Whether you’re living in a dorm, house or apartment, house plants are one of the best ways to liven up your space. From decorative pots to unique plants, they can add life and color to your living area. Here are some of my recommendations for the easiest plants to take care of — even if you don’t have a green thumb.
Snake Plants
Snake plants come in many different varieties that are all equally easy to care for and a great beginner plant. With a unique spiked look and white and yellow stripes, snake plants are great for decoration.
To care for a snake plant, you need well-drained soil intended for succulents or cacti. Only water it when the soil becomes mostly dry to avoid overwatering, usually around every two weeks. Bright indirect sunlight is ideal; however, this plant is resilient and will adapt to less light if needed.
Spider Plants
Spider plants are the gift that keeps on giving. It's a low maintenance plant that produces spiderettes you can re-pot by cutting the baby plant off once it has small roots and planting it in new soil.
All spider plants need is medium-to-bright light and steady moisture. Water about once a week, but don’t drench it. It is common for spider plants to get brown tips on their leaves, but don’t fret. This typically happens from inconsistent watering or mineral build up in the soil from tap water. To fix it, trim the brown parts into a point and make sure to water consistently with distilled, filtered or rain water.
Jade Plants
Jade plants can help bring great energy to a space with their smooth, oval shaped leaves and strong, woody stems being a symbol of friendship, luck and prosperity. These plants have a wide variety, all offering different characteristics. With proper care, they can live for more than 50 years.
Try to keep your jade plant in bright light. They will also need well-drained soil. You can make it easy by finding a soil already blended for jade plants. Only water your jade plant once the soil is completely dry; around every two weeks should suffice.
Orchids
Although typically known for being hard to care for, orchids can be a simple and unique plant to have in your space once you learn what to do. They are also great for adding color to your space due to their typically white, purple or pink blooms.
Orchids need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. To provide the plant with a steady stream of water without overwhelming their delicate roots, you should water them by taking around four to five ice cubes and placing them at the plant's base and do this around once a week. Orchids only bloom twice a year for 30 to 45 days, so don't panic once they lose their flowers. It can rebloom if you prune the old flowering spikes as close to the base as possible and fertilize it.
No matter what plants you choose, they are an easy way to bring nature into your home. Good luck, and don’t forget to water.
This article was originally published in the Housing & Living Guide, an IDS special publication.
