{"id":1136,"date":"2026-01-21T11:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T09:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/?p=1136"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T09:00:18","slug":"houseplants-you-shouldnt-grow-and-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/?p=1136","title":{"rendered":"Houseplants you\u00a0shouldn\u2019t\u00a0grow\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and why\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"cb-itemprop\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Houseplants can soften a space, lift a\u00a0mood\u00a0and bring the outdoors in. But not every plant is cut out for life inside a home. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some need\u00a0very specific\u00a0conditions,\u00a0others are messy,\u00a0sensitive\u00a0or simply more effort than\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0worth. Before you fall for a pretty leaf, here are a few popular plants experts suggest skipping\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and what to know instead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Fiddle-leaf fig<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It looks stunning in magazines, but this plant is not as easygoing as it seems. Fiddle-leaf figs dislike change, whether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0being moved, watered at the wrong\u00a0time\u00a0or placed in less-than-perfect light. One small upset and the leaves start dropping. For many homes,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a stressful match.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Croton<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Those bold,\u00a0colourful\u00a0leaves come at a price. Crotons need\u00a0strong light\u00a0all year, steady\u00a0moisture\u00a0and warm, humid air. Miss one of these and the plant quickly looks tired. Indoors, dry air can also invite pests. These plants are far happier outdoors on a patio in summer or planted in warm regions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Bird of paradise<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This plant makes a statement \u2013 and demands one too.\u00a0Bird\u00a0of paradise\u00a0needs\u00a0very bright light and plenty of space. While it may survive indoors, it rarely flowers inside a home. Without room to stretch and constant conditions, it often becomes more hassle than hero\u00a0piece.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-52192\" class=\"wp-image-52192 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-cup-of-couple-8472075-scaled.jpg 1708w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pexels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Most palms<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Palms promise a relaxed, tropical feel, but indoors they often struggle. Many attract pests and need higher humidity than most homes can offer. They can also affect nearby plants. While some smaller types cope better, palms\u00a0generally perform\u00a0far better outside than in a living room.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Certain ferns<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ferns look lush and soft, but not all are ideal indoors. Some varieties release spores that can bother allergy sufferers and affect air quality. If you love the fern look,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0better to choose low-spore options rather than woodland types that are happier outdoors or in shaded gardens.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Carnivorous plants<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Venus\u00a0flytraps and pitcher plants are fascinating, but\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0not good housemates. These plants need full sun, pure\u00a0water\u00a0and\u00a0a proper\u00a0winter rest. Without this dormancy period, they weaken over time. Unless you can meet their\u00a0very specific\u00a0needs,\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0best grown outside.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Flowering gift plants<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Plants like mini roses, hydrangeas,\u00a0azaleas\u00a0and chrysanthemums are often sold as indoor gifts, but\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0not meant to live indoors forever. They need time outside and a cool rest period to thrive long-term. Enjoy them inside while they bloom, then move them outdoors where they truly belong.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choosing the right houseplant makes all the difference. When a plant suits your space and lifestyle, it grows with ease \u2013 and that\u2019s when indoor gardening feels rewarding rather than frustrating.<\/span><span data-ccp-props='{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335557856\":16777215,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":0}'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ALSO SEE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/gardening\/how-tos\/what-to-know-about-the-most-difficult-houseplants-before-adding-them-to-your-collection\/\">What to know about the most difficult houseplants before adding them to your collection<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"aH8BpuwWW4\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/gardening\/what-to-know-about-the-most-difficult-houseplants-before-adding-them-to-your-collection\/\">What to know about the most difficult houseplants before adding them to your collection<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/gardening\/houseplants-you-shouldnt-grow-and-why\/\">Houseplants you\u00a0shouldn\u2019t\u00a0grow\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and why\u00a0<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenandhome.co.za\/\">SA Garden and Home<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Houseplants can soften a space, lift a\u00a0mood\u00a0and bring the outdoors in. But not every plant is cut out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}