Tips to grow a fern like this Boston fern in a hanging basket.

Indoor plants bring life to a room, can be used as a clever decorative feature or transform a sunroom into a stunning garden room.

As indoor plants often require year round attention, it is best to stick to those that are trouble-free and will withstand a fair amount of neglect.

The success of indoor plants depends on the quality of the potting mix; the manner in which they are fed and watered; and the amount of light and warmth they receive every day.

Light

Light is the hardest to control so always choose those plants that are best suited to the light conditions in your home. Few can withstand very strong, direct sunlight but a sheer curtain will help prevent sunburn.

Plants need light so that they can manufacture food, but in varying degrees:

• flowering plants usually require more light than foliage plants.
• variegated plants generally need to be grown in lighter locations than those with entirely green foliage.
• dark-foliaged plants such as monstera, philodendron and aspidistra can be grown in fairly dark spots.
  

Temperature
Check the label that comes with the plant and treat accordingly. Avoid:

• exposing plants to drastic temperature changes and draughts. A plant placed right near a window may be warm by day but could be chilled during the early morning hours.
• near radiators or open fires.
• in the direct line of air conditioning.

Humidity
Except for cactus and succulents, the majority of house plants require a moist atmosphere. Bear in mind that excessive humidity can also encourage fungal diseases, so ensure proper ventilation. Create a microclimate by:

• mist spraying the foliage regularly; has the added advantage of cleaning the foliage that might have become clogged by excessive dust.
• grouping plants together on trays of moist pebbles. Do not stand in water as the roots are likely to drown and rot.

Watering
Indoor plants need regular watering. Some, such as African violets and ferns, need to be kept evenly moist, while others need only to be watered well when the soil surface dries out.

• Slightly tepid water will be more suitable than cold water, especially during cold weather.
• Less water is generally needed in winter.
• Never water if the soil feels damp.

Feeding
Newly bought plants rarely need feeding. Fertilising is beneficial during the period of active growth. Weak doses of liquid plant food especially formulated for house plants every 2-4 weeks should be sufficient, bearing in mind that over-feeding kills more plants than does too little. Winter feeding is seldom necessary.

Spelling outdoors
It is a good idea to rotate house plants outdoors in the rain and fresh air for a few weeks to freshen up. Put them in a shady, sheltered position away from harsh sunlight. Never put plants outside during winter.

Pruning
Tip pruning can be done during the growing season on fast growing plants such as coleus and crotons to encourage branching and a well-shaped plant.

To reshape large plants such as umbrella trees, dieffenbachia and dracaena cut back from the top and allow them to re-shoot from the base.

What goes wrong
Leaf drop
This can be caused by overwatering, under-watering, too much sun, too much darkness or low temperatures. Assess the situation and correct the problem by eliminating each possibility. If only the lower leaves drop, it is most likely that the plant needs more light.

Leggy growth
Usually caused by insufficient light. Cut back leggy stems and move to a brighter position or outside in a shady place for recovery.

Brown leaf tips
Can be caused by too much water in winter, not enough humidity or locating the plant in draughts. Correct these conditions by eliminating each possibility.

Browning leaves on Ferns
This is natural. Just cut them off with scissors.

No flowers
Move plant to a well-lit spot.

Best plants

African violet Aspidistra Coleus Crotons Dieffenbachia Dracaena Fatsia Ferns Figs

Grape ivy Kangaroo vine Monstera Palms Peperomias Philodendron Spider plant Umbrella tree

African Violet
Need very bright light, preferably from the east, to flower well. Use smallish pots or crowd into a large showy container. Let surface become dry between waterings. Using tepid water, water underneath the leaves, not from overhead. Use fertiliser formulated especially for African violets every 2-4 weeks. Remove spent blooms. Propagate from leaf cuttings.

Aspidistra
Also known as the cast-iron plant. Wonderful filler for fireplaces in summer. It doesn't mind being in dark places or if you forget to water it. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to keep fresh and attractive. When rotating plants from outside check for snails.

Coleus
Brightly, coloured, quick, growing foliage plants need regular feeding and ample water during the growing season. Require plenty of even light to retain their colouring. Pinch back to encourage bushy growth. Take cuttings in late summer to replace overgrown leggy plants.

Crotons
Wonderfully-coloured foliage plants from the tropics. Like bright light, warm temperatures, high humidity and regular watering. Keep moist at all times. Feed frequently during the growing season. Pinch tops to encourage compact shape.

Dieffenbachia
Several varieties all with striking variegated green, cream or white leaves. Require warmth, filtered light and humid conditions. Allow soil to be reasonably dry before watering. Fertilise regularly in summer and spring. Leaves and stems have an irritating sap and should not be put near the mouth.

Dracaena
Beautifully marked plants with palm-like leaves, extremely adaptable and good trouble-free plants. Provide bright indirect light and water thoroughly when the soil seems dry. Shed their lower leaves as they grow taller. If a branch becomes too tall cut it back. It will shoot again from the base. Shorten the cutting and stick into composted soil. Keep moist.

Fatsia
Aralia sieboldii is one of the easiest indoor plants. It likes diffused light. Keep well watered in summer and regularly feed during the growing season.

Ferns
Many ferns will grow well indoors and respond to bright light. Keep soil evenly moist, but provide good drainage. The fishbone fern is probably the easiest to grow, but the Boston fern (pictured at top) is a long-time favourite for home decoration. Fertilise regularly and provide lots of space. Remove dead or injured fronds with scissors from the base.

Figs
This large group of trees, shrubs and vines includes the rubber plant, creeping fig, fiddle leaf fig and weeping fig - all popular indoor plants. They will grow in a variety of locations, but do best in bright light. Except for the creeping fig let the soil dry out between waterings.

Grape Ivy, Cissus rhombifolia
This is an easy trailing plant for a hanging basket. It will tolerate low light. Provide good drainage and keep the soil just moist. Overwatering may cause leaf drop.

Kangaroo Vine, Cissus antarctica
This cousin to grape ivy is also easy to grow and is seen at its best when allowed to climb against a framework. It is adaptable to most conditions except cold. Water well and regularly feed during the growing season.

Monstera
Grown for its dark green, deeply cut, leathery leaves and low-care. The thick aerial roots produced from mature plants can be tied neatly to a stake or removed if preferred. Those nearer to the base can be guided into the soil. Wiping the leaves benefits the plant and improves the appearance.

Palms
As young plants many palms make elegant and interesting indoor plants. The Kentia palm (Howea) is one of the easiest. It needs plenty of bright, indirect light. Provide ample water during the summer months, but less during winter.

Peperomias
Most peperomias have glossy succulent leaves with a variety of interesting markings. They prefer medium to filtered light and an evenly moist soil during the growing season. Allow the soil to dry between waterings during winter dormancy.

Philodendron
Easy, durable plants grown for attractive large glossy leaves. Philodendron scandens is a handsome climber that is best trained up a water absorbent pole that can be kept moist. P.selloum has large, deeply cut radiating leaves requiring a large space. Like bright filtered light and some humidity. Provide an evenly moist soil and water less during winter.

Spider Plant, Chlorophytum
Easy and popular; good as a hanging basket. Provide bright light and water whenever the soil feels dry. Feed regularly during the growing season. Spider plants produce miniature plantlets at the end of trailing stems: cut off and pot up. Replace when shabby.

Umbrella Tree
Grows very large and needs plenty of room. Likes humidity and bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. The dwarf umbrella tree, Schefflera arboricola forms a bushy compact shape if a single stemmed plant is cut back quite hard and regularly tip-pruned.

Source:Gardening Made Easy (Murdoch Books)