About a year ago I began my house plant obsession and bought three plants; a pilea (better known as a chinese money plant), a peperomia hope, and a string of turtles. I knew nothing about plants but I was bored, in a pandemic, and wanted to care about something other than what the top Netflix titles were that week. Not only did these little green guys brighten up my room, but they also brightened my mood, and my house plant obsession began. I had heard of multiple different plants but honestly had no idea which ones were “easy” for a beginner to take care of. After a year of being a plant mom to now over 20 plants and somehow only killing 2 plants in the process (rip to my echeveria succulent and alocasia which HATED ME) I've gained enough knowledge to recommend some easy plants for beginners:
Snake Plant
You’ve probably heard about the snake plant before, as it is a common plant to find in your local hardware store, and it is VERY forgiving. Some plants require a very specific amount of light, water, and attention, but common to an actual snake- this plant likes to be left alone. You can basically put a snake plant anywhere in your house, low-light or bright-light, and it will adapt to its environment. Snake plants are also not thirsty ladies, and there's no watering timeline for plants (no matter what your plant app tells you), so you NEED to be checking the soil to see if it needs a drink. Luckily, snake plants can survive on very little water, so make sure the soil is bone dry before watering again. You’ll be able to tell if you’re overwatering if the leaves start to crimple- but don’t panic- just leave the plant alone for a few weeks and it will spring back. If you really overdrench the sucker, repot it in some fresh, dry soil, take a breath, and leave it alone for a while.
Peperomia Hope Plant
Now as I mentioned, peperomia hope was one of the first plants I ever got, and the difference from when I got it to today is huge. I’ve found that the peperomia hope plant is also a very easy plant to care for. It’s leaves are similar to succulents, and they store their water there which makes them plump and pretty. Like the snake plant, peperomia are very forgiving, and can adapt to both bright and low light conditions- making it an ideal starter plant.The watering needs of peperomia hope are slightly different, as the plant prefers to be bottom watered. Bottom watering involves filling a bowl with water and placing the plant (in its pot with drainage holes) into the bowl for 20-30 minutes. The plant will absorb the water it needs, and this will help prevent overwatering, an overly-common cause of death for house plants. You don’t have to bottom water the plant, but it makes life easier, and if you set up a timelapse, you can actually watch your plants gulp it up!
Baby Monstera Adansonii Plant
If you read monstera and are picturing a 3 foot plant, you’re thinking of monstera deliciosa, which is a beautiful plant, but not the right choice for beginners. The reason I chose a baby monstera adansonii over a large monstera deliciosa is simply because of experience level. As a beginner, small plants are much more manageable; it’s easier to check soil moisture and water evenly, plus they’re easier to move around your house to find the best light placement.Monstera adansonii are a variation of monstera deliciosa, and grow like a vine. You can place this plant against a wall or wrap it around a banister, it brings a jungle vibe to any room. The plant prefers bright indirect light but not direct- as it will burn the leaves- so try to find a good spot near your window. In terms of watering, you want to be sure not to drown the baby monstera adansonii, instead, wait until the soil is mostly dry before giving it a good drink. Just because the top inch of your soil is dry does not mean the roots are.To accurately check dampness level, stick your finger a few inches into the soil to where the roots would be, if the soil is still clumpy and wet, leave it a few more days.
Growing House Plants in Ottawa
Keeping house plants in Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, or any Ontario climate can be stress free if you do your research and prepare before you get your first plant. There’s nothing worse than bringing a new plant baby home and not having a bigger pot or soil to repot it properly! Read my blog on the top 4 tips for new plant parents for everything you need to know before bringing home your new plant baby.
If you have any questions about this blog post or about plants in general please contact me, I am more than happy to have a conversation about plants!
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