6 houseplants that don't require drainage holes in their pots
Indoor plants are a great way to furnish and give character to an apartment, but they have the drawback of requiring significant care and maintenance, which can be complex and time consuming. For this reason, many give up on having plants inside the house and one of the main reasons is due to the inconvenience of watering (and getting it right).
There are numerous low-maintenance plants that thrive with very little care. Some species in particular can grow luxuriantly even in very wet soil, so they do not need pots with drainage holes, for example. In these cases, for a better distribution of the water under the roots, you just need to put some stones on the bottom of the pot.
Let's discover together 6 houseplants that don't need drainage:
1. Spanish moss
Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss) is a species native to tropical and sub-tropical areas of the American continent, and grows spontaneously in nature on trees in areas with high humidity. This plant does not need soil, as it takes the nutrients it needs directly from the humidity in the air. For this reason, it can easily be grown on bark in a greenhouse or in a warm, humid area of the home. You will only have to spray it once a week and fertilize it every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer rich in phosphorus.
2. Maranta leuconeura
Also known as the Prayer plant due to how its leaves are positioned (like praying), this plant is perfect for our apartments. It needs a well-lit spot but away from direct sunlight and thrives well in moist soils. For this reason, it can easily be grown in water or in pots without drainage holes. Just be careful not to overdo the watering.
3. Phalanx
Also known as the Spider plant, its natural habitat is the tropical areas of Africa and for this reason it also adapts very well to life in water. Known for its rapid growth and long, drooping light green and white fronds, this plant thrives in a warm, humid environments with lots of indirect sunlight and only needs watering once a week. If grown in water, the water must be changed every 3-5 days, fertilizing once a month.
4. Dracaena sanderiana
Known to most as Lucky Bamboo, this plant is often found cut like a cane and grown in water. Lucky bamboo is very easy to maintain. It can adapt to shady spots, and thrives in the presence of plenty of light. It can also be grown in water. If grown in a pot, put stones at the bottom to keep the stems erect.
5. Aglaonema
Plants of the genus Aglaonema are native to tropical areas of Asia, are very robust and thrive both in water and in very humid soils. They grow very well even in dimly lit places and the leaves will burn if exposed to direct sunlight. This bamboo is very easy to maintain, so is also suitable for beginners. Just remember that these plants are toxic to animals.
6. Nephrolepis cordifolia Duffii
Forest & Kim Starr/Wikimedia Commons
This plant is a hardy fern that loves wet areas. Characterized by the lemon smell given off by its small leaves when rubbed, it requires very little care. If grown in pots without drainage holes, be sure to place stones in the bottom to keep the roots away from the water. Water once a week and mist daily.
Which of these plants will you chose?
