Easy Houseplants

Work on your green thumb with these easy houseplants to care for. 

Filling your home or apartment with more houseplants has several benefits besides a level up on decor. Not only do houseplants brighten up a space, but studies show that they can brighten up your mood by reducing stress. Several indoor plants have also shown to help clean the air inside by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.

No matter your experience with gardening, there’s plenty of houseplants that are great for beginners. Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

 Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

This pet friendly houseplant loves bright indirect sunlight but can grow in a wide range of shade/sun conditions. It’s named for its long “spiderettes” that dangle down from the base like a spider’s legs. If the spiderettes develop brown tips, don’t worry as this is completely normal and not harmful. This can happen when there is too much fluoride buildup in the soil from watering. It needs frequent watering in the summer, but the water should be cut back in the winter.

Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

This tough plant has been found to help clean air in homes, removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. They are very easy to care for, just place them in indirect sunlight and don’t water them too much. There are about 70 varieties of snake plant, but the most common is Sansevieria trifasciata.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

This plant is a unique looking houseplant that has a woody bulb-like base (called a caudex) with pinnate fronds that look like a cross between a fern and a palm. These plants may be a little harder to care for—needing ample sunlight and careful watering (not too much, not too little) but they are still wonderful houseplants.

But beware, these plants are poisonous to pets—so if you keep them in your home make sure to keep them high up or out of reach from any pets you may have.

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

This fast-growing climbing vine is an extra leafy addition to your home. Indoors, devil’s ivy should be given filtered light and can grow up to 8 ft if given the space and climbing access. This plant can be given fertilizer twice a season and watered regularly, but the plant thrives on neglect so no to worry if you forget. With bright green heart-shaped leaves these plants brighten up any space.

Peace Lily Plants (Spathiphyllum)

These white flowered, deep green leafed plants are a popular choice for indoor areas. Often called the closet plant, these guys are easy to care for. The biggest concern in plant care is making sure not to overwater. Peace lilies are so drought tolerant that if they begin to droop, they can still revive without harm after their next watering.

For more information on any of these plants, contact a local nursery to learn about further individual care and fertilization needs.