Creating lush scenery at home or office via vertical indoor gardens provides a fresh and aesthetic appeal while also purifying the air and boosting your mood. But choosing the right plants that thrive in an indoor setting can be challenging. Here we discuss the top plants ideal for vertical indoor gardens, considering their needs for light, water, and care, as well as aesthetics, growth habit, and air-purifying abilities.
### Spider Plant: Nature’s Air purifier
Leading the roster is the versatile Spider Plant, scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum. Why is it a top choice? Well, Spider Plants are not only easy to maintain; they are also excellent air purifiers. NASA’s Clean Air Study notably highlighted its air-purifying abilities, showing the plant’s knack for absorbing air pollutants such as formaldehyde and xylene. This leafy plant boasts an arching cascade of rich, green leaves, embellished with creamy white strips, making it an instant attention-catcher.
Spider Plants conveniently adapt to a variety of lighting conditions but prefer indirect light for best growth. They require moderate watering, require well-draining soil, and can tolerate occasional forgetfulness in watering schedules. Spider plants multiply themselves via ‘spiderettes,’ small plantlets, adding a fun element to your gardening experience.
### Pothos: Hardy and Flexible
Next on our list is Pothos, often known as Devil’s Ivy, representing a host of species within the Epipremnum genus. This hardy plant is easy to care for and incredibly flexible when it comes to its environment, tolerating a wide range of lighting conditions and watering routines.
Pothos presents heart-shaped leaves in various shades of green, white, yellow, or even silver, offering an outstanding kaleidoscope of colors. Its trailing growth habit makes it perfect for vertical gardens as the vines drop down, creating a stunning waterfall of foliage. Not to mention, Pothos also has air-purifying qualities, removing benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde from the air.
### English Ivy: Old World Charm
English Ivy, or Hedera helix, is a classic choice for vertical gardens, thanks to its vigorous and long vining growth habit. It works wonderfully in indoor settings, providing an appealing old-world charm with its dark green, glossed, lobed leaves. A stalwart in NASA’s Clean Air Study, English Ivy effectively purifies indoor air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Adaptable to different lighting types, English Ivy thrives best under bright indirect light. It’s a thirsty plant requiring regular watering and humid conditions to stay fresh. The plant can be an invasive species outdoors, so maintaining it within indoor vertical gardens is an eco-friendly choice.
### Philodendron: Bountiful Beauty
Philodendron, a large genus with several species suitable for vertical gardens, is an excellent choice for novice gardeners due to its forgiving nature. It flourishes under diverse lighting conditions, loves a little bit of humidity, and shows no fuss with moderate watering.
The Heartleaf Philodendron, with its cascading heart-shaped leaves, fits nicely in vertical gardens. Similarly, the Philodendron Brazil, with its striking green and golden variegated foliage, can add a pop of color. Philodendrons are another group that appears in NASA’s clean air study, particularly due to their ability to reduce formaldehyde levels in the air.
### Sword Fern: A Touch of Wilderness
Looking to incorporate some wilderness into your indoor garden? Then the Sword Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis exaltata, might be your green ally. Sporting long, delicate fronds full of tiny leaflets, the Sword Fern introduces a touch of lush greenery to your indoors. Best grown in cooler environments, this plant thrives in high humidity and indirect light, making it perfect for bathrooms or kitchens.
Sword Ferns are not just about aesthetics; their slow-growing nature and tolerance to occasional neglect make them highly practical. Along with these benefits, this plant champ absorbs indoor air pollutants like toluene and xylene.
Each of these plants presents a unique blend of aesthetics, easy care, and growth habits suited for vertical indoor gardens. By understanding their needs and preferences and adjusting your care routine accordingly, you can create a vibrant, lush, and breath-taking vertical indoor garden that boosts your space’s appeal while purifying the air.
