Houseplants for Beginners
Houseplants — if you’re new to them, it can feel super overwhelming. When I first started really taking an interest in houseplants last year, it took a bit of research, asking some questions & figuring out what I could take care of — I was 100% a houseplant killer before summer 2019 when I first grew set of herbs in the garden. Indoor plants are a bit different than outdoor plants though! So today, I want to share some of the easiest plants to grow, in my own experience, especially if you’re new to the houseplant world.
SNAKE PLANT
If you’ve started any research into simple house plants, you probably recognize the snake plant. This plant does really well in low light areas, and doesn’t require much attention when it comes to watering (every 2 weeks in the summer, every 4-6 weeks in the winter). They also come in a variety of sizes for whatever suits your home. If you’re someone who forgets to water your plants, and you want something super simple as an intro to houseplants, I can’t recommend a snake plant enough. However, if you have pets, keep this somewhere that your pet can’t get to it since it is not pet-friendly, and can make your furry friend very sick.
Image Credit: Sprucing Up Mamahood
PALM TREE
Another relatively simple houseplant to start off with is a palm tree. If you’re looking for a more tropical vibe (ex. my living room has a slight Hawaiian look & theme to it), this is a great option. In my personal experience, I recommend keeping your palm tree in indirect sunlight — I moved mine to a sunny spot & it ended up dying. Many palm trees are totally safe for pets including the parlour palm, but if you’re unsure, talk to a plant pro whenever you’re purchasing! When it comes to watering, this plant requires a bit more attention; you’ll want to keep the soil moist but don’t over water it. The leaves of the palm tree is a great indicator of what’s going on with your plant — brown, too dry. Yellow — too wet. Since the palm tree is a tropical plant & likes humidity, misting your palm once a week will help your palm be a happy camper!
MONSTERA
Another tropical plant that you can have in your home is the monstera, also known as the Swiss cheese plant. This plant is very similar to the palm in it’s care that you should keep it out of direct sunlight (the leaves will burn) as it prefers bright, indirect sunlight & you want to keep the soil moist but not wet. Once again, similar to the palm, the leaves will tell you what the plant is feeling. Since the monstera is also a tropical plant, misting it once a week will keep it happy & healthy! However, there is one difference between the monstera & palm — the monstera is not pet-friendly, so ensure you are monitoring your pet around this plant.
BOSTON FERN
Another super easy houseplant to start off with is the Boston fern. Similar to every other plant on this list, it doesn’t require a ton of light & prefers to be in bright, indirect light. Much like just about every plant on this light & most plants in general, keeping the watering light; 2-3 times a week, and don’t over water. This is also a great houseplant option if you have pets as it is non-toxic!
SPIDER PLANT
Last, but certainly not least is the spider plant. I often get this and snake plant confused in conversation, however, they are both easy, low maintenance plants that just about anyone can take care of. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this plant likes bright, indirect light, and needs to be watered around every 5 days or so. One cool thing about this plant is that it starts to make “babies”, which you can propagate and turn into a new plant! And of course, I have to mention, this plant is completely non-toxic, so you don’t need to worry about your pets near a spider plant.
Image Credit: Balcony Garden Web
There you have it! Here are some of my personal favourite, simple houseplants to get started with if you’re a beginner. If you find yourself wanting a bit more info, I can’t recommend the app, Blossom by The Spruce enough. It goes into detail about watering, care, fertilizing & so much more to help you take better care of your plants!
