New to houseplants? This beginner-friendly guide covers everything you need to know about light, watering, humidity and choosing the right plant for your home.
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Houseplants
Bringing plants into your home is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel warmer, fresher and more inviting. But if you are new to houseplants, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that most indoor plants only need a few basic things to thrive: the right amount of light, appropriate watering and a comfortable indoor temperature.
Start with the right light
Before choosing a plant, take a look at the room where you want to place it. Bright rooms with indirect sunlight are suitable for tropical plants such as Monstera, Philodendron and Strelitzia.
Rooms with less natural light are better suited to tolerant varieties such as the ZZ Plant, Snake Plant and Golden Pothos.
Remember that low light does not mean no light. Every plant still needs some natural or suitable artificial light to grow.
Avoid overwatering
One of the most common mistakes new plant owners make is watering too often.
Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, check the soil first. For many plants, the top few centimetres of soil should feel dry before you water again.
Plants such as Sansevieria and Zamioculcas prefer their soil to dry almost completely between waterings.
Choose the right pot
A decorative pot should be slightly larger than the nursery pot your plant arrives in.
Whenever possible, keep the plant inside its original grower pot and place this inside your decorative planter. This makes watering easier and helps prevent excess moisture around the roots.
Start with easy-care plants
If you are still learning, choose resilient plants that can tolerate the occasional forgotten watering.
Great beginner plants include:
- Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
- Sansevieria Trifasciata
- Epipremnum Aureum
- Peperomia Obtusifolia
- Pilea Peperomioides
Once you understand how your plants respond to their environment, caring for them quickly becomes part of your routine.