If you’re a first-time plant parent, this post is for you. This guide for beginners will teach you how to take care of indoor plants and give you a list of the best ones for beginners. You’ll be able to get a green thumb and have lots of happy plant babies in your home!
One of my favorite ways to decorate inside is with houseplants. They bring so much life and texture to a room, which makes them perfect for a simple home style.
It’s also super rewarding to watch them grow. There’s nothing quite like seeing a new baby leaf on a plant you’ve been caring for.
But maybe you’ve brought home a succulent or two and watched it whither away despite your best efforts. Don’t worry, there is still hope. We can turn your black thumb green, you just need to know the basics of plant care.
Getting into indoor gardening can be intimidating especially for beginners who aren’t sure where to start. However, filling your home with beautiful lively plants has never been easier thanks to the wide variety of low-maintenance options available. With just a bit of basic plant care knowledge, even the most inexperienced green thumb can create a thriving indoor jungle.
These 15 easy houseplants are perfect choices for beginner plant parents looking to dive into the wonderful world of indoor gardening:
1. Monstera
Monstera’s iconic split leaves add visual interest to any space This tropical vine thrives in low to medium light conditions, only needing bright indirect sunlight from an east or west facing window. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry
2. Spider Plant
A favorite for decades, the spider plant is almost impossible to kill. Its graceful arched foliage prefers medium to high light. Allow the soil to dry out some between waterings. Spider plants are prolific growers, so be prepared for plenty of baby spiderette plants.
3. Pothos
A classic houseplant, pothos features trailing stems with heart-shaped leaves. It tolerates low light conditions, but thrives in medium light. Check for dry soil before watering. Pothos is the perfect choice to cascade from hanging baskets or high shelves.
4. Philodendron
The many varieties of philodendron offer interesting leaf shapes like fiddleheads and lacy leaves. Most adapt well to the low light levels of indoor spaces. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
5. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants have large, glossy leaves that command attention. They thrive in medium to bright light. Allow the soil to partially dry out before watering. Choose a sturdy pot since rubber plants can grow quite tall.
6. Chinese Evergreen
With patterned leaves in shades of green, pink, and white, the Chinese evergreen adds a pop of color to indoor spaces. It does well in low to medium indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
7. Prayer Plant
Known for its unique foliage that appears to raise and lower as the day progresses, prayer plants prefer medium to low light situations. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
8. Crassula
Succulents like jade and moonstone plants are great options if you tend to forget to water. Allow the soil to completely dry out between deep waterings. Give them as much light as possible.
9. Snake Plant
Nearly impossible to kill, snake plants tolerate weeks of neglect. They thrive in medium to low light. Only water when the soil is totally dry. Snake plants filter indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde too.
10. ZZ Plant
Looking for a worry-free plant? The ZZ thrives on neglect, tolerating low light and infrequent watering. Just don’t overwater. Its waxy leaves store water like a succulent.
11. Peperomia
Available in a variety of leaf shapes and sizes, peperomia plants are compact and slow growing. Bright light keeps them happiest. Allow the soil to mostly dry out between waterings.
12. Nerve Plant
With striking veined leaves, nerve plants are a great low light option. Keep their soil lightly moist, watering when the top third of soil dries out. Too much light causes the dramatic leaf patterns to fade.
13. Cast Iron Plant
As its name implies, you’d have to try hard to kill this tough as nails plant. Cast iron plants tolerate total neglect, low light, and extended dry periods. Water occasionally when soil is partly dry.
14. Haworthia
Cute little succulents with chunky leaves, Haworthias are perfect for beginners. Give them plenty of sunlight and only water when the soil has dried completely.
15. Air Plants
For the ultimate low maintenance plant, try air plants. Mount them on wood or hang in glass terrariums. Mist with water every few days–that’s all they need!
With the right plant picks, anyone can cultivate impressive indoor plantscapes. Start with just a few of these hard-to-kill houseplants, and soon you’ll have the confidence to expand your indoor garden.
The easiest houseplants for beginners:
It can be hard to take care of some of the most popular houseplants, so picking the right ones for first-timers can make all the difference.
I have a long list of the best indoor plants for beginners, but these four are the easiest ones that I think everyone should try.
- Snake plant—I have four of these because I love them so much. Additionally, they don’t need a lot of light or water and are very simple to take care of. Do you want a plant that you don’t have to care for for weeks on end? This is it! S. This fake snake plant looks the most real of any fake plant I’ve seen. Over the years, it’s lived happily in a few places near my house.
- Golden Pothos: I have two pothos, and they look great on open shelves or anywhere else you want a viney plant with heart-shaped leaves. I have only been able to keep these plants alive on the other side of the room from a window. Pothories can live in low light, which makes them a favorite among new plant parents and one of the easiest plants to care for.
- Aloe vera plants can get very big. They need less water than many other houseplants, so they are a good choice for people who forget to water their plants often.
- Rubber plant: This plant is very easy to grow, and I would suggest it to anyone who is just starting out. I have a few of them, and they’re great houseplants that look good and don’t need much care.
PS All of those are linked to amazon. It seems weird to order plants online but I’ve ordered from amazon and etsy with no problem!.
Does my indoor plant need plant food?
Always use the right soil and plant your plants in pots that let water drain well to keep your houseplants healthy.
Different plants prefer different soil, usually based on the amount of water the soil holds.
Potting soil also comes filled with the nutrients your plant needs.
However, over time, your plant absorbs these nutrients, and watering washes some of them away.
You’ll either need to fertilize your plants or repot them with fresh soil regularly. Repotting every year or two is sufficient.
Most people only recommend using fertilizer once or twice a month during the summer. Those are the months plants are in a natural growth phase.
I recently started using a fertilizer from my local nursery that my plants seem to love.
You might try your local nursery to see what they have available or recommend.
The 5 Best Houseplants For Beginners
FAQ
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