The first time I bought a houseplant I was almost sure it would be dead within days. I was working at a plant nursery and learning more about how to care for plants, and it all just seemed so tedious. I ended up bringing a golden pothos home one day, just to test my plant mom skills out. Looking at my current plant collection, it is safe to say it is not as hard as I had expected.
Here are a few plants that would be perfect for a beginner:
Pothos: These are some of my favorite plants, partly because they are almost impossible to kill, but also because they are so cute! There are so many varieties, with leaves ranging from a dark green with golden flecks, to a cool green with darker spots. Light wise, they can tolerate a lot. Indirect sunlight is ideal, but they can also do well in low light rooms. If you aren’t big on watering, starting with a pothos is perfect. They like to dry out in between waters, and they sometimes let you know when they are ready for a drink by drooping their leaves. I have three right now: a golden pothos named Ms. Goldilocks, a silver satin pothos named Earl Jr, and a queen marble pothos named Cleo. I love them all so much and would absolutely recommend starting your plant family with one.
Chinese Money Plant: These are those adorable plants with circular leaves that have become so popular lately. I have heard people call them by many names, including “pancake plant” and “UFO plant,” but I think the most common is “Chinese Money Plant.” They are pretty easy to take care of, but when buying a pot, make sure it has drainage. (This should go for any plant, but these ones specifically prefer drained soil.) They can dry out between waterings, but can also be kept slightly moist, as long as they aren’t too soggy. Sunlight should be indirect, but bright to make sure these cute little guys don’t get scorched. Mine is named Penelope and is definitely one of my favorite plant babies.
English Ivy: Ivy is so hard to kill, so it is a little embarrassing to admit I have, in fact, killed one. (RIP Clarence.) If you want to avoid my mistakes, just be sure to keep it somewhere with bright light. I found this out a little too late. The top of the soil should dry between waterings, so just stick your finger in a centimeter or two to check this. I think they look really pretty hanging off a shelf or growing up a wall, but if there is anything you don’t want to damage, be hesitant with letting them grow like this. I’ve heard of this plant causing damage with its roots.
Snake Plant: These plants are tough. If you are really worried about not watering your plants, this might be the plant for you. They can withstand drought, and do not need to be watered super often. They also would do well in a low-light dorm room. That being said, be sure they aren’t neglected! All plants need a little love sometimes.
Monstera: I love these plants so much. They can have small, swiss cheese-like leaves, or much larger ones. They have so much sass, and are easy to take care of, but have a few environmental preferences: They need to be in a room that has a good balance of sunlight and darkness. If they get too much of either, the growth will be affected. They love humidity, so if you have a humidifier that is a bonus! Be sure to let them get dry in between waterings, but when you do water them, saturate all of the soil to keep them happy.
Fiddle Leaf Fig: If I am being honest, you shouldn’t get a fiddle leaf fig if you are looking for a low-maintenance plant. They can really be picky sometimes, and it can be hard to figure out what they are asking for. That being said, if you are looking for a plant to actually be a plant momma for (like you actually want to take care of it and show it lots of love,) this is the one for you. Be sure to give them lots of indirect sunlight, and keep them somewhere that avoids an air conditioning draft. When I tell you they need to be treated like queens, I am not kidding, so choose the best spot in your room. Just to be safe, put the original pot they come in into a larger basket, and avoid repotting until they grow enough. This keeps them from going into shock. I like to soak my fiddle leaf fig, but let them dry out between waterings, because they hate overwatering. If you do all of this and show them enough love, you should be good to go.
A few more tips to keep your plant family happy:
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It might help you remember to take care of your plants if you name them. This sounds a little crazy but after I started naming mine, they started feeling more like little lives I wanted to take care of instead of just room decor. I always tell my plants how cute they are when I water them for added good vibes. I seriously think they grow more when they get more love.
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If you have a lot of dust where you live, wipe off your plant’s leaves when you get a chance. This helps them get more sunlight for photosynthesis.
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Always buy pots with drainage holes in them to avoid root rot or fungus gnats, and if needed get a little saucer to catch any leakage.
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Propagate your plants if you can! This will save you money and help you grow a larger plant family from what you already have.
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If you bring a new plant into the house, let it have a little quarantine period before you put it near any other plants. This is because bugs can easily get from one plant to another, and let me tell you, some of them are a real pain to get rid of. So, just to be sure this doesn’t happen, let your new plant sit away from the rest and watch for any suspicious bug activity.
I hope all of this helps your plant family grow big and healthy! And don’t worry, if you kill one, it is ok. Plant parenting is definitely a learning process, but with a little love and time, your house plants will thrive.