Always wanted to show off a thriving houseplant collection, but struggling to develop that green thumb? Regardless of whether you’ve cared for dozens of houseplants in the past or you’ve been too nervous to get started with your indoor garden, there are simple steps you can take to set up your houseplants for success. Get started with this guide to choosing the best houseplants for beginners, finding the right placements for your plants, and determining the proper care plan for your leafy companions.

 

Selecting the Best Houseplants for Your Home

Your choice of houseplants will be a key factor in the success of your indoor garden. Houseplants have a wide range of needs, with some requiring constant maintenance while others are fairly self-sufficient. Once you choose the best houseplants for beginners and opt for species that will thrive in your climate, you’re well on your way to a gorgeous houseplant collection!

 

Start by considering the light conditions in your home. Some plants happily soak up the sun and thrive in bright, direct light, while others prefer low or indirect light. 

 

Best Houseplants for Beginners

Whether you’ve been frustrated by mysteriously dying houseplants in the past or you’re brand new to caring for indoor plants, opt for low-maintenance species at the start. Once you’ve mastered your care plan for the best houseplants for beginners, you can move on to plants with more complex needs. 

 

The best houseplants for beginners include:

 

• •Snake plants

• •Pothos

• •Aloe vera

• •Rubber plant

• •Cacti

• •Philodendron

 

These species are the best houseplants for beginners because they’re forgiving when it comes to watering, and they aren’t too picky about their surroundings. They’ll give you a bit of time to get used to the habits involved in caring for houseplants.

 

Best Indoor Houseplants for Oxygen

 

Many people seek out houseplants not just for the aesthetics, but also for the health benefits. By incorporating the best indoor houseplants for oxygen and air purification into your interior decor, you can breathe a bit easier knowing your air is being filtered by nature’s best purifier.

 

A few of the best indoor houseplants for oxygen include:

 

• •Peace lily

• •Aloe vera

• •Areca palm

• •Golden pothos

• •Boston fern

 

 

You really can’t go wrong – any plants will help you clear your air and benefit from fresh oxygen! 

 

Best Houseplants for Kids and Pets

 

Especially if you’ve got a mischievous puppy or a curious cat who loves to chomp on leaves, the most important factor to consider when choosing your houseplants is toxicity. Unfortunately, some beginner-friendly options like pothos and philodendron could make kids and pets sick, so if you have them in the home, be sure they are in a safe place well out of reach of your littles! Our favorite non-toxic houseplants include:

 

• •Holiday cactus

• •Boston fern

• •African violet

• •Peperomia

• •Prayer plant

• •Spider plants

• •Burro’s tail

 

Before you purchase a new plant for your collection, perform a quick search with its scientific name to be sure you’re not bringing a toxic addition into your home. Refer to the ASPCA’s list of poisonous plants for thorough information on keeping your pets safe.

 

Best Houseplants for Your Climate

 

Even indoors, your climate has a large impact on the health of your plants. A plant that loves the humidity of Florida might not thrive in dry Colorado without lots of extra TLC, for example. Your home is likely temperature controlled, but consider the average temperature indoors as you select the best houseplants for your needs. 

 

The best plants for dry climates include:

• •Snake plants

• •Succulents

• •Cacti

• •Jade plants

• •Ponytail palm

 

The top plants for humid climates include:

• •Boston fern

• •Monstera deliciosa

• •Calathea

• •Peace lily

 

Of course, if there’s a specific plant you’ve got your eye on, you can always use humidifiers and heaters to create its ideal environment. 

 

Determining Ideal Placement

Once you’ve selected the best houseplants for beginners for your home, it’s time to find the right placement for them. Many plant-lovers opt for hanging plant holders or high shelves to keep their treasured houseplants away from curious kids and pets. Choose a spot that gets the ideal amount of sunlight for your specific plants. You can always experiment with placement to find the spot where your plants truly thrive!

 

Direct Sun Houseplants

If you’ve got a sunny window or a beautiful macrame hanger that catches lots of light, these direct sun houseplants make an ideal fit:

 

• •Jade plants

• •Hibiscus

• •Papyrus

• •African milk tree

• •Crotons

• •ZZ plants

• •Succulents

 

Low-light Houseplants

 

For the corners of the room or the side of your home that doesn’t see quite as much sun, consider adding these plants to brighten the space. Many of these species are sensitive to sunscorch and only need a bit of residual sunlight to thrive.

 

• •Philodendron

• •Pothos

• •Fern

• •Spider plant

• •Snake plant

• •Peace lilies

 

Gathering Your Materials

 

You’ve got your plants, you’ve got a game plan for where to put them, and now it’s time to gather your materials for caring for your plants!

 

You’ll need pots, soil, and a selection of natural plant food and protection. Choose pots that are made of porous materials like terracotta and ceramics, and be sure they have plenty of drainage on the bottom to prevent root rot. In terms of size, opt for pots slightly bigger than the pot you bought your plant in. You want it to take up most of its container’s space without becoming crammed, also known as root bound. 

 

Best Soil for Houseplants

 

The best soil for houseplants will depend on the moisture needs of your specific plant. For example, the top priority for your cactus soil is drainage, while the soil for your peace lily should hold onto moisture a bit better. You can always add perlite to your soil mix in order to increase drainage.

 

The best soil for houseplants differs from the soil in your garden or the dirt beneath your lawn. Potting soil is fluffier and lighter than garden soil and should prioritize microbial activity to keep your plants growing. While peat moss has been a common ingredient in potting soil, its contribution to greenhouse gasses has understandably turned many gardeners against this ingredient.

 

For a peat-free, pet-friendly potting soil, use BugHut’s Magic Mix™. Magic Mix™ is the best soil for houseplants thanks to its all-natural formula including digested dairy fiber and aged forest products. Watch your plants display vigorous growth without adding to your watering schedule with this sustainable, USA-made soil for houseplants. 

 

Ongoing Care for Your Houseplants

 

Selecting the best houseplants for beginners and getting them set up with the best soil for houseplants is truly half the battle – now for the easy part! Provide the best ongoing care for your houseplants by watering them according to their needs, keeping them free of bugs, and feeding them with natural plant food. 

 

How Often to Water Your Houseplants

 

How often you should water your houseplants depends on the type of plant you’re caring for and your climate. Plants like cacti should be watered thoroughly about once a month, while moisture-loving species like ferns will need more frequent watering, usually about once a week. You can always test with a fingertip to see if your soil is moist. With the best soil for houseplants, your plants will retain moisture to reduce the frequency of your watering schedule.

 

How to Keep Bugs Off Indoor Plants

 

While pests aren’t usually as abundant in indoor gardens as outdoor ones, they can still make an unwelcome appearance. Spider mites, fungus gnats, whiteflies, and even aphids can make their way indoors and set up camp in your houseplants, causing ongoing damage and a less than ideal experience. 

 

Unfortunately, some strategies for how to keep bugs off indoor plants involve ingredients that can harm you, your children, and your pets. When you bring a plant into your home to filter the air, the last thing you want is to add harmful chemicals and toxins to the mix!

 

The best, healthiest method for how to keep bugs off indoor plants is to use a natural insect repellent like BugHut’s Insect Control. With natural, eco-friendly ingredients like garlic extract, this natural insecticide for indoor plants will keep pesky visitors away without compromising the health of your household. 

 

Natural Food for Houseplants

 

Whether you’ve selected a low-maintenance snake plant or a picky fern, your indoor plants need nourishment just like any other living thing. Use a natural plant food like Booster from BugHut to provide vital nutrients that keep your plants healthy, happy, and growing at an impressive rate. 

 

With the right collection of materials and products at your side and with plants that perfectly align with your climate and needs, you’ll be showing off the results of your green thumb in no time! Get a jump start on the indoor garden of your dreams with the Essential Bundle, packed with everything you need at a fraction of the price. Shop now!