The Best House Plants for Beginners
A plant at home can increase oxygen levels and decrease the amount of pollutants and dust. And caring for one can be a great source of satisfaction--it's even been known to boost mental health.
Which house plant is right for you? Experts have given us their recommendations.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most well-known house plants, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves and gorgeous white variation. It is also easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for those who are new to gardening. Pothos, like other tropical plants thrives in different light conditions. However it prefers moderate amounts of indirect sunlight. It can also grow under lower light levels or in complete shade. It can also thrive in humid conditions, and soil that is slightly acidic.
So long as the soil isn't allowed to dry out completely, this plant is tolerant of missed waterings, though overwatering is the most common cause of death in houseplants. If you're not sure you can test your finger with the soil test: Stick your finger one or two inches deep into the soil to determine if it's moist; if not, it's time for an irrigation. If the leaves become yellow, it's most likely due to lack of light or too much direct sunlight, or it could be an indication of fungal disease.
Pothos, unlike most plants, can tolerate air pollution including ozone. It can be used in the bathroom or kitchen to clean the air.
Like other plants like it, this one is susceptible to pests and diseases. It is recommended to tackle problems as soon as you can, so they don't spread. Pests like mealybugs and thrips are common on this plant. Make sure to keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered and it'll be less likely to attract these pests.
Trim the stem tips regularly to keep your plant looking great. good house plants will keep the foliage full and marbled, and will prevent the vines from getting too long. These tips of the stem can be used to propagate plants.
If you'd like to encourage your Marble Queen to develop, give it something to stick to. This could be a moss rod the trellis for your houseplant, or the length of string. Remember to spray the moss, or any other support, with water as part of your regular irrigation routine to help it grow faster.
Monstera
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera delica), also called the Monstera plant is among the most well-known houseplants in use currently. good house plants have natural holes called leaf fenestration, which can bring a tropical vibe to any space. It's easy to propagate by cutting and growing it in water which makes it a great option for those who are just starting out.
Monstera deliciosa is an extremely fast-growing plant, so it may require repotted every couple of months as the roots develop. To ensure that your plant is healthy take one or two leaves at a time, and place it back in soil that is well-drained. Make sure to use a well-ventilated pot, and mix in ingredients like perlite or lava rock for an increased aeration of the soil, if required.
They are simple to care for as houseplants, provided they receive bright light and sufficient humidity. They will happily climb a trellis, or vine downwards. You can easily form them to your preference by pruning. You can mist a Monstera with a water spray bottle to increase the amount of humidity in its leaves.
Although it is called that the monstera isn't a succulent. While succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that hold water and nutrients, monsteras have thin heart-shaped leaves that have fenestrations. Monsteras are tolerant of dry climates but require more humidity and moisture than succulents.
It is important to remember that, even though the fenestrations of 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 toxic oxalic acid and can cause pain to the throat and mouth if consumed.
If you've already master the fiddle leaf fig, Blank suggests moving onto monstera next in order to understand how easy gardening indoors can be. "A monstera is extremely adaptable, and can thrive in a variety of conditions," she says. tall house plants requires a warm and humid environment, but it is able to be able to withstand lower temperatures and more humidity than the typical home.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is one of the most durable house plants. It's slow-growing, tough and can withstand a variety of conditions. It thrives in dark places and doesn't seem to be affected by low humidity. It is also tolerant to neglectful owners and requires only occasional watering in order to thrive. The leaves of this tropical succulent can be lime green, purple-black or a mixture of both colors as they age.
You can propagate the ZZ plant by dividing its rhizomes, which are tubers that resemble roots on the bottom of each stem. Lift the plant out of its pot and separate the rhizomes. Cut them back a bit before planting them into new pots. You can also grow new ZZs from stem cuttings that have two leaves and are about an inch long. Plant the cuttings in a pot with a 50:50 mixture of perlite and multipurpose compost and place in a sunny spot. It may take up to an entire year for the cuttings' roots to develop into a new plant.
Despite being one of the most durable house plants, there are some things that can cause the ZZ plant to die, such as excessive watering, direct sunlight and dry soil. Water the ZZ plant only if its soil feels dry. It's fine to keep the soil moist. The plant can last for weeks without watering because its rhizomes hold water.
This plant doesn't attract many pests, but it could be prone to fungus and rot. To avoid these problems get rid of the dead and old leaves from the plant frequently. It is also essential to keep it out of reach of pets and small children as the stems and leaves can be irritating if 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 remove volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. This makes the ZZ plant an ideal option for apartments and offices which aren't air-conditioned.
Parlor Palm
Palms have a long-standing history as indoor plants, and with good reason. They provide lush, tropical vibes to living spaces and can tolerate a wide variety of lighting conditions and temperatures. The chamaedorea or parlor, palm is no different. low maintenance house plants , also referred to 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 thrive away from windows and in areas with less light such as north or east-facing rooms. It is a slow-growing plant, so it can take up to a year to reach the full height of 2-6 feet.
If you would like your plant to grow and flourish, you can fertilize it every month by using a balanced liquid fertilizer. Bridget Zazzara is the retail indoor and seasonal plant supervisor at Logan's Trading Company. She suggests using a well-draining mix. Look for a well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to alkaline, with a pH range of 6.1 and 7.8 Be sure to add a few gallons of sphagnum peat moss, which improves the soil's structure and retention.
Keep your parlor palms clear from areas with drafts and mist their leaves every day to ensure that they are humid. You can also install a humidifier inside your home. Repot your parlor palm in the spring time if it becomes rootbound. Overwatering can cause root decay. Water the plant when the top inch or so of the compost is dry to the touch. Water more frequently in warm weather, and less frequently in the winter.
They are attractive to bees, however make sure you keep them out of the reach of pets and children. Their needle-like leaves could be poisonous if they are eaten and are a magnet for mealybugs. These insects appear as white, fluffy blobs on the underside of the leaves, and are often difficult to eradicate. If you spot them, clean off the bugs using a cloth or cotton bud covered in insecticides that contain fatty acids or plant oils.