Reasons why you should have indoor plants in your Dubai home
You can make your home greener and more lively with lush indoor plants. Not to mention, taking care of houseplants is an excellent hobby that keeps you busy and improves your health and well-being. Let’s look at some of the benefits of indoor plants and how to care for them.
Plant Species that Thrive Indoors
You can have different indoor plants in your apartment. However, note that some will do better than others. Here’s a list of some of the most popular and easy-to-grow options.
Cactus Plant
Indoor cactus plants are easy to care for and do well even if you forget about them. They help freshen the air by taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen, even at night. Cacti can also help you feel calmer and stay focused. At the same time, they add a stylish, sculpted look to small spaces.
Fiddleleaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
The fiddleleaf fig has big, shiny leaves that instantly stand out in a room. It looks impressive, yet it is quite easy to care for. It grows best in bright light that is not direct and in soil that drains well.
This plant is popular for home styling because of its bold shape and strong presence. It prefers the soil to dry out a little between watering. Indoors, it can grow up to about 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
Peace Lilies
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are beautiful plants with large leaves and white flowers blooming in the summer. They grow well in indirect sunlight, making them ideal for your apartment in Dubai.
Snake Plants
Another option is the snake plants with sharp edges resembling reptile fangs. These tough succulents absorb toxins from the air around them while adding an exciting touch to any room.
Spider plants
Spider plants, Chlorophytum comosum, are a unique species with leaves shaped like spider legs. This hassle-free, low-maintenance plant is the perfect option to keep indoors. Just make sure they get enough sun every day. You need to water once every week or so, depending on how much moisture they need at any given time.
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Often called the Swiss cheese plant, the monstera is loved for its large, heart-shaped leaves with natural holes and splits. It is available in different variegated types, which add extra character. The plant grows well in moderate light and needs soil that drains properly. Over the years, it has remained a favourite for home styling. Indoors, it can grow between 6 and 10 feet tall and about 6 feet wide.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The elegant ZZ plant is considered one of the best indoor plants for air quality. It helps clean the air and can support a more relaxed mood. Its glossy leaves add a sleek touch to any room. It is easy to care for and copes well with neglect. This hardy nature makes it perfect for simple, worry-free gardening.
Indoor Plants Advantages
Apart from looking good, growing plants indoors offers many benefits, such as cleaner air and reduced stress, especially with indoor plants for mental health. So, let’s look at the health benefits of indoor plants.
Pure and Fresh Air
Plants can serve as natural air purifiers that remove toxins from the air and make it cleaner. Some popular plants that can be used in this regard include Snake Plant, Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Ferns, Philodendron, Aloe Vera and some varieties of Palms.
Spruce up the space with indoor plants
Plants can add an aesthetic touch to your home decor and indoor spaces such as your living room, bedroom or kitchen. A beautiful arrangement of succulents, a clipping of pothos in an old vase and some hanging pots near the window can uplift the mood of a room.
If you are planning to set up indoor plants in your apartment or home, here are some interior design plans for your consideration.
Grow your food
One of the biggest benefits of indoor plants in Dubai is that you can grow your own fresh produce. Food made with fresh vegetables from a kitchen garden can be a supremely healthy and budget-friendly option. If you live in a bigger home, clear up some space for a vertical kitchen garden in your Dubai home.
You can grow various vegetables and herbs depending on space and lighting conditions. Garlic, tomatoes, spinach, peas, potatoes, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, thyme, chillies, lettuce, garlic, coriander, basil and mint are some vegetables you can grow in your Dubai home.
Helps You De-stress and Relax
Having plants in your home allows you to connect with nature and de-stress. They help create a peaceful home environment that’s comforting and relaxing. Growing a new plant from a single seed or bringing an almost dead plant back to life is a satisfying experience.
FAQs
What plants are best for beginners?
Want to enjoy the full benefits of indoor plants? You need to know where to begin. Plants like pothos, snake plants, aloe vera, ZZ plants and monsters are easy to keep. If you prefer succulents, you may opt for plants like Haworthia zebrina, elephant bush or Mother of Thousands, which are low-maintenance.
Can I start gardening on the rooftop in my Dubai home?
Installing a rooftop garden in your Dubai home gives plenty of space for sun-loving vegetables and flowers. Before starting, you may need to strengthen the roof to prevent leaks and add shade for heat-sensitive plants. Once ready, you can grow ladyfingers, lemons, tomatoes, figs, roses, jasmine, and many more on your rooftop.
What is hydroponic gardening, and can I do it at home?
Hydroponic gardening is a modern technique in which plants are conditioned to grow in water without soil. This concept is ideal for hotter regions like the UAE. You can also set up a hydroponic garden in your home in Dubai.
Can I grow water lilies in my home in Dubai?
You can quickly grow different types of water lilies in your home, as it’s an excellent choice for creating an indoor aquatic garden. This is obviously a simpler process if you have a pond in your garden. Buy good-quality water lily seeds and leave them in some water to sprout. Once sprouted, sow them in a small planter and place the pot in your pond. You can use a large pot with a wide opening if you don’t have a pond. Fill the pot with water and place it in a sunny spot.
Add more aquatic plants like umbrella palms and hyacinths to complement the look.
What are the best indoor plants for apartments with low light conditions?
Some of the best indoor plants for apartments and other areas with dim lighting are ZZ plants, Fittonia or nerve plants, umbrella palms, heart-leaf and other philodendrons, such as African hostas and snake plants. All varieties of pothos and monstera also do well in low-light set-ups.
I want to keep plants in my Dubai home, but I think the soil in plant pots attracts bugs. What to do?
You may opt for a hydroponic garden as it doesn’t require soil to grow. Another option is to switch to Leca balls or a Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) plant medium to replace soil. Leica balls are clay balls that soak up water and keep the plants hydrated.
How do I keep my outdoor plants alive during UAE summers?
Home gardeners in Dubai can take most of their outdoor plant pots indoors during the harsh summer months. Installing shades over outdoor plants also helps. Here is a thorough guide on how to care for your plants during summer in the UAE.
That concludes our guide on keeping houseplants in your Dubai home. Planning to add new plant varieties to your villa or apartment? You can search for the best plant nurseries in Dubai, or buy plants online.
