Home Sweet Home is presented by The Washington State Housing Finance Commission
So you want to try your luck growing indoor plants but don’t know where to begin? Well, it’s not as hard as you may think! Start with this list of plants that are easy to grow and don’t need much routine care. Consider purchasing a few inexpensive tools to make upkeep easy and follow these simple steps. Your thumb will be green in no time at all!
Snake Plant
This plant is one of the best plants for indoors because it produces more oxygen than most indoor plants. And that’s a bonus for your home. Snake plants grow well in the sun or shade. And they thrive on neglect, so forgetting to water it occasionally is not the end of the world or the plant.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are also great indoor options that grow in sunlight and shade. Spider plants adapt to under- or over-watering. And they are safe for pets.
Aloe Vera
This beautiful succulent requires a lot of light, so choose a bright sunny location if you want to grow long green aloe-filled leaves. Bonus: Aloe is great for your skin and handy in the kitchen for accidental burns.
ZZ Plant
A classic plant that is both attractive and easy to keep alive. It does great in low light and only needs water once every two weeks. Go on vacation, and don’t worry about coming home to a lifeless plant.
English Ivy
This plant grows fast in bright light. Herbalists use English Ivy to treat various respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. English Ivy is known for its many healing properties, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antiarthritic.
Majestic Palm
Every home needs a tropical palm! While it requires a sunny location and plenty of water, it will be a beautiful addition to almost any room in your home.
Peace Lily
For a flowering plant, this one thrives best in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate low light levels, a peace lily will produce more blooms with more light. It’s easy to know when to water a peace lily—when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
African Violet
Violets are small elegant plants covered with beautiful multi-colored flowers of different shapes and textures. African Violets add delicacy and prettiness to any décor. They prefer bright light without direct sun. Watering should be moderate but be careful and water underneath the leaves. For beautiful blooms year-round, use a fertilizer specified for flowering plants.
Orange Orchid
The orange orchid is one of the easiest varieties of orchids to grow as a houseplant. It is often called the beginner orchid. The plant will typically bloom once a year for up to three months, and then the flowers will wilt and fall. This is the orchid’s way of storing energy to rebloom again next season. Oh, the anticipation!
Plant Care Basics
Proper plant care is crucial to minimizing pest issues. Knowing the basics of plant care helps ensure your plants are free of insects and other plant diseases. It’s essential to examine your plants periodically for pests. If you find insects, isolate the plant from all others. Here are some other key tips for maintaining healthy plants.
• Grow your plants in the best possible conditions, including temperature, light, and humidity.
• Water plants properly.
• Apply fertilizer properly. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends fertilizing at half the recommended strength when the plant is actively growing.
• Keep your plants clean.
• Use new potting soil when starting new plants.
• Inspect leaves for insects and eggs. Use a magnifying glass to spot the smallest critters.
Helpful Tools
And don’t forget to stock up on necessary tools to help make the job effortless.
• Small watering can
• Gloves
• Potting soil
• Pots and planters
• Plant mister
• Pebble trays
• Waterproof pads and drip trays to protect furniture
• Plant fertilizer
As your green thumb grows, this list of more advanced tools will come in handy:
• Peat Moss, vermiculite, perlite, worm castings, bark chips
• Soil moisture meter
• Watering globes
• Gardening scissors
• Propagation containers
• Rooting powder
• Plant stands and plant hangers
• Humidifier
• Plant first aid kit
With some knowledge, tools, appropriate plant selection, and maybe a little trial and error, you can have a home filled with beautiful green and flowering plants. Your gorgeous houseplants will provide clean air and beautify your home for years.
Home Sweet Home is brought to you by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s Washington Homeowner Assistance Fund. The Homeowners Assistance Fund helps homeowners who have fallen on hard times because of the pandemic. Call 1-877-894-4663 for more information on how they can help.
