12 houseplants that match your birth month - and how to care for them successfully

If you love a good houseplant then it is likely that you will find something extra special in adding those with extra meaning into your home.

Enter 'birth month houseplants' - specific houseplants associated with each of the 12 months of the year. They can make meaningful gifts for loved ones and improve the vibes in your home with their personalised touch. It is possible that birth month houseplants originated from an adaptation of the popular idea of birth month flowers, which dates back to Roman times.

Here are the 12 month houseplants and how to care for them successfully.

January - snake plant

Snake plants are resilient, strong plants for the time of year that is most challenging for plants - winter.

They are very easy to take care of, too. They need bright light and can tolerate some lower light, but don't like to be placed in direct sun, as their leaves can get scorched. Snake plants can turn yellow if overwatered.

February - African violet

An indoor flowering plant, they cheer up the inside of your home while the first blooms of spring start to appear at the end of February. They are associated with elegance and beauty, with delicate blooms sitting on top of velvety, soft foliage.

They are quite easy to look after, and can be made to bloom at any time of the year. Flowering can be encouraged with specialised African violet fertiliser. They do need a lot of bright light to flower for longer and if underwatered, the leaves will droop.

March - peace lily

Continuing the theme, this is another houseplant that can flower all year round. Known for adding a touch of sophistication to a setting, it is also associated with renewal and hope, making it the perfect flower for the season of spring.

It needs to be placed in dappled sunlight but too much sun can scorch its leaves. By cutting off peace lily flower spikes after flowering, the plant can be encouraged to bloom again.

April - spider plant

April is the month this plant's tiny white blooms are most likely to flower. There are different types of spider plant to choose from, and the less common ocean spider plant has much broader foliage, according to homesandgardens.com.

Caring for the plant does not require expertise, either. It needs bright light and to be watered when its foliage begins to look dull. It needs to be moved to a larger pot once it outgrows its original home.

May - philodendron

Philodendron can provide a wide variety of sizes, variegated plants and leaf shapes, echoing the month of May where a range of colours bloom in the garden. Some types of philodendron, like a heartleaf philodendron, can be hanging plants.

They need to be fertilised through spring and summer to boost fresh growth, and specialist fertilisers are available. They don't like living in oversaturated soil, which can turn it yellow and cause root rot.

June - fiddle leaf lig

Associated with boldness, this plant is perfect for the beginning of summer. With lobed leaves and a tall structure, it is one of the most widely used indoor trees, with an impressive rich foliage to add a big touch of green to homes.

As your garden bursts into life outside, fiddle leaf ligs will fill up bare spaces in rooms with its foliage.

To care for one of these plants, room temperature needs to be maintained between 18C and 25C, and you can place them close to other plants or use a humidifier to increase humidity. It requires regular misting.

July - aloe vera

The famous medicinal plant, used in everything from skin treatments to soft drinks, it can also make a great addition to your home. It is a very low-maintenance plant to care for, and can thrive and achieve new growth while not needing to be watered very much. This is because it is a succulent plant - meaning it has parts that are thick and engorged with retained water, that evolved to live in arid climates. It does need pruning when its foliage becomes damaged.

Additionally, it is a Feng Shui plant, which proponents claim ward off bad luck and negative energy. It can also be used as a food preserver, among several other uses.

August - ZZ plant

A plant with a striking appearance, it is also easy to maintain. It is versatile and can grow in low light and shadier places. It is tolerant to drought and can be watered when the soil goes dry.

It can capture dust on its foliage, which can be spotted by noticing the normally glossy look has begun to dull. You can wipe the dust off with a microfibre cloth.

A popular variety is the black ZZ plant, or you might prefer the green ZZ plant. They are said to represent power and confidence due to their dramatic appearance.

September - pothos

Another hugely popular houseplant, it is easy to care for and provides a wide range of types. A golden pothos offers rich patterns and vibrant yellow tones.

Pothos owners often overwater the plant, and this causes it to lose its colour. When it begins to appear droopy, that's the sign that it needs to be watered. Variegated types need enough sun to avoid discolouration.

Some say this houseplant brings luck.

October - rubber plant

This tall plant has strong foliage and does require careful maintenance. Its leaves will drop if it is overwatered or underwatered, and if it is kept in a space where temperatures are too low or it does not get enough light.

It can be pruned to make it look bushier and motivate branching. Some say it represents order and wisdom and certain types, like the stunning variegated rubber plant, offer bold and creamy colours.

November - calathea

A more difficult plant to maintain as the year starts to turn cold, calathea rewards your efforts with its beauty. There are a wide number of varieties offering various patterns and colours. One popular variety is the rattlesnake calathea.

Known for being one of the most beautiful houseplants, it is difficult to look after. The main thing is to avoid watering it too much; its leaves will turn yellow. However, not enough water will see its leaves curl. Experts suggest keeping humidity levels up, and considering using a pebble tray.

December - Christmas cactus

An aptly named plant for December birthdays, it blooms even in the cold, dark days of winter. Experts say this means it represents hope and renewal before the new year begins.

There are key things you have to do to ensure it blooms. It must be kept in darkness for a little while, and it needs pruning to remain healthy. Specific fertilisers are available.