Plants add a little greenery to every room in the household, and this includes children’s rooms! When it comes to choosing kids’ plants, there are plenty of options available, which is why it’s worth taking some time to find the perfect one.
We’ve listed a few of our favourite houseplants for kid’s rooms below, all of which can add spectacular colour and fragrances to your property.
Why invest in kids plants
Besides video gaming, art and cooking, gardening and plant care can be a great hobby to get the kids involved in. A houseplant can care for all year round, and alongside adding fragrance and hue to your kid’s bedrooms, teaching them how to care for their own plant is a great way to introduce responsibility from an early age. Not only can gardening be a fun hobby, but it’s also relatively inexpensive.
Investing in plants is easier than ever and many of today’s variants can be ordered online at an online florist. You don’t need to wait long for them to arrive either, as a number of florists offer same day and next day flower delivery. This is especially handy as we all know how impatient children can get!
What to consider when choosing plants for children
When looking for houseplants for children, it is best to focus on foliage plants that are able to withstand lower light levels and those which are slow growers – plants such as these often have lower watering and lighting demands.
Try to opt for plants and shrubs that are renowned for being trouble-free and seldom prone to pests, shedding, or leaf tipping. Good starter plants for children include the likes of:
The Snake Plant
Snake plant (botanical name: Sansevieria trifasciata) boasts lengthy, wispy leaves that are equally as thick as they are fleshy. This species of plant is available in a number of hues and patterns.
It is an extremely low maintenance plant that does not require much water, tolerates lower light, and is susceptible to fewer pests. A little like the ZZ plant, the Spider Plant prefers to be on the dry side and should therefore not be over-watered. Dwarf varieties are also available.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen (botanical name: Aglaonema) feature large leaves that are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, including a variety of pink and red hues. Aglaonema is a great interior plant as it is able to develop new growth even when not placed indirect light. It has average watering needs, but as with the Snake Plant, it’s important to avoid over-watering this species of shrub.
Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous (meat-eating) plants including the likes of the Venus Fly Trap, Pitcher Plant, and Sundew plants are attractive to children as they offer an element of fun and often provoke kid’s imaginations to run wild.
They’re not the easiest plants to care for, so they’re better suited to older children. The key to caring for most carnivorous plants is to ensure they are housed in a terrarium (which often comes with the plant when purchased). This keeps the humidity high.
Most carnivorous plants need to be grown in sphagnum moss or a soil that is similar to it. Water with distilled water for best results and avoid tap water at all costs, as well as chemicals. Both will have a negative impact on your plant in a very short time. Provide bright indirect light or even direct sunlight to help your plant thrive.
Although tempting, especially for kids, it’s important to avoid feeding Venus Fly Traps too much, and to only feed them small insects such as ants or flies when you do. A trap will often die after it has ‘fed’ on another insect, especially if the insect in question is large in size.
Although most carnivorous plants are able to thrive without being fed any insects at all, children will naturally want to feed them on a regular basis. For best results, feed one trap a smaller insect every one or two months.
The majority of carnivorous plants are native to the United States, including the Venus Fly Trap (which originally came from North and South Carolina). A number of Pitcher Plants are native to Southeastern America and parts of coastal Oregon and California.
Other species of carnivorous plant can be found across Europe and Asia, while the Sundew is found on every continent bar Antarctica.
ZZ Plant
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamifolia) is a recently introduced plant species with extremely interesting, waxy leaves. Native to eastern Africa, the tropical perennial is a genus of the flowering plant family Araceae.
It doesn’t need much water and can withstand the majority of pests, which makes it ideal as a kid’s plant. It is also able to tolerate lower light, although you’ll need to avoid over-watering this plant to ensure it survives for many years.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is another prevalent houseplant and one that boasts extremely low watering necessities. It does however prefer brighter light, so placement is very important when investing in this plant.
Aloe vera is celebrated for its healing medicinal properties and is found in a number of medicinal products that are sold over-the-counter, including a variety of skin-healing ointments. Like all succulents, it’s important to avoid over-watering Aloe vera plants and to ensure they receive higher levels of light.
Philodendrons – both vining and non-vining types
Philodendron cordatum (botanical name: Heart Leaf Philodendron) is a great plant to choose for children’s rooms as it is both low maintenance and pest-free. It is also inexpensive and easy to care for in almost any location. A variety of newer Philodendrons boast bright hues like neon green, orange, and reds, making this a standout choice as a kid’s plant.
Pothos (Epipremnum)
These shrubs are readily available and can be ordered at online florists nationwide. They’re also an inexpensive, easy to care for plant that boasts a variety of leaf colours. Suited to a variety of home environments, basic care necessitates nutrient-rich soil, bright indirect light, and minimal watering.
Other Good Houseplants for Kids
There are many other houseplants suited to kids, including an array of small palms, succulents like cacti, ivies, and other species. If your child has a room with higher ceilings, look towards taller, larger plants, such as cane Dracaena.
Both growing and caring for houseplants is a therapeutic, constructive, and educational activity for kids and grown-ups alike. Encourage your youngsters to look after their own plants and to watch them thrive!
Sources: ambius.com, rhs.org.uk, gardeningknowhow.com
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