How to Pick a Houseplant
Whether you are new to houseplants, or find yourself accidentally killing the ones you have, have no fear — there is a houseplant for you.
It seems like houseplants are everywhere these days. Sure, they were always there in your grandparents house, but now it’s almost as if everyone and their cousin has one.
Maybe history isn’t in your favor. Perhaps you have the tendency to kill every plant you touch or are nervous because haven’t had success with plants in the past, but don’t be deterred. I truly believe there is a houseplant for everyone.
Not convinced? Let me guess, you have some concerns:
“I can never remember to water them.”
“I travel too much.”
“ My cat destroys everything.”
I hear you, I do. But I have to tell you that even the most neglectful, busy, and forgetful people can have a houseplant — including you!
For the beginners
When most of us walk into a garden center, we are overwhelmed with choices. How do you even begin to think about what to get? Take a deep breath and go easy on yourself.
If you are new, pick a low-maintenance succulent. This can be an aloe, agave, crassula, echeveria, euphorbia, or haworthia. If you are unsure, ask the garden-center staff for advice on what is easiest for beginners.
If you do get a succulent, put it in a sunny room or on a windowsill. There are some that can tolerate low levels of light. Water them only once they have dried out. Test the soil for wetness by poking your finger into the dirt. If soil sticks to your finger, there is still moisture in the dirt. Do not overwater these and make sure water can drain through the bottom.
For the forgetfuls
“Not again,” you say to yourself as you surreptitiously toss out yet another plant that you have accidentally killed. You so badly want to be someone who can keep a plant in you home, but you can never manage to keep them alive. There is hope for you…
Have you ever considered making an enclosed terrarium? Yes, they may be a groovy remnant from the 70's, but they don’t have to die like disco did. One man by the name of David Latimer has managed to keep his terrarium plant alive for 50+ years… and he’s only watered it once!
Find a round, clear glass bottle with a rubber lid, some lower nutrient potting soil, a little bit of grit, and seeds or a plant. Pick a plant that will love the moisture: moss, ferns, and spiderworts will work. Aim for tropical or woodland plants because they can handle moisture. Put in your soil and grit, then carefully lower the seeds or plant until the roots are covered. Then mist and put the lid on.
The idea is to create an enclosed, self-reliant ecosystem. That way, it’s no big deal when you forget to water because you won’t have to.
For a more extensive how-to on creating an enclosed garden, check out this article from the Penn State Extension.
For the pet owners
Cats and dogs can cause trouble when it comes to indoor plants. We’ve witnessed online and in real-life scenarios of cats knocking over houseplants and dogs with zoomies whizzing past unstable planters.
Start by finding some pet-safe plants. Here’s a shortlist of common low-maintenance plants that are pet-friendly: spiderplant, peperomia, bird's nest fern, and prayer plant. Knock-over-proof containers and planters do exist and when all else fails, pull the macramé hanger out of storage like it's 1969.
Also, it may be worth considering an air plant. They need no soil (you heard me right — 0 soil) and need a gentle misting from time to time. You can put them on just about any surface and easily keep them out of your pet's reach.
For the travelers
Just because you are on the road a lot doesn’t mean you should have to forgo plants altogether. You can have it all: a career and a plant!
When selecting a plant, think about how long you will be away for travel. Days? Weeks? Months? The plant you pick may depend on the length of time you are gone.
If you travel and are only gone for days at a time, you can get almost any houseplant. Most plants need to be watered once a week and twice at most. Pick a plant that you like and is not too high-maintenance.
If you are gone weeks at a time, you may be able to have a drought-resistant succulent or cactus. They will do okay being watered every few weeks or so, depending on the variety.
If you are gone for months, you may be able to take on hydroponic plants. This means putting plants in a special container that has a water basin. The system allows nutrient-rich water to be given to the plant as needed. You can also keep cuttings of plants with roots alive in a jar of water, though this may inhibit growth.
If you have to go on an extended trip, give your plant to a family member, friend, or neighbor to look after while you are out. And never underestimate the helpfulness of a someone who is willing to check on your plants when you are gone.
Do you have any first-time houseplant stories you’d like to share?
Feel free to comment about your experience below!
Happy house-planting!
