I’m not going to lie and pretend I have never killed a plant. While plants may die because their needs aren’t met, some of them are just super picky and love to give you a hard time. Indoor plants all have different needs, and depending on your home environment, some of them will be more suitable for you than others. I have noticed that there are a few that do well in basically all situations and environments, so if you’re just beginning to start your long, winding journey to becoming a plant hoarder or just want to have a bit of green in your home, here are some plants I recommend you start with.
- Pothos/Epipremnum aureum
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Pothos are a type of trailing vine, and one of my top favourites because they’re so simple, so undemanding, yet so beautiful, and can come in many different variations and variegation (variegation occurs when the plant distributes uneven amounts of chlorophyll in its leaves, allowing the leaves to be different colours, for example, dark green with streaks of white or lighter green). While they prefer bright, indirect light they can survive in low light too, though variegation most likely won’t occur–I got my first pothos when I moved into a residence over two years ago and it survived really well in my bedroom with very little natural light, and it’s still thriving today. They also don’t need to be watered too much and can go without water for a while–if their leaves start drooping, it probably means you’re underwatering. Make sure to water once and only once the soil feels dry so you don’t rot their roots! If you like trailing plants, this is the one for you!
What it likes best:
Sunlight: bright, indirect sunlight
Water: water when the soil feels dry
- Spider plant/Chlorophytum
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The spider plant is also a type of trailing plant. It has long, thin, light green and white leaves that protrude out of the soil and trail over the edge of the pot like long, crawling spider legs…don’t worry, even if you hate spiders like me you will love this plant. It not only looks adorable but it’s so easy to care for. They prefer bright to moderate indirect sunlight but they can grow well in shady places of your home too. They like lots of water, especially in the summer, and to be misted regularly with a spray bottle (you can get these at the dollar store). Keep these away from your cats–they’re not toxic like some plants but my cats love to play and chew on the leaves.
What it likes best:
Sunlight: bright/moderate indirect sunlight
Water: keep soil moist and water liberally through the summer, cut back water during the winter
Humidity: mist regularly
- Snake plant/Sansevieria
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Snake plants are a type of succulent that are often referred to as “mother-in-laws tongue” because of their long, sharp, pointed leaves. Most cacti and succulents are very easy to care for, but this one is one of my favourites and is one of the easiest. While they prefer indirect sunlight, they can be in almost any light conditions, and will do just fine as long as they have some light. They don’t need much water, only once the soil is dry, but really watering it every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter should be enough. Too much water can kill the poor guy. These look super classy and they range from a few inches to 12 feet tall, although I think the indoor ones only grow to about 3 feet.
What it likes best:
Sunlight: bright/moderate indirect sunlight
Water: only water once every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter or when the soil feels super dry. Please don’t overwater!
While these are only 3 of many houseplants that you could own, these are the ones I would start with because they are so easy and come in so many different varieties it’ll feel like you have so many different plants, even if they’re all the same type.