Growing plants indoors is one of the best ways to add life and colour to your home. Plants are known to improve your mood and also air quality. There are various easy-to-care-for houseplants that are low-maintenance and brighten up spaces and boost mental well-being.
Indoor plants are more than decor—they add a comforting and mindful experience to your homes. There are many popular indoor plants like pothos, snake plants, and succulents. But you can start small and gradually expand your collection over time.
Check out these top 5 indoor plants for beginners and you might just discover yourself a new hobby.
Money Plant
The evergreen money plant (pothos) is the first choice for any beginner. It comes in hundreds of varieties and is one of the most easy to care plants that loves a well draining potting mix, like a mix of peat, sand, and perlite. Place it in bright, indirect light, such as near a south-facing window.
The money plant loves temperatures between 21-32°C but can also tolerate cold drafts up to 5-10°C. Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before watering. You can feed it with liquid fertiliser once a month during spring and summer, and prune it to keep its shape. It’s low-maintenance, non-toxic, and perfect for adding a touch of good fortune to your home.
A general rule of thumb for watering houseplants is to water when the top 2 inches of soil has dried out. You can check this by putting your finger into the soil or using a stick of wood. If the soil sticks to your finger or wood, then it is still wet and you won't have to water it.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another well-loved and low-maintenance houseplant. The gel inside its leaves is known to have a ton of benefits, like soothing burns and skin irritations. It is also very easy to grow indoors.
Place it where it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Use well-draining soil, like cactus mix, and make sure the pot has holes for drainage. Water it deeply but only when the soil is completely dry.
Keep the plant in a warm spot around 22-30°C. You can fertilise it just once a year with a balanced houseplant fertiliser. Follow these simple tips, and your aloe vera will thrive and bring you beauty and healing benefits to your home.
String of Pearls
String of pearls is a cool succulent with tiny, bead-like leaves. It grows well indoors with bright, indirect light and sandy, well-draining soil. For the best growing conditions, give it a few hours of morning sun and some shade in the afternoon.
Keep in mind to only water it after the soil dries out and cut back on watering in winter. Keep it in a spot that stays above 10°C and away from humid areas. These plants have a great advantage as you can easily grow more plants from stem cuttings.
Best for houseplants for small spaces, your string of pearls will trail beautifully from planters or hanging baskets.
Ferns
Ferns are beautiful low-light houseplants with delicate, green leaves. There are many options to choose from when growing ferns indoors, from classic and evergreen ferns to boston and maidenhair ferns.
Just remember one thing, ferns love humidity, so mist them often or place them on a tray with water and pebbles. To keep them happy, place them in indirect sunlight, as too much direct sun can burn their leaves.
Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, and make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. They also prefer cooler temperatures, between 15-24°C.
Orchids
Orchids make charming indoor plants. They come in vibrant colours and unique shapes. While these can be difficult to care for beginners, orchids offer rewarding beauty. There are also several varieties of orchids that you can grow indoors with just a little bit of attention.
Mokara Orchid is a hybrid created from the Ascocentrum, Arachnis, and Vanda genera, that grow hardy vegetation and bloom regularly. Place them in east-facing windows for ideal sunlight. They need regular watering during their growth period but only enough moisture to prevent leaf drying during their rest period. You can fertilise Mokaras with a diluted orchid fertiliser from spring to fall for best results.
Vanda Orchid is another popular plant that is fancied for its large, fragrant flowers that come in a range of striking colours. Vandas can be a bit tricky to grow indoors as they need bright light and high humidity levels between 60-80% to flourish. Make sure to regularly water your plants, especially during hotter days, to keep these stunning orchids healthy and blooming.