6 Best Houseplants for Ohio Homes
Houseplants are a wonderful way to brighten up your indoor living space and welcome nature into your home. They’re especially great for making the Ohio winter more enjoyable by allowing us to keep gardening and caring for plants indoors. There’s even some research indicating that houseplants can boost our moods, reduce stress levels, and help with our mental health.
But how do you choose the perfect houseplant? What houseplant is right for you and your home? Here are six of our favorite houseplants and why they may be the perfect match for you.
The Classic Beauty of African Violets
These small, compact plants are famous for their rosette growth of thick, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves. They grow clusters of vibrant, velvet-like flowers that pop out of the plant’s center. While the traditional royal purple African violet is the most iconic, you can also find them in white, pink, blue, and bicolor.
How to Care for African Violets
African violets are low-maintenance plants, but they definitely don’t like "wet feet." This means they shouldn’t sit in soggy soil. To keep them happy, bottom-water these plants by placing the pot in a saucer of water for about 20 minutes. This keeps water off the fuzzy leaves and helps to avoid letting the plant get wet feet. Also, avoid getting any water on the plant’s leaves as the water can cause brown spots or rot.
Make sure to give African violets bright, indirect light so that they can use the sun to grow without getting scorched by the sun.
Why It May Be the Plant for You
African violets are perfect for small spaces like windowsills or desks. Plus, they are one of the few plants that can bloom nearly year-round with the right light. So, if you’re someone who wants to fill a small area with a cheerful bit of color or if you don’t have a lot of space for plants, then African violets are right for you.
Dramatic Foliage with Angel Wing Begonias
Named for its large, asymmetrical leaves that look like an angel’s wing, this begonia is a true showstopper. The foliage is often a deep, forest-green with delicate white polka dots decorating the top of the leaves. Plus, the leaves often develop a beautiful burgundy tint on their undersides.
How to Care for Angel Wing Begonias
Place your Angel Wing begonia in bright, filtered light. While they love the morning sun, those intense Ohio summer afternoons can be a bit much for them. Use well-draining soil and water when the surface feels dry.
For more details on how to take care of begonias, visit our guide on begonia care.
Why It May Be the Plant for You
Angel Wing begonias are low-maintenance plants and are incredibly easy to propagate. Simply snip off a piece of a stem, pop it in some soil, and you’ll have a brand-new plant in no time. So, choose an Angel Wing begonia if you want to try your hand at plant propagation or if you want a plant that is hard to kill.
Timeless Elegance with Boston Ferns
The epitome of lush, woodland elegance, the Boston fern is a classic staple for Ohio homes. Their long, sword-shaped fronds arch gracefully from the center to create a beautiful fountain-like effect. A Boston fern’s soft, feathery greenery will add instant texture and lushness to a room.
Here at Timbuk Farms, we have specials on our Boston ferns each year. So, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to be the first to know about our Ferntastic Sale!
How to Care for Boston Ferns
Boston ferns love humidity. So, make sure that their soil stays consistently moist but not soggy.
Allow them to sit in the shade if you’re putting them outside in your Ohio garden during the summer. If you bring them inside during the winter, then mist the fronds or use a pebble tray to keep up the humidity around these plants.
Why It May Be the Plant for You
Nothing provides a more sophisticated and finished look to an interior space than a lush fern on a tall pedestal or in a hanging basket. Plus, Boston ferns are non-toxic to cats and dogs, so they are a great plant for pet owners.
Vibrant Colors with Petra Croton
If you want a plant that looks like a colorful painting, then the Petra Croton is for you. Its bold, leathery leaves are splashed with shades of yellow, orange, and red. This plant is a perfect way to bring bright color into any Ohio home.
How to Care for Petra Crotons
To keep those colors vibrant, give the Petra Croton plenty of bright, indirect light. This plant also loves a warm, humid environment. So, keep them away from drafty windows or doors during Ohio’s cold winters.
Why It May Be the Plant for You
If you want a statement piece, then a Petra Croton is for you. These plants provide a tropical wow factor and are easy ways to bring cheeriness and visual interest to spaces.
Tropical Flair with Colocasia
Colocasias, commonly known as “elephant ears,” have massive, heart-shaped leaves. People love them for their textures, unique looks, and the instant jungle vibe they give to any space. Some varieties have green leaves while others feature colorful veins and unique traits. For example, the Black Magic Colocasia variety has purple-black leaves that seem to shimmer when in direct light, while the Star Light Colocasia variety has dark green foliage and pink variegation.
How to Care for Colocasia
Colocasias love moisture and thrive when their soil is consistently damp. Make sure that they stay hydrated during Ohio’s summer heat.
Give Colocasias bright, filtered sunlight and a rich, moisture-retaining potting mix.
Why It May Be the Plant for You
If you want a unique plant, then the Colocasia is for you. Also, if you want a high-impact, architectural look, then bring a Colocasia home with you today. A Colocasia also functions well as a bold centerpiece in a large floor planter or as a patio plant that creates a lush, tropical canopy for your Ohio patio, porch, or garden space.
The Resilient Spider Plant
The spider plant is one of the most popular and resilient houseplants available. While it’s known for its long, arching green-and-white striped leaves, it also sends out long stems with "babies" (plantlets) that hang down like little stars.
How to Care for Spider Plants
Spider plants are tough, resilient, and low-maintenance plants. While they prefer bright, indirect light, they can hand low light levels too.
Water them when the top inch of the soil feels dry and enjoy their growth!
Why it May Be the Plant for You
If you tend to kill plants, then get a spider plant. These beginner-friendly plants will give you the gardening win you need. Spider plants are also great plants for busy people who don’t have time for houseplants but still want greenery in their homes.
Plus, spider plants are easy to propagate. All you have to do is snip off one of the “babies,” pop it in water or soil, and then let it grow.
Visit Timbuk Farms for the Healthiest Houseplants
We have the healthiest houseplants in Ohio at Timbuk Farms! Our Ohio garden center is filled with rare tropicals and healthy houseplants. Whether the winter is getting you down, you need a gift for a friend, or you just want a plant buddy, we have the perfect plant for everyone.
Also feel free to drop by or give us a call at (740) 587-2178 for friendly gardening advice and gardening supplies.
