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Best Houseplants for Beginners (Part 1)

By Acme Homes 6-1-2021

Are you a bit embarrassed by your not-so-green thumb? Or perhaps you are good with plants but lack the time for one reason or another. If either is true for you then look at the following plants as they are some of the easiest to grow.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum "Aureum")

Golden Pothos is said to be more difficult to kill than to keep alive. It makes for a great hanging plant since its vines can grow to be 10 feet long. It has green and yellow heart-shaped leaves and is known to take over tree trunks and forest floors because of its aerial root system. This plant is also very easy to propagate by taking cuttings and allowing them to root in water. Another benefit is its ability to produce large amounts of oxygen and filter formaldehyde from the air. It is easy to see why it is such a popular plant!

Care

• Light: Bright but indirect sunlight is best, but it can manage in medium or even low indirect light. No intense direct sun.
• Water: Allow the soil to dry before watering again (about every 1-2 weeks depending on lighting, temperature, and humidity)
• Temperature: 65°F-85°F
• Soil: Well-draining.
• Safety: Keep out of reach of pets and children as it can be harmful if ingested.

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

These plants are loved for their bold, modern quality. Most common varieties have large spear-shaped leaves that grow vertically, sometimes to a height of 3 feet tall. Their leaves are various shades of green and some varieties also have yellow bands as well. They are fantastic for purifying the air and producing oxygen, even at night. Studies by NASA, among others, have proven the Snake Plant is able to filter toxic substances from the air, some of which include formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides. These are great for the office because of their hardiness.

Fun fact, these were at one time used to make bowstrings because of the incredibly strong fibers they produce.

Care

• Light: Prefers medium light but can handle dark or bright light but no direct sunlight for long periods of time. Understand that brighter Snake Plants may lose their intense patterns if not given enough light. A darker variety might be better if its lighting will be low.
• Water: Allow the soil to dry before watering again (how many weeks between watering varies depending on lighting, temperature, and humidity). They do good in dry or humid environments.
• Temperature: 55°F-85°F but they thrive in the warmer temperatures within that range
• Soil: Well-draining.
• Safety: Mildly toxic if ingested.

Join us soon to learn about other hardy plants you could add to your home.