Welcome to the world of houseplants! Don’t panic if you feel overwhelmed! Growing plants indoors can be a rewarding hobby, but it can be hard to get started and it takes some time to learn what houseplants will thrive in your care. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for starter plant or something more complex, there are plenty of amazing houseplant options out there. 

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite houseplants to grow, as well as a few basic tips and tricks for keeping them alive and happy.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

The Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is a great option for those just starting out with houseplants. This hardy plant can thrive in many conditions, making it incredibly hard to kill! It’s also great at removing toxins from the air, so having it in your home can help purify your indoor air quality. It doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and won’t take up much space, so it’s perfect for any home. 

Snake Plants will add a unique touch to your decor with their spiky leaves and tall, slender shape. It can even survive on minimal watering and will do better when the soil is left to dry out before watering again.

Snake plant care:

– Place in a bright, indirect light spot

– Water every 2-4 weeks

– Make sure the soil is well draining and never too wet

– Feed with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer once per month during the growing season

Cacti and Succulents

These hardy desert plants come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny pebble-like Echeveria to large Saguaro cacti. Most of these varieties require infrequent watering (usually every few weeks) and can do well in areas with bright light. Succulents are easy to propagate and you can produce an entirely new plant from a single leaf!

Cacti and succulent care:

– Water when the soil is dry.

– Place in a bright spot with some direct sun. Avoid too much midday sun or intense heat.

– Most cacti and succulents don’t need fertilizer but can benefit from it during the growing season if desired.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is an easy-care houseplant that can brighten up any room! With its glossy leaves and delicate white flowers, it adds a touch of elegance to your home. It prefers indirect light and moderate humidity, so it’s perfect for bathrooms or other areas with higher humidity levels. While they don’t require much in the way of fertilizers, they will benefit from occasional applications. Peace lilies are great air purifiers and can help to remove toxins.

Peace lily care:

– Place in indirect light or medium shade

– Water when the soil is dry

– Mist regularly to increase humidity levels

– Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant, known for it’s striking heart-shaped leaves and ease of care. This vibrant vine can easily climb poles or be trained to stay compact in a pot. It prefers bright, indirect light but will tolerate medium shade and low light conditions. Water when the soil is dry and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Pothos is also one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings!

Pothos care:

– Place in bright, indirect light or medium shade

– Water when the top inch of soil is dry

– Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

– Trim back regularly to maintain desired shape and size.

– Propagate from cuttings in water or soil.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are a great choice for anyone looking to add some greenery and excitement to their home. They’re easy to care for and can produce offshoots that you can propagate into new plants to gift to friends and family. Spider plants need bright indirect light and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.

Spider plant care:

– Water when the top inch of soil is dry.

– Place in bright indirect light such as a north or east facing window. Avoid too much direct sun.

– Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

Fiddle leaf fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular houseplant known for its interesting foliage and easy care. It’s native to the tropical rainforests of western Africa where it can grow up to 40 feet tall! In the home, it usually reaches 6-10 feet and requires bright indirect light and consistent humidity. 

Pruning or pinching back stems can help keep the plant from getting too large, while also promoting new growth and bushiness. The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a great choice for anyone looking to add some drama to their home decor!

Fiddle leaf fig care:

– Place in bright indirect light such as a north or east-facing window. Avoid too much direct sun.

– Water when the top inch of soil is dry.

– Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

– Prune or pinch back stems to promote new growth

– Dust the leaves with a damp cloth every one to two weeks

Houseplants are a great way to decorate and fill empty spaces in your home while also improving air quality and adding a touch of nature indoors. Whether you’re looking for something easy to care for or an interesting statement piece, there are plenty of options to choose from!

All it takes is a little research and some dedication to make sure your plants thrive and stay healthy. With the right care, houseplants can bring life into any room and add that special something to make it feel like home.