Characteristics of shade-loving plants
The more tall trees, outbuildings, gazebos in the garden, the higher the fence, the house, the narrower the site itself, the shader it will be. Shade-tolerant flowers or sciogeliophytes are tolerant to constant or periodic shading, in contrast to light-loving - heliophytes. Constant low light affects the appearance of plants:
- leaves of shade-loving two-sided, light-loving - equilateral;
- shade-tolerant flowers almost always have wide, large leaves, and the distance between them is large;
- flowers growing in the shade are decorated with smooth leaves, while the foliage of light-loving ones is folded, textured;
- leaves of shade plants are dull, with a lack of moisture they wither faster;
- the root system of shade-loving is usually located under the very surface of the soil, the rhizome itself is thick.
When determining the degree of illumination of a particular place in a given area, they are guided by the following parameters:
- shadow - light gets here less than two or three hours a day;
- sparse shadow - the space located under the loose crowns of garden trees, here grows well and bears fruit most of the known flowers;
- partial shade - the sun's rays illuminate the area for more than three to four hours, usually in the morning or evening;
- deep shadow - located near buildings, fences, sunlight does not penetrate there at all, which is acceptable for very few species. Many cereal and ground cover species, shrubs and lianas, conifers and ferns feel great in the shade.
Features of choice
The choice of plant depends on which species you like best and which are best suited to your conditions. There are several factors to consider:
- where it is planned to place a pot or flowerpot - on the windowsill, on the floor, on a shelf, on the wall;
- which side of the world the windows face;
- what kind of room it is - living room, bedroom, hallway, corridor, office.
Let's start with flowering plants.
Anthurium (male happiness). It grows slowly. The leaves are dark green, leathery, of various shapes (depending on the species). There are variegated varieties. The cob inflorescence is very beautiful, surrounded by a bright veil. It is considered a symbol of male energy, happiness and prosperity. In addition to symbolic attributes, it brings real benefits: it relieves fatigue and purifies the air, assimilating and turning into harmless some toxic substances that can appear in the air from modern finishing materials.
When choosing plants of an ornamental-deciduous group, an important condition should be taken into account: monochromatic green varieties grow more successfully than variegated species in high shade. To form a clear pattern on the leaves (chaotic patterns, specks, colored spots, winding lines), more light will be needed, otherwise the pattern becomes poorly expressed or completely lost
Aspidistra. An amazingly beautiful green plant with wide long leaves spreading to the sides. Grows in partial shade, does not tolerate direct sunlight. Ideal for those whose lifestyle is associated with frequent travel. Rare watering will not destroy the plant. For her special endurance among flower growers she was called the "iron lady". Resistant to cold, drafts, dry air and even atmospheric pollution.
The group of succulent plants unites species that are capable of accumulating water reserves in plant tissues. There are many unpretentious indoor species among them.
Aloe (agave). Widely known for its medicinal properties, it is a typical succulent plant. In the old days, our mothers and grandmothers kept this flower in almost every family.The best place for a pot of aloe is a light windowsill or veranda. It's easy to look after him. The plant is known for healing properties for wounds and burns, with aloe juice it is treated for colds.
You can endlessly enumerate all kinds of unpretentious indoor plants, and they are all worthy of choice. With a minimal investment of time and effort, the green corner will become an original highlight in the interior, create additional elements of comfort and bring practical benefits to the microclimate in the apartment.
I must say that you should not abuse the endurance of plants. For absolutely all of the listed plants, the simplest care will be required. It is not so difficult at least occasionally to wipe the leaves from dust, if they are wide, sprinkle with water, water in time, sometimes feed with complex fertilizers for indoor flowers, just inspect the plant for pests and diseases, remove dried leaves and faded buds from it, so spoiling appearance.
For the most unpretentious plants, see below.
Indoor unpretentious flowers blooming all year round
Unpretentious indoor flowers blooming all year round are the dream of any housewife. They will refresh the interior with their bright buds, but you don't need to spend a lot of time caring for them.
There are a lot of unpretentious blooming crops, and you can buy them at any flower shop. Let's consider the most popular ones.
Geranium (pelargonium)
Geranium is one of the most common home colors (Figure 1). Most varieties are designed to be grown in the garden, but there are a large number of species that are adapted for growing in a city apartment.
This flower loves light, but it is impossible to put it on the southern windowsill because of the risk of burns on the leaves and buds.
Other geranium care features include:
- Moderate watering: the flower does not like too moisturized mail, as excess moisture can cause root rot. In addition, in winter, when the geranium is at rest, watering is almost completely stopped.
- The temperature should be at room temperature, since it is this mode that is best suited for geraniums and ensures its year-round flowering. The exceptions are December and January, when the flower is at rest.
- Pruning is rarely done and only if the flower has grown a lot.
Figure 1. External features of room geranium
To propagate pelargonium, it is better to use the cuttings method, but in some cases, you can use the direct sowing method.
Begonia
Begonia also belongs to the unpretentious species with abundant flowering. If you provide her with optimal care, new buds and inflorescences will form all year round (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Growing begonias at home
You can use any soil for begonia. In addition, they normally tolerate high and low temperatures, but they need good lighting for abundant flowering. In summer, the pots can be taken out to the balcony and left there overnight.
Balsam
Balsam has another name - "light" because of its large single flowers with characteristic spurs (Figure 3). When the balsam is covered with numerous inflorescences, its leaves are not visible, and this period lasts a long time (from June to October).
Figure 3. External features of indoor balsam
Balsam likes good lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. In addition, he loves warmth, but on hot days he needs to be sprayed with boiled water at room temperature. However, when growing balsam, care must be taken that the pots are not too close to each other. Tightness can cause the balsam to shed its leaves prematurely.
Winter plants for open balconies and terraces
It is hardly possible to equip a winter garden on an open balcony if it is located in a cold climatic zone.The maximum that can be done is to decorate it with fir compositions.
But on closed, glazed loggias there are much more opportunities. Snow does not cover them. Temperature can fluctuate. If the thermometer drops to minus 10 ° behind the glass, it will be positive on the balcony. When it is severe frost outside up to 25 - 30 °, the temperature on the insulated balcony will be up to minus 5 °. There are plant species that do well in this temperature regime.
Winter plants for the balcony should be selected depending on your location, climatic conditions and conditions of detention.
- Citrus fruits can hibernate at 7 ° C.
- Cacti are very adaptable plants. Not only can they tolerate drought, but most species do well at a temperature of 5, and some of them are not even afraid of frost.
- Plants such as laurel, pelargonium (geranium), fuchsia, hydrangea, chrysanthemums, boxwood are adapted for temperatures of 5-6 °.
- Camellias can become a decoration of the balcony in winter, they tolerate temperatures up to minus 5 °. The ideal conditions for her are a balcony, where the temperature is from 0 to 15 °.
- Conifers araucaria, thuja, cypress, cryptomeria. The temperature of the content for them in winter is 6-10 °.
You can leave frost-resistant conifers and some deciduous shrubs on balconies and terraces, including white and common spruce, mountain pine, some juniper varieties, evergreen boxwood, dwarf irgi and decorative cotoneaster.
Plants should be stored in special frost-resistant pots or containers. In addition, the sides of the containers can be insulated with expanded polystyrene, mineral wool or glass wool. Some bushes should be additionally completely covered with special agrofibre, which will protect them from the frosty wind.
Heather and Erica
Heather is a low, unpretentious shrub that does not wither when cold weather sets in, and in frost it simply freezes, but does not change its decorative appearance. Common heather (Caluna vulgaris) and Erica (Erica carnea) are suitable for balconies. You can buy the plant in garden stores or in the market. From August to November, the heather is strewn with flowers, small flowers resemble bells, and on the branches-inflorescences there are double flowers, similar to roses.
Erica and Heather are very similar at first glance. Erica is also a frost-hardy shrub, but blooms from January to April. For autumn bloom, from September to November, it is recommended to plant the species Erika gracilis. The optimum temperature of the content is from 7 to 15 °. During the flowering period 8 °. Water Erica 2 times a week. The plant needs good lighting.
Related article: How to grow a hellebore on the balcony
Juniper
Junipers, one of the few coniferous plants, perfectly tolerate wintering in containers - with complete freezing of the earthen coma. Juniper is not picky about the composition of the soil, but it is still better to add peat and sand. Very often a bonsai or bonsai is formed from the plant. To enhance the effect, they are sometimes planted on stones.
Cotoneaster
You can't take your eyes off the evergreen and always beautiful cotoneaster cotoneaster in autumn, especially after frosty nights. Red fruit beads are scattered against the background of green leaves, covered with a white border. For this plant, experts recommend not only protecting the roots in a suitable pot, but also the whole plant with a special cap. If you don't have one, you can use straw or thick paper.
Dwarf conifers are frequent guests on balconies. Having planted such plants as araucaria, cypress, yew, thuja, you can enjoy the healing tart smell without leaving the forest. Such plants calmly tolerate the temperature on the balcony up to minus five degrees.
Beautifully flowering species
Plants, whose captivating inflorescences amaze with their luxurious appearance, include the following.
Spathiphyllum
The graceful plant with the original name is great for beginner gardeners, as it does not require constant monitoring. It tolerates long-term lack of watering and does not require additional lighting. The features of the plant include elongated shoots and white buds. Spathiphyllum is often used in the preparation of wedding bouquets. The plant blooms all year round, and the peak falls just in the summer.
Cyclamens
Beautiful, bright and unpretentious flowers. For those who want to admire the plant all year round, it is better to plant several varieties of this amazing variety at once. The most popular are Persian and European cyclamens. In the former, the flowering period is from September to March, and in the latter, on the contrary, from spring to autumn. The plant prefers a bright, warm place, and also needs moderate watering. Cyclamens grow well and thrive in miniature pots. The color of the inflorescences is varied. There are pink, lilac and white flowers.
Kalanchoe
A flowering, unpretentious plant with a massive stem and dense leaves. Kalanchoe refers to succulents. It blooms very beautifully and magnificently. In addition to its presentable appearance, the plant is known for its medicinal properties. Its juice has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. The plant prefers diffused lighting and tolerates high temperatures well. In summer, Kalanchoe is watered no more than 2 times a week, in winter, watering is reduced to 1 time in 7 days. There are over 200 types.
Fuchsia
Amazing home flower with red, purple and white buds. Rooms with diffused lighting and average humidity are considered to be comfortable conditions for him. In a dark place, flower growth may stop. In winter, fuchsias are especially unpretentious. It is enough to send the plant to a cool, dark place.
The fact is that the flower throws off the foliage with the arrival of cold weather. In order for the plant to please with lush flowering, it is necessary to pluck it regularly. Also, if fuchsia has grown from a pot, then a transplant is required. As for the soil, a mixture of earth, peat and humus is suitable for the plant.
The most unpretentious indoor plants
Christmas (or Decembrist)
An interesting omen is associated with this plant: they say that the flowering of the Decembrist on Christmas promises a happy year. A Christmas tree is a very popular indoor flower, the most unpretentious to care for and can do without watering for a long time. The plant feels great even in a darkened room and is not afraid of a sharp temperature drop. Although the flower can live without regular watering, it still loves water very much, so it is recommended to spray the plant daily. The flower absorbs moisture mainly from the air. The Christmas tree has leaves resembling a long chain and red flowers.
When growing a plant at home, it is necessary to remember one of its features: during flowering, in no case can it be rearranged from place to place, otherwise the Decembrist will throw off its flowers. The plant looks great in upright flower stands.
Clivia indoor flower
The homeland of the flower is South Africa. Clivia thrives in almost any conditions, even where other flowers cannot grow. The only thing that the plant does not tolerate is excessive watering.
A darkened hallway or living room is not an obstacle to the growth of clivia, since the plant tolerates a lack of sunlight well.
Flowering begins during the winter "calm" (February), which is especially pleasing to the eye. Clivia has rather long shoots and flowers of a red or orange hue, shaped like bells. Does not need spraying and feeding.
Japanese Fatsia
Just like the previous plant, Fatsia can grow under any conditions (even near central heating radiators). The flower tolerates temperature fluctuations and lack of lighting.It has green fleshy leaves and lush bright flowers.
Fatsia is able to absorb all your negativity and fill it with life-giving energy, so the plant is considered to be an energy donor. Like geraniums, the flower is capable of disinfecting the air. But if the first is not recommended to be grown in the bedroom, then the second, on the contrary, will be there in place.
Beautiful indoor plants
Beautiful houseplants don't have to bloom to please your family. After all, they can have such expressive leaves that they will become a real decoration of the house.
The first such indoor flower is an alternater. It has the shape of a bush. Moreover, its leaves begin to grow right from the base. Each of them has an oblong shape and stretches upward. The top side of the leaf has a traditional green tint. And the lower one is painted in a pink-crimson tone.
Dieffenbachia will be the next indoor flower. Its leaves can vary in size and color. But they will always have their own unique pattern of dashes and dots. In addition, in the spring, it can bloom on the cob. But this is subject to the growing conditions.
Arrowroot also deserves attention because of the unusual color of the oval leaves. They have light green spots along the cutting, from which red veins radiate to the edges.
It is also noteworthy that at night this houseplant rolls its leaves into tubes.
Anthurium
There are many varieties of anthurium. They are divided into two groups: flowering and decorative deciduous
When buying, you should pay attention to this
All the charm of anthuriums lies in the veil that surrounds their center. It is curved and leathery, bright red, pink, crimson, and less often white.
Anthurium is photophilous, a comfortable temperature for it is not lower than +18 degrees. Watering should be avoided when watering. Anthuriums love spraying.
Anthuriums are planted by cuttings or by separating lateral shoots with roots (this is the easiest way). The soil must be well drained. It is best to mix leafy, peaty, coniferous soil in equal proportions, and add a little sand and charcoal.
Clivia
Clivia is a flower with dark green elongated leaves. During flowering, a long arrow appears from the bottom of the leaf with large yellow-orange buds, similar to bells, the number of which can reach 30 pieces.
Clivia is shade-tolerant. If you feed it a little with mineral fertilizers, then even in the darkest room it will bloom profusely at the end of winter, in spring, and then, after a short break, in summer.
Root offspring always appear near an adult plant, with which the clivia is propagated.
They are carefully separated from their parent and planted in the soil from a mixture of turf, sand and leafy soil.
Six of the brightest and longest flowering plants
What woman does not dream of having a flower in her house that will bloom magnificently, indefinitely and colorfully? And in order to constantly feel the joy and pleasure of the sight of such a "scarlet flower" of divine beauty, it is enough to get acquainted with several unpretentious flowering plants for the home.
Gardenia
Luxurious indoor rose. The plant is very unpretentious with incredibly beautiful colors. If pampered with care, the plant will delight with flowering from early winter to late autumn. Feels comfortable in a pot with good drainage.
The plant is partial to acidified water, and it will be very grateful if the water for irrigation contains a few drops of lemon juice. A place with bright lighting is recommended for vigorous flowering, otherwise the buds of future roses will not open.
Crossandra
A plant from early spring to late autumn, it gives fireworks in the form of bright blooms. Feels comfortable in any place, but he is wary of partial shade and can be capricious and refuse to bloom. The approach to watering is special, you need to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
The plant accepts watering in the form of soft water, preferably settled. Do not allow moisture to get on the flowers or leaves, this can lead to rotting. The flower prefers moist air, which can be easily achieved by spraying water in the space around it.
Saintpaulia
Blooming perennials of Saintpaulia bloom for a long time, taking short breaks to recuperate. Small bushes of the plant bloom magnificently in the form of a cap
The well-known indoor violet will add more coziness and warmth to the hearth if you give it to feel attention and care. The plant loves everything, but a little
This also applies to lighting and moisture.
Watering 2 times a week and bright light, but without direct sunlight, will be an excellent care.
Gerbera
Perennial from the family of aster flowers. Outwardly, the flower is very similar to a brightly colored chamomile. Today, more than 80 varieties of gerberas are distinguished. For growing a flower at home, use the "festival" variety. The plant has large blooms and small petals. Loves abundant light and warm air.
The flower pot must be made of clay. Constant spraying of the stems will have a beneficial effect on life, avoiding getting into flowering. Watering is recommended not on the root system itself, but along the edges of the pot.
Hibiscus
The plant with its appearance is able to plunge into the atmosphere of the tropics. Hibiscus flowers are huge and can grow to about 15 centimeters in diameter. The bush blooms almost all year round and is able to please from one to three flowers per month. If desired, the bush can be easily cut under a tree.
It takes root only in very bright light. It is recommended to water in moderation, only to maintain soil moisture.
Kislitsa
Another name is Oxalis. The perennial resembles a bunch of clover leaves, painted in a velvety purple color. Throughout the year, it pleases with pink or white flowering. The flower has gained its popularity due to the shape of the leaves, which are very similar to moths.
The plant prefers bright lighting and infrequent watering.
A person decides for himself which flower to choose. The main thing is that the plant gives a lot of joy and festive mood!
Unpretentious indoor flowers will please everyone!
Indoor flowers blooming all year round, unpretentious
We recommend that you grow unpretentious flowering indoor flowers, as these plants are easily adaptable to any indoor environment. And caring for them is very simple. Most often, it is enough just to regularly water flowering indoor plants so that they delight with their colors for as long as possible.
Abutilon (indoor maple) blooms as soon as the day is long enough and fades in late autumn. But this time can be extended for the whole winter if you create additional lighting for it. This plant looks like a small maple. The flowers of abutilon are small, in shape they resemble small bells. Their hue can range from yellow to red.
Anthurium, the second name of which is "Male happiness". These beautiful indoor potted flowers have fleshy dark green leaves. The flower resembles an ear of white, pink or yellow. It is always surrounded by a leaf of a contrasting shade, but not green.
Pelargonium - flowering houseplants are compact bush with an incredible number of small flowers. Their shades range from white to red and crimson. And the inflorescences themselves can be simple or double.
Geranium gorgeous looks like the previous flower. But still different. At least the fact that its leaves exude a specific smell. It can resemble the scent of rose, lilac, lemon or mint. These beautiful home plants were often grown by our grandmothers.
Usambara violet (Saintpaulia). These indoor flowers blooming almost all year round are widespread.All because of their wide range of shades, unpretentiousness and easy reproduction. Violet is a small bush of dense and round leaves. Its flowers can be simple, double and even petals ending in waves. Their appearance, like their shade, depends on the type of plant.
Deciduous indoor plants
The most valuable shade-loving indoor plants are deciduous. They form a lush green mass, do not need special care and perfectly decorate the interior.
There are a lot of species and varieties of deciduous shade-loving plants, so you can easily choose a flower that is suitable for the conditions of your apartment.
Fittonia
Fittonia is a highly decorative plant, mainly because of its variegated leaves. But its value is not only in its decorativeness, but also in its unpretentiousness (Figure 13).
Figure 13. Growing Fittonia at home
Fittonia tolerates lack or even lack of sunlight, and can grow even under artificial light. That is why it is often grown in offices and other areas with a lack of sun. However, this crop needs to ensure optimal watering and air humidity. In the summer, it is watered quite often, and in the cold season, the number of waterings is reduced. In addition, you need to maintain the humidity in the room by spraying the leaves with boiled water at room temperature.
Nephrolepis
Outwardly, nephrolepis resembles a fern, because this houseplant belongs to this particular group (Figure 14). Several types of this culture are grown at home, and all of them are highly decorative.
Figure 14. Using nephrolepis for home decoration
Nephrolepis is very unpretentious. It grows well in any soil, it tolerates the dry air of a city apartment well and does not require special care. Periodically, nephrolepis needs to be transplanted into larger pots (as the bush grows), and watering should be moderate.
Fatshedera lese
Fatskhedera lise is an evergreen vine with unusual leaves (Figure 15). Its flexible stems are often used to decorate vertical surfaces in the home, and its ability to tolerate shade makes it an indispensable aid in interior decoration.
Figure 15. Features of growing fatshedera lize at home
Despite the fact that fatshedera tolerates shade well, if possible, it can also be exposed on lighted windowsills. You can keep the plant at room temperature, but in winter it is better to transfer it to a cool room. During the period of active growth, the flower is provided with abundant, but not excessive watering.
If the room is cool, additional humidification is not required. But, if the temperature rises above 18 degrees, the leaves are periodically sprayed with boiled water or a stationary humidifier is installed near the pot with the plant.
Chlorophytum crested (Chlorophytum comosum)
It is considered to be one of the most classic indoor plants. It is impossible to imagine the design of almost any home or office without chlorophytum. A spectacular plant, with elegant lanceolate leaves in a dense rosette, producing long lashes not only with inflorescences, but with daughter rosettes capable of rooting, belongs to those plants whose appearance is familiar to almost everyone.
Despite the fact that chlorophytum does not seem to be able to surprise, numerous new plant varieties with curly or wide leaves, reminiscent of garden chard or spinach, will delight anyone, not to mention the variegated colors of modern hybrids. Chlorophytum is good both in a pot and in ampelous culture, it will not be lost in any interior. The plants are limited to only 40 cm in height, although thanks to the famous lashes they can cover striking territories and create surprisingly spectacular cascades.
Chlorophytum crested (Chlorophytum comosum). Maja dumat
Chlorophytum belongs to those hardy and unpretentious indoor plants that can withstand almost any conditions. He puts up well not only with diffused lighting, but also with deep shadow. True, for this, the transition, the accustoming to the reduction of light, must be quite gradual: a sharp change in conditions for chlorophytum is a factor in a significant loss of decorativeness. If young plants are initially grown in the shade, there will be no problem.
Chlorophytum feels good both in hot conditions and in cool conditions, it can endure even the driest air and it is amazingly easy to care for it. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is to avoid both drought and waterlogging of the substrate, remembering to periodically spray the plant and carefully monitor its condition.
