The Best House Plants for Beginners

A plant at home can increase oxygen levels and reduce the amount of dust and pollution. Maintaining a plant's health can give you immense satisfaction and has been proven to improve mental health.

Which live house plants plant is right for you? Experts have given us their recommendations.

Marble Queen Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a very popular house plant due to its heart-shaped leaves and gorgeous white variation. It's also one of the easiest to maintain which makes it a good option for those who are new to gardening. Pothos, like other tropical plants, thrives in all light conditions. However it prefers moderate levels of bright indirect sun. It is also able to thrive in lower levels of light or in complete shade. It can also thrive in humid conditions and soil that is slightly acidic.

As that the soil isn't allowed to dry out completely the plant will tolerate of a lack of watering, but overwatering is a common cause of death for houseplants. If you're unsure, stick your finger into the soil and see whether the soil is moist. If not, you should water the plant. If the leaves change color, it's probably due to the absence of sunlight or too much direct sunlight, or it could be a sign of fungal disease.

Pothos, unlike many plants, can withstand air pollution including ozone. It can be used in the bathroom or kitchen to purify the air.

Like other plants like it, this one is susceptible to pests and diseases. It is best to tackle problems as soon as they arise, so they don't spread throughout the house. Pests like thrips and mealybugs are most common on this plant. Keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered and it'll be less likely to attract insects like these.

Trim the tips of the stem regularly to keep your plant looking great. This keeps the foliage lush and marbled and prevent the vines from getting too long. These tips of the stem can be used to help propagate plants.

If you're looking to stimulate your Marble Queen to grow and flourish, give it something to hold onto. This could be a moss rod, houseplant trellis, or the length of string. Remember to spray the moss or any other support, with water as part of your regular routine of irrigation to aid in helping it grow quicker.

Monstera

The monstera plant (Monstera deliciosa) also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is one of the most well-known house plants for sale plants. Its leaves are naturally hollow called leaf fenestration, which can give a tropical feel to any room. It's also easy to propagate by cutting and growing it in water making it a good choice for beginners.

Monstera deliciosa is a fast-growing plant, so you may need to repot it every few months. To ensure that your plant is healthy take some leaves at a time, and place it back in soil that is well-drained. Make sure the container is well-ventilated. You can also add perlite or lava rock to the soil for Aeration, if needed.

They are simple to maintain as houseplants, provided they receive bright light and sufficient humidity. They will happily climb the trellis or grow downwards. You can easily form them to your preference by trimming. It's simple to mist a monstera using a spray bottle of water to increase the amount of humidity in its leaves daily.

A monstera is not actually a succulent, despite the name. While succulents have thick fleshy leaves that hold water, monsteras have thin heart-shaped leaves that have fenestrations. Monsteras can withstand dry climates, but require more humidity and moisture than succulents.

The leaves of the monstera, despite appearance, aren't edible. The stems, fruits and leaves of this plant contain poisonous oxalic acid that can cause painful irritation to the throat and mouth if consumed.

If you've already master the fiddle leaf fig, Blank suggests moving onto a monstera next to really get a feel for how easy gardening indoors can be. "A monstera can be adapted to various conditions," says Blank. It requires a warm and humid environment, but it can withstand lower temperatures and higher humidity than what homes typically provide.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most durable house plants that clean the air plants that are available. It's hardy and slow-growing that can endure a wide variety of conditions. It thrives in areas with dark conditions and is not afflicted by low humidities. It's also kind to people who aren't paying attention, and requires only sporadic waterings to survive. The leaves of this tropical succulent could be lime green, purple-black, or a combination of both as they mature.

You can reproduce the ZZ plant by splitting its rhizomes, which are tubers that resemble roots on the bottom of each stem. Lift the plant out of its pot and divide the rhizomes. Cut them back a bit before putting them in new pots. You can also grow new ZZs by using stem cuttings with two leaves, each measuring about an inch long. Plant the cuttings in a pot that is 50:50 mix of multipurpose compost and perlite and houseplant then place them in a warm spot. It may take up to one year for the cuttings of the plant to develop.

Although it is among the most robust house plants, there are certain things that can cause the ZZ plant to die, such as overwatering direct sunlight, dry soil. The best method to avoid these issues is to water the ZZ plant only when the soil is dry. If the soil is moist, it's fine to leave it be. The plant can go for weeks without watering because its rhizomes hold water.

The plant doesn't attract a lot of insects, but it could be prone to fungus and rot. The best way to prevent these issues is to regularly get rid of dead and decaying foliage from the plant. It is also essential to keep it out of reach of pets and small children because the leaves and stems can cause irritation if eaten.

The ZZ plant is a fantastic air purifier because it can help to remove toluene, benzene, and xylene out of indoor environments. It also can absorb volatile organic compounds like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. The ZZ plant is a good option for offices or apartments which don't have adequate ventilation.

Parlor Palm

Palms are a very popular indoor plant and for good reason. They bring tropical, lush vibes to living spaces and can endure a range of lighting conditions and temperatures. The chamaedorea species, also known as parlor palm, isn't an exception. The plant, which is also known as neanthe Bella palm, is native to Central America and is gaining in popularity due to its versatility. It thrives in bright, well-filtered light but can be grown in areas with lower lighting, like rooms facing east or north. It's a slow-growing plant so it may take at least a year for it to reach its maximum height of between 2 and 6 feet.

If you wish to encourage growth, fertilize the plant on a regular basis with a balanced liquid fertilizer. It requires a well-draining mix and Bridget Zazzara, retail indoor and seasonal plant manager at Logan's Trading Company, recommends using the same potting mix as you would use for succulents and cacti. Look for a well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to alkaline with an acidity between 6.1 and 7.8 Be sure to add a bit of sphagnum peat moss which improves the soil's structure and water retention.

Parlor palms love humidity, so be sure to keep them out of areas with drafts and mist the leaves regularly to keep the humidity level at a reasonable level. You can also install an air humidifier to your home. Repot your parlor palm in the spring time if it becomes rootbound. It's important not to overwater the plant, however, since the plant is susceptible to root decay. Water the plant when the top inch of compost is dry. In warm conditions, water more frequently. In winter, water less.

Palms are attractive to bees. However, keep them away from pets and children. The needle-like leaves can be poisonous and be consumed. They also attract mealybugs. These insects look like white, fluffy blobs on the underside of the leaves, and are often difficult to eradicate. If you spot them, wipe off the bugs using a cloth or cotton bud coated in insecticides that contain fatty acids or plant oils.