Beginning your plant journey
from the perspective of a recovering plant killah’
Let’s chat about what I consider a few easy plants for beginners. If you are like me and beginning your plant journey, then you’ll want to read this post to get the best five plants to start being a plant lover. Listen to me when I tell you, “I have NOT a green thumb!” It’s more blackish-green than anything. The way my hands are set up for this plant life has made this plant journey indeed one of ups and downs -filled with some plants surviving me and my novice ways.
…but still I persist with my quest to be a great beginner planter!
Given the benefits with having plants filling your home’s atmosphere, I really am dedicated to learning this #plantlife. Having an asthmatic daughter, I want to incorporate as many natural ways as possible that I can to help alleviate some of the breathing challenges she occasionally has. So, I continue on this DI-trY journey and will work my way to becoming an official #plantmom!
Here are my top 5 plants (and their benefits) that I’ve kept alive for a solid year! <inserts cheering while keeping my fingers crossed that they continue to thrive>
Top 5 Starter Plants
based on a true story by a recovering plant killah ( I even killed a succulent!)
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Spider Plant: easy to maintain; doesn’t require much attention -because I was infamous for missing watering days, and most articles advise you can miss watering these up to 3 weeks! I think this holds my number one pick for a beginner planter. The watering situation is my nemesis.
• Benefit: Coverts carbon dioxide to oxygen at night, making it a good bedroom plant.
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Birds of Paradise: water every 1-2 weeks. Likes humidity so incorporating a humidifier helps with growth. This beginner plant is also perfect for giving tropical vibes to your ambiance. Admittedly, I struggled with the proper watering (no surprise), so I would suggest purchasing a moisture meter.
• Benefit: Good for air circulation and purification.
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Pothos: can handle missing a few watering days; good in medium to bright light conditions. Perfect to sit high because it can grow with a trailing vine. In my opinion, a trailing vine looks good when they are daintily hanging low. It also gives the look of being a real deal beginner planter!
• Benefit: purifies the air while also helping eliminate odors.
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Elephant ear: gives tropical oasis vibe and requires moderate to frequent watering.
• Benefit: cutting the stem and rubbing it on an insect sting is said to help alleviate pain and swelling. (Note: I’ve never tried this, but my grandmother knew a bunch of remedies)
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Fiddle Leaf: this one and I have a slightly contentious relationship. Presently, there are approximately 5 leaves on my plant, and it took a while to get there. However, once it flourishes, it’s absolutely beautiful! Let’s add that most challenges I don’t back down from, and this Fiddler is a challenge!
• Benefit: pretty much air purifying like most other plants, but since the writing of this post, it’s down 3 petals. Not sure how much air purifying this one is doing.
Perfect Helpful Ways to Care for and Remember Your Plant Babies
Beginner plants can be fickle
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Have a schedule: Whether you set an alarm on your smart device or include it as a recurring event on your calendar, getting into a routine with your plant care helps them survive.
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Feed them: Yes! Plants need food too. I’m not quite into composting (just yet), so I’ve been using plant food to feed my crew.
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Use apps: My mom introduced me to an app where I can take a picture of the plant and the app usually recognizes the type of plant as well as gives a plethora of information -right down to why some of my leaves were dying off at a rapid pace.
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Read: if you don’t want to use an app (as some require a fee), turn to the good ole internet. Hopefully, you can recall the name of your plant baby so you’re getting the most accurate information.
Hope this helps you start on your plant journey! Until we meet again, I’ll continue to be in learning mode and overcoming my plant killer instincts.
Genuinely!
