Top 7 Houseplants for Beginners
Every home, no matter the size or style can be made better with the addition of a few Houseplants. For beginners, it’s best to look for hardy and low-maintenance varieties that aren’t too sensitive to routine water schedules and fluctuations in soil quality.
In this post, we’re focusing on the top 7 houseplants for beginners, which are sure to make a great addition to your home, no matter the time of year!
Houseplants for Beginners
Succulents
By far one of the easiest plants to take care of is the Succulent! These beautiful plants have a large variety of colors and shapes from the Echeveria’s rosette, to the Sedum Burrito’s jelly bean-like leaves!
Make sure not to overwater these drought tolerant plants, they store water in their leaves and/or stems! Planting them outdoors or even on a sunny windowsill will surely do the trick. Potting these plants in well draining soil is a MUST. Even though they are easy to care for, without the correct potting mix, watering them could easily kill them if the soil is too thick. Cactus mix is perfect, it should be grainy and loose enough so the plant doesn’t sit in constant moisture.
These plants thrive best in sunny climates. 4-6 hours a day of bright sunlight is recommended. Another thing about Succulents is that they are generally pest resistant!
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies require little maintenance, but unlike Succulents, the Peace Lily is not drought tolerant, more of the opposite. They love moist, but not soaked soil with good drainage! Peat-based potting mix with sand or perlite is ideal for this plant. The soil should be light.
Watering your lily should happen about once per week, or whenever the top soil is dry. Bright indirect light is a good option for Peace Lilies since their leaves are so thin, they burn pretty easily! Misting your lily daily will surely help it thrive, they love high humidity as it intimates their natural home, the forest floor.
You should trim any unhealthy brown leaves as it takes energy away from the plant, pruning back these leaves can redirect its focus on newer healthier leaves and even blooms! Wiping the leaves with a soft towel or t-shirt will keep your little beauty shiny and clean! Although the Peace Lily is an amazing plant, it is toxic to dogs and cats. So while they are great houseplants for beginners, be cautious of this plant’s spot in your home!
Snake Plant
Another one of the easiest plants to care for is the Snake Plant! Generally, the hardest plant to kill most people say. These plants tolerate just about any level of light, from high to low. They are not very picky, but grow faster in brighter areas of the home.
If you struggle with consistent watering, the Snake Plant is the one for you! It can be neglected for weeks at a time, so don’t be afraid to let the soil dry out. They prefer warmer weather, and will suffer if temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Potting soil needs to be loose and well draining, sandier soil and cactus mix would be perfect for this plant.
Monstera Adansonii “Swiss Cheese Plant”
The Monstera Adansonii, also known as the “Swiss Cheese Plant” is a fairly easy plant to care for. Loving bright and indirect light. It grows best in warm conditions and thrives in high humidity levels. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can always spray the plant with water in a spray bottle.
Be careful not to let temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, since the plant’s growing process could stop completely! Peat-based potting soil with perlite is recommended for this viney plant, retains moisture but isn’t soaked. Monstera Adansonii loves moist soil, so water the plant every 5-7 days, or whenever the top inch of soil is dry.
It’s a climber! So be sure to prune back its leaves when it overgrows its living space, and don’t throw those cuttings out! Put those back in the soil and they’ll eventually take roots and you’ll have a bushier plant.
Heartleaf Philodendron
The Heartleaf Philodendron is another trailing plant. That’s popular among households. Its nickname is The Sweetheart Plant, seeing that it has cute heart-shaped leaves. They do come in different shapes, colors, and sizes!
This plant loves humidity, so mist it lightly daily. Though, it does tolerate dry air. It loves moist soil, so water every 5-7 days, or whenever the top of the soil is about an inch dry. The Heartleaf Philodendron is sensitive to temperatures below 55 degrees, so keep away from drafty areas to keep it warm. Providing bright, indirect light is best for this plant. They tolerate low shady areas, but giving it some sun here and there will surely help it thrive! Avoid direct sunlight, it can scorch the leaves.
They do best in moist soil but make sure the soil is well-draining. Soil should include peat moss, perlite, and sand for it to be light and airy. Heartleaf philodendrons should be kept out of reach since they can be toxic to both dogs and cats.
Zz Plant
An easy plant to care for is the Zz Plant, very low maintenance and can go anywhere from a week to two weeks without water. They are drought tolerant, you don’t have to worry about inconsistent watering! A good watering every two weeks will be fine.
They prefer bright, indirect sunlight, but can thrive in many different light conditions. This plant is not very picky with soil mixtures. As long as it is well-draining soil, your plant will do just fine. Avoid direct sunlight, it can scorch the leaves of this plant.
They can’t be in drafty spots, any lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit might kill the plant. These plants have a natural shine on the leaves. If the leaves look dusty, softly wipe away any debris with a damp washcloth. If ingested, these plants can be harmful to humans and pets.
Dieffenbachia
Last, but not least on our list of top houseplants for beginners, is the Dieffenbachia, coming in a variety of colors, from dark green, light green, white, and creme, which requires very little attention. This beautiful plant is considered a fast-growing plant and can get pretty bushy. Loves high humidity, mist daily, or if you have a humidifier, place it near the plant for automatic misting throughout the day.
This plant does well in corners of the home, though it shouldn’t be in direct sunlight because of its thin leaves. Indirect sunlight is best for this plant to thrive. Not very picky when it comes to soil mixtures, but a well draining soil with high amounts of peat moss and some perlite will do the trick. Watering should only happen when the top of the soil is completely dry two inches deep. They prefer warmer weather, so keep away from drafty areas of the home. It’s also highly toxic to dogs, cats and humans.
Ready to Purchase a Few Houseplants for Your Home?
Stop by Moller’s Garden Center to find a few low-maintenance houseplants. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and offer suggestions on which plant varieties will work best in your home and for your busy schedule!