Do you have a green thumb? Or do your friends’ beautiful house plants make you green with envy?
Choosing the right inside plants can feel stressful. But, it doesn’t have to be.
If you want to take the leap into plant parenthood but don’t know where to start, this is the post for you. These 6 tips can help give you the confidence you need to make your botanical interior decoration dreams come true. Read on!
1. Find the Right Light
Plants need light to survive. However, the amount of light needed to thrive varies from plant to plant.
Low-light loving plants include:
- Ferns
- Cast iron plants
- Bamboo
- Peace lilies
For medium light rooms (light rooms without much direct sunlight), try these plants:
- Elephants ear
- Member of the ivy family
- Christmas cactus
- Begonia
Bright rooms with lots of direct sunlight need hardier plants like:
- Cactus
- Succulents
- Plants in the fig family
For more expert advice and a wide selection of plants, check out Phillip’s Interior Plants. Their plant guide goes over common indoor plants and the amount of light they like.
2. Take Your Temperature
The optimum temperature for most indoor plants is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are keeping a plant by the window, be wary of temperature fluctuations. In the winter, the temperature by the window can drop much lower than in the rest of the room.
3. Make Space
Some plants are more flexible with pot size. These will be happy growing to only the size of the pot and no more:
- Ficus plants
- Umbrella plants
- Aloe
- Peace lilies
Other plants are not as flexible. Keep an eye on the pot size; most plants like to be replanted every year or so. Search for the Goldilocks pot.
If the pot is too big, the excess moist soil can begin to rot the roots. If it’s too small, the roots overcrowd and starve.
4. Water Wisely
Until you get a good routine, it can be hard to remember to water your plants. Set reminders on your phone or write down your watering schedule in your calendar.
Some plants need constantly moist soil, others like to dry out in between watering. Talk to the attendant at the nursery after you’ve picked out your plants, they can help you know the amount of watering a plant needs.
5. Fur Babies Beware
Some plants are completely harmless to animals, some leave animals critically ill.
Some plants to avoid (not a comprehensive list):
- Ficus
- Elephant ear
- Monstera
- Oleander
- Daffodils
- Lilies
- Azaleas
If you have a fur baby, double-check your intended plant pick before bringing it home.
6. Start Simple
The final interior plants selection tip is to start simple. These plant options are hardier than most and can tolerate even a beginner’s care:
- Aloe
- Chinese evergreen
- Holiday cactus
- Dieffenbachia
- Jade plant
- Snake plant
- Pothos
- Prayer plant
- Spider plant
Picking a hardier plant gives you some plant-growing grace as you fine-tune your skills.
Which Inside Plants Will You Pick First?
You’ve read these tips about choosing inside plants. Now comes the fun part, which ones will you pick first?
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