Houseplant Care for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting Your Indoor Plant Hobby

Houseplants are more than just decorative pieces; they bring life, color, and a breath of fresh air into any space. If you’re a novice looking to start your houseplant journey, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the essentials of houseplant care, offering tips and tricks to ensure your plants thrive.

Why Start a Houseplant Hobby?

Houseplants can improve your quality of life by reducing stress and boost your mood. Additionally, they can be a great way to learn responsibility and care. Whether you live in a spacious house or a cozy apartment, there are houseplants suitable for every environment.

 

Choosing the Right Plants

Easy-to-Care-For Houseplants:

For beginners, it’s best to start with low-maintenance plants that are forgiving of common mistakes. Here are a few great options:

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria): This plant is nearly indestructible and can tolerate low light and infrequent watering. It thrives on neglect!
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Known for its trailing vines, Pothos is easy to care for and thrives in various light conditions. Pothos are very communicative when they’re thirsty! Their leaves will look wilted when they’re parched. They’ll bounce back as soon as it’s watered!
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): An excellent choice for beginners, this plant is adaptable and resilient and easy to propagate. 
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): With its waxy leaves and robust nature, the ZZ Plant is perfect for new plant parents. Like the snake plant, ZZs thrive on neglect!

Light and Space Considerations:

Before purchasing a plant, assess the light conditions in your home. Some plants thrive in bright, indirect light, while others can survive in low light. Place plants near windows that receive adequate sunlight, but be cautious of direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. If you have limited natural light, consider supplementing with grow lights or opt for low light tolerant plants. A few examples include: 

• Snake Plants
• ZZ Plants
• Pothos
• Several Philodendron varieties, like the Philodendron cordatum ‘Heartleaf’
• Dracena

Pots and Soil

Choosing the Right Pot:

Ensure your pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. If your chosen pot doesn’t have drainage holes, consider using a nursery pot with holes and placing it inside your decorative pot.

Make sure when repotting that the new pot is no more than 2" bigger than the diameter of the root ball. 

Soil Mix:

Most houseplants prefer a well-draining soil mix. You can purchase an all-purpose potting and add amendments like perlite and orchid bark for aeration and drainage. Proper aeration and drainage ensures the plant's roots are able to breathe and have space to move around in the pot. 

If you don't feel like purchasing all of the individual ingredients for a high quality aroid mix, we offer our signature potting mix for sale here on our site!

Watering Basics

How Often You Should Water Your Plants:

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes new plant parents (and seasoned enthusiasts alike) make. The key is allow the soil to dry 50%-100% of the way before watering your plant again. To check if your plant needs water, probe the soil with a moisture meter, chopstick, etc. If you're using something other than a moisture meter, if you remove the probe and there is moist soil, that's your sign that you do not need to water. 

Proper Watering Techniques:

Bottom Watering

• Bottom watering involves placing the plant pot in a container/bowl of water, allowing the soil to absorb moisture through the drainage holes via the capillary effect. This method encourages deep root growth and reduces the risk of overwatering, as the plant only takes up what it needs. Allow the plant to sit in the water for about 20 minutes until the top of the soil is moist to the touch. 
• This method saves water and fertilizer rather than pouring it down the drain!

Top Watering

• Top watering is the traditional method of watering plants by pouring water directly onto the soil surface. This technique helps wash away excess salts and nutrients from the soil, but it’s essential to water slowly and evenly to avoid waterlogging and ensure even distribution. We recommend top watering at least once a month if you choose to bottom water.

 

Keeping Your Plants Healthy

Be sure to prune (remove) any dead or yellowing leaves regularly to encourage new growth and maintain the plant's appearance. Plants benefit from occasional trimming to keep their shape and size manageable. 

Tips and Tricks for Success:

1. Consistency is Key:  Develop a routine for checking your plants’ needs.
2. Right Plant, Right Place:  Match your plants’ light and humidity needs to their location.
3. Learn as You Grow: Don't be afraid to research and ask for advice from experienced plant enthusiasts. If you make a mistake, be patient with yourself! Most plants are resilient and will forgive you with the proper care.
4. Stay Patient: Growth takes time, and like humans, plants have feelings and require the same tender, loving care. 

 

Conclusion

Starting a houseplant hobby is a rewarding experience that brings beauty and tranquility into your home. By choosing the right plants, understanding their needs, and providing proper care, you can become a successful plant parent. Remember, every plant has its personality, and with a bit of attention and love, your indoor garden will flourish.