Plants
What’s an Aroid?
There are several houseplants like Colocasia, Arrowhead vines, Aglaonemas, ZZ plants, Monsteras, Alocasias, Philodendrons, and Pothos; the common aspect among these houseplants is that they are all related and belong to the aroid family, Araceae. In the wild, these plants are spread all around the world, except in Antarctica, and often grow on the forest floor. These plants have evolved to survive tough weather conditions, including low light. While the horticulture industry markets these plans as ‘low light’ plants, in reality, no plant likes to be in low light. Most aroids prefer to be under stippled sunlight. Left in their natural states, aroids are shaded but do not obscure sunlight completely.
The Araceae family of plants is the most primitive and one of the oldest basal families of monocotyledonous plants. They are perennial and herbaceous plants with clear and milky sap. The stems can reduced, rhizomatous, tuberous, or lianescent. The leaves of the plant contain crystal raphides, filled with calcium oxalate crystals; this makes the plant very irritating to herbivores since they form needle-like fibers.
What are some characteristics of aroids?
Some defining characteristics of aroid plants are as follows:
- The Spathe and the Spadix
The spathe and the spadix are the most defining characteristics of aroids. The spadix is a spike that is covered in the tiny flowers; it looks somewhat similar to corn on the cob. The flowers are produced in this way, and the spadix is covered by the spathe, a leaf-like sheath. The best example is the peace lily. However, there are also some aroids that do not grow these parts inside the flowers like the ZZ Plant or Philodendron.
- Poisonous
Aroids are poisonous to both animals and humans. Hence, it might not be the best plants to keep indoors if you live with your children and/or pets that might decide to sample them. While ingestion is not fatal, the crystal raphides in the leaves are quite sharp and can irritate the throat, mouth, and digestive tract if consumed.
- Tropical ground dwellers
Aroids are extremely diverse plants. They are understory plants that grow in tropical rainforests where they receive only partial and indirect sunlight. Since they do not need direct sunlight, they are suitable for indoor light conditions.
- Waxy leaves
The leaves of aroid plants are covered in a waxy coating, which protects them from debris and pests that can clog the pores and interfere with the photosynthesis process and respiration. The coating is naturally-occurring, gives the leaves a beautiful shine, and makes them quite hardy, thereby making them popular as houseplants.
What are some easiest aroids for beginners?
Overall, aroids are quite easy to take care of. Some great options for new plant parents include:
- Peace lily
A peace lily is the best choice for houseplants. The foliage is stunning green; additionally, the plant also blooms exceptional flowers if given enough light. The plant has air cooling and cleansing abilities, thereby making them a perfect air-cooling house plant.
The peace lily prefers low- to medium-light and well-drained soil. However, you should never water the plant more than what is required. The plant is forgiving and hardy and will let you know when it needs water; it will drop to signal it is thirsty. Once watered, the plant will pop right back up!
- ZZ Plants
ZZ plants are tough aroids that can survive in just florescent lights and nothing else! Additionally, you do not have to worry if you forgot to water it. The plant starts to drop some of its leaflets to conserve the remaining water and will bloom again after you water it sufficiently.
- Monstera
A Monstera is also known as the split-leaf philodendron and has striking foliage. This is a tropical aroid plant that can survive in weather conditions like high humidity and low sunlight. The foliage consists of dark-green, lush, and large leaves that stand out against a blank wall. This makes the plant look very beautiful. All you need to do is place it near a window and the plant will sustain on its own.
- Aglaonema
The Aglaonema, also known as the Chinese evergreen, is available in a wide range of colors like red, silver, deep green, etc. The plant grows slowly, with glossy, narrow, and large oval foliage. When looking for Aglaonema, you need to remember that the light the plant variation, the more light it needs. For instance, plants with darker foliage can thrive in low-light conditions. You need to water the plant once the top two inches of the plant dries out.
How do you take care of aroids?
Aroids are plants that are typically easy to take care of; however, some are fussier than others. The overall care of these plants will depend on the species. Here are some general tips for caring for aroids:
- Light
Since aroids are understory plants, they do not require direct sunlight. While the light needs to be bright, the plants can also tolerate low light amounts. If you want to add some plants in darker areas of your house with nothing but a single window, then the aroids are the best choice. Plants like Peace Lilies, ZZ Plants, Philodendrons, and Pothos thrive well in low-light conditions. However, Mosteras require brighter light to produce slotted leaves.
- Water
Most aroids do not require large amounts of water. You need to allow the top two inches of the soil to dry out before you decide to water again. In short, it should amount to watering once a week. Also, you need to ensure that the pot has drainage holes. If overwatered, the aroids will get crispy, yellow, wilt, or droop. Some plants, like the ZZ Plant, are more drought-resistant than others.
Conclusion
Aroids are some of the most amazing plants in the fauna kingdom. These plants do not require a lot of sunlight and water for sustenance. This makes them some of the easiest plants to take care of. Additionally, they also have beautiful foliage and are perfect for any indoor settings. The only con of these plants is that they are poisonous and should be kept far from the reach of children and pets.
