After two years of lockdowns and being unable to spend time outdoors, indoor plants are suddenly a thing. All of a sudden, every home—even the smallest of apartments—has its own pocket-sized indoor garden. This is a lovely trend, indeed; but if you’re one of those who has a brown thumb (or even a black one!) you must be all too used to picking up withered leaves off the ground, rather than enjoying lush greenery around you!
We’re here to tell you that you don’t need to forego your dreams of an indoor garden, even if your thumb is anything but green! We’ve rounded up the hardiest starter plants that will thrive without very little care. The more you neglect them, the more they will flourish. Sounds like just what you need? Read on!
#1. Money Plant
Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, the money plant — also called the Devil’s Vine — will thrive all on its own. It requires water just once a week, and flourishes despite unsuitable soil or lack of sunlight. In fact, money plants even put down roots if you just park them in a bottle of water, with no soil at all! They grow from cuttings, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to cut a stem and repot it.
Money plants come in a range of colours, including yellow-green, green and white, deep and rich green and golden.
#2. Aloe Vera
If you’re the forgetful type, then the aloe vera plant is tailormade for you! In fact, if you give the aloe too much attention, instead of too little, it will probably protest! These slow-growing plants do need the sun, so you should place them on a sunny window. When you do remember to water your aloe vera plant, water it deeply but don’t let the plant sit in water (an inch of pebbles at the bottom of the pot will help!). Watering the plant once in three weeks is plenty.
Aloe plants are toxic to pets, so don’t let your cat nibble on the leaves!
Read Also: Why Having Plants In The Bedroom Can Be A Game Changer
#3. Snake Plant
The snake plant has an interesting sobriquet — it’s called the ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’, because of the long, sinuous sword-like leaves! While only the mothers-in-law in TV soap operas deserve this unflattering comparison, this plant is certainly one that will do fine even with the most unpleasant of conditions. Snake plants can go for weeks without watering, making them the perfect house guest for frequent travellers. And they do just fine without direct sunlight too. Just keep them in indirect light and they will thrive.
Snake plants are known to purify the air of toxins and release pure oxygen even at night, so they are the perfect bedroom plants.
#4. Spider Plant
Extremely resilient and hardy, spider plants do well in front of a window. They will thrive in indirect light too, so can be placed on your desktop as well. In fact, they prefer cooler temperatures, and too much sun isn’t good for them. Water them well once a week, and never allow the soil to get soggy. These plants produce flowers which develop into baby plants, which can be cut off from the mother plant and replanted.
If you’re just experimenting with a new garden, this is a great starter plant to have on your list.
#5. Succulents
Succulents make plant care a walk in the park (pun intended!). They do need sunlight, so make sure that you place them on a window that gets the sun for at least 4 to 6 hours a day. And try not to water them too much! Too much water will actually harm them, so you should also ensure that the leaves are not misted, and that the roots do not stand in water. Something you should do—and this applies to all plants with thick leaves, not just succulents — is to wipe the leaves once in a while to remove any dust.
Start your garden with wax rosettes or tree cactus plants; they are among the easiest to care for!
#6. Lucky Bamboo
A tabletop version of the towering bamboo plant, lucky bamboos grow well in just water or moist soil and require minimal indirect sunlight. They thrive in distilled water, and don’t need special care. If you find the leaves turning yellow, clean the container and change the water, and keep away from excess light. In fact, this plant can survive indoors for even a decade.
Lucky bamboos are prized for their supposed ability to bring good luck to your home. Feng shui opines that a cluster of six stalks represent wealth, seven will usher in good health, eight will help your business grow, and nine stalks represent great luck. Pick your lucky number!
#7. Peace Lily
True to their name, peace lilies arrest pollution and clear the air of toxins, effectively spreading peace all around! This perennial has lovely cream coloured flowers, and does not require too much water, sunlight or extra care. Water only when the soil looks dry and keep the plant in indirect sunlight for it to thrive best.
If the leaves are becoming brown or yellow, watch how much you are watering.
To help you keep your garden green, mark your calendar to remind you of watering schedules. Keep your plants in plain view, not parked in a hard-to-see spot, so that you can make out if they are crying out for some love!
For more green inspiration and tips on how to incorporate lush greenery into your décor, call the gardening experts at HomeLane. We’ve always got your back!
