12 Houseplant Languages, Symbols and Spirits – Ken Lain

Bring the meaning, symbolism, and a touch of the mountain greenhouse into your home with these hand-selected indoor varieties. Available locally at Watters Garden Center (1815 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott) and featured across our community education programs and video tips at Top 10 Gardener Podcast.

1. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

• The Symbolism: Wealth, good fortune, and new financial beginnings.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Featuring coin-shaped, bright green leaves, this compact favorite thrives in the bright, indirect natural light typical of high-desert sunrooms. Rotate the pot weekly to keep stems growing upright, and plant in fast-draining potting soil to prevent root rot.
• Local Tip: An ideal housewarming gift for friends moving into new homes around the Granite Dells or Williamson Valley.

2. Devil’s Ivy / Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

• The Symbolism: Perseverance, resilience, and eternity.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Virtually bulletproof, Pothos handles dry indoor air with ease. Let the top couple of inches of soil dry completely between deep waterings. Perfect for trailing across bookshelves or brightening up a north-facing office space.
• Local Tip: Featured frequently in Watters’ indoor plant care classes as the ultimate “starter plant” for busy gardeners who want maximum green with minimal fuss.

3. Dracaena Lemon Lime (Dracaena deremensis)

• The Symbolism: Cleansing, purification, and vibrant energy.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Known for its striking chartreuse-and-dark-green striped foliage, this architectural plant loves indirect light. Because our mountain air can get dry, protect it from harsh heating vents and wipe the broad leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and breathing easy.

4. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

• The Symbolism: Abundance, unconditional love, and forgiveness.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: A forgiving vine that forgives an occasional missed watering. It adapts wonderfully to lower-light corners of mountain homes, filtering indoor air while cascading gracefully from hanging baskets.

5. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

• The Symbolism: Good fortune, steady health, and unyielding strength.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Grown either in clean water with pebbles or in well-draining soil mixes. Keep it out of direct, scorching afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch, and refresh the water weekly if grown hydroponically.

6. Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

• The Symbolism: Peace, triumph, and natural abundance.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Bring a resort feel straight into a sunlit Prescott living room or spacious bathroom. Majesty palms crave bright, indirect light and consistent moisture in their container soil; don’t let them dry out completely.

7. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

• The Symbolism: Refined beauty, luxury, and deep affection.
• For Prescott Homes: Contrary to popular belief, orchids love breathing air around their roots. Plant them exclusively in coarse orchid bark mixes available at Watters, and water by soaking the pot thoroughly once the roots turn a silvery-gray.

8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

• The Symbolism: Purity, tranquility, and mental clarity.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: An exceptional natural air purifier for tight winter-sealed homes. It acts as a living moisture meter: when the leaves droop dramatically, it’s time for a thorough drink, and they will bounce right back within hours.

9. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

• The Symbolism: Daily gratitude, mindfulness, and quiet reflection.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Named for its habit of folding its striking, patterned leaves upward at night, this low-growing beauty prefers indirect light and evenly moist soil. It loves the gentle humidity found in bright bathrooms.

10. Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)

• The Symbolism: Protection, clean energy, and robust health.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: The ultimate low-maintenance champion for dry high-desert climates. It tolerates low light or bright exposure and only needs a deep watering every 10 to 14 days. Err on the side of underwatering!

11. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• The Symbolism: New life, family prosperity, and fertile energy.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: Produces cheerful arching foliage and adorable “spiderettes” (baby plants) that can easily be clipped and potted up to share with neighbors. Thrives in bright, indirect indoor light.

12. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

• The Symbolism: Longevity, deep respect, and honoring tradition.
• Why & How for Prescott Homes: A bold statement tropical featuring iconic split leaves. Give it a sturdy moss pole to climb, bright indirect light, and a roomy container with fast-draining soil to support its vigorous jungle growth.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Houseplants.com