5 Beginner House Plants for Every Home - Katlyn Daoust
Plants By Her
As we head into winter and a prolonged stay-home season, it’s more important than ever to cultivate an interior space that makes us feel downright happy. We’re seeing a national uptick in home improvement and design projects, but small changes can also have a huge impact if you know where to start.
Enter houseplants. Sure, they’re having an Instagram moment, but it’s not without good reason. Indoor plants have been scientifically shown to boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and clean the air. Some naturalists even hypothesize that it’s in our human nature to commune with plants and foliage. Many of my own clients tell me that having indoor plants during this challenging time has been therapeutic, bringing much-needed grounding to an otherwise unpredictable atmosphere.
I know what some of you may be thinking. “Sure, plants seem great, but I can’t keep them alive.” Or, “There are so many options. I’m too overwhelmed to start.” I totally get that, which is why I’m sharing my top 5 beginner houseplants that’ll work for any home. That means you’re moments away from knowing exactly which plants will greenify your home AND how to do very little to keep them happy.
Oh, and be sure to read all the way through for access to my free Houseplant Matchmaker Quiz, which will introduce you to your new foliage BFF. Let’s get growing!
Plants By Her’s Top 5 Beginner Houseplants For Every Home
1
Plants Of Steel
Plant ID: ZZ Plant
There are a handful of plants that practically thrive on neglect, the most easily accessible being Snake Plants, ZZ Plants and Ponytail Palms. They’ll tolerate the lowest lighting conditions, like locations many feet away from a window, north-facing rooms, and darker spaces. (Note: all plants need at least some natural light exposure, so rooms without windows are not candidates for living plants). These plants can go many weeks between waterings, making them especially good candidates for people who don’t like to water often, tend to forget, or have busy travel schedules. I find they work well in guest bedrooms and other spaces that aren’t used frequently because they’ll forgive you even if you forget them and accidentally skip a watering or two. I also like to mention Pothos to folks who like the low-maintenance end of the spectrum because this vining plant looks excellent on bookshelves and in hanging/mounted planters. Though it requires slightly more light and watering than the aforementioned options, it’s still an easy-to-care-for plant that adds a nice pop of green for very little effort.
2
Pet-Friendly Plants
I work with a lot of clients who share homes with cats, dogs and children. For that reason, some want to incorporate non-toxic plants that are safe despite the occasional chomp. There are a few great beginner options within this category that work whether or not you need to consider wandering mouths. Spider plants are bushy, low-light tolerant varietals that look awesome on shelves or hanging. Another leafy upright option is the Parlour Palm, which is lush and gives off a jungle-vibe. In my experience, these tend to be the easiest to care for, though a few other taller options should definitely be considered and are mentioned in my next section....
3
Bigger is Sometimes Better
Plant ID: Money Plant
If you have tall ceilings or areas that read as dead space, taller more mature plants are your best friend. Sometimes folks are intimidated by size when considering taller plants. More height means there’s more to care for, right? Not necessarily. Many of my favorite low-maintenance plants are still simple to maintain even when they grow quite tall, which might be preferable if you’re someone who would rather water a couple of large plants rather than many small plants. The leafy and towering Bamboo Palm is pet-friendly and packs a major pop of green. For a bushier look, try an Umbrella Plant (aka Shefflera), or a Money Tree (pet friendly), which have interesting leaf shapes. If you’re looking for something tall and skinny, varietals of Dracaena are excellent because they maintain a relatively compact shape. Finally, one of my favorites is the Rubber Tree, which has broad leaves that come in numerous colors and variegated options. These plants can tolerate light levels from bright indirect to low, and won’t get fussy if you’re a little behind on your watering schedule.
4
For the Chronic Over-Waterer
Plant ID: Maranta/Prayer Plant
If you know you’re a little heavy handed on the watering can and tend to dole out lots of liquid love, consider plants that like consistently moist soil. Humidity lovers like Calatheas and Marantas, aka prayer plants, are happiest when their soil is slightly damp at all times. They prefer frequent light drinks to infrequent heavy drinks. Just remember to give them a planter with ample drainage to expel excess water and avoid root rot. Also consider purchasing a moisture meter, which is an affordable tool that’ll help you gauge whether or not your plant is thirsty (and ultimately deter you from overwatering!). If you have a window in your bathroom, this is the perfect spot for these varietals.
5
Drought-Tolerant Baddies
Plant ID: Aloe
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the humidity lovers are drought-tolerant plants that fall into the succulent family, like Aloe, Cacti and many Euphorbia. These plants love bright and sunny rooms, especially Cacti and Aloe, which prefer direct sunlight (think a south or west-facing window). These plants need ample drainage and will not tolerate overwatering, making them best for folks who tend to forget to water or travel for extended periods of time. Remember, these plants prefer a bit of neglect and can go many months without water in the winter, so if your plant parenting style tends to be more hands off, this could be the category for you. Just avoid small 2” succulents and tiny plants, as those often react more poorly to dramatic fluctuations in watering routine.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Take my Houseplant Matchmaker Quiz to get a list of houseplants that fit your plant parenting style, in addition to the options listed above. All you have to do is share your email address with me and you’ll get the quiz delivered directly to your inbox. I promise to only send you the best plant-forward content!
If you’re already a proud plant parent but could use a little more 1-on-1 guidance for your specific plants, reach out! Get virtual access to your very own plant coach. You set the agenda! We can troubleshoot plant problems you may be having, recommend new plants and placement appropriate to your space, talk through re-potting, and anything else you'd like to cover during your session.
Written by - Katlyn Daoust
More About Plants By Her…
Plants By Her was founded by Minneapolis-born, Seattle-based planterior designer, Katlyn Daoust. Combining a knack for styling live-able spaces with her reverence for indoor plants, she created Plants By Her to bring the benefits of botanicals indoors — from restaurants and fitness studios to corporate offices and residential settings. Plants By Her transforms blank slates and enhances existing aesthetics by introducing plants that breathe life into the space and are carefully selected to thrive in their new environment. Katlyn is also available to lead corporate workshops and customized group sessions. *During the month of December, Plants By Her will HQ out of Minneapolis and is taking on a select number of projects. Reach out to us at helloplantsbyher@gmail.com to get the conversation rolling!
Real estate investor, landlord and DIYer, Realtor, Business consultant, Globe trotter & Converting vegan.
