Do you ever look around your home and think something is missing, but you can’t put your finger on what?
Painting the walls? Too much of a commitment.
A pet? Too much work.
New furniture? Way too expensive.
Plants are the perfect solution. They will change up the scenery and give you something to care for and nurture without the commitment and high price tags.
What kind of plant is best for me?
Owning and taking care of plants isn’t a one-size-fits-all hobby. It’s best to research something that is within your experience level and can adapt to the levels of sunlight in your house.
The perfect houseplants for beginners
If you’re a beginner, you can’t go wrong with a snake plant. These plants are very forgiving:
- They thrive in any type of light - indirect light, sunlight, or even shady rooms
- They don't need a lot of water - in fact, too much water will cause root rot (one of the very few things that will kill a snake plant)
- They like warm spots: all you need to do is move them away from the window as temperatures start to drop so they are in places above 10 degrees
If you want something that is not only easy to care for, but can be an indoor plant as well as an outdoor one in the summer, consider getting a spider plant. In addition to being able to brighten up any space, they’ve also been recognized by NASA for their air purifying abilities. Spider plants do not like direct sunlight as it burns their leaves, so pick a place with bright but indirect light.
Plant it in a soil-based, well-draining potting mix with even moisture as they don’t like to be too wet or too dry. Keep in mind that spider plants grow quickly and they can easily become pot-bound. You’re going to want to re-pot it about every other year.
Houseplants for experienced plant parents
Once you’ve mastered taking care of snake and spider plants, it’s time to move on to something a little more advanced: the dracaena.
If you want something with rich green colours and the ability to thrive in low-light conditions, consider getting a dracaena Janet Craig. These are one of the most popular indoor houseplants. But don’t let their popularity fool you, they can be finicky to care for.
They grow best in temperatures of 32 degrees. Anything colder than 12 degrees for longer than a week can damage your plant. It is best to keep it away from cold winter drafts and blowing heaters as both will damage the leaves.
When it comes to watering your dracaena Janet Craig, experts suggest letting tap water sit for 24 hours before use to allow the chemicals to disappear. Distilled water or rain water is the best option.
Green fantasy ferns are another alternative for people who want something with beautiful green foliage and that doesn’t need a lot of sunlight. If you want your fern to thrive, keep it in indirect light in a humid environment, like a bathroom or kitchen. When it comes time to water your plant, you’re going to want to keep the soil moist, but not wet. The humidity from the room will add some extra moisture.
Where can I get these plants?
Northern Shopper is bringing these stunning plants to you! Order now to bring a little greenery into your space.