Best Plants for People Who Suck at Planting

Plants have become therapeutic companions for those holed up in their homes during the pandemic. And the plant trend isn’t going anywhere, considering its benefits. Maybe you’re thinking of trying to care for a houseplant but may have had a bad experience before. Or maybe you don’t have a green thumb. Hope is not all lost as these are the top seven best plants for first-time plant owners or those who have no idea how to plant yet.

1. Snake Plant

Many would agree that the snake plant is one of the easiest plants to care for. It’s a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t require much light or water to survive. You can leave it for weeks without water and will still stand tall.

Plus, according to Health Line, snake plants have their benefits too. For one, it can filter the air inside your home. Not only that, it will decrease toxic pollutants as well.

Your snake plant may bear flowers, especially if they’re placed in pots. 

Unfortunately, if you have fur babies, you might have to put the snake plant where it’s inaccessible to them. Snake plants are toxic when eaten.

2. Spider Plant

Scary as it sounds, the spider plant is one of the best plants for first-time plant owners. Like the snake plant, spider plants appreciate little to no water. If you water them all the time, it will result in root rot.

You have to make sure that you’re storing the spider plant at home without too much humidity.

When your spider plant gets older, “pups” might even grow. As Almanac said, if you want to propagate a spider plant in your home, let it reach two inches before you replant them.

Good news for those with furry friends, as the spider plant isn’t toxic when eaten by your pets.

3. ZZ Plant

You can also rely on a ZZ Plant to live for a long time without water and low light. That’s why it’s one of the best plant candidates for beginner plant owners. As for watering the ZZ Plant, you can only water it when the soil is dry.

Gardening Know How says that if the plant is curling, it means it’s time to move the plant to an area with less light. Plus, they mention that the leaves will turn yellow when you over-water them.

4. Cactus

Many love cacti for withstanding harsh temperatures. Beginners or those with brown thumbs can’t go wrong with growing cacti in their homes. While it survives in harsh dry climates without that much water, indoor cacti need a splash of water from time to time. According to Smart Garden Guide, there’s no actual watering schedule for cacti, but you have to observe soil.

5. Pothos

Like most plants in this list, Pothos is a low-maintenance plant. If you’re busy or don’t have time to water them, you can leave the Pothos on their own to survive. It’s a vine, and that’s why many people place it on hanging baskets rather than pots.

Don’t let them die by putting them under direct sunlight. They do like light here and there from time to time. Plus, make sure that the soil isn’t too soggy. Other than that, owning a Pothos can purify the air as well, which is one reason to own one of the best plants to care for.

6. Philodendron

The name might be a mouthful, but Philodendron is another low-maintenance plant for those who don’t have a green thumb. That’s why it’s one of the best plants for beginners.

In terms of caring for the Philodendron, you should give it a moderate amount of water. The Spruce explains that either over-watering or under-watering will cause droopy leaves. Plus, to elongate their life, it needs indirect sunlight, and it can survive a warm environment.

7. Money Tree

Whether you believe in luck or not, a money tree is another plant that beginners can care for. Unlike most houseplants, the money tree appreciates both indirect and direct sunlight, as House Beautiful says. When watering a money tree, make sure that the soil is dry before watering it again.