Is your favorite space missing one final touch? That one little detail to liven up a drab corner, side-table, window sill, or terrace? If so, then you should consider getting a houseplant. Houseplants are much more than aesthetically pleasing decor – they’ve been known to boost healing, deter illnesses, and improve the air quality in a home. Their presence is also a reminder of nature which enhances focus and productivity. With as many benefits that come with owning a houseplant, there is also ample responsibility and not everyone has a natural green thumb. You might even have a few plant deaths on your hands but try not to be too hard on yourself. Learning how to nurture and care for a plant takes time and everyone needs practice, so here are 5 houseplants that are perfect for first-time plant parents.
Snake Plant
If you’ve been branded with a blackthumb, the Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, might be the perfect plant to send you on the path to horticultural success. As a member of the succulent family, it requires little care and doesn’t need to be watered frequently. It also thrives in minimal light so it’s the perfect addition to darker corners and rooms that don’t get much sun. As much as it’s low maintenance, it’s also attractive and shows off tall standing leaves that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. While it nicely accentuates desks and shelves when it’s young, it’s most striking as a mature floor plant.
Pothos
Pothos, the sister plant of Philodendron, is considered one of the easiest plants to care for. They thrive on minimal light and neglectful care – watering once a week will do just fine – and have been known to improve their environments by eliminating odors and harmful toxins. They also relieve eye-strain! Pothos is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves and fast-growing vine. It’s cascading shape makes it the perfect plant to hang from the ceiling, place on a high window sill, or feature on a plant stand.
Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen is durable and can forgive the blackest of thumbs. Similarly to the Snake Plant and Pothos, it can survive in low light areas which makes it a great decorative choice for a hallway, bathroom, or office, and only needs to be doused once a week. It’s also considered one of the top 10 plants for air purification and emits a fair amount of oxygen for its stature. Chinese Evergreens are not just efficient – their full and multi-toned leaves compliment any space. When they’re young, they’re a great addition to desks, coffee tables, and credenzas; however, as they continue to grow, they quickly become full and flourishing floor plants.
Succulents
Succulents can be identified by their fleshy and engorged leaves and come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. These little babies might be a tad more high-maintenance than the other plants we’ve mentioned here, as they don’t do well in dark conditions and can be finicky about their watering needs. It’s important to directly douse the soil when watering, you can tell if they need to be watered if the soil is dry to touch. It’s also imperative to keep your succulent in a pot that drains as too much water can kill them, and rotate them every so often. While they do require a bit more care, they’re worth it and when they thrive, they are the cutest, little accent to almost any surface. Place them on bookshelves, bedside tables, small window sills, and coffee tables, and don’t forget, they tend to look their best in groups!
Peace Lily
Though similar in appearance to the Calla Lily, the Peace Lily is actually not a Lily at all and is a member of the Araceae family. The Peace Lily can grow to a height of 4 feet and feature full, dark leaves and white, oval-shaped blooms. While it’s commonly used as a floor plant, it can be the perfect center-piece or mantel accent in it’s younger age. Like many of the plants in this post, it’s beauty is certainly not its only asset. The Peace Lily removes toxins like ammonia and formaldehyde from the air and produces moisture which makes it great for dryer spaces.
Awesome and informative! I currently have several houseplants, but this post helped me discover some more plant types that I was unaware of beforehand. Thanks for sharing!