snake plant to your bedroom for more restful sleep!

Aloe

Aloe is perfect for a sunny window. The growing plant will filter your air, and the aloe gel within the leaves can be used to treat dry skin and burns. Aloe multiplies quickly with absolutely no effort on your part, which makes it another plant that’s great for sharing!

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf figs are one of today’s trendiest houseplants. If you bring one home, don’t expect it to produce fruit. The large trees are actually a type of ficus, not a fig. The trees can grow up to eight feet tall, so make sure you have the space before you purchase your starter tree. Fiddle leaf figs like bright, indirect light. They do best in a southern window and need plenty of humidity to thrive.

Bamboo Palm

If you have the space for a big plant but want something a little easier to care for than a fiddle leaf fig, a bamboo palm may be perfect for you. They tolerate low and bright light conditions but the more light they get, the faster they will grow. Bamboo palms are also one of the few houseplants that are nontoxic, making it the perfect addition to an apartment with curious cats.

Maintaining Your Urban Jungle

All houseplants require maintenance beyond watering. The leaves should be cleaned on a regular basis to keep dust from interfering with photosynthesis. Give your plants a quarter turn once a week to keep them from leaning toward the sun. Inspect the leaves periodically for signs of pests like scale or mealy bugs; treat any infestations with an organic plant pesticide.

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