House Plant 101
So COVID happened, and much like the rest of us you acquired a green thumb and ran out and bought a houseplant to live your ultimate plant lover life. Now what? The Plantfluencers on your Instagram FYP didn’t prepare you for all the nitty gritty details of actually owning a plant. A plant can be a lot like a pet. You need to find a pet that fits your lifestyle, you need to feed them, water them, pretty much just make sure they survive. It can be overwhelming, and you probably could’ve done a bit more research than you ever wanted to. But don’t worry, with some time you will become a natural, you’ll instinctively know how to take care of your new plant and in the future know how to identify which plant is right for you. In today’s guide we will help give you a head start on some of the most important plant information and plant types so you can live the aesthetic plant life of your dreams.
FUNDAMENTALS FOR CARING FOR YOUR PLANT
1 - Know what type of light your plant needs.
Lighting is one of the most important things when considering what houseplant to purchase. You don’t want to have a jade plant or aloe vera, which require more light if you live in a basement level apartment that could be mistaken for Gollum’s cave. Nor do you want a plant like a String of Pearls that likes indirect sunlight when you have a south facing window and could dry your plant out. So remember some plants love to bask in the sun while others prefer indirect light. Your plant may even have preferences on what time of day they would like their daily dose of sunshine. Too little or too much of light will become very apparent when looking at your plant. They may start to yellow, wilt, or show other signs of distress if you aren’t careful.
2 - Water!
Did you ever watch that episode of Spongebob where he goes into Sandy’s dome for the first time? Spongebob and Patrick start to shrivel up until Sandy realizes that they need water and gives them fish bowls helmets filled with water. Well, just like Spongebob, plants need water. Plants are a little pickier though, too little or too much water could be the difference of whether your plant friend lives happily. Too much water can create root rot in certain plants or stunt its growth. Too little water could potentially dry out a plant leaving you with a pot of wilted leaves. And while some plants can bounce back from the wrong watering conditions, others aren’t as resilient.
3 - Buy local
We know that it may be tempting to buy a houseplant online, who doesn’t love some no human interaction shopping every once in a while? We do recommend that you visit your local plant nursery or growers however. Not only are you helping a local business, but it’s actually better for your plant in the long run and better for your social skills. Buying plants locally allows your plant to thrive more because they will live in an environment close to the environment of where they were planted. This is due to similarities in humidity, temperature, and sunlight. And so, your plant is more likely to have less adjusting to do.
TYPES OF PLANTS
Knowing about your plant options and which ones fit into your budget and time availability is almost as important as how to take care of your plant. Since there are literally thousands of plants you could choose from we have created a list of some great starter plant options for all budgets and needs:
Monstera Deliciosa - If you love a jungle vibe, a Monstera Deliciosa is a beautiful houseplant that is easy to take care of. If potted, they can reach up to about 4 ft in the right conditions. Be careful, however, as these plants do best in moderate to warmer climates and should not be placed in temperatures lower than 50 degrees. We have learned from experience that this is very important. So, don’t forget to bring in your Monstera during a freezing rain storm like we did. *Not safe for cats or dogs
Cost: $-$$: Depending on size you can find a Monstera ranging from $10-$100.
Light: Medium light: Best in semi-indirect light
Water: Moderate: You will want to make sure that the soil is moist 1-2 inches deep.
Spider Plant - Who loves clean air? We know we do! Spider plants are a tropical plant that is known for its air purifying abilities. They are relatively easy to take care of, but you may need to repot them as they grow fast and can easily stop growing in too small of a pot.
Cost: $-$$ Depending on where you buy the price ranges from $20-$50.
Light: Bright to moderate Best indirect light, but still bright areas.
Water: Light These plants do not take a lot of water. In warmer seasons, one-a-week is plenty. In colder seasons, reduce watering.
Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) - If you live in an apartment and want a plant that is low maintenance, this is the plant for you. They are happiest inside in non-direct light which means you don’t need to have a home with huge windows and lots of light to keep this plant alive. While the Pothos is very adaptable, it does thrive best in conditions similar to the tropics.
Cost: $ Prices range between $10-20. However, size increases price and may take you over the lower limit.
Light: Moderate Best in moderately lit spaces, however they can handle low light.
Water: Light Water every 1-2 weeks and make sure that soil dries before each watering.
So it’ll likely take some time to commit all this to memory, and there is a good chance your plant babies will struggle every once in a while, but hopefully this guide has given you a head start in your houseplant plant journey, and you find the perfect plant pet for you. For extra credit, keep track of our events for our Plant 101 FREE meetups with our resident plant expert.
Happy Planting!