Plants for Beginners: Ultimate Guide to Your First Plant
There’s no denying houseplants are having a moment. Social media posts are full of greenery, and the houseplant trend has soared across the country. The plant parenthood hashtag has over a million tags on Instagram.
With their rise in popularity, there’s no time like the present to start on your houseplant journey. And indoor plants aren’t just about social media likes. Studies show houseplants improve your mental health, boost your immune system, increase your productivity levels, elevate your mood, and more.
If you don’t have any houseplants yet, and you’re not where to start, this is the perfect guide for you. Before you dive into plant shopping, there are a few things to consider. We’ll tell you the best houseplants for beginners and how to care for houseplants.
This guide will help you decide which plants suit your home and give you some essential tips for indoor plant care.
Before You Decide Which Plant to Buy
Before getting too excited about buying your first plant baby, there are several things you need to consider.
1. Care
How much time and effort do you want to devote to looking after your plant? Do you want a plant that doesn’t take much effort, or do you want to hone your indoor gardening skills with something more demanding?
2. Space
How much space do you have in your home? You might buy a little plant for your coffee table but don’t forget plants grow. Some can get bigger than 6 feet! Make sure you know how big your plant will get so you know if you have enough space in your home.
3. Lighting
What kind of light do you have in your home? Do you have a sunny space, or does your home have low-light? Make sure you purchase a plant that will thrive in the lighting conditions of your home.
4. Pet-Friendly
Do you have pets? Some houseplants can be toxic to pets, so make sure you choose one that is pet-friendly.
Best Houseplants For Beginners
Now you know what to consider before buying a plant, let’s look at the best plants for beginners. For your first plant, it’s a good idea to pick an easy-care option. Then, once your first plant begins to thrive in your space, you can go for something a little more demanding.
1. The ZZ Plant
This stylish plant looks great in any space and is perfect for beginners as it requires little effort to stay looking beautiful. Its full name is Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, but that’s a mouthful, so it’s usually referred to as the ZZ Plant.
Their tough leaves hold in water, making them very drought resistant. And the ZZ Plant isn’t picky about sunlight. Bright indirect light is best, but this resilient plant will flourish in low to bright light.
And as an added bonus, this amazing plant is air purifying and can help remove toxins from the air in your home.
2. The Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is the perfect choice for beginners who want a flowering plant. If you’re just starting out on your houseplant journey, this is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant.
The Peace Lily prefers indirect sunlight but can tolerate low-light conditions. However, if you want it to flower, you may want to avoid lower light.
Your Peace Lily will tell you when it’s thirsty. When you see its leaves droop, give it a thorough watering and watch as it perks back up within the next few hours!
3. Sansevieria Superba
With over 70 types of Sansevieria, the snake plant is a popular species. Sansevieria are known for their large, broad leaves that stick upright. Popular types include the Sansevieria ‘Laurentii’, and Sansevieria Zeylanica, and the Sansevieria Superba.
The Sansevieria Superba has large, broad leaves that stick upright. Green outlined with yellow, this plant will add a structured feel to any space.
The Sansevieria Superba’s thick leaves hold in water, like the ZZ Plant, so it’s also very drought-tolerant. In fact, some say Snake Plants practically thrive on neglect.
Any light except full sun is great for this sturdy plant. Let the soil dry out thoroughly between waterings, and that’s about it.
Add this unique plant to your home for minimal effort. Just be careful not to overwater, or your Sansevieria Superba could get root rot.
Houseplant Care for Beginners
If you want thriving houseplants, make sure you avoid these common mistakes made by houseplant beginners:
1. Overwatering
Watering is crucial to a plant’s survival, but overwatering can cause a host of problems, including root rot. The most beginner-friendly plants generally like to dry out between waterings.
Always research the watering needs of your plants. Most beginner plants prefer to dry out between waterings. Stick your finger in the soil to test if your plant needs to be watered. If the soil is dry, it’s probably time to water. If the soil is still moist, wait a few more days.
2. Too Much or Too Little Sun
Too much light and the leaves of your plant will become scorched, yellow, and shriveled. Not enough light, and your plant will wilt.
Always research the lighting needs of your plants. If your plant needs full sun, a south-facing window is best. If your plant likes low light, try an east-facing window.
Keep an eye on your plant when you first bring it home. If you notice signs of too much or too little light, don’t worry. As long as you catch the problem early, moving your plant to a different location in your home with better lighting conditions should revive it quickly.
3. Drainage Holes
New plant parents often get excited about the wide option of planter pots available for their new Leafy babies. But don’t go potting your houseplant directly into a planter pot just yet.
Keep houseplants in nursery pots, and put those inside planter pots if you wish. Nursery pots have drainage holes, which help prevent overwatering and root rot.
After you water your plant, make sure to dispose of excess water collected at the bottom of your planter pot. You don’t want your plant to sit in extra water.
Choosing Your Plant Baby
Now you know what plant you want to buy and how to care for it, it’s time to go shopping. When choosing your plant out of the bunch, consider these factors.
1. Inspect the Leaves
Do the leaves look healthy? Do you see any brown spots, holes, or drooping? Pick the plant with the best, healthiest leaves to take home with you.
2. Check for Insects
There’s nothing worse than bringing home an infested plant! Insects can hurt your new plant baby and spread to other plants in your home.
3. Look at the Roots
If you notice roots coming out of the top or bottom of the pot, this is a sign you will probably need to repot your new plant sooner than later.
How to Buy a Houseplant Online
If you can’t get to a store, buying online is also a great option. Choose a retailer who is experienced at shipping plants safely. You want your plant to be packed carefully with soil to keep it fresh and healthy.
Choose a store that can answer questions over the phone or email if you have any, and help you choose the best plant for your indoor garden.
“Plants for Beginners: Ultimate Guide to Your First Plant.” Fresh Indoor Plants to Uplift Your Space, www.theleafyplant.com/s/stories/plants-for-beginners-ultimate-guide-to-your-first-plant?srsltid=AfmBOopMVaLC-QbqFZf88OhSGbKxiaR7Ylsm7lyDYhYfAuEBJhGf64a4. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
