The Best House Plants for Beginners
A plant in your home can boost oxygen levels and reduce the amount of dust and pollutants. Caring for a plant can be a source of immense satisfaction and has been proved to boost mental health.
Which best houseplants is right for you? We spoke to experts about their top choices.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a very popular house plant, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves and stunning white variegation. It's also among the easiest to take care of which makes it a good option for people who are just starting out. Like good house plants , pothos thrives in a range of light conditions, but it prefers moderate levels of bright indirect sunlight. It is also able to thrive under lower light levels or in full shade. It also thrives in humid environments, and soil that is slightly acidic.
The plant will tolerate a lack of waterings as long as the soil does not dry out completely. Overwatering is among the most common causes of death for houseplants. If you're unsure, stick your finger into the soil and check if the soil is moist. If not, you should water the plant. If the leaves are turning yellow, it could be due to too much sunlight or a lack of sunlight. It could also indicate that there's a fungal infection.
Pothos, unlike other plants, can withstand the effects of air pollution, such as ozone. It can be utilized in the bathroom or kitchen to clean the air.
This plant is susceptible to pests and disease as are other plants. It's best to treat problems as soon as they arise, so they don't get spread throughout the home. Pests such as mealybugs and thrips are most common on this plant. Keep your Marble Queen pothos well-watered and fed will keep these insects away from attacking it in the first place.
To keep your plant looking at its best, trim the stem tips often. This helps the marbled foliage remain full and keeps the vines from becoming too long. The stem tips can be used to help propagate plants.
If you want your Marble Queen to grow taller you can encourage it to climb by giving it something to hold onto. This could be a moss rod, houseplant trellis, or even the length of string. Remember to spray the moss, or any other support with water as part of your regular routine of irrigation to aid in helping it grow faster.
Monstera
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera delica) is also called the Monstera plant, is one of the most popular houseplants in the present. Its leaves are naturally hollow called leaf fenestration, which can give a tropical feel to any space. It's also easy to propagate by cutting it and growing it in water, making it a great choice for beginners.
Monstera deliciosa is a fast-growing plant, so you may need to plant it again every few months. To keep your plant healthy remove some leaves at a time, and repot in well-draining soil. Make sure to use a well-ventilated pot and add in other ingredients such as perlite or lava rock for an increased aeration of the soil, if required.
They are simple to maintain as houseplants, provided they are given bright light and adequate humidity. They will happily climb a trellis or climb downwards. You can easily form them to your preference by pruning. You can mist a Monstera using a water spray bottle to increase the humidity in its leaves.
Contrary to its name, a monstera is not a succulent. Monsteras are characterized by slim, heart-shaped leaves which feature fenestrations. Succulents have fleshy, thick leaves which are able to store water. Monsteras are tolerant of dry climates, however they require more moisture to flourish than succulents do, and so they must be maintained at the right temperature and with sufficient humidity.
The leaves of the monstera, despite their appearance, are not edible. The plant's fruits, stems and leaves are oxalic acids, which can cause mouth and throat irritation if consumed.
Blank recommends that those who have learned to play the fiddle-leaf fig, move to a monstera to get a better idea for how easy it could be to plant indoors. "A monstera is extremely adaptable, so it can survive in many different conditions," she says. It needs a warm, humid and humid environment, but can withstand lower temperatures.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most robust house plants available. It's slow-growing, tough and can withstand a variety of conditions. It can thrive in dark places and doesn't seem to be affected by low humidity. It's also tolerant of people who aren't paying attention and only requires periodic watering to thrive. The leaves of this succulent can be lime green, purple-black or a mix of both as they mature.
You can reproduce the ZZ plant by dividing its rhizomes. These are the tubers that look like roots at the bottom of each stem. Remove the plant out of its pot and separate the rhizomes. Trim them a little before putting them in new pots. You can also grow new ZZs by using stem cuttings with two leaves, each measuring approximately an inch long. Plant the cuttings in a pot containing 50/50 mix of perlite and multipurpose soil. Place the pot in a warm place. It could take up to a year for the cuttings' roots to develop into new plants.
Despite being among the most robust house plants, there are certain things that can cause this species to die, such as excessive watering, direct sunlight and dry soil. The best way to prevent these issues is to only water the ZZ plant when its soil feels dry. If the soil is moist it's okay to leave it that way. The plant stores water in its rhizomes therefore it is able to go for several weeks without watering.
This plant isn't an insect magnet however, it is susceptible to fungus and rot. To avoid problems like this take away the dead and old leaves from the plant regularly. Keep it away from children and pets, as the stalks and leaves can be irritating when eaten.
The ZZ plant is a great air purifier because it helps to eliminate toluene, benzene and xylene from indoor air. It can also remove volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. This makes the ZZ plant an ideal choice for offices and apartments that aren't well-ventilated.
Parlor Palm
Palms have a long history as indoor plants, and for good reason. They provide tropical, lush vibes to living spaces and can take on a range of lighting conditions and temperatures. The chamaedorea, or parlor, palm is no different. The plant, also known as neanthe bella palm is native to Central America and is gaining in popularity due to its versatility. It grows best in bright, well-filtered light but can also be planted in areas with less lighting, like rooms facing east or north. It is a slow-growing species, so it could take up to a year to reach the full height of 2 to 6 feet.
If you want to encourage growth, fertilize your plant every month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Bridget Zazzara is the retail indoor and seasonal plant manager for Logan's Trading Company. She recommends 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 Be sure to add a bit of sphagnum peat moss which improves the soil's structure and water retention.
Keep your parlor palms clear from drafty areas, and mist their leaves daily to keep the humidity in check. You can also install an air humidifier to your home. If low maintenance house plants becomes rootbound, you can repot it in the spring. Overwatering can cause root rot. Water the plant as soon as the top inch or so of compost is dry to the point of contact. In warm weather, you should water more often. In winter, water less.
The palms are attractive to bees. But keep them out of the reach of pets and children. low maintenance house plants -like leaves are poisonous and could be ingested. They also attract mealybugs. These insects appear as fluffy white blobs that are located on the underside of leaves and can be difficult to eliminate. If you spot them, wipe off the bugs using a cotton bud or cloth covered in insecticides that contain fatty acids or plant oils.