As mentioned, individual plants will require different amounts of water to keep them growing optimally.  But what all plants do like is moist soil.  If you are worried about over-watering your plant, make sure that the pot you choose has a good drainage system.  With holes in the bottom of the pot or gravel inside the pot the soil and plant will soak up the necessary water and the excess will run out through the bottom.

If your houseplants are not thriving no matter what you do, there are two things to look into.  If you are using tap water to water your plants there may be too much chlorine or salt present.  A solution to this is to use distilled or filtered water or you can leave a container outside to collect rainwater.  Either option is acceptable and may be the change you need to make to grow healthier plants.

Choosing to fertilize your plants is another way to give them a boost.  Fertilizer contains nutrients and elements that plants need to grow.  Indoors plants do not need as much fertilizer as their outdoor counterparts do.  Because of a slower rate of growth, feed your plants minimal fertilizer.  In the winter time you can probably skip this step altogether.  The spring or summer time is the best time to fertilize indoor plants.  This is during their growing phase when they need the extra nutrients the most.

If you are pruning a branch off of a plant that is diseased (with fungus) it is very important to disinfect your pruning shears after using them.  If you do not, and continue to prune your healthy plants there is a chance the fungus will spread to your other plants.  A solution of bleach and water will kill the unwanted organisms nicely.

When you look at the plant if it appears too full you can thin it out, this is important around the base trunk or stem.  You want good air circulation around the plant and if the branches and leaves are too congested this will not happen.  Trim enough of the excess foliage away to let the plant “breathe”.  When you are trimming branches to keep a uniform appearance to your plant just trim what is necessary.  Prune the new growth to keep it inline with the rest of the plant.

As plants grow so do their root systems.  If your plant isn’t thriving or you notice that the roots are visible around the outside of the pot, your plant is most likely root bound.  It is important to transplant the plant to a larger pot.  Once you have chosen one and have prepared it for the plant very gently loosen the roots on the outside of the root ball.  Then put the plant in the middle of the new pot surrounding it with new potting soil.

To enrich the learning opportunity purchase clear containers to grow the plants in.  If you can not find a traditional pot that is clear make sure the container you use either has a drainage hole in the bottom or layer gravel on the bottom before adding the soil.  Once the plant starts to grow more the roots will become visible in the pot.

Children will love to grow their own vegetables and maybe even eat them once they are ready.  Buy each child a large container that is theirs to take care of and let them pick the type of vegetable they want to grow.  The easiest vegetables to grow indoors are carrots, tomatoes, and radishes.  There are a wide variety of tomatoes that you can grow from beefsteak to cherry tomato.

The next time you eat an orange, save the seeds.  Children can plant the seeds in small containers about 1 inch down into the soil.  By giving the plant watered and in the sunlight, in two to three weeks they will have their own citrus tree growing.  They can choose to keep it indoors or plant it outside in the summer when the small plant has become bigger and stronger.  Try the same with other fruit seeds too from watermelon to apple seeds.

Getting children to help with your houseplants is a good idea too.  Children love to help out with adult chores and it gives you a break at the same time.

In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have around the house.  An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural ingredients to many dishes.  From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel. 

Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too.  Some herbs that can be used as tea leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.

There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion.  They can be broken of the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first. 

* Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in infants. 
* Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
* Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too.  It is also used for increasing the amount of breast milk produced in mothers.

This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants.  It is recommended to research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.