First things first, we need to talk about the 5 best house plants for beginners. It was hard to narrow down to a top 5, but these are the most tried and true beginner house plants.
These are the 5 best plants for beginners. They’re tolerant, easy to care for, and forgiving when you mess up (which I do a lot, so that’s why these are the best). Each one is so pretty and would be a beautiful addition to any room in your home.
If you are at all curious about my story of becoming a plant mom, and the trials and tribulations I have faced ๐ make sure you watch my YouTube video about how to become a plant mom.
Click here to watch on YouTube!
Also, I need to address something. Snake plants will not be included on this list, and it’s because I’m a day 1 hater of snake plants. I’m sorry to be controversial on this topic, but also I can’t apologize because NO. I don’t think snake plants are cute, in fact I kind of find them scary, and the name is NOT helping.
I don’t even really have a good reason for disliking snake plants, but here I am excluding them from my list anyway. They are getting a dishonorable mention here, though, so you know that SOME may consider them a good beginner plant, but I actually care about you so I would never say that. I had to get that off of my chest. Alright let’s do this.
WHERE TO SHOP FOR PLANTS
It’s important to address where to shop for plants, because that’s a big part of getting a good start. Knowing that your plant came from a place that took good care of it is very helpful for any beginner plant mom. It sets you up for success.
Personally, I like to shop in person most of the time when it comes to buying plants. It helps me to see and visualize how a plant will look at home. I like going to local garden centers to do this.
Shopping online is an option now, too. You can even order plants on Amazon! I didn’t know that until recently. While there are some different reputable places to buy plants online, my go to is The Sill. This post isn’t sponsored by them, but I really like the way they do things. Basically, they ensure that you get a healthy and good looking plant. They’re a little pricier, but when ordering something like a plant online, I think it can be smart to go the safe route and pay a little bit extra. That’s just me! ๐
HOW TO PICK A PLANTER
There are two fundamental things that you need: a planter and a saucer. Some planters come with both, and those are the best ones to buy because it’s more affordable to buy them together.
You need a saucer, especially as a beginner. It’s like getting insurance as a newly licensed driver โ it’s a no brainer. Saucers make it easier to water your plants and to know if you are overwatering. If your plant has too much water, it will drain into the saucer so that you can pour it out. And some plants even prefer to be watered from the bottom, meaning you pour water into the saucer instead of into the base of the plant.
Make sure your pot has drainage! That’s the last thing that you need for sure, so that the plants can get rid of any unneeded water and let it spill over into the saucer.
This post is all about the best plants for beginners. Let’s get into this list!
1. ZZ Plant (the BEST of the best plants for beginners)
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Also affectionately known as the Eternity Plant, the ZZ Plant is coming in at NUMBER ONE for very good reason. It is your ride or die bestie. This plant will not give up on you, even if you give up on it. To everyone who’s telling you to get a cactus, ummm no. Have they never met a ZZ Plant? Clearly they haven’t, because these are way easier to take care of.
Speaking from personal experience, my ZZ Plant is the heart and soul of my house plant journey and I love it. I named mine Raven and she is so reliable and easy to please.
The one thing you need to know about ZZ Plants is that they are considered toxic for pets and humans if ingested. So if you have a curious cat or dog who might nibble on it, make sure it’s out of reach to keep them safe.
Plant care tips:
- Water every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to become dry in between waterings (ZZ plants are notorious for doing best when you forget to take care of them)
- Not pet friendly
2. Heartleaf Philodendron
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If trailing vines are on your mind, this cutie philodendron is just right for you. It has heart shaped leaves that make it extra lovable, and it’s a very forgiving and hearty plant.
These look so pretty when you put them on a shelf and let their trailing vines spill over. The vines can get pretty long, so make sure you have a good spot for this one!
Philodendrons are considered toxic for cats and dogs, too. To my pet lovers, don’t worry โ the rest of the plants on this list are pet friendly. These top two are up here for a reason, though, because if you had to pick only TWO of the best plants for beginners, it would be a ZZ plant and a heartleaf philodendron.
Plant care tips:
- Water every 1-2 weeks
- They enjoy some misting, so get out your spray bottle!
- Not pet friendly
3. Ric Rac Cactus
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These squiggly plants are so easy to love. They’re super beginner friendly because they can do well in varying conditions, like the rest of the plants on this list.
This is the ONLY succulent out of these 5 plants, because personally I’ve found succulents harder to take care of than you may think. Sometimes succulents do better when you water them from the bottom (pour water into their saucer that they absorb from the bottom up). So that’s a tip if you’re having trouble with your succulents.
Plant care tips:
- Water every 1-2 weeks
- Let the soil fully dry out between waterings, and you may notice that you can water them significantly less in the winter months
- Pet friendly
4. Peperomia Obtusifolia aka a Baby Rubber Plant
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These cute little plants have sturdy, fleshy leaves. It often is called a baby rubber plant, in part because it stays a small size throughout its life. You’ll fall in love with its cute circular leaves ๐
A baby rubber plant is perfect for a small space like a desk, a windowsill, or even a shelf. It’s nice and compact and can slide in anywhere you need a little pop of green.
And most importantly, this plant is resilient, which makes it very beginner friendly. It’s a popular plant, too, so if you have any trouble along the way it’s easy to figure out what’s going on with a quick Google search.
Plant care tips:
- Does best with bright indirect light
- Water every 1-2 weeks
- Enjoys humidity
- Pet friendly
5. Parlor Palm
Buy Now on The Sill
This last one is a great pick if you want to give yourself a small, manageable challenge as a beginner. Getting this and a ZZ plant would be a great combo, because the ZZ plant is so easy, and the Parlor Fern is a little harder to take care of.
It’s harder to take care of because it’s a bit more sensitive. This plant does not like being overwatered, and it will let you know if it’s unhappy, which can cause a lot of concern for beginners. Don’t stress, though, because you probably just need to ignore it for a while for it to be happy again.
Plant care tips:
- Water every 1-2 weeks
- Does well in bright indirect light
- Is intolerant to overwatering
- Pet friendly
Those were the top 5 best plants for beginners! I really encourage you to try getting more than one plant at first. That way, if one doesn’t work out well, you still have a chance to become a plant parent ๐ชด. Enjoy house plants and the color and life they bring to your home ๐ค
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get the cutest art prints for your bedroom walls! โฌ๏ธ
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Learn how to make a gallery wall at home (simple and easy method that you can use in your bedroom!) ๐
How to make a gallery wall at home.
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