5 Easy Houseplants for Beginners

Houseplants can provide numerous benefits, including purifying the air by removing toxins, increasing humidity levels, and adding a decorative touch to your home or office. They have also been shown to reduce stress levels and improve productivity, but they can sometimes feel scary or overwhelming for the beginner houseplant owner. No stress, Flora's got your back with some recommendations!

Here are Flora's top 5 houseplants that are perfect for beginners!

Snake Plants

Snake plants, known as Sansevieria or Mother-in-Law's Tongue, are popular houseplants and are beloved for their striking appearance and ease of care.

Snake plants have long, pointed leaves that grow upright from the soil. The leaves are usually green with yellow or white stripes, but they can also be entirely green or variegated with other colors.

Snake plants are fantastic because they can tolerate various light conditions, from bright direct sunlight to low light but in general they will grow best in medium to bright indirect light. Snake plants do not like to be sat in water, prefer to be dry and can go several weeks between waterings.

Don’t be tempted to water too often as overwatering can lead to root rot, so letting the soil dry out completely between waterings is essential. 

When planting a Snake Plant use a well-draining soil mix, such as a cactus or succulent mix but as they are so easy to care for, they can also tolerate various soil types as long as the soil is well-draining. Snake plants prefer temperatures between 60-85°F (16-29°C).  

If needed, they can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but are definitely not frost-tolerant. Snake plants are super easy to care for and even better they are easy to propagate and can be propagated by division, leaf cuttings, or rhizome cuttings.

Dividing the plant is the easiest method and should be done in the spring when the plant is actively growing.

Spider Plants

Spider plants, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, are popular houseplants known for their long, narrow leaves and ability to produce "spiderettes," or small plantlets that hang from long stems. Spider plants have long, thin leaves that grow up and out from the center of the plant which are typically green or variegated with white stripes. The spiderettes that extend from the plant are also green and can produce small white flowers. Spider plants can tolerate a
wide range of light conditions but prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while low light can slow their growth and cause the leaves to become pale. Spider plants prefer to be kept evenly moist but can also tolerate drying out between waterings and even sometimes welcome it. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so letting the soil dry out slightly before watering again is vital. Spider plants prefer a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter so a blend of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal. Spider plants prefer temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24°C). They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but are not frost-tolerant. Spider plants can be propagated by dividing the plant or by rooting the spiderettes in water or soil. The best time to do this is in the spring when the plant is actively growing.

RULE OF (GREEN) THUMB

Houseplants have been proven to have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress, improving air quality, and increasing productivity. Choosing an easy-to-care-for houseplant allows you to enjoy these benefits without having to devote much time and energy to plant care.

Pothos

Pothos, also known as Devil's ivy or Epipremnum aureum, is a vigorous houseplant known for its trailing vines and ease of care. Pothos has long, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves, typically green or variegated with white or yellow. As the plant grows, it can produce aerial roots that attach to surfaces and help it climb. Pothos can tolerate a wide range of light conditions but prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while low light can slow their growth and cause the leaves to become pale. Pothos prefer to be kept evenly moist but as they are so easy to care for, they can also tolerate being left to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so letting the soil dry out slightly before watering again is recommended. Pothos prefer a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter and a blend of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal. Pothos prefer temperatures
between 60-85°F (16-29°C). If needed, they can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but are not frost-tolerant. Pothos can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings in water or soil. The cuttings should have at least one leaf and a node where the aerial roots emerge.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant, also known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is known for its glossy, dark green leaves and low light and tolerance to neglect. The ZZ plant has waxy, oval-shaped leaves that grow on long, thick stems. The leaves are typically a glossy, dark green and can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) long in the right conditions. The ZZ plant can tolerate low light conditions but prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, while very low light can cause the plant to grow slowly and lose its vibrant color. The ZZ plant is drought-tolerant and prefers to be kept on the dry side and letting the soil dry out completely between waterings is essential to prevent root rot. The ZZ plant prefers a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter and a blend of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal. The ZZ plant prefers temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24°C). It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but it is not frost-tolerant. The ZZ plant can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes, the thick, fleshy roots that grow horizontally underground and this should be done in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

RULE OF (GREEN) THUMB

Easy to care for, houseplants can also add a decorative touch to your home or office. They come in various colors and sizes, so you can find one that suits your style and space.

Peace Lily

The Peace lily, also known as Spathiphyllum, is known for its striking white flowers and its robust nature. Peace lilies have large, glossy, dark green leaves that grow from a central stem. They produce white flowers that resemble a calla lily but with a shorter, fatter spadix in the center. Peace lilies prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while very low light can cause the plant to grow slowly and lose its vibrancy. Peace lilies prefer to be kept evenly moist, but they can also tolerate drying out slightly between waterings. Be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot, so letting the soil dry out somewhat before watering again is essential. Peace lilies prefer a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter and a blend of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal. Peace lilies prefer temperatures between 60-85°F (16-29°C). They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but are not frost-tolerant. Peace lilies can be spread by division or rooting stem cuttings in water or soil. Division should be done in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.