The Best Houseplants for Beginners: Complete Guide

Overview

This guide covers what plants should be grown indoors in clear, practical terms. It covers the key concepts, recommended steps, common limitations, and useful checks so you can make a better-informed decision.

Want to grow plants indoors? These easy-to-grow houseplants can make anyone feel like a gardener.

Pothos

Pothos is one of the most popular houseplants, as it is easy to grow and can be placed on a desk or anywhere else you want. Pothos comes in a wide variety of shapes and colors. It is easy to grow and hard to kill. It requires little care—use a fairly shallow pot, water it once a week, and occasionally give it a little fertilizer. Use plant clips along the wall to support the hanging vines as they begin to grow. A pothos can easily fill a large space and will grow with you over time.

Monstera

Monsteras had a moment a few years ago, and they are still very popular. There are many varieties of monsteras that cost thousands of dollars, but the basic monstera deliciosa is easy and cheap to grow. (If your friend has one, you can easily propagate theirs. Monsteras are a type of pothos. Some varieties will grow holes called cheese plants.) One of the charms of monsteras is that you can grow them in water.

Spider plant

Spider plants were popular in the 70s and are still popular today. Spider plants are so named because they easily branch out, similar to strawberry plants; each spider can be cut off and become its own plant. Spider plants grow large, so your main task is to make sure the pot is large enough. If not, hang them.

Bamboo

Outdoors, gardeners tend to avoid bamboo because it tends to spread. Indoors, bamboo is very popular and is a popular gift. Bamboo does not need much light. It prefers low to medium light, and even no soil. You can grow bamboo in rocks or glass pebbles. Make sure the roots are completely covered. You should also use a light fertilizer once or twice a year on this houseplant.

Wild garlic plant

If you're looking for a larger, pet-safe plant, consider the wild garlic plant. With its tall, long, graceful leaves on small, sturdy stems, this is a low-maintenance plant. It requires the least attention of all the plants listed. It puts out a few new leaves each year, some of which grow straight up and some of which hang down over the sides of the pot. Like other plants, wild garlic plants come in a variety of colors.

Key Takeaways

Use the guidance above as a practical reference for what plants should be grown indoors. Check compatibility, follow the steps carefully, and verify important details with official documentation when software, security, accounts, health, or purchases are involved.