The Best House Plants for Beginners
A plant in your home can improve oxygen levels and reduce the amount of pollutants and dust. The care and maintenance of a plant can be a great source of satisfaction--it's even proven to improve mental health.
Which house plant is right for you? We asked experts for their top choices.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a very popular house plant, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves with stunning white color. It's also among the easiest to maintain and is a great choice for beginners. Like other tropical plants pothos thrives in a range of light conditions, however it prefers moderate levels of indirect sunlight. It is also able to thrive in lower light or full shade. Moderate household humidity and a slightly acidic soil mix work well with this plant, too.
So long as the soil is not allowed to dry out completely it is tolerant of not getting watered, even though excessive watering is a common cause of death for houseplants. When in doubt you can test your finger with the soil test: Stick your finger a couple of inches deep into the soil to check whether it's damp; if not, it's time to give watering. If the leaves are changing color, it could be due to too much sunlight or a lack in light. It could be a sign there's a fungal infection.
In potted house plants to most plants, pothos can tolerate air pollution, including Ozone and Volatile Organic Compounds. It can be used in the kitchen or bathroom to filter the air.
This plant is susceptible to pests and disease as are other plants. It is recommended to tackle issues as soon as you can to ensure that they don't spread. Pests like mealybugs and thrips are most common on this plant. Keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered, and it'll be less likely to attract these insects.
To keep your plant looking its best Keep the stem tips trim frequently. This will help the marbled foliage remain full and keeps the vines from becoming too long. These stem tips can be used to help propagate plants.
If you're looking to stimulate your Marble Queen to expand, give it something to stick to. This could be a moss rod houseplant trellis, or a length of string. Be sure to spray the moss or any other support, with water as part of your regular irrigation routine to help it grow quicker.
Monstera
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera delica), also called the Monstera plant is among the most sought-after houseplants of today. The leaves are decorated with natural holes -- known as leaf fenestration -- and can lend a tropical vibe to any room. It is easy to propagate, simply by cutting it and growing it in a water solution.
Monstera deliciosa grows quickly, so you may need to pot it up every few months. To ensure that your plant is healthy take a few leaves at a stretch and place it back in soil that is well-drained. Make sure you make sure that the container is well ventilated and add in other ingredients such as perlite or lava rocks to ensure an increased aeration of the soil, if required.
As house plants that are evergreen, these vines can be easily cared for when they are given enough sunlight and humidity. They are happy to climb up a trellis, or vine downwards. You can easily modify them to your taste by pruning. You can mist a monstera with a water spray bottle to increase the amount of humidity in its leaves.
Contrary to its name the monstera isn't a succulent. Monsteras are distinguished by thin, heart-shaped leaves that feature fenestrations. Succulents have fleshy, thick leaves which store water. Monsteras are tolerant of dry climates, but require more humidity and moisture than succulents.
It is important to know that, although the fenestrations on monstera leaves give them the appearance of they could be consumed, they are not safe to consume. The fruit, stems and leaves of this plant contain poisonous oxalic acid that can cause irritation to the throat and mouth when consumed.
Blank recommends that those who have learned to play the fiddle-leaf fig, move onto a Monstera to gain a better understanding for how easy it can be to garden indoors. "A monstera is extremely adaptable, and can thrive in a variety of conditions," she says. It requires a warm, humid and humid environment, but can withstand lower temperatures.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most durable house plants that are available. It's slow-growing, tough and can endure a wide range of conditions. It thrives in areas with dark conditions, and is not bothered by low humidity. It is also tolerant to people who aren't paying attention and only requires periodic watering to thrive. The leaves of this succulent can be lime green, black-purple or a mix of both as they age.
Divide the rhizomes from the ZZ plant, which are the tubers that look like roots at the bottom of the stems. Lift the plant from its pot and split the rhizomes. Cut them back a bit before planting them into new pots. Alternatively, you can grow new ZZs from stem cuttings with two leaves that are approximately an inch long. Plant the cuttings into an urn that is an equal mix of perlite and multipurpose soil. Place in a warm place. It may take up to one year for the cuttings' roots to develop into new plants.
Despite being one of the most durable house plants there are certain things that can cause the ZZ plant to die, including overwatering, direct sunlight and dry soil. Water the ZZ plant only when its soil feels dry. If the soil is moist it's fine to let it be. The plant can go for weeks without watering as its rhizomes store water.
This plant is not an insect magnet, but it is susceptible to fungus and rot. The best way to avoid these issues is to regularly remove dead and old foliage from the plant. Keep it away from small children and pets, as the leaves and stalks can be irritating when ingested.
The ZZ plant can be used as an air purifier that removes benzene-toluene xylene as well as other volatile organic compounds from indoor environments. It can also absorb volatile organic compounds such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. This makes the ZZ plant an ideal option for apartments and offices that aren't well-ventilated.
Parlor Palm
Palms have a long-standing history as indoor plants, and with good reason. They can be grown in different temperatures and lighting conditions. They also provide an exotic, lush look to your home. The chamaedorea species, also known as parlor palm, is not an exception. The plant, which is also known as neanthe Bella palm, is native to Central America and is gaining in popularity because of its versatility. It thrives in bright, filtered light, but can be established in areas with lower lighting, like rooms that face north or east. It is a slow-growing plant so it could take up to a year for it to reach its full height of 2-6 feet.
If you wish to encourage growth, fertilize the plant every month with an appropriate liquid fertilizer. Bridget Zazzara is the retail indoor and seasonal plant supervisor for Logan's Trading Company. She suggests using a well-draining mix. Choose a soil that is well-drained that is slightly acidic to alkaline, with a pH range of 6.1 and 7.8 and make sure to add a few gallons of sphagnum peat, which improves the soil's structure and retention.
Keep low maintenance house plants from areas that are drafty, and mist their leaves every day to maintain humidity. You can also install a humidifier inside your home. Repot your parlor palm in spring if it becomes rootbound. It's important not to overwater the plant, however, since the plant could be susceptible to root decay. Water the plant as soon as the top inch or so of the compost is dry to the touch. In warmer weather, water more often. In winter, water less.
best houseplants are attractive to bees. But keep them out of the reach of pets and children. The needle-like leaves are poisonous and could be consumed. They also attract mealybugs. These insects appear as white, fluffy blobs under the leaves. They can be difficult to remove. If you see these insects, you can wipe them off with the help of a cotton bud, or a cloth that has been soaked in an insecticide that contains fatty acids or plants oils.