Before you begin to build your houseplant collection into something you can be proud of is to pay attention to one simple rule. And that rule is that as long as you have a house with a decent amount of light, you can grow practically any houseplant you care to mention. That may come as a shock to many people, especially those who are convinced that they don't possess the necessary “green thumb”.

But it is a fact that many houseplants can survive under a wide range of conditions, requiring very little care and attention at all. They can also survive in various environments, with a fairly wide range of light levels and heat/cold levels.

So what are the basics needed?

The only thing you need is to choose the type of look you want your houseplants to bring to the room. Do you want a lot of foliage, with greenery to give a luscious environment? Or do you prefer a riot of color? Houseplants can provide both to suit whatever style you like. Or you could have a mix of foliage and flowering plants to give a balanced look to a room. And don't forget the possibility of growing plants in a terrarium. These are even easier to look after than the most hardy houseplants, and are great for children to look after, and as an introduction to growing the more difficult species of houseplants later.

So the next time you want to inject some life into a room, and you dismiss growing houseplants as too difficult, remember that the most difficult thing you need to do is choose from the wide range of plants available and then get going on making your houseplant collection grow.