Some plants are more challenging to care for than others, so if you're a new plant parent, we have some recommendations for what you can start with.
1. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos plants are among the most popular types of hanging plants. It’s nicknamed “Devil’s Ivy” because of how hard it is to kill. This plant thrives best in bright, indirect light, but can even survive some low-light conditions. Just avoid bright, direct sun. It is best to let the soil of your Pothos dry out before watering, usually every 2 weeks. Wilting or droopy leaves are often a sign your pothos needs a drink. Overwatering signs to look out for are yellowing leaves and black stems.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
These spindly friends are known as one of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow plants. It thrives best in medium to bright direct light and weekly waterings. Make sure to check and see if the soil is dry before watering, and if it is still moist, wait a day or two to see if it is dry enough to water. Over time, spider plants will sprout out plantlets on long stems that make it a perfect plant for a hanging basket.
3. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants are extremely tolerant. While we don’t recommend it, you can ignore your snake plant for weeks and it will likely be left unscathed. They can take indirect bright, medium, or low light, which makes them a great plant to stick in a corner or bathroom. It’s best to water your snake plant every two weeks once the soil has dried out, but it can tolerate longer. Snake plants are known to act as natural air purifiers because they have the ability to remove toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene, from the air.
4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Similar to Snake plants, ZZ plants are very tolerable in their light and water intake. Although it prefers bright, indirect light, it can tolerate low light conditions. Water your ZZ plant when it’s nearly dry, typically every 2-3 weeks or as long as a month in the wintertime. The thick stems on the plant allow it to store water, which will hold over your ZZ if you miss a couple of watering sessions.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
In the right conditions, Chinese evergreens are easy to care for. They come in a variety of colors, such as green, pink, red, and silver. Chinese Evergreens take medium indirect light, but bright, indirect light is best for variegated varieties to keep their color. They can also handle low-light conditions. These plants prefer moist soil, but the top two inches should be completely dry before watering, usually every couple of weeks. Because of their rooting system, make sure you have well-draining soil for your Chinese Evergreen to prevent root rot.
These lush palms are great palms for beginners. Indigenous to Central America, Parlor palms have always been popular houseplants. While they best enjoy bright to medium indirect light, they can adapt to low light conditions. Parlor palms typically enjoy weekly waterings, but be sure to feel that the first inch of soil is dry before giving it another drink. Brown, crispy tips often mean the plant is in need of water or too low humidity, and yellowing leaves or black stems often indicate overwatering.
