7 Small indoor plants for beginners
Lets dive into 7 Houseplants You can Start With. You can always start with Succulents. While succulents may seem like an odd addition to your garden, there are plenty of benefits to having them around. For example, you can grow some succulents indoors year-round. Additionally, because they don’t rely so heavily on water, they’re ideal as houseplants as well as for arid regions where it’s difficult to get enough fresh rainfall each season.
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And since they have hard exteriors, they make great barriers between yourself and pests, including birds and rodents who might otherwise eat your tender seedlings. Finally, if you live somewhere cold, then you’ll find that succulents help keep your house warmer by absorbing excess heat during the day.
Succulents survive with little water, and this makes them great houseplants to have. Cactuses have evolved a number of strategies for surviving dry conditions: they can draw moisture out of their surroundings through specialized hairs called trichomes; they produce high concentrations of salts within themselves to attract and retain water; and they use chemical compounds to protect against dehydration damage.
In contrast, succulents do not develop these adaptations – instead relying on their thick, fleshy leaves and stems to provide protection from desiccation. This is why succulents tend to be more sensitive to heat than other plants. They require consistent moist soil and frequent watering to stay alive. Some types of succulents even need direct sunlight to thrive!
So what kinds of succulents should you try? We’ve got 7 Houseplants You can Start With, to see which ones work best for you. Keep reading for descriptions of how to care for these specific varieties.
Aloe Vera, Aloes Barbados Blueberry
Aloe Vera is one of our favorite aloes due to its attractive blue berries, which add color to any landscape. It has small, thin leaves and grows up to 1 foot tall. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. Because this variety likes to spread quickly, it’s perfect for adding interest to beds and borders. The entire plant is edible, though we prefer to leave the berry intact and serve them raw over salads or fruit bowls. If you cut into the leaf, watch out for thorns! Aloe vera needs lots of water when young, but once established, it will tolerate drought fairly well. You can also propagate this plant from stem cuttings or seeds. To establish new plants, place a clump of mature roots in potting mix, cover them with mulch, and wait until new growth begins. Then transplant those babies into pots filled with rich soil. Lastly, keep your newly planted aloes watered and fertilized regularly. Harvesting Aloe vera is simple: just gently pull off a section of the leaf and let it fall onto a cutting board. Use scissors to slice away the center of the leaf, exposing the bright red inner pulp. From there, it’s ready to use as a natural antiseptic, pain reliever, and moisturizer. This is definitely one of 7 Houseplants You can Start With
Aquilegia ‘Spring Green’
Aquilegias Aquilegia ‘Spring Green’ are easy to grow and come in many colors, making them popular choices among beginners. These plants have long flowers that bloom from spring to summer and can produce hundreds of blooms on a single plant. Their leaves turn green in autumn and winter, and they like to be shaded from strong sunlight. They do best in average soil, and they need regular watering throughout the growing season. They’re very forgiving of drought, however, and they won’t die even without water. Aquilegias are extremely versatile, and they’re often used in landscaping and floral arrangements. They look beautiful in hanging baskets and planters, and they make excellent containers for potted herbs and other plants. They’re also good for attracting pollinators, so they make great additions to butterfly gardens. Propagate aquilegias from seed, and you’ll want to start these indoors to ensure they survive the cold weather. Once your plants reach about 3 inches, they should be transplanted to outdoor soil. There are several different cultivars of these plants, and they all do equally well. Some of our favorites include: ‘Blue Star’, which has dark blue and purple foliage; ‘Bluestone’, which is especially hardy for northern climates; and ‘Crimson Queen’, which has red leaves. All of these varieties make wonderful gifts!
Echeveria (Spider Plant)
Echeverias are beloved by gardeners worldwide. They thrive in most soil types, but they do best in light shade. They like to be moist, but not soggy. They need consistent water to stay alive, and they don’t like to dry out. In fact, they can even thrive in areas with little rainfall. This makes them an ideal choice for arid regions. Spider plants are low-maintenance and require little care. However, they are susceptible to slug damage, so be sure to keep your soil clean and free of debris. You can grow spider plants from seed, but we recommend starting them from seedlings that you’ve grown indoors. It’s much easier to control the size of your plants this way, and you’ll have a better chance of getting the exact type of plant you desire.
Ficus Benjamina
Ficus benjamina is a popular tropical evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall. The leaves of the Benjamina are leathery and glistening, with a pattern of white dots on their undersides. The branches of the Benjamina are covered in tiny, spiny brownish-red fruits called bracts. These fruits are poisonous, but the leaves themselves are edible – just watch out for thorns! You can eat this fruit raw or cooked, and it’s delicious both ways. The leaves and stems of this plant are also edible, and can be eaten raw, boiled, or sautéed. The plant grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s fairly tolerant of heat and humidity, but it does prefer cooler temperatures, which is why it doesn’t do well in warm, humid locations. You can propagate this plant from seeds or cuttings. To establish new plants, place a clump of mature roots in potting mix, cover them with mulch, and wait until new growth begins. Then transplant those babies into pots filled with rich soil. Lastly, keep your newly planted ficus trees watered and fertilized regularly. Harvesting is simple: just pull off a section of the leaf and let it fall onto a cutting board. Use scissors to slice away the center of the leaf, exposing the bright red inner pulp. From there, it’s ready to use as a natural antiseptic, pain reliever, and moisturizer.
Haworthia Haworthias
Haworthia Haworthias are a group of succulents native to South Africa. They are known for the colorful, fleshy leaves they produce, which are usually a deep green color. These plants are easy to grow and are very forgiving of drought. Their thick leaves are able to absorb moisture from dew, mist, and even fog. They are quite sensitive to high temperatures, however, so you’ll want to provide them with plenty of shade during the hottest part of the day. They are also vulnerable to pests, including slugs and snails. To propagate these plants, take cuttings from the base of the stem. If the leaves of your plants are turning yellow, that means they’re in need of water. Give them a good drink and then let them rest for an hour. After that, they should perk right back up.
Kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo paws are hardy plants that are easy to grow and very forgiving of poor soil. They grow best in full sun and average soil. They don’t like to dry out and they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, making them perfect for many different climates. Because they’re so tough, they make excellent barriers between you and birds, squirrels, and other animals who might otherwise try to snack on your tender seedlings. You can also grow kangaroo paws from root divisions. Simply dig up a healthy piece of the plant, wrap it in newspaper, and store it in a cool, dark location for about six months. When the time comes, simply replant the new plant in its own container. We recommend starting these plants indoors to ensure they survive the cold weather. Once they reach 2 inches, they should be transplanted to outdoor soil. There are several varieties of this plant, but our favorites include: ‘Red Kangaroo’, which has red leaves; and ‘Pink Lady’, which is especially hardy for northern climates. All of these cultivars make wonderful gifts!
Nepenthes (Frog Pitcher Plants)
Nepenthaceae is a family consisting of over 1,000 species of carnivorous plants that are found throughout the tropics. They are characterized by their pitcher-shaped flowers, which attract insects to feed on the plant’s nectar. These pitchers can be made of a variety of materials, but most of them have a narrow opening at the top, a wider area near the bottom, and a small rim around the edge. The plant’s leaves grow inside the pitcher, and the plant uses the captured prey to nourish itself. Some of the more common types of nepenthes are: Arthropods, such as ants, beetles, and caterpillars. Birds, such as hummingbirds and tanagers.
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You might also be interested in:
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