Top 5 Plants For Beginners

My thumb hasn’t always been this green.  I used to hate watering all of the outdoor hanging plants growing up.  We had ferns, dogwood trees, and a rose garden.  My Granny and Mom were both plant lovers so it only made sense that the love would eventually rub off.  I got my first plant 5 years ago and over the years have  turned my home into an urban jungle! 

Plants can change a space in an instant making it feel cozy and more like home! Not all plants are easy to care for. Some require a lot of attention and pruning. Through trial and error I have found these 5 plants to be the easiest and most low maintenance to care for.  Snake Plants, Aloe Vera, Rubber Plant, Cactus and Succulents. Let’s dive in!   

Snake Plant (Sansevieria) 

Also known as Mother-in-law-Tongue. Known for its distinct long leaves, the Snake Plant is a household favorite of mine.  I currently have 4!  This plant is a no muss no fuss plant. It does well in full sunlight or shade but thrives best in indirect sunlight. Native to tropical West Africa, the snake plant is one of the best houseplants to clean the air and absorb excess amounts of carbon monoxide and other toxins! Be careful not to overwater because you will cause rotting to the roots and the leaves will start to fall over and look soggy.  I water my snake plants every 2-3 weeks and they are thriving!  

Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera loves direct sunlight, specifically in south facing windows, but will tolerate shade and indirect sunlight.  This plant will let you know if you are overwatering because it will develop water-soaked spots on the leaves and the leaves will get mushy.  This plant only needs to be watered every 3 weeks or will rot at the roots. In the Winter months, Aloe only needs water once a month.  Not only is this plant beautiful but there are so many benefits of Aloe.  You can cut a few leaves off, cut them open and use them for sunburn, skin irritation, moisturizing your hair and even fighting acne and hyperpigmentation.  

Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) 

This sturdy plant is not only a beauty but is where 99% of the world's natural rubber is made.  Outdoors this tree can reach up to 100 feet tall at maturation! The rubber tree likes moist soil, but it is most important to have a good drainage in the pot. I always wipe the leaves off with a damp cloth to keep the dust from settling and blocking the sun getting to the leaves.  My rubber tree started about a foot tall and has grown 6-8 inches in a year.  I love the dark green big leaves on this beautiful plant and it is a must have in my plant line up.  

Cactus (Cactaceae) 

 Cactus might be my second favorite next to the snake plant.  There is such a wide variety of Cactus and they are easy to get at any plant nursery.  This plant does best in cacti mix soil and loves a lot of sunlight.  Be sure when watering that they are in a pot with good drainage holes in the bottom.  In the summer months, when cactus is actively growing, water whenever the soil becomes dry.  During the winter months watering is unnecessary unless  the plant starts to shrivel which is unlikely.  

Succulents

What is not to love about this fun variety of plants and their fleshy engorged leaves.  Baby succulents if placed in direct sunlight can scorch so it is imperative to slowly introduce them to direct light over time.  Eventually when you do place it in  direct sunlight, chances are only one side of the plant is getting the light so be sure to rotate it often. Succulents generally will lean towards the sun so rotating them will keep them from leaning over on one side.  Like most plants, succulents have a dormant period during the colder months when they don’t need as much water. 

Don’t get me wrong, I have killed several plants. There are some plants that I just do not get along with and can not keep alive to save my life. Ivy’s, String of Pearls and anything in the Palm tree family to name a few.   I generally water on Fridays or Sundays so I can remember what day I water. When first bringing home a new plant, expect it to lose a few leaves because it has just changed environments and could be shocked by the change. I never water when I get a new plant because chances are it was freshly watered at the plant nursery. It is all about finding plants that work for you and your home.  Happy Planting!