The post a lot of you’ll have been awaiting! I’ll be giving basic information and care on my favorite plants that I feel are perfect for beginners.You should research care for a plant before purchasing to be sure you are willing to take on it’s responsibility, because having a plant is way more than just giving it water. As most of you’ll know from seeing me post, My bedroom is a jungle and my living room is an organized jungle! The plants listed below were taken from their original spot in my home and put in front of a blank wall so that you didn’t get distracted by the other plants surrounding it. I hope this post inspires some of you to go out and start your plant life journey.
A few key points before we get started:
I have my plants on a watering schedule that includes using the app “Planta” on IOS. There are other apps similar to help you get a watering schedule going, especially if you have as many plants as I do (35 and growing). This app is great for organizing your collection and helping you remember when to water. Depending on your homes temperature and humidity, your plant may or may not need watering. Be sure you are observing your plants by sight and touching the soil 1-2 inches below to test moisture levels.
Since we are in daylight savings mode and colder days, I have purchased “Grow Lights” for my plants to ensure the 6-8 hours of sunlight during this finicky time of year. There are many light types and price ranges for these bulbs. Since I am on a strict budget, I saw these Daylight Bulbs at Home Depot and had to grab them! It’s very bright and one bulb covers my entire room. Majority of the plants listed are low light tolerant plants, so depending on where you live, You may get away with what light you are getting.
Now on to the goods!
We are going to start with my favorite plant! The Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). This hardy vine plant is perfect for beginners and was my first plant. It’s great for air purification and grows easily. It likes moist soil and although low light tolerant, It can also thrive in medium to high light areas (no direct sun). Pictured below we have a few of my different variations including one that is trailing on a Totem Pole (DiY Tutorial coming soon). Marble Queen (left), Jade (Middle), Silvery Ann (Right) & Golden (Second Photo).
The Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is an easy to care for, yet grows beautifully with some variations having gorgeous splashes of lines on the leaves. This plant is a favorite of mine due to the way it’s leaves grow and air purifying properties. It can compliment any area with a bold statement. The Snake Plant is a low light plant whom can Thrive in bright areas (no direct sun). It also prefers to have at least 1 inch of its top soil to dry out in between watering. I only have 3 variations of the Snake plant, but definitely plan on having them all! Pictured below are Zeylanica (Basket), Jade Birds nest (bottom left) & Cylindrica (bottom right).
Next to my Golden Pothos on it’s Totem Throne, My Dracaena (Dracaena asparagaceae)is my second largest plant. This plant can reach up to 6ft tall! I love how dark green the leaves are on the edges and a lighter green in the middle. Along with purifying the air, It tolerates low light while being able to thrive in bright, non-direct sun areas. Water Dracaena when the top inch of soil is dry. Pictured below is my Fragans Variation.
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is definitely one of my most tolerable plants. It can survive all types of home conditions and even though we aim to keep care steady, if ever in a drought, it drops its leaflets to conserve what moisture it has. Water ZZ when the top inch of soil dries out. It does great in low light areas and can also do well in lighted areas. It doesn’t even need natural light!
Can we talk about how gorgeous the leaves are on a Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema )?! Dark green and spotted with splashes of silver! When given enough light it’ll bloom Calla Lily like flowers! Thriving in medium indirect sunlight, it is also low light tolerant and needing evenly moist soil.Pictured below is the Silver Bay variation.
Watching my Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) for over the past few months has been amazing. It had about 5 leaves and just has gotten so long and full for it’s size. They get lush and beautiful when mature! This air purifying plant loves being watered frequently, but can survive if a week is missed. It thrives in bright light, but can also do great in low light. My poor baby is looking a little sad, because while changing my linen, I put my pillows on my nightstand forgetting it was under there. Pictured below is the Reverse Variegatum Variety.
I named this plant after my niece. It’s the Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
My plant is the Ruby version which is “variegated”. It reminds me of a watercolor painting. The Rubber tree plant prefers slightly moist soil, but is hearty and thrives in bright light (Variegated) and is low-medium light tolerant. It’s super easy to care for and bares medium sized gorgeous leaves.
The Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) has a unique feature! At night time, the leaves fold together like a pair of praying hands! I love when I catch this happening! It’s a slow grower and in the right conditions can produce little white flowers. Low to medium light is perfect for this plant, if using bright light, be sure it’s filtered. Keep Prayer plants soil slightly moist. If the leaves start browning at the tip, it has been dry for too long. Pictured below is my Red Prayer plant variation.
Last, but certainly not least! We have the Aloe Vera Plant! I use this plants leaves in my beauty routine and for minor burns/scars. The variation that I own Is NOT edible. I love the look of Aloe Vera for it’s desert presence. Being a succulent means it needs extra care when watering to ensure it isn’t drowned. It also, needs bright light which is why it sits next to a window in my apartment and when it’s cloudy I use a grow light near it to ensure it gets the amount of light it needs. Pictured below is the variety Barbadensis.
If you purchase a plant from this list, send me pictures! I MUST see, let me know if you have any questions! Don't forget to comment and let me know what you think!