a plant guide for beginners
Have you been wanting a plant but are worried you don’t know how to take care of it? Trust me, it is much easier than you think. Actually, quarantine is one of the best times to start your plant collection even if you don’t have a green thumb. Plant owning is affordable, easy, and most of all, rewarding. Use the 5 tips below to help you along your plant-owning journey and keep reading to look at some from my own plant collection, which might inspire you to pick up one (atleast) for yourself!
Areca Palm
Plant Name: Lianne la Havas
Tip: Download Planta and insert what plants you have into the app for watering reminders and to find out more information and tips for taking care of them.
Tip: People remember to water their soil but often forget that the plant leaves need moisture too. To emulate a humid environment, use a spray bottle to mist the tops and bottoms of each leaf regularly. The Planta app will let you know which plants prefer a high humidity environment versus a low one.
What it needs: Medium/Bright Light, Weekly watering, weekly misting, and love
Why I love this plant: This gem does not take a great deal of time and energy, yet it definitely adds to the room. It also is an air purifier, so my lungs are happy too.
Pothos
Plant Name: Soleil
Tip: If your pot does not have drainage holes like mine, don’t fear! Just place lava rocks, small pebbles, or even packing styrofoam (just make sure its biodegradable) from a newly delivered package. Having a drainage system will allow for healthy roots which means a healthy plant.
What it needs: Low light, Weekly watering, weekly misting, and love
Why I love this plant: Perfect for hanging plants and windowsills, this versatile plant will become your favorite and is super easy to care for.
Peperomia
Plant Name: Shira
Tip: Name one of your plants after you, so that “when you talk to it, when you feed it love, water, light, and affirmations, you’ll be telling and feeding yourself all the things you need.” (@JoelakaMaG)
What it needs: Low/Medium Light, Weekly watering, weekly misting, and love
Why I love this plant: Its’ leaves are so beautiful and sturdy. It hangs right over my bed so I always know I will wake up with a smile on my face.
Prayer Plant
Plant Name: Masego
Tip: Pay attention to your leaves, they often tell you about the current health and needs of your plant. If your plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will often turn yellow, dull, or droop. If they are getting too much light, they will often have burned patches, singed tips, and might even fall off prematurely.
What it needs: Indirect light, Weekly watering, weekly misting, and love
Why I love this plant: Their tricolored unique leaves fold up at night and fold back out in the day! The pattern is almost mesmerizing.
Hopefully you learned a little bit more about caring for your beloved plants! Being a plant mom (as corny as it sounds) has ensured that I am not lonely even when in isolation. It has helped me with my accountability, responsibility, and compassion. Plus, just look at them! I love my plant collection and am excited to watch it literally and physically grow. If you are looking to start your own plant collection, read below to see where you can buy them as well as what other plants might work best for you. Also, check out @blkbloom on Instagram to see more of my love for nature. Happy planting!
Places to Buy a Plant:
Home Depot
Local hardware store (ex: Ace Hardware)
Local plant nursery (ex: Meadow Farms, aka my personal favorite)
Online (ex: The Sill, Etsy, Bloomscape, Horti, Succulent Studios)
