Indoor planters allow us to not only enjoy the beauty of plants and flowers inside our home, but they also add to the existing décor and with the many different types to choose from, you're bound to find the perfect piece for any style of room.

Depending on the size you are interested in, you can choose from smaller indoor planters that fit neatly on a side table or those that are large enough to become the whole focal point of the room. Whether you have a small or modestly sized apartment or a spacious home, indoor planters and plant stands give you the ability to use plants as a part of your interior design. Also, if you're like most people, your home's windows and layout aren't always the most conducive to growing plants or flowers indoors, but with planters, you can easily move them around, even taking them outside for some direct sunlight.

Types of Indoor Planters

There are plenty of indoor planters to choose from that will look perfect in your living space regardless of your style or décor, simply due to the incredible number of selections available. In fact, there are so many different types that many people have no idea what type to choose.

According to interior designers who value and even rely on indoor planters for creating unique and welcoming rooms for their clients, the first thing to keep in mind is where you intend on placing the planters. Do you have surfaces that aren't being used and readily available or will you also need some type of plant stand? The number of plant stands available rivals the number of different types of planters, so you won't have any trouble finding the perfect stand.

Tips for Healthy Houseplants

Houseplants bring a little bit of nature indoors - a beautiful touch of green that's not only soothing but softens hard lines and strong light in our homes or office. They can even improve air quality indoors. Many houseplants differ in their specific cultural requirements, but here are some general tips to keep yours healthy.

Match plants with light conditions. This is often the most challenging part of growing houseplants, especially for beginners. Houseplants vary in their light requirements. Some prefer the strong light found right next to a south-facing window. Others thrive in the soft morning light of an east-facing window. Distance from the window will also affect light intensity and quality. And to make matters more complicated, light intensity and patterns in your home or office will vary with the seasons.

Use quality potting soil. Good potting soil (never use regular garden soil in containers) promotes healthy roots by providing a balance of proper aeration, nutrition and moisture holding capability. Nurseries and garden centers carry an excellent selection of packaged potting soils.

Water properly. Like all containerized plants, houseplants will need frequent watering. Water thoroughly, so the entire root ball is wet and the excess water runs out the bottom of the pot. Don't leave standing water in the catch-tray for more than a day or two. Doing so can promote root diseases. Allow the soil to partially dry before watering again. To check soil moisture, stick your finger into the top two inches of soil. If it is dry, it's probably time to water. You can also tell how dry a plant is by lifting the pot. It will be heavy after watering, much lighter as it dries out. To prevent salts from building up in the soil, water especially heavily (refilling the container four or five times) once every month or two. This is most easily done by placing the plant in a sink or taking it outdoors.

Keep the foliage clean. Dust that accumulates on the leaves of houseplants will block light and harbor insects. Clean leaves by wiping them with a moist towel or, in mild-winter areas, take plants outdoors and hose them off.