The Best House Plants for Beginners
A plant in your home can improve oxygen levels and reduce the amount of dust and pollutants. The care of a plant can be a source of great satisfaction, and it's been proven to improve your mental health.
Which house plant is right for you? Experts shared their suggestions.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a very popular house plant due to its heart-shaped leaves with stunning white variegation. It is also simple to maintain and is an ideal choice for novices. Like other tropical plants, pothos thrives in a range of light conditions, however it prefers moderate levels of indirect sunlight. It is also able to thrive in a lower light or complete shade. A moderately humid household and a soil mix that is slightly acidic work well for this plant, too.
The plant can tolerate missing waterings as long as the soil does not dry out completely. Overwatering is one of the most frequent causes of death for houseplants. If you are unsure you can test your finger with the soil test: Place your finger about two inches deep into the soil to determine whether it's damp; if not, it's time for a watering. If the leaves turn yellow, it's likely due to a lack of light or too much direct sun, or it could be an indication of fungal disease.
In contrast to most plants, pothos is able to tolerate air pollution, including Ozone and Volatile Organic Compounds. It's also a good option for kitchens or bathrooms in order to help in the removal of air pollutants.
Like other plants like it, this one is susceptible to pests and diseases. It is recommended to deal with problems as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading. Thrips and mealybugs are the most frequent pests found on this plant. Make sure to keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered and it'll be less likely to attract these pests.
To keep your plant looking at its best, trim the stem tips frequently. This helps the marbled foliage remain full and keeps the vines from getting too long. These stem tip clippings may be used to create new plants.
If you wish for your Marble Queen to grow taller, encourage it to climb by providing it with something to cling to. This could be a moss-covered trellis or rod, or even string. Be sure to spray the moss or any other supports with a bit of water as part of your regular irrigation routine to encourage it to grow more quickly.
Monstera
low maintenance house plants (Monstera delica) is also called the Monstera plant, is one of the most popular houseplants currently. Its leaves are naturally hollow known as leaf fenestration, which gives a tropical look to any room. It's easy to propagate by cutting and growing it in water making it a good choice for beginners.
Monstera deliciosa can grow quickly and you may have to pot it up every few months. To ensure your plant's health remove some leaves at a time and repot in well-draining soil. Make sure you make sure that the container is well ventilated and add ingredients like perlite or lava rock for an increased aeration of the soil, if required.
These evergreen vines are easy to care for as house plants, provided they receive bright light and adequate humidity. They're happy to climb the trellis or climb down and can be easily trimmed to form they prefer in a particular way. You can mist a Monstera using a water spray bottle to increase humidity in its leaves.
potted house plants are not a succulent, despite the name. While succulents have thick fleshy leaves that hold water, monsteras have thin heart-shaped leaves adorned with fenestrations. Monsteras can tolerate dry climates, however they require more water to grow than succulents do, and so they must be maintained at the right temperature and sufficient humidity.
The leaves of the monstera, despite their appearance, aren't edible. The fruit, stems, and leaves of this plant are laced with toxic oxalic acid and can cause irritation to the throat and mouth when consumed.
If you've already master the fiddle leaf fig, Blank recommends moving on to the monstera to experience how easy gardening indoors can be. "A monstera can adapt to many different conditions," says Blank. It requires a warm and humid climate, but it can also tolerate lower temperatures.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most durable house plants available. It's slow-growing and tough, surviving a wide range of conditions. It thrives in dark places and isn't bothered by low humidity. It's also kind to people who aren't paying attention, and requires only occasional waterings to thrive. The leaves of this tropical succulent could be lime green, black-purple or a mixture of both as they mature.
Divide the rhizomes from the ZZ plant that are the tubers that resemble roots at the base of the stems. Remove the plant out of its pot and divide the rhizomes. Cut them back a bit before planting them into new pots. You can also cultivate new ZZs by using stem cuttings that have two leaves, each measuring approximately an inch long. Place the cuttings in a pot containing an equal mix of multipurpose soil and perlite. Place in a warm place. It can take up to one year for the cuttings to grow.
Although it is among the most robust house plants, there are some things that can cause this species to die, including overwatering direct sunlight, dry soil. The best way to prevent these issues is to only water the ZZ plant when its soil is dry. If the soil feels damp it's fine to let it be. The plant can go for weeks without watering since its rhizomes hold water.
The plant is not a pest magnet however, it is susceptible to fungus and rot. The best way to avoid these problems is to regularly remove old and dead leaves from the plant. Keep it away from children and pets, as the stalks and leaves can cause irritation when eaten.
The ZZ plant is a great air purifier, as it can help to remove toluene, benzene, and xylene out of indoor environments. It can also remove volatile organic compounds such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. This makes the ZZ plant a good choice for offices and apartments that aren't well-ventilated.
Parlor Palm
Palms are a popular indoor plant, and with good reason. They can be planted in various temperatures and lighting conditions. They also bring an exotic, lush look to your home. The chamaedorea elegans, or parlor palm, is not an exception. The plant, which is also known as neanthe Bella palm is native to Central America and is gaining in popularity due to its versatility. It thrives best in bright, filtered light but can be planted in areas with less lighting, such as rooms facing east or north. It is a slow-growing species, therefore it may take up to a year for it to reach its maximum height of 2-6 feet.
If you want to encourage growth, fertilize the plant every month with an appropriate liquid fertilizer. Bridget Zazzara is the retail indoor and seasonal plant supervisor at Logan's Trading Company. potted house plants recommends using a well draining mix. Look for a well-draining soil that is slightly acidic or alkaline with a pH between 6.1 and 7.8 and make sure to add a little of sphagnum peat, which can improve the soil's structure as well as water retention.
Parlor palms love an environment that is humid Therefore, be sure to keep them out of areas with drafts and mist the leaves daily to maintain humidity levels. You can also install a humidifier in your home. Repot your parlor palm in the spring time if it becomes rootbound. It is important not to overwater, however, as the plant can become susceptible to root decay. Water the plant only when the top inch or so of compost is dry to the surface. Water more frequently in warm weather, but less often in winter.
These palms are appealing to bees, but ensure that you keep them out of reach of pets and children. The needle-like leaves are poisonous and can be consumed. They also attract mealybugs. These insects look like fluffy white blobs that are located on the undersides of the leaves, and are often difficult to eliminate. If you spot them, wipe off the bugs using a cloth or cotton bud covered in insecticides that contain fatty acids or plant oils.