Spring is here, and plant lovers everywhere have been rejoicing. Gardeners are preparing summer crops, luscious hanging baskets are on display, and landscapes are in full bloom.
If you’re not a member of the Green Thumb Club, are short on space, or simply don’t have the time to devote to plant care, don’t worry. You can still spruce up your home with a wide variety of indoor plants that are easy to care for.
Here are five great low-maintenance indoor plants that will have you looking like a pro in no time.
The aloe plant is a widely recognized and very popular succulent. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight will burn the leaves. Unlike some indoor plants, aloe needs to be in a pot with good drainage holes and watered heavily but infrequently. To provide the ideal moisture level, allow the top third of the soil to dry out between waterings. The juice from the aloe can also be used to help soothe burns and scrapes.
For those who want a plant with some movement, a philodendron is a great option. There is a vining variety with a beautiful trailing habit that is often grown in hanging baskets and a non-vining variety with an upright growth pattern suited for pots. This plant requires soil that is consistently moist and grows best in bright, indirect light with a fast growth rate. Philodendron is also known for its air-cleaning abilities.
The jade plant, also known as the money plant, is another popular succulent that is quite easy to care for. This plant is believed to bring good luck to the owner and is often used in feng shui practices. Unlike the aloe plant, the jade plant thrives in direct sunlight. Like most succulents, the jade plant needs a pot with good drainage holes and should only be watered once the soil is dry to the touch. If properly cared for, the jade plant can live for several decades.
Lucky bamboo is another indoor plant that is said to bring luck, good fortune, love, and health to those who own them, especially if given as a gift. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not actually bamboo and is more closely related to succulents. The number of stalks and shapes of the plant all have a different meaning and can be trained in a method similar to a bonsai tree. This plant is extremely hardy and is capable of surviving in a variety of light, soil, and water conditions. It is also frequently seen in offices and makes a good desk companion.
Like the philodendron, the peace lily is also known for its excellent air-cleaning abilities. Medium to low sunlight is optimal, with extended light time producing more of the beautiful white blooms it’s known for. The peace lily is relatively tolerant to underwatering, and overwatering is a common cause of plant death. Repotting is also beneficial once the plant has outgrown its pot as it allows for healthy root growth. It is also recommended to wipe down the leaves once a year to remove excess dust that can prevent proper light absorption.
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the care and company of plants, and all of these options are widely available at gardening centers and big-box stores alike. Not only are they low maintenance, but they also offer excellent practice.
So, get out there, pick out some new babies, and become the best plant mom you can be!
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