HOUSEHOLD PLANTS FOR BEGINNERS

Many of us love to grow plants at in our homes, but many of us are reluctant because we are either nervous or have a bad experience. Some of us, may have limited time at home or may not be at home during the week days or just scared to try something new. All the plants suggested below are for you.

1. Zamioculcas zamiifolia

ZZ plant in short, they have shinny and glossy leaves. There are few varieties of the ZZ plant ranging from dwarf to 5 feet tall. They come in really dark green stubby leaves, but new growth is light green in colour. Of late, the black variety has become famous, leaves are jet black in colour but new growth are light green in colour before they turn black.

We are going to talk about 7 plants, that are easy grow and maintain for beginners and first timers. These plants need little to no maintainance and are to kill.

These plants need not be watered often, usually one heavy watering every 3 weeks and aren’t susceptible to any pests. They can handle really low light and can tolerate bright light. They are so easy to maintain and is forgiving.

2. Sanseveria

Sanseveria or the Snake Plant, is from the asparagus family. They have shinny thick leaves. They range from short to tall plants, even ones that are variegated. There will be one for everyone. Sanseveria, is probably the world’s most well-known house plant. Sanseveria are natural air purifiers, emits oxygen at nights helping you to sleep better.

Sanseverias can handle really low light and don’t need frequent watering, because the plant is so hardy, place it anywhere in your house. They are known to handle long drought periods.

3. Pothos

Pothos are also known as Money plants. They are really a group of plants, because they have a lot of different varieties of them. There’s the neon, the green and the variegated varieties. There are also the scindapsus types with different foliage arrangements. Pothos don’t need your time and this makes them as wonderful house plants. They can handle any light situation and don’t require too much water to maintain them. Place a trellis or a moss pole, you can see them grow up into large foliage.

4. Spider plants

Chlorophytum or the spider plants, are a bunch of grass like plants which produce stocks, from which little pups are produced. These pups can be propagated into new spider plants.

Spider plants require more light and water than the above said plants, because they are fast growers. Place them on the eastern or western side of your apartment, so they receive maximum light. Spider plants also do well in direct light for couple of hours daily. There are curly and straight varieties, green and variegated varieties, broad and narrow leaf varieties, so there are lot of really cute spider plants for everyone.

5. Syngoniums

Syngoniums are probably the easiest and most forgiving plants and they will grow anywhere, even more so than the pothos. Syngoniums, also known as Arrowheads, are actually vines. There are small varieties and really large ones as well. They have white, green and red foliage. Broad to narrow leaves, their foliages usually stand erect facing the light. Syngoniums are climbers, just like pothos, so a moss pole or a trellis will be useful for them to grow large.

Syngoniums tend to grow towards where the light comes from. They love the sunlight, but can't stand direct light. So keep it away from direct sunlight. Water them sparsely, and let them grow cutely and they have that tropical jungle look in a few months.

6. Aglaonemas

Aglaonemas comes in many shapes and colours, you wouldn’t believe, they are of the same species. They’ll tolerate any light conditions, as long as that amount of light is even throughout the day. They don’t need a ton of water.

The tall and big leaf varieties, need a little bit more sun and water, but you hardly won’t notice the time that you spent on it. They are such gorgeous plants and they are so easy to take care. Coming to watering, always err on the lesser side, as them are not so forgiving as the above said plants. They come with so many colours to spice up your garden, they’re such a delight.

7. Jade plant

Jade or the Button Plant or Crassula Ovata, is considered lucky plant in many culture and societies around the world. Apart from this, it is also used to make bonsai. They have small glossy but beautiful round leaves. They come in green, white and variegated colours. They tend to be used as free standing plant, but some keep them trialling of a hanging basket. Jade can be easily propagated off cuttings. Now, this plant is not an indoor plant, like many nurseries would tell you because it is of succulent varieties, but an outdoor plant. They require at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight. We can actually grow them in our balconies. They make such a perfect balcony plant.

Jade plants don’t require frequent watering. That’s the other reason some term it indoors. Jade plants originate from South Africa, where the plant depends on monsoon rains. So, don’t water your jade too often, let the soil go bone dry, before watering them again. Jade does well in well-draining soil, so water retaining potting mix, should be avoided.