Houseplants seem to be an extreme sport, either you love them or you hate them. But no one can deny that plants brighten up interiors as well as make the air you breathe a lot healthier. And, no matter what you college roommate says, they are actually very easy to care for. With some simple tips, you can be well on your way to raising some happy, healthy houseplants.

Get to know the people in the local nursery. These individuals will most likely to be happy to help you, and as an added benefit, they will most likely still be working there when you make repeat visits. They can help you and advise you on the best plants for your lifestyle.

Get healthy air with healthy plants. A lot of plants are great at removing toxins from your environment, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Some of the best plants for healthy air are actually some of the easiest plants to care for. Pick up some ivy, peace lilies, spider plants, and pothos. These are nice additions to your home, and not fickle little prissies that are hard to care for. You love them, they love you right back.

Check your lighting. The most common destroyer of houseplants is inadequate lighting. All different plants have different lighting needs so ask a specialist when you purchase your plants. You can usually tell if a plant is getting too little light because it begins to turn yellow. Most enjoy nice window lighting, but for best results, get specific guidelines.

Be careful with small children. Many children like to chew and many houseplants are poisonous. Hence the risk. If you have small children, do your research before making any plant purchases.

Give them adequate water. Most plants are like that nice relative that visits occasionally. Just make sure they have something to eat and drink, a nice bed to lie in, and life is good all over. But there are some, like those other relatives we all have in our lives that are a little more, umm, demanding. For those easy plants, a nice heavy drink of water every week is usually sufficient, but there are some that like to be watered less or more. Ask for watering specifications before you bring any plants home.

With these easy tips (and some easy plants) you can be well on your way to filling your home with beauty and life. Now it’s time to check out those adorable little ceramic pots to tuck your new babies into bed!

Article By Hannah Keeley. Hannah Keeley is the founder of http://www.totalmom.com and the mother of seven kids. She is the author of “Hannah’s Art of Home” and “Hannah Keeley’s Total Mom Makeover,” and has appeared on the Today show, Fox and Friends, and the Rachael Ray show.