Embarking on your journey as a plant parent can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help you navigate this new territory, we’ve compiled 13 things to know when choosing your first plant.
Once you’ve gained the confidence to select the perfect plant, you can explore our list of 13 must-have indoor plants for clean air to improve your home’s atmosphere.
For those more interested in aesthetics, discover 14 indoor plants no one realizes are house plants to add a unique touch to your living space. So, go ahead and delve deeper into the world of houseplants and create your very own indoor sanctuary.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Choosing the right plant for your home depends on factors like lighting, space, and personal preferences. |
| Consider the care requirements of a plant before purchasing it, including its water, light, and humidity needs. |
| When shopping for plants, look for healthy specimens with vibrant foliage and no signs of pests or disease. |
| Common problems with indoor plants include yellowing leaves, wilting or drooping foliage, and pests like spider mites or mealybugs. |
| Troubleshoot plant problems by researching specific symptoms and trying remedies like adjusting watering or light levels, using insecticidal soap, or repotting the plant if necessary. |
Choose A Plant That’s Hard To Kill
You may want to choose a plant that’s hardy, or one that’s easy to care for.
If you go with the former, your plant will be more resilient and forgiving of mistakes and mishaps. This can save you time, money and energy in the long run (not to mention heartache).
If you opt for the latter choice, it will require less maintenance overall; however, this is not necessarily better for all plants because some need regular pruning or pinching back. It also means that over time it may become weak or sickly if left alone too long without proper tending.
The best option is really dependent on what kind of person you are and what type of environment your home has been acclimated to since birth—i.e., whether it thrives on neglectful owners who don’t have time do anything other than feed me every week day morning around 10 A.M.,
Then again at night before bedtime around 9 P.M.; or whether I should expect my human companionship every single day until they die!
“If you’re new to indoor gardening, starting with easy-to-care-for plants is a great way to gain confidence and build your skills. Discover our top recommendations for great indoor plants for beginners to kick-start your indoor gardening journey.”
Pick A Plant With Pretty Flowers
Flowers are a sign of life and beauty. When you’re looking at plants, look for ones with flowers, especially colorful ones.
Flowers also symbolize love and celebration, like birthdays or anniversaries. They can also be a sign of hope and new beginnings, like when you plant them after an illness or personal struggle. In other words…
Find A Plant That Doesn’t Need A Lot Of Light
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have enough natural light in your home to grow a plant that’s used to lots of natural light.
You’ll want to find a spot with at least five hours of direct sunlight every day, and make sure that the area is heat-resistant (if you live in an area with extreme heat or cold). If your home has this kind of lighting, great! But if not, here are some options:
- Plants that don’t require much sun:
- Dracaena sanderiana (Dragon Tree)
- Echeveria elegans “Black Rose”
- Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Flapjack Plant)
- Yucca elephantipes
“Keeping your indoor plants alive and healthy can be a challenge, especially if you’re new to gardening. Our article on 13 tips to never let your houseplants die offers practical advice and helpful tips to keep your plants thriving.”
Choose A Plant That Can Grow Tall And Fill In An Empty Space
When choosing your first plant, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to settle for the same old houseplants. You can actually grow some of your favorite flowers and vegetables indoors!
Just look at these plants: tomatoes, peppers and basil are all favorites of mine. They’re perfect for growing inside because they need lots of sunlight and fresh air.
I love having fresh herbs on hand at all times they’re so good in everything from cooked dinners to salads! And if you’re looking for something with a little more personality (and with less maintenance), take a look at succulents like this “tapered boxwood” variety pictured above.
They’re adorable little additions that will bring life into any corner of your home without requiring much water or attention.
The point is: if you want something lush but don’t know where else to begin looking beyond ferns and ivies… start here!
Opt For A Plant That Won’t Take Up Much Space
You should choose a plant that won’t take up much space.
Small, low-maintenance plants are easier to care for because they don’t require as much water or soil amendments (which can be expensive).
They’re also less expensive than larger and more mature varieties, so if you’re on a budget and want to decorate your home with greenery, it’s a good idea to start with something small.
Smaller plants are also less likely to die on you due to lack of proper care or neglect. They can live in places where larger plants wouldn’t survive!
“For those who don’t have a lot of time to devote to gardening, there are plenty of low-maintenance indoor plants that are easy to care for. Explore our list of 15 indoor plants you can grow if you’re lazy and find the perfect plant for your lifestyle.”
Remember To Consider The Future Consequences Of Growth
When choosing your first plant, it is important to consider its future consequences of growth. Every plant has a life cycle and will grow to an appropriate size for its environment over time.
For example, if you choose a small succulent you can expect it to remain relatively small in size throughout its life unless you provide extra light and water.
While this might be ideal for those who do not have much space to grow plants indoors, there are also many other options out there!
On the other hand, if you choose a fern or an oak tree that requires more sunlight than what is available in your house then that may cause some problems down the road as well.
Look At Leaves And Ask Yourself If You’d Like Looking At Them Every Day
You might think that leaves are pretty, and they are. But not all leaves are created equal. Some can be dull, or even ugly!
So before you get too attached to your new plant, make sure you look at its leaves and ask yourself: would I want to see these every day?
If we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us have a few plants in our homes that we don’t particularly like the looks of but couldn’t bear to part with because they’re so cute/tall/cheap (or whatever other reason).
And while it’s fine that these plants exist in our homes they serve their purpose—it’s also important to recognize why we’re keeping them around: because they’re cheap, or tall/small/cute enough to fit into an awkward corner of our apartment.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing…but if your goal is just “to have more plants,” then there’s no shame in choosing one based on its aesthetic value alone.
“Did you know that certain indoor plants can actually increase the value of your home? Our guide on 16 indoor plants that will increase your home’s value highlights the best plants to add to your home decor to increase your property’s worth.”
Consider The Shape And Texture Of The Leaves
There is a variety of leaf shapes, textures and colors to keep in mind when choosing plants. Smooth or hairy? Dark or light? Thick or thin? Large or small? Leaves can be opposite, alternate, or whorled – all these terms describe the arrangement of the leaves on a plant stem.
Pick A Plant With Interesting Or Unusual Leaf Shapes Or Colors
If you’re new to indoor gardening, the first thing you’ll notice is that there are so many different kinds of plants.
Some have colorful flowers, while others have interesting or unusual leaf shapes or colors. If you’re looking for something to brighten up your space, consider picking a plant with leaves you will enjoy looking at every day!
- Look for plants with interesting or unusual leaf shapes or colors
- Pick a plant that has leaves you will enjoy looking at every day
Opt For Plants That Don’t Need Too Much Water
For a beginner, it’s important to choose plants that don’t need too much water. Native plants can be great for beginners because they are already adapted to your area’s climate. If you live in a hot and dry place, opt for drought-tolerant plants like cacti and succulents.
If you’re looking for something more exotic and want to experiment with indoor gardening, go ahead! But remember that some plants require more maintenance than others and this may include daily watering or misting depending on the type of plant (some even need weekly fertilizer).
“Indoor plants not only add beauty to your home, but they also purify the air and boost your productivity. Check out our list of 13 plants that will boost productivity and purify the air in your home to improve your indoor environment and overall well-being.”
Get Plants That Are Suited To Your Climate And Season
If you live in a warm climate, don’t get a plant that’s native to cooler regions and vice versa. You’ll have a much better chance of success if you buy an indoor plant suited to your region.
You should also consider the season: plants that are most active during certain times of year will be more likely to thrive than others. For example, some herbs need more water during their growing season (spring) than they do at other times of the year.
Don’t Get A Plant That’s Too Heavy For Its Container Or Spot
When you buy a plant, it’s common to think that it will stay small and cute forever. But plants grow! If your container is too big for the plant, it can break through the sides or bottom.
If your spot is too small for the plant, as it grows, it will start to bend over and fall over. Make sure that there’s enough room for your new friend to grow comfortably before you buy one!
Think About The Future When Choosing Your First Plants
When you’re choosing your first plant, it’s important to think about the future. Plants are living things and they need to be cared for over the long term.
When selecting a plant make sure that you consider how you will care for the plant in the future. Some plants are better suited to particular climates or seasons than others, so make sure that your chosen plant is suited to where you live and what season it is when putting it in its new home.
If your green thumb isn’t quite up to scratch yet, choose an easy-to-grow houseplant like a philodendron or ficus tree until you’ve got more experience under your belt!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of tips for choosing your first plants. I’d love to hear about your experiences with houseplants and how you decided which ones to get!
Leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions for future articles.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you become a successful plant owner:
Tips for First-Time Plant Owners: This article provides helpful tips for new plant owners, including advice on selecting the right plants, watering and fertilizing, and troubleshooting common problems.
How to Choose the Best Plants for Your Home: This blog post offers guidance on choosing indoor plants based on factors like lighting, space, and personal preferences.
How to Buy Houseplants: This article offers advice on selecting healthy plants when shopping at a nursery or garden center.
FAQs
What are some easy-to-care-for indoor plants for beginners?
Some easy-to-care-for indoor plants for beginners include snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, spider plants, and peace lilies.
How often should I water my indoor plants?
The frequency of watering indoor plants depends on factors like the plant species, the size of the container, and the indoor climate. In general, most indoor plants do well when watered thoroughly once a week.
How much light do indoor plants need?
The amount of light that indoor plants need varies by species. Some plants require bright, direct light, while others do better in indirect or low light conditions. Research the specific light requirements for the plants you choose and place them accordingly.
How do I know if my indoor plants are getting enough humidity?
Signs that your indoor plants may not be getting enough humidity include dry, brown leaf tips or edges, yellowing leaves, and wilting foliage. Consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near your plants to increase the humidity level.
How do I troubleshoot common problems with indoor plants?
Common problems with indoor plants include yellowing leaves, wilting or drooping foliage, and pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Research the specific symptoms of your plant’s problem and try remedies like adjusting watering or light levels, using insecticidal soap, or repotting the plant if necessary.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.