As plant people ourselves, we are so happy to see you here. This will be your resource to get you started, to teach you how to care, when to fertilize and much more. Some of you may already have a houseplant or two, which is wonderful. If you are starting from scratch, below are some great houseplant starters. They are easy-to-grow and require little maintenance.
Before getting started think about your lifestyle and what chores you want your houseplant to do. Do you want them to clean the air, just sit around and look pretty or maybe both! Also, think about how much light your space gets, as some houseplants love bright light while others thrive in little to low light. Top Five Plants to Start Your Houseplant Family:
Peperomia
This tried and true classic is getting more and more popular. Peperomia is compact, so you don’t need a lot of space for it. But don’t let the size fool you, it’s variegated and colorful foliage can pack a punch. Keep your plant near a window, as it likes medium to bright light. Water it when the top two inches of soil are dry, though it can go a bit without water and still be fine. It will not grow quickly, however use Espoma’s Indoor! liquid plant food to give it the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Dracaena
Dracaena will need a new home as it ages. When it is young, it is perfect for a tabletop or desk, as it is a little bushy plant. Though, it can grow 5 to 6 feet tall as an adult. Depending on the variety you choose, its foliage can look like little bursts of stars or fireworks on the tips. It adds dramatic texture to any room. Place it where it looks best in your home – it is not picky about how much light it gets. Water it when the top of the soil dries out.
ZZ Plant
This tough houseplant can survive even with the brownest of thumbs. You can put it anywhere in your home or office and it will be happy to see you. It can even survive with only florescent lights and no natural light. Water when the top two inches of soil are dry. Don’t worry if you forget, it may start to drop some of its leaflets to conserve the water left and will rebloom after a good drink.
Aglaonema
Also known as the Chinese evergreen, this houseplant is stunning. It can come in colors from deep green to silver to red. It is slow growing, with large, narrow and glossy oval foliage. When deciding where to put Aglaonema, keep in mind the lighter the variegation, the more light it needs. So if you opt out for dark green foliage, it can thrive in low light. Water when the top two inches of soil is dry and add humidity around the plant in the summertime.
Pothos
Have fun with pothos as you can grow it in a hanging basket to allow the foliage to trail down, trellis it up or allow it to grow horizontally across a shelf or on a cabinet. It has a beautiful green foliage with specks of white, yellow or cream mixed in. It can grow in any kind of light, with low humidity. Keep the soil moist, so water it when the top inch of the soil is dry.
Laura from Garden Answer shows off some low light houseplants that are perfect for anyone looking to get started.
Send to Family and Friends
Featured Authors
Visit a Botanical Garden For Unique Experiences.
Comments
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
More on Gardening Calendar
Gardening In Small Spaces
Discover how to optimize your small garden space with layers of plants and create stunning color combinations for year-round blooming.
The story of my pollinator garden
I’m not exaggerating when I say that creating this pollinator garden is one of the best decisions I ever made, and that it has changed my life.
Caring for and Propagating Bluets
Bluets, with their beautiful blooms, are ideal as a ground cover or as a footpath lining. Read how to care for, grow, and propagate bluets
Art in the Garden: A Photo Gallery
Discover the refreshing beauty and great ideas of Beth and Ken Powell's private garden featuring remarkable art creations in this photo exhibit.
Inspired by different colours, shapes and sizes of my daylilies
Explore the vibrant colors and various shapes of daylilies while learning about harvesting fresh produce from the garden. Discover the joy of making plum jam and growing delicious potatoes. Dive into the world of Rudbeckia laciniata hortensia and its benefits for your garden. Happy gardening!
Swiss Chard Recipe
In addition to salads, swiss chard is quite delicious as a warm side dish, and I am including a recipe for you to try.
Starting Seeds in August
Prepare your garden for the changing weather in August! Learn about starting seeds like lettuce and carrots, dealing with pests, and caring for potatoes and pumpkins.
7 Best Kitchen Herbs for Cooking That You Can Grow Yourself
I have compiled a list of the 7 best kitchen herbs for cooking, so you don’t have to depend on your local grocery store anymore!
6 Plants to Grow For Sleep, Anxiety, Calmness
Having anxiety from time to time, trouble sleeping or the need for calmness is natural. We identify plants which help with anxiety and sleep.
Culver’s Root is a Hardy Perennial
Veronicastrum virginicum, also known as Culver's Root, is a tall and hardy perennial that adds unique vertical accents to any yard for summer to fall. Perfect for prairies, damp meadows, and open forests, its cluster of white florets resemble a beautiful candelabra. An ideal choice for wildflower gardens and layered beds.
Blackberry is Easy to Grow
Feed them 1 pound of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft. of garden s Reward yourself with luscious blackberries – plant a Blackberry bush! Perfect for limited space, 1 bush can produce 20 white flowers and a large crop of juicy, sweet-tasting blackberries in zones 5-8 with bright sun and well-drained soil. Care & feeding instructions included.
White Spruce
White spruce provides nesting sites, shelter, as well as food for many kinds of wildlife. If you love seeing wildlife, its a good choice.