Indoor Plants for Beginners — Lien Nguyen Ceramics

I’m pretty sure you’re all aware of my love for plants. It started young; I’ve always been surrounded by plant lovers. My Grandparents have been selling plants since before I was born and my Mum is always accumulating plants and gardening. Plants have brought me closer to them and I’ve also made great friends through a shared love of plants.

Having indoor plants help with air purification and they just make you so fucking happy! So if you’re wanting to buy a few plants for your home but don’t know where to start, here are a few of my favourite easy plants and some tips. Warning: you’re stepping into an addiction.

I think the most important things to consider before buying plants are:

The sunlight that your home/room gets, if you get limited sunlight through are you willing to take your plants outside every so often, for it to get the sunlight it needs? You need to understand the environment that you’re bringing plants into, to determine which plants are right for you.
Read the plant tag! See if you are willing to care for it because I tell you what some plants can be the fussiest fucking things (Calathea White Fusion —we’re currently battling it out and so far I’m loosing, in fact I think I’ve lost). Do you need a plant that survives if you completely neglect it? Will it be completely fine when you forget to water it for two weeks? Or are you prepared for the emotions for when a plant you love bringing you to your wits’ end because it’s most likely not going to make it?
The pot needs to have a drainage hole or you will kill your plant. Non negotiable.
Moisture meters will save your plants from overwatering. A must have for winter.
You may need to invest in a humidifier, especially if you’re drawn to tropical plants.
Buying a plant is like getting a tattoo. Once you get one, you need another and another and another. It never stops.

Now onto the plants! —note, not all of my collection is pictured but I’ve listed what I do have in the captions.

Monstera Deliciosa —absolute beauty and fast grower.

Light: They like lots of bright and indirect light. Too much direct light will cause yellowing of the leaves. Rotate it once a week to keep it growing evenly.
Water: They’re good at a moisture meter reading of 4. I water until water runs out the drainage hole, once a week. Sometimes 1 1/2 weeks during the winter. I find them to be drought friendly, if you miss a water it should be fine.
Humidity: It’s a tropical plant so it does like humidity. Misting regularly can help keep it thriving.
Soil: Needs good draining soil. I use Richgro Seasol Potting Mix.
Temperature: Grows best in 20–30 °C, growing ceases at 10 °C and below.
Pet Friendly: No.

Devil’s Ivy Pothos / Rhipsalis / Marble Queen Pothos / Satin Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) —the hardiest plant, they can with stand a lot. Perfect for a beginner. A stunner when trailing down or crawling up a totem pole.

Light: They do well in a variety of light conditions and can tolerate low light, but moderate indirect light is ideal. If you have a variegated variety, it might loose its variegation if it doesn’t receive enough light. Rotate it once a week to keep it growing evenly.
Water: They’re good at a moisture meter reading of 4. I water these babies when the soil is dry, they can go with out water for a little bit. When it starts to droop it needs a water. Let the soil dry out during waters.
Humidity: It’s a tropical plant so it does like humidity but they still thrive in low-no humidity.
Soil: Needs good draining soil. I use Richgro Seasol Potting Mix.
Temperature: Grows best in 15-29 °C, growing ceases at 10 °C and below.
Pet Friendly: Rarely fatal but can cause irritation ingested.

Cordatum / Camposportoanum / White Princess / Birkin / Silver Sword / Micans / Brazil / Gloriosum / Pastazanum

Philodendrons —one of my current favourite species, I’ve spent a lot of money on the rarer varieties which I’m waiting to be delivered. Affordable options would be Silver Swords, Cordatums, Birkins, Xanadus, Imperial Reds and Black Cardinals.

Light: Medium to bright indirect light. It’s older leaves turn yellow naturally. If you notice lots of yellowing leaves at once, it could be a sign that the plant is getting too much sun. Rotate it once a week to keep it growing evenly.
Water: They’re good at a moisture meter reading of 4. I water when the top inch of soil dries out. Do not overwater, it will get root rot if kept wet. If the leaves are browning and falling off, the plant is not getting enough water. Droopy leaves can mean the plant is getting either too much or not enough water, but they should be fine once you sort it out.
Humidity: It’s a tropical plant so it does like humidity, higher humidity will promote lush growth and shiny foliage. It can tolerate lower humidity levels. Misting the plant regularly will help it thrive. Brown leaf tips are a sign that the humidity level is too low.
Soil: Needs good draining soil. I use Richgro Seasol Potting Mix.
Temperature: Grows best in 24-27 °C, growing ceases at 13 °C and below.
Pet Friendly: No

Snake Plants (Sansevieria Trifasciata) —hardiest of the hardy plants. I literally don’t think anyone can kill this plant.

Light: They can withstand full sun and handle low light but indirect sunlight is ideal.
Water: They’re good at a moisture meter reading of 1. They like it dry, which makes them prone to root rot. Don’t water it too much and let it dry out between waterings. It will thrive on neglect.
Humidity: Average. I find that house humidity is fine. Doesn’t really need any special treatment.
Soil: Mine is just sitting in sand, nothing special about its soil at all and it is thriving.
Temperature: Grows best in 21-32 °C, growing ceases at 10 °C and below.
Pet Friendly: Rarely fatal but can cause irritation ingested.

Batik / Fantasy / White Butterfly / Maria Allusion

Syngonium Podophyllum (Arrowhead) —a beauty that’s bushy and trailing. The Batik and Fantasy variety are my favourite.

Light: They do well in low to medium light and thrive in bright, indirect light. As they burn easily, no direct light.
Water: They’re good at a moisture meter reading of 4. I keep it moist during the warmer months and drier in the colder months. Allow the soil to dry out before the next water.
Humidity: It does like high humidity but they still thrive in low to no humidity. You can place the pot on a tray of pebbles and water to increase its humidity.
Soil: Needs good draining soil. I use Richgro Seasol Potting Mix.
Temperature: Grows best in 15-29 °C, growing ceases at 10 °C and below.
Pet Friendly: Can cause irritation if ingested.