The Best House Plants for Beginners
A houseplant can increase the levels of oxygen, lessen dust and pollutants and improve your indoor air quality. Maintaining a plant's health can give you great satisfaction, and it's been proved to improve your mental health.
Which house plant is best for you? We talked to experts for their recommendations.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a popular house plant, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves with gorgeous white variegation. It's also among the easiest to take care of which makes it a good option for people who are just starting out. Like other tropical plants pothos thrives in a variety of light conditions, but it prefers moderate levels of bright indirect sunlight. It can also grow in less light conditions or in full shade. A moderately humid household and a soil mix that is slightly acidic work well with this plant, too.
The plant can tolerate missing waterings so long as the soil does not dry out completely. Overwatering is one of the most frequent causes of death for houseplants. If you're not sure, try the finger in the soil test: Insert your finger about two inches deep into the soil to see whether it's damp; if there's no sign of moisture, it's time for an irrigation. If house plants online are changing color, it could be due to too much sun or a lack in sunlight. It could be a sign there's a fungal illness.
In contrast to most plants, pothos can be tolerant of air pollution, including ozone and Volatile Organic Compounds. It can be used in the kitchen or bathroom to clean the air.
Like other plants This one is also susceptible to pests and diseases. It is important to deal with problems as soon as you can to ensure that they don't spread. Thrips and mealybugs are among the most frequent pests found on this plant. Make sure to keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered, and it will be less likely to attract these insects.
Trim the stem tips frequently to keep your plant looking great. This helps the marbled foliage remain full and keeps the vines from getting too long. These stem tip clippings can be used to create new plants.
If you'd like to encourage your Marble Queen to develop, give it something to cling on. This could be a moss trellis, rod, or perhaps a piece of string. Remember to spray the moss or any other support with water as part your regular irrigation routine to help it grow faster.
Monstera
The monstera plant (Monstera deliciosa) also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is one of the most sought-after house plants. Its leaves are speckled with natural holes -- called leaf fenestration- and can lend an exotic feel to any space. It is easy to propagate, simply by cutting it off and growing it in a water solution.
Monstera deliciosa is an extremely fast-growing plant, and it will require relocated every few months as its roots grow. Take a few leaves and then repot the plant in a well-drained potting soil. Make sure you make sure that the container is well ventilated and add ingredients like perlite or lava rock for increased soil aeration if needed.
As houseplants that are evergreen, these vines can be easily cared for provided they get enough sunlight and humidity. They're happy to climb up a trellis or a vine downwards and are easily pruned to shape the shape you want in a particular way. It's easy to mist a gianta using a spray bottle of water to increase the humidity of its leaves daily.
Although it is called that the monstera isn't a succulent. house plants online are characterized by slim, heart-shaped leaves which feature fenestrations. Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves which store water. Monsteras are tolerant of dry climates, but they require more moisture to grow than succulents, which is why they must be kept at the right temperature and with enough humidity.
It's important to note that, while the fenestrations on monstera leaves give them the appearance of they could be eaten, they are not safe to eat. The stems, fruit and leaves of this plant are laced with toxic oxalic acids and could cause pain to the throat and mouth when consumed.
Blank suggests that those who have achieved the fiddle-leaf figure move to a monstera to get a better idea for how easy it could be to grow indoors. "A monstera can adapt to a variety of conditions," says Blank. It needs a warm environment, but it can be able to withstand lower temperatures and more humidity than what homes typically provide.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is one of the most durable house plants. It grows slowly, is hardy and can endure a wide range of conditions. It thrives in dark areas and is not afflicted by low humidity. It's also tolerant of neglectful owners, and needs only occasional watering to live. The leaves of this tropical succulent can mature in lime green, black and purple, or a mixture of both colors.
Divide the rhizomes from the ZZ plant, which are the tubers that look like roots at the bottom of the stems. Take the plant out of its pot, separate the rhizomes and trim them slightly before placing them in new pots with fresh potting mix. You can also cultivate new ZZs by using stem cuttings with two leaves that measure about an inch in length. Plant the cuttings into the pot with an equal mix of multipurpose soil and perlite. Place in a warm place. It could take up to an entire year for the cuttings' roots to develop into an entirely new plant.
Despite being one of the most difficult house plants, certain factors can cause it to die. This includes overwatering, direct sun and dry soil. Water the ZZ plant only when the soil feels dried. It's okay to leave the soil wet. The plant stores water in its rhizomes, so it can go weeks without watering.
The plant is not an insect magnet however, it is susceptible to fungus and rot. The best way to avoid these issues is to regularly remove dead and old leaves from the plant. Keep it away from small pets and children, as the stalks and leaves could be irritating when ingested.
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 great choice for offices and apartments that aren't well-ventilated.
Parlor Palm
Palms have a long tradition as indoor plants, and with good reason. They can be grown in different temperatures and lighting conditions. They also bring a lush, tropical feel to your home. The chamaedorea or parlor palm is no different. The plant, also known as neanthe Bella palm is native to Central America and is gaining in popularity because of its versatility. It thrives in brightly filtered light, but can grow well away from windows and in spaces with less light that face north or east, such as rooms. It is a slow-growing plant therefore it may take up to a year to reach the full height of 2-6 feet.
If big house plants would like your plant to grow it can be fertilised monthly by using a balanced liquid fertilizer. It needs a well-draining mix and Bridget Zazzara, retail indoor and seasonal plant manager of Logan's Trading Company, recommends using the same potting mix like you would for cacti and succulents. Choose a soil that drains well and has a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. You can also add a few sphagnum moss to improve the soil's structure and retain water.
Parlor palms thrive in humidity So, make sure to keep them out of drafty areas and mist leaves on a regular basis to keep the humidity level at a reasonable level. You can also install a humidifier into your home. If your parlor palm becomes rootbound, you can repot it in the spring. It's important not to overwater the plant, however, since the plant is susceptible to root decay. Water the plant as soon as the top inch of compost is dry. In warmer weather, you should water more often. In winter, water less.
They are attractive to bees, however ensure that you keep them out of reach of pets and children. Their needle-like leaves could be poisonous if they are eaten and are an ideal habitat for mealybugs. These insects appear as fluffy, white small blobs that are hidden beneath the leaves. They can be difficult for you to get rid of. If you spot them, clean off the bugs with the help of a cloth or a cotton bud soaked in insecticide that contains fatty acids or plant oils.