The 5 Best Plants for Newbies
There's nothing less fun than deciding to start a new hobby and not knowing where to start. Starting your houseplant collection should be fun and easy, not stressful! Whether you're shopping for yourself or you're looking to help a friend with their first steps into the greenery game – we're here to help! Whether you're shopping for yourself or you're looking to help a friend with their first steps into the greenery game – we're here to help! We looked at care requirements, growth rate, and used only a little bit of personal bias to compile the 5 best plants for the new plant parent.
Snake Plants (Dracaena trifasciata)
Everyone knows about the Snake plant, and that's for a good reason! When discussing truly forgiving plants, we can't forget to mention the Snake Plant.
One of the top reasons why we love the snake plant: it's a succulent! Water is stored just below the surface in thick, tuberous roots called rhizomes. This means the snake plant is incredibly drought-resistant – perfect for the beginner plant parent who is still getting used to taking care of plants. From low light to bright indirect sun, to a dry living room to a humid porch, Snake plants can handle almost anything you can throw at them.
Most snake plants have long, thin, sharp foliage - which is what gives the plant its nickname: The Mother-in-Law's Tongue. Our snake plants come in a variety of colors! The Sayuri snake boast slender, silvery leaves while the Trifasciata snake shows off the more familair striped green leaves with bright yellow edges. Meanwhile the Whale fin snake has just one wide leaf that looks like...you guessed it – a whale fin.
Snake plants are our favorite plants to offer our newbie friends. These plants are borderline indestructable and come in so many shapes and sizes, you're bound to find the right one for your home!
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos plants are fantastically leafy additions to any kind of plant collection. Maybe the room has a bright area that's just begging for a hanging basket, or maybe there's a slightly shady spot that needs an addition - the pothos is what you need!
Pothos plants are pretty resilient and can withstand forgotten waterings, burnt leaves, and too-wet soil. Sometimes lush and enjoying the sunshine, other times they might droop or bleach, the long and vining growth of the Pothos shows off heart-shaped leaves that will quickly let you know if something is wrong. This climbing, enchanting beauty is versatile and works in just about any kind of lighting environment. They are actually found naturally growing in the deeply shaded sub-tropical forests of Asia and Australia, so that should give you and idea of how well they can tolerante low light. Want to try propegating? Just snip off a piece of the vine that has a few nodes, let the cut callous over for a few days, and then place the cutting in a jar of water. Rooted cuttings can survive in water or planted in soil!
Pothos are perfect for brightening up all areas of the home like your kitchen, living room, or bedroom. It can even go in a sunny bathroom!
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ Plants are a classic beginners' favorite. Just like Snake plants, ZZs have rhizomes that store water for the plant, making these plants a great drought-resistant, beginner-friendly plant.
Native to Eastern Africa, the jagged ZZ plant is the ultimate indoor plant that can withstand a whole bunch of conditions like low light, forgotten waterings, dry air, and really low humidity. The ZZ name comes from the leaves' symmetrical growth pattern along their main stems. The new growth that is a striking bright green, and it's a brilliant contrast against the darker mature growth. This plant is a great introductory houseplant for those looking to grow their green thumb or decorate their home or office with some added greenery. Beginners can also start their foray into propegation by cutting a stalk with a sharp pair of pruning scissors and rooting the stalk in water.
If you're looking for a plant with good looks and a go-with-the-flow kind of personality, you've officially found the one.
Cane plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Slow growing, not too picky about their space, and forgiving when it comes to a few forgotten waterings - the Dracaena is an awesome first-timer plant.
Dracaenas, or Cane plants, have a huge variety - there are over 120 different kinds of cane plant! From the lush growth of the dracaena Dorado to the spikey yet soft leaves on the Marginata, we're all bound to find a Cane that fits in with our vibe. Let them stand alone as a statement piece, or involve the plant in a large plant collection scheme - they'll be happy either way! Most canes prefer a moist soil, but are fine if their soil is left to dry for a little while before they're given a drink! So long as the cane is kept away from the direct sun and out of a dark closet, they'll be have to grow.
Dracaenas are one of the most versitile houseplants on the market, so if you need help finding a Cane for yourself or a friend, let us know! We'll help you find the perfect plant.
Money tree (Pachira)
What's better than a plant that's low maintenance? A plant that's low maintenance with the word "money" in its name!
This plant might not grow $100 bills, but it is 100% perfect for those just starting their plant collecting journey. Commonly known as the Water Chestnut, or the Malabar Chestnut, this fast-growing plant is native to Central and South America. The deep green star-shaped leaves are said to bring some luck your way, with the 5 leaves representing each element: earth, fire, water, wind and metal! Originally from a swampy wetland environment, Money Trees thrive in slightly moist soil and low to indirect bright light. Thanks to the fact that they tolerate different lighting environments, these plants are awesome additions to literally any spot in your home.
Whether your Money tree is going on the floor or a shelf, these trees offer a fantastic first step toward a larger plant collection.
We're here to grow with you!
No matter what experience level Plant Parent we consider ourselves to be, we can all use a little help sometimes. We know you love your plants and just want the best for them! If you want to triple check and make sure that you are doing the right thing, or if you just have a general plant question, send a photo and your comments or questions to info@dahingplants.com. Our Plant Experts are always ready to help!