Ashleigh Smith
You may be new to the world of houseplants, or you may struggle with keeping them alive. That is okay either way. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of houseplants that require a lot of attention. Luckily there are a few that are low maintenance and less finicky making for a more enjoyable time.
Before I get into this list of plants I want to help you identify a few things that will help you have a better experience. Consider:
What is your lighting like? Knowing this will help you select the plants that will work best for you. Most houseplants do well with bright indirect light. Direct sunlight will often scorch houseplants.
As for dark spaces you can still incorporate houseplants, just keep in mind most plants that are used in dark spaces are only shade tolerant. It will often be helpful to expose these plants to slightly more light during the spring and summer months to stimulate stronger growth.
For more information visit the House Plants Expert Light Guide.
What is your temperature like? Since we are talking about houseplants the odds are your home stays at a relatively constant temperature. The biggest concern when it comes to temperature and houseplants, are windows.
Be careful not to put plants too close to the windows during the winter months. The draft can sometimes be too much for it to endure resulting in the loss of your leafy friends.
Instead, place your plants within the indirect light of the window without being right up against it.
How to water? Watering can be trickier than it sounds like it should be. The best practice is to check the soil each day by placing a finger about 1-2 inches into the soil.
If it feels like there is a lot of water, wait another day. If the soil sticking to your fingers feels fairly dry, like you could brush it off and there wouldn’t be any water transfer, then go ahead and water it for the day. Remember, you are trying to see if there is water at this level of the soil. Some soil will almost always stick to your hands.
Always use pots that will allow excess water to drain out preventing root rot that occurs when there is too much sitting water in the pot. For more information on how to correctly water your houseplants check out this article with advice from Dr. Leonard Perry, an emeritus professor of Horticulture at the University of Vermont.
Plants that are easy to care for:
- Monstera
- Snake Plant
- ZZ Plant
- Spider Plant
- Philodendron
- Aloe
- Dracaena
- Ponytail Palm
- Aglaonema
- Peace Lily
- Christmas Cactus
- Dieffenbachia
For better growing success:
Try our animal by-product free organic potting soil mix. This mix includes Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Coarse Perlite & Dolomitic Limestone. Because of its great drainage, moisture retention, and light characteristics this soil mix is ideal for anything from growing microgreens, vegetables, and flowers to your favorite houseplants.
For increased effectiveness add some worm castings as an organic nutrient source that is rich in nitrogen, phosphates, and other minerals.
About the Author
I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
Lara's 2024 Garden in Review
Written By Lara Wadsworth This year was only my third year having a garden to myself. Growing up, I gardened alongside my mother and grandmother, but after leaving home, I lived in apartments for many years without much space for a garden. I finally go...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-12-0313 min read0Cultivating Christmas Traditions
Written By Lara Wadsworth The phrase “Christmas time is here!” will soon echo through your speakers and messaging all around. Most American families, regardless of religion, seem to be celebrating this massive holiday in one way or another. Some may fo...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-268 min read0Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Action
There are a million ways to make the world better. But nothing can happen without action. The best way to make a difference is to start serving, donating, and seeing the people who are within your reach. Big, honorable stories often begin with someone ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-193 min read1Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of Thanksgiving
Written By Lara Wadsworth One of the most quintessential American holidays is Thanksgiving. With families gathered together, sharing copious amounts of food, and many groups watching either football or televised parades, it is hard to see the true orig...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-158 min read1