A guide for the novice and a refresher for the intermediate, this post on the best houseplants for beginners will have your house looking like a Pinterest jungle. Bring the earthy, natural aura into your space with beautiful plants to make you smile and even improve your air quality!
*This post contains affiliate links, meaning I make enough coffee cash to keep supplying you with healthy living choices.
While I have a popular post on how plants help with mental health, I wanted to delve deeper into which types of indoor plants are best for beginners. I’ve had my fair share of beginner plants, learning about the testy ones and the forever ones, killing what’s supposed to be the easiest ones, and forcing myself not to buy too many at once.
Nevertheless, my experiences and knowledge are here to assist your first steps at being a plant parent with easy indoor plants to grow. P.S. I now have a professional plant care business called Zen Plant Care so you can trust my knowledge 😉
Best Houseplants for Beginners
I’ll repeat a few from my other post because they are from amazing Etsy sellers as well. Here are 10 great houseplants for beginners to get you or someone you know started!
Aloe Vera
One that will last you a while, aloe vera has thick, juicy “branches” or offsets that can be used for health purposes. I’m sure you’ve seen hand soap “with aloe for a soothing feel”, or even eye patches with aloe for depuffing (check out eco-friendly makeup brands for more on your skincare routine).
Light: bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? yes
Pothos
Try a golden, marble, or velvet pothos houseplant; they are beautiful in hanging pots or on bookshelves and do well in most conditions. One of the most fun parts about these plants is that they can grow fast and long so you can play around with the vines around your house.
Light: medium to bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? yes
Snake
Sword-like leaves and slightly twisted edges showcase one of the best houseplants for beginners: the snake plant. When you group a large amount of them together, they purify the air and create a bold statement in the corner of a room or your office desk.
Light: partial shade to full sun
Water: biweekly
Toxic? yes
Get this bestselling snake plant
Spider
The type of spider you’ll want to have in your home, this indoor plant can be great for hanging, sitting on a patio edge, or being the exact texture/color you needed to brighten up the room. They can live inside or outside (if inside, they will need to be close to a window).
Light: bright indirect to full sun
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? no
Lucky Bamboo
I love love love this arrangement from NW Wholesaler. It brought me luck so maybe it will for you, too! This indoor plant species grows slowly but is rich green, adding serious color and freshness to the room. Note that this plant doesn’t need soil, the roots are short and will live in rocks, so when you go to purchase it below, it will come in 5 stalks (a lucky number to bring the owner wealth from Feng Shui traditions), a glass container, and rocks!
Light: bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? yes
Dracaena Lisa
My first dracaena lisa has gone to the place opposite of heaven and back…long story short my giant lisa about the size of the ones in the picture was on the edge of death while I went on vacation and had my friend “take care of it” BUT I am happy to say it’s fully revived! So in my experience, dracaenas are resistant fighters and one of the best, boldest plants to have for beginners.
Light: bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? yes
Chinese Money Plant
Does it bring wealth? More like a rich feeling of beauty. This unique one is a spreading houseplant that symbolizes openness. It can be easy as long as you meet its needs but overall will be a satisfying indoor plant to watch flourish.
Light: partial shade to bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? no
ZZ Plant
This is an indoor plant that may remind you of a z in the way it is shaped and grows. Super duper easy care with low light and low maintenance, it’s also one of the plants in NASA’s study for purifying indoor air.
Light: full shade to bright indirect
Water: biweekly
Toxic? yes
Philodendron
Heartleaf philodendron is one of the most common houseplants because of its ease, vining abilities, and refreshing look. One of my favorite philodendrons is the mican because it has dark velvet leaves, and most types of this species have the same care.
Light: medium to bright indirect
Water: 1x/week
Toxic? yes
Fulfill your heart with this philodendron
Peperomia
This watermelon peperomia looks like little watermelons! If you brought watermelons this size to a potluck, you’d be the talk of the town. Besides their fun look, peperomias are very easy to care for and make great gifts to friends.
Light? bright indirect
Water? 1x/week
Toxic? no
Tips for Beginners
While it’s easy to buy the prettiest plant you see, it’s important to understand your new plant because it’s ALIVE! So it has needs.
- Check out this easy plant app – it identifies, describes, and keeps “your garden” all in one place! I use it every time I’m out around new plants or to check on my own.
- Aim for the medium-large plants – they have already gone through their “puberty” stage and adjusted to their adult life which makes it easier on you.
- Bright, indirect light is best for almost all types of indoor plants – this means keeping it near a window that receives that light. Try to avoid South-facing windows in Summer because they carry too much heat for plants! *Quick tip: indirect light means through a window, direct means outside in the sun.
- Ask questions! – you’ll find plant people love to talk about plants…a real shocker but once you start a conversation, they will share all of their knowledge and that helps you out.
- It’s OK if they start to “die” – plants can almost always be saved! Remember that when you bring them home, they need time to acclimate to their new conditions so they might go through some scary-looking stages.
Where Do I Get A Plant?
- Nurseries
- Apps like OfferUp and Letgo
- Local plant shops
- Ikea
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- Etsy shops like this one
…
These indoor plants should thrive in your home as long as there is enough light and you don’t forget to water! Having plants can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you start to see new growth because this means you’ve been on the right track to bettering yourself and the environment. Enjoy the best houseplants for beginners!
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