Houseplants help you live healthier by removing toxins and improving air quality. When cold and flu season is in full swing, give your immune system a boost by adding plants to your home’s decor. Here are our top picks for December. 

Norfolk Pine

Resembling a pine tree, Norfolk Pines make great house plants year-round. These plants are long-lived and can grow 5-8 feet tall indoors. Originally from the rocky and sandy island off the Australian coast called Norfolk Island, these plants like well-draining soil and humidity. 

Light: 

Keep your Norfolk Pine in the brightest indirect light your home allows. Keep this plant away from drafts or heating ducts. 

Water:

Norfolk Pines like to dry out slightly between waterings. Check the soil to be sure the surface is dry before you water. Empty the saucer each time to ensure the plant doesn’t get root rot. If your home’s humidity drops below 50%, mist the plant’s leaves to keep it healthy. 

English Ivy

English Ivy is an evergreen perennial that makes a great houseplant. These plants are great climbers and can add some nature to your home. They are great at cleaning the air and easy to care for. 

 

Light: 

Keeping your English Ivy in a brightly lit area with indirect light is best. If your plant becomes leggy it is not getting enough light. On the other hand, if you notice the leaves are wilting, it’s because it’s getting too much direct light. 

Water: 

Ivy likes to be on the dry side so allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering. Make sure your plant isn’t sitting in water, Ivy doesn’t like to be overly wet. 

Jade

The Jade plant is a popular succulent that is easy to care for. With enough light, these plants can grow white, fragrant flowers. 

 

Light:

Jade plants love bright light. They are one of the few house plants that don’t mind direct light, and the more they get, the better. 

Water: 

Water your Jade plant regularly throughout the Spring and Summer. Don’t let the soil dry out too much between waterings because they prefer moist soil. In the winter you can cut back on watering to roughly once a month. 

Schefflera

The Schefflera plant, also known as the Umbrella plant, comes in several varieties and sizes. The full-size plants can be 5-6 feet tall, while the dwarf plants are great for tabletops. These are easy-to-care-for plants. 

 

Light: 

Umbrella Plants need bright, indirect light. They can do well in medium lighting conditions, but if they start to get leggy and floppy, you’ll want to move them to a brighter spot.  

Water: 

Schefflera plants like to dry out between waterings. Allow the soil to dry completely and then give it a soak when its time to water. If the leaves turn yellow, it’s getting too much water.  

Sansevieria

Also known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, Sansevieria or Snake Plant is the ultimate low-maintenance plant. Available in several varieties, it is the perfect plant for newbie or veteran plant parents. 

 

Light: 

This versatile plant prefers bright, indirect light, but will do well in any lighting condition. The more light, the faster the plant will grow, but it will do just fine in low-lighting conditions. 

Water: 

Snake Plants like to dry out between waterings. In fact, it is best to underwater than overwater these plants, so if you forget about your plant for a few days, it won’t mind. 

Watch our video House Plant Watering Tips and House Plant Care

For help choosing the right plant for your home, visit any of our English Gardens locations and talk to an expert.