By C.L. Martin
If you’re a plant killer like me but would like to reform, then you're in the right place. I am on a journey to step up my plant mothering skills!
I originally wanted to take the steps to get my veggie garden ready, however, being a newb plant mom, I quickly discovered I had missed the window for planting in my area by about 2 months. At first, I was discouraged. I was going to have to wait another year to begin my garden, but then I wondered,
‘Why not start with a houseplant?’
As I have never been able to keep even a houseplant alive this seemed like a logical first step, so I began doing some research.
WHICH HOUSEPLANTS ARE GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
First and foremost, it’s important to do your research.
For you I have compiled a list of the top ten plants I found to be the most beginner friendly. If you don’t care for any of these there are numerous resources on the internet, libraries, and local plant nurseries. The steps and research would all be the same.
I chose these 10 plants because they usually need very little tending and can weather some neglect here and there. For me only a portion of these options work as some are toxic to my pets and children.
It’s important to consider the other residents of your home and avoid harmful plants.
1. Golden Pothos: (epipremnum aureum)
Toxic to animals/kids
Hanging plant
Aggressive grower
Minimal care
2. Spider Plant: (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Safe for animals/kids
Grows easily
Will send out baby plants
Easy to care for
3. Snake Plant: (Dracaena Trifasciata)
Toxic to animals/kids
Tough
Good for an office
Needs little care
4. Dragon Tree: (Dracaena Marginata)
Toxic to animals/kids
Can get 6 ft tall
Needs minimal care
5. Moon Cactus: (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)
Safe for animals/kids
Needs little water
Spines keep plants protected from nibbling animals.
6. Bromeliads: (Bromeliaceae Spp)
Safe for animals/kids
Watering is minimal but a little different than other plants.
Needs little care
7. Lucky Bamboo: (Dracaena Sanderiana)
Toxic for animals/kids
Perfect for offices
Needs little water
8. Fishbone Cactus: (Disocactus Anguliger)
Safe for animals/kids
Does well in a humid climate
Needs minimal water
Spikes help deter pets from nibbling
9. Aloe:(Aloe Vera)
Toxic for animals safe for kids
Minimal water
Needs lots of sun
10. Cast Iron Plant: (Aspidistra Elatior)
Safe for animals/kids
Needs less light
Minimal water.
I have considered my space, how easy my pets and children will have access to the plant, what kind of environment my home will provide (humidity, light, exc.) and determined that a spider plant would be the best match for our home. Unfortunately, my local nursery didn't have any spider plants, and the plants available on my list were all harmful to my kids/pets so I chose a variety of fern called a Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium)
Now to go shopping!!!
How To Shop For A House Plant!
Once you have selected a plant you would like to add to your home the next step is to go shopping for your plant!
I have chosen to go to our local plant nursery vs. Walmart Garden center or another grocery store seasonal garden center. I have found the plants at places like this where I am located tend to have a poor selection and the plants lean more towards the unhealthy side.
Because I am already an expert at killing plants, starting out with a sick plant doesn’t sound like the best option. Other locations may provide a better selection so don’t be scared to check out your local stores.
When you get to the store and are looking over the plants available there are a few key things to keep in mind before making a final decision.
Read plant labels if they are provided.
The labels have all sorts of useful information like how much water and light the plant will need. If it needs fertilizer and how much space it will take up once it is fully mature.
Not all labels have all of this information, and some even have more so be sure to read them carefully.
Check the plant over for any signs of deteriorating health.
If the leaves look wilted, brown or yellow, and just generally unhealthy you may want to find a healthier looking plant.
Keep in mind, however, that wilting leaves can be an indicator that the plant may just need a little more water. If the plant looks otherwise healthy it may be a good option if there is nothing healthier.
Make sure it has good soil.
Even if you're transplanting into a different planter, you want your soil to look healthy as this will mean the root system of your plant has had nutrients to grow properly.
Watch for visible roots or root bound plants. These may be at more risk for health
issues since their roots have been choked off and exposed.
You want the soil to still be a little moist, indicating that it is getting plenty of care, but not drenched. If it looks like a mud pie, there is a chance that the plants have been continually overwatered and root rot may have begun.
Check for pests.
You don’t want to be bringing home any little friend along with your plant, so it is important to check for any small moving insect like critters.
Also check over the leaves for any discoloration, small holes, or nibbled edges as these are also good indicators that the plant may be infested and should probably not be a viable option.
Consider the size of the plant.
Usually, a smaller plant will be a little cheaper and be less likely to die once they are transplanted or moved to a newer environment. Most plants will grow quickly if cared for properly so in a few months you will have a much larger plant.
Larger plants are still a good option as they are already mature, however, keep in mind that they have also had more time to develop problems. If they have not been cared for properly for a long time, while they look healthy, they may have a host of hidden problems.
Compare plants with each other.
When looking for a good plant to take home, compare them to the other healthy options that are available.
Consider things like how many stems/stalks does it have. Is it more lush or full looking or is it kind of lacking?
If there are flowers on it, are they just budding or are they in full bloom? If you bring home a flowering plant, while not a s pretty, the budding option is best as they will bloom in your home, and you will get to enjoy the full effect.
Along with purchasing your plant you're going to want to make sure to purchase the needed supplies as well. Even if your plant comes in a nice planter, it's important to replant it, even in the same container, so that your new friend will have fresh clean dirt with all the nutrients it may need.
Read the labels on your plant for any fertilizer recommendations and if there are any specific soil requirements. Most basic house plants only require basic planting soil. Miracle Grow Potting soil is a good option as it has plenty of nourishing nutrients. You may not even need to worry about fertilizer depending on the plant's specific needs.
Once you have found your plant and gathered your supplies it's time to take your new plant home!
Setting up your house plant!
Now that you have your new plant at home and are ready to get it all settled in your going to want to take a few steps before you put it in its forever place.
First, you're going to want to replant or transplant.
You’re going to want to remove the plant from its current container and clean out the
old soil. To do this you will want to turn the plant sideways, pot and all, and gently loosen the plant from the container. Hold your hand at the base of the stem and gently pull.
2. Once your plant is removed from its pot carefully loosen the roots. Get rid of any large clumps of dirt and check over the roots to assess their health. If they look healthy you can cut away the smaller thread type roots but leave the larger more pronounced roots as these are the main veins of your plant.
3. Remove the old potting soil from the container or fill the new container about ⅔ full depending on the size of your plant. You want the top of the roots near the base of the stem to be about half the length of a pinky down in the dirt to make sure that the plant is supported well.
4. Place the plant in the center of your pot on top of the new soil. You can dig a little hole for the end of the roots if you need more room. Once you have the plant situated slowly, begin to dump more soil around the edges of the plant's roots until the plant is totally submerged in the dirt and is supported enough it can stand on its own without tipping.
When all of those steps are completed, and your plant is in its pot be sure to water it well as the new soil may not be as moist as the plant will need. Place your pot where it will get the proper amount of light it needs and ENJOY!
CARING FOR YOUR PLANT!
When your new plant is established it's time to care for it. If you're this far then chances are you know how much and how often you should water. If your plants need any fertilizer or if they need a warmer or cooler environment. If your plant is near a vent be sure to see if the ac or heat is affecting the plant in any way.
Where I am located it is currently summer and we live in a very hot dry climate. Because my husband works outside our air conditioning set at a solid 67 degrees until the weather starts cooling down. This can create a cooler environment that most tropical plants or plants that prefer warmer weather may not thrive in.
With proper care the plant will grow and eventually you're going to need to transplant it into a bigger pot. A few indicators that your plant may be ready for the transition are:
If the roots are showing in the top of the soil or if they are sticking out of the drainage holes, there isn’t enough room for your plant anymore and it is time for an upgrade.
If your plant doesn’t seem to be growing as well as it was before it may be because there is no room for the roots to expand.
If you feel that your plant is tempting fate and overpowering your pot, then it's time for a bigger one. Plants that get too large can cause pots to tip over leaving a mess.
Finally, if it has been over a year, it’s at least time for a soil change. After time your plant will draw all the nutrients from the soil. This will leave the soil unsuitable to sustain plant life.
As your plant grows there will be times that leaves will die or get damaged. It is ok to carefully prune these bits off. By pruning the damaged parts your plant can put more energy into growing healthy leaves and stems. This will help it flourish.
I hope that your planting experience has been half as fun as mine. All the pictures above are of the steps I took to acquire my new plant and get it all settled in. I will be posting updates weekly on my gardening forum over the next couple of months to share the success or failure of my plant parenting.
If you have any other tips or tricks you found during your own research, I would love to hear them! Comment below showing me pictures of all your plants!!!
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