Whether they are green plants, flowering plants, succulents, cacti, grasses or trees, different plants need different kinds of soil and care. Choosing the right pots for your plants is part of this care. Flower pots can be as simple as terracotta pots and saucers, or glazed pots with hand-painted designs on them. How can you find the right pot?

1. Match the style of the pot to the style of your home. A tall, slender pot blends in beautifully with modern decor. Casual, folk art pots fit right in with country style. No matter what the style of your home is, make sure the design of the pot doesn’t outshine the plant.

2. Think about maintenance. Though terracotta pots and planters absorb moisture quickly, they also dry out quickly. Ceramic pots are sealed with glaze. Some glazes are plain and some are crackled. Wooden planters are unsealed and you may have to seal them, and continue to seal them, to prevent fading and splintering.

3. Think about the general location of the plant. Deck pots and container garden pots have to be sturdy enough to withstand weather. Your pots should allow for drainage. Put large saucers under large pots to protect wooden decking. You may also wish to buy hanging plants for your deck or patio.

4. Keep scale in mind. Perhaps you are buying a plant for your coffee table. A pot of chrysanthemums will look right at home on a large table, whereas a small bonsai plant will look right at home on a small table. Place an indoor tree in a tall area that allows for growth.

5. Learn about plant growth. Some plants prefer tight quarters and others prefer large quarters for their spreading root systems. Choose a flower pot that suits this growth. Find out if the plant needs direct or filtered sunlight. Your local flower shop or nursery can advise you on the best pot for your plant.

One final tip. Keep in mind that large pots are hard to move after they are filled with soil. You may wish to buy a rolling plant mover when you buy the pot. And check discount stores for faux stone pots made of plastic or resin. These pots are attractive, lightweight, and last for years.

You may be lucky enough to find flower pots at church rummage sales, local flea markets, and antique shops. Many of these pots are one-of-a kind and you won’t find them again. When you see a pot you love, buy it. (You may be able to talk down the price.) Nothing sets off a plant more than the right flower pot. Happy hunting!

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson

Different houseplants make different demands on their environment. Most plants have their requirements expressed by symbols, which you will find on the care tag of most plants. The trick is figuring out what those symbols actually mean.

Most light needs are divided into 3 specific categories: full sun, semi-shade and shade. However, these classifications are not standardized, so variations do exist. In addition, the number of daylight hours also has an effect on the growth of plants. In winter, there is less sunlight and a plant that received more than adequate light during the summer months may be light deprived in the winter. Be flexible. The number of daylight hours also influences the flowering period and the growth of the plant.

There are two distinctions that can be made regarding the growth and flowering habits of houseplants. Some plants will only bloom whiten there are only a few hours of daylight while others bloom only when the day is long. Short-day plants make flower buds when there is less than 12 daylight hours. Long-day plants flower when there are more than 12 daylight hours.

Growers make use of these characteristics by keep plants artificially dark (the poinsettias are brought on early for the Christmas trade) or growing in artificial light in the winter for earlier blooms.

In general, the three light requirements are:

Full Sun the plant tolerates unshaded sunlight for an unlimited number of hours each day. It can be placed in or near a south facing window.

Semi-shade this plant needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun. In a south-facing window, blinds should be shading it form direct light. An east facing window, where the sun disappears after about 10 AM, is a good choice as is a west facing window where the plant will receive afternoon sun. This classification is also often called bright, indirect light.

Shade this plant should not be exposed to any direct sunlight, particularly in the summer. A northern exposure is best. This is tricky as you do need some sun, or the plant will not grow.

Although many of us cannot deny the emotional benefits of filling our house with various breathing green things, we usually do not see the house plant as something which can improve our physical well-being. Nonetheless low maintenance indoor plants can help to absorb carbon dioxide as well as possibly harmful chemicals such as those which come from paint, stoves, furniture, cleaners and the like.

Toxic chemicals like benzene, ammonia and trichloroethylene all come from these different products of modern living. Plants may be used purposely to upgrade the air quality in your house, improve energy as well as ease asthma symptoms. Here are some methods for putting plants to good use: First of all, Put a Plant on Your Desk. If you wish to become more creative, productive as well as less fatigued while you are working, add some greenery to your office ASAP. Research Studies have proven that individuals who labor in front of computers in excess of 4 hours per day feel substantially better when they have a plant on their desk.

You may also bring Plants to an ill Friend: Hospital patients who have a view of nature often recover from their sickness faster than those who do not. Being surrounded by healthy plants is a superb way of improving mood as well as recovery speed.

You may also use house plants as an effective (and cheap, compared to the alternatives) way to filter your indoor air. As amatter of fact, your indoor air may be as much as ten times more polluted than outdoor air, surprisingly enouph. According to NASA scientists, houseplants may extract volatile chemicals from your air acting as filters for the indoor area that they inhabit. House plants like palms, peace lilies, ferns, chrysanthemums and spider plants are especially good when it comes to air purification.

Research Studies have strongly indicated that indoor plants reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold symptoms by about one third!

This article originally appeared in the March 2006 issue of the Zone Net Newsletter. Zone Net offers a home based business in the health and wellness industry. For more info go to Zone Diet Home Business Opportunity