The houseplant may grow well if it is growing under the environment similar to its natural habitat. However, a lot of the houseplants are originated from the foreign countries, where the weather and environment are different from the local environment. For example, some of the houseplants naturally grown in the rainforest, where is low in light and high in humidity. If the houseplant is not growing under similar condition, then we have to do some extra jobs to make the environment more similar to its natural habitat. However, as a beginner who just start in gardening, it may exceed our ability to take care of such a high maintenance plant. In order to avoid disappointment caused by failing to growing a houseplant, we should not start the gardening hobby from the following houseplants.

1)Anthurium Species and Cultivars

Anthurium native to central and south America’s rainforest and belong to the family of Aracea. Typically, the plants from Araceae family does not like high intensity of sunlight and prefers semi shade growing condition. Although the Anthurium prefer semi shade condition but it will only blooming if it exposed under bright and diffuse light. In other words, it needs to growing under shade but where can receiving ample of diffuse bright sunlight for blooming more. So, in order to make the houseplant growing healthily, we cannot simply place the Anthurium in any place of the house. We should choose a specific location and make sure it is not too hot to make the Anthurium’s leaves burning and not too dim and make the flower not blooming. 

Besides that, Anthurium love high humidity condition. If it is growing under low humidity condition the leaves will start turning browns and affect its aesthetic value. Therefore, we have to spraying some water around the Anthurium regularly to keep the leaves lushly. Another reason may make the Anthurium’s leaves turn brown is root rotten or lack of plant’s nutrients. Therefore, Anthurium prefer growing in organic medium and well-drained soil. Poor draining soil may cause root rotten and the whole plants may wilt.

2)Calathea & Marantha Species and Cultivars (Prayer Plant)

Calathea origin of moist tropical forest located in South America, Columbia, French Guiana. It is belonging to the family of Marantaceae. It could adapt to growing under semi shade to fully shade condition. However, it is intolerance expose under direct sunlight. If it is expose to direct sunlight, the leaves will be burned and the vibrant colour of the leaves will be faded. Besides that, optimum growing temperature of Calathea is between 21.2-26.6 degree Celsius. Therefore, Calathea may growing indoor or under roof only, high temperature will make it stunted growth or even wilting. 

Calathea prefers high humidity and require high level of water. Daily watering is requiring and misting is encouraged because dry air may cause the leaves appear brown specks. Calathea prefer high moisture but cannot tolerate water standing in the pot and inconsistence water provision. Therefore, constantly provide water for Calathea and do not allow the soil become totally dry before next watering. We may allow the top 2 inches level of the soil drying before next watering session. Tap water are not encourage to use for watering Calathea. This is because the tap water contain chlorine and accumulate of chlorine in the soil may cause the leaves browning too. 

Besides that, Calathea prefer growing under stable condition. If we want to move Calathea to a new place where have different condition from the previous place, it may cause the transplant shocks and leaves turning brown. Therefore, we have to acclimatize Calathea first before it is ready to be moved to a new place to avoid leaves browning occurs.

3)Peperomia Species and Cultivars

Peperomia is native to South America and belong to Piperaceae family. It could tolerance semi shade condition and expose to direct full sun will make its leaves burning. Therefore, we should select a spot carefully where could receiving bright but indirect sunlight. It requiring intermediate level of water but cannot tolerate water standing in the pot. It may tolerate drought condition but very sensitive to overwatering. It’s roots easy to rotten if we giving too much water. And root rotten will cause the leaves dropping. Besides that, it is prefers rich loose and fibroses soil, this is because the soil will be drying faster after watering. So, we must wait the soil dry out completely before next watering to prevent the stem rotten.

4)Fittonia Species and Cultivars (Nerve Plant)

Origin of Fittonia is South America and it is belonging to family of Acanthaceae. It prefers semi shade to fully shade condition. Although it may grow under low light condition, the stem will become leggy and droopy. In order to keep the new tips of plant upright, regular trimming the droopy tips of the plants may needed to maintain its aesthetic value. Besides that, it cannot tolerate high intensity of sunlight; the leaves’ colour might fade or the worst will cause the leaves become curly, dried and dropping. It requires high level of water, we may water and mist the plant daily to keep the soil always in slightly moist but not standing too much water in the pot. It could not tolerate drought, and the stem will become soft if not receiving enough water and wilted eventually.

5)Spathiphyllum Species and Cultivars (Peace Lily)

Spathiphyllum aka peace lily native to Central America, Panama, Columbia and Costa Rica and belong to the family of Araceae. It prefers semi shade to full shade condition, it could survive in low light condition. High intensity of sunlight may cause the leaves burning and become black colour. Although it may grow in low light, it requires high level of water. Daily watering Is necessary to maintain it aesthetic value by keeping its leaves upright. This is because it cannot tolerate drought at all, the leaves will become droopy if lack of water. It prefers warm and moist condition; daily misting could make the plant grow better. Dry air may cause the tips of the Spathiphyllum leaves become yellowing and attract some scale insect attacks its leaves. Growing Spathiphyllum should pay more attention on its water provision, but Spathiphyllum is one of the best air purifying plant. It may filter 6 types of the air pollutants like acetone, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene. If you may commit to water and help the plant misting daily, Spathiphyllum is a good choice as houseplant also.

Gardening is a beneficial hobby which could help us de-stress and purifying the pollutants floating in the air. Therefore, in order to build your confident to continue the gardening hobby, we should avoid these 5 types of houseplants in the beginning to avoid disappointment and make us fall in love in gardening first.