10 Best Plants For Beginners

Owning plants can be fun and rewarding, however, if you don’t have the greenest thumb it can sometimes become frustrating. Whether you have a green thumb or not there is a plant for everyone. Not only do plants detoxify the air they are a great way of bringing nature inside. In this post you can find;

• A list of plants that not only look amazing but are great for beginners.

• Different variations of species

• A list of tips to remember

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ plants are great for beginners as they are low maintenance and stay fairly small in size. The ZZ root system is made up of potato looking rhizomes and have a main function of storing water for the plant. Due to these roots, the plant can survive for quite a long period of time without water. This is great for any stage of expertise as from time to time we can forget about the watering process. Another great quality of this plant is its little need for sunlight. These plants can live in a room with indirect sunlight and still continue to be healthy. ZZ plants are also a great way to learn and practice how to split plants, splitting plants allow you to have multiple of the same species, making this plant great for sharing.

*Be sure to wash hands after handling plant as it is poisonous*

Variations: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘raven’

2. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake Plants are very low maintenance and are great air purifiers. Snake Plants are very versatile and can survive with direct sunlight to no sunlight at all. When watering these plants, it is important to not overwater. watering once every two weeks during the summer and every 3-4 weeks during winter months is sufficient.

Variations: dracaena trifasciata ‘laurentii’, dracaena trifasciata ‘hahnii’, dracaena trifasciata ‘cylindrica’, dracaena trifasciata ‘twist’, dracaena trifasciata ‘bantel’s sensation’, dracaena trifasciata ‘desertii’

3. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Burro’s Tail is a low maintenance trailing plant that just like most succulents needs little water. I personally find my burro’s tails do best and grow most when they receive direct sunlight or bright indirect sunlight. It is good to water this plant once a month during winter and water 2 to 3 times a month during summer. I tend to water mine more because of how dry my house is and due to having it in a very sunny spot. It is important to remember that the humidity and brightness can change the amount of water any house plant needs. This plant is also prone to dropping leaves very easily so don’t be alarmed if they do fall off.

Variations: sedum burrito, sedum rubrotinctum, sedum nussbaumerianum

4. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a very popular house plant as they are known for not needing much water. Aloe vera plants love sunlight and should be watered enough to saturate the soil deeply and then not watered again until the soil is dry. These plants also store a gel inside the leaves, this gel can be used for a variety of things, like making creams, sanitizers, soaps and to help heal cuts and burns.

Variations: There are 250 different varieties of Aloe vera species.

5. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivensis)

Nerve plants are great beginner plants, they’re awesome to look at and very easy to take care of. If you’re someone that tends to overwater, then this plant is for you. Nerve plants don’t mind being damp, but it is good to allow the soil to dry before watering again. Very versatile with the amount of light it receives, they can survive in bright indirect sunlight to full shade but does best in indirect sunlight.

Variations: Fittonia 'Angel Snow', Fittonia 'Black Star', Fittonia 'Daisy', Fittonia 'Fortissimo', Fittonia 'Frankie', Fittonia 'Josan', Fittonia 'Juanita', Fittonia 'Leather Leaf, Fittonia 'Mini Red Vein', Fittonia 'Mini Superba', Fittonia 'Mini White', Fittonia 'Pink Angel', Fittonia 'Pink Star', Fittonia 'Pink Vein', Fittonia 'Purple Vein', Fittonia 'Red Anne', Fittonia 'Red Star', Fittonia 'Red Vein', Fittonia 'Ruby Red', Fittonia 'Stripe Forever’, Fittonia 'Superba', Fittonia 'Titanic', Fittonia 'White Anne', Fittonia 'White Brocade'

6. Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Bamboo Plants are probably the easiest plant to care for and can be great house décor. Bamboo can be potted in soil or rocks and water. Bamboo needs plenty of water and can survive in indirect sunlight to full shade. I personally have mine planted with a little soil at the bottom to root it and then filled the rest of the pot with rocks! This can especially look nice in a see through glass pot.

7. Philodendron

Philodendron plants are awesome for beginners! These plants can be placed in indirect to bright indirect sunlight. These plants adapt well to most indoor conditions and do well when moved from indoors to outdoors! Like most plants, they should be watered once the top inch of soil dries out. These plants are also easy to bring back if you notice they’re starting to not look so great.

Variations: There are over 400 varieties of philodendron! My few favourites are, Philodendron hederaceum 'Lemon', Philodendron erubescens, Philodendron 'pink princess', Philodendron hederaceum

8. Pothos

Pothos are great plants for beginners, they’re easy to care for and hard to kill. These plants do great in most environments and can tolerate bright indirect light to low light. It is best to water these plants thoroughly and then wait to water again when the soil is dry.

Variations: Epipremnum aureum, Epipremnum aureum, ‘Marble Queen’, Epipremnum ‘Neon’, Epipremnum ‘Jessenia’, Epipremnum ‘Pearls and Jade’, Epipremnum pinnatum, Epipremnum ‘Manjula’, Epipremnum pictum Argyraeus, Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’, Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus', Epipremnum aureum 'N'joy', Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Satin'

9. Cactus & Succulents

Cactus and succulents are one of the most popular varieties of plants. There are so many different species and variations it makes it hard to try not to buy them all! The best of all is anyone can take care of these plants! It’s important to remember that cactus’ and succulents are desert plants, so they’re used to a lot of sun. Though they like a lot of sun its imperative to know that they can also burn very easily from too much, so it’s best to keep them in indirect sunlight and try to give them more and more direct sunlight until they’re used to it! During winter months they don’t need much water at all but during summer in the direct sun they’ll need to be watered thoroughly and then watered about once a week once the top inch or so is dried out.

10. Calathea

Calathea do best in indirect sunlight or shade! They don’t like to be overwatered, so it is best to water them when the top 1-2 inches of the soil dry out. Calathea also likes humidity so it helps to mist the leaves.

Variations: Calatheo Ornata Calathea lancifolia, Calathea lutea, Calathea makoyana, Calathea orbifolia, Calathea ornata, Calathea picturata, Calathea roseopicta, Calathea veitchiana, Calathea zebrina

Tips to remember:

• Plants go dormant during winter, meaning if your plant looks like it’s not doing so well, growing as much, or losing leaves, it is likely due to it being dormant.

• During the winter months, it is always important to cut your normal watering in half, plants require less water during their dormant period.

• If your leaves start to wilt, droop or fall off, ask yourself if you’re over or under-watering. Maybe your plant needs more or less sunlight? Don’t give up, most plants can be saved!

• If you have a hard time remembering which plants to water and when a good way to start being more aware is to try watering whenever the top inch of soil dries out.

• If you over water, try moving your plant to a sunnier spot for the meantime until it dries.

To learn more about how to care for these plants I will be writing care guides to each species. If you have any questions, feel free to enter the chat or leave a comment :). I would love to receive feedback or suggestions, let me know if you think I left anything out!