4 EASY HOUSEPLANTS FOR PEOPLE WITH BLACK THUMBS
Plant care comes easily to some folks. They can turn seeds into leaves and flowers in no time. They can adopt a droopy, browning specimen and nurse it back to health.
Other would-be gardeners and houseplant keepers have the dreaded black thumb--the perceived inability to keep a plant alive.
Houseplants That Require Minimal Care
Even if you consider yourself black-thumbed, there's hope. Caring for plants is like anything else--do your research, stick with it, and you'll have success. That said, not everyone is looking to become a master botanist. Sometimes, the goal is simply to find a plant that can survive suboptimal care.
If you've got a black thumb and you're looking for something you can't kill, consider these four low-maintenance houseplants.
Spider Plant
Lighting: bright, indirect lighting is ideal, but spider plants are tolerant of varied lighting conditions
Watering: Water weekly during spring, summer, and fall and every two to three weeks in the winter; keep the soil just a bit moist and allow it to dry out a bit between waterings during the winter
The spider plant is one of the most beloved and recommended houseplants, and not just because it's easy to care for. It's beautiful, fast-growing, and one of the highest-rated air purifying plants. Spider plants grow long, pretty leaves that are striped green and white. Mature plants produce "spiderette" offshoots that can be snipped and potted to produce new baby spider plants.
Aloe Vera
Lighting: Bright, indirect lighting; avoid direct sunlight
Watering: Water every two weeks during spring, summer, and fall and every three to four weeks during winter
Aloe vera is a succulent. The leaves of succulents are tough, fleshy, and swollen with water. Thanks to their excellent water storage adaptation, succulents are fit for harsh climates where rainfall is rare. The same traits that make succulents hearty survivors outdoors make them extremely durable houseplants. Succulents typically require minimal care.
Aloe vera has a simple but elegant appearance, with leaves that are long, straight, and sturdy. The plant has been widely used in traditional medicine for burn and wound treatment. Whether or not you're interested in aloe vera's purported medicinal benefits, it's a lovely low-maintenance houseplant option.
Jade Plant
Lighting: Moderate to bright; not too much direct sunlight
Watering: Water every two to three weeks or when the top one to two inches of soil have dried out
The jade plant is another succulent that grows large enough to earn a spot as one of your featured houseplants. Its stem is thick and woody and its leaves are oval-shaped and fleshy. All in all, the plant looks a bit like a mini-tree, with a distinguished and artistic appearance. A healthy jade plant is an undemanding houseplant that adds a touch of beauty and sophistication to your home.
Snake Plant
Lighting: Bright, indirect lighting is ideal, but snake plants are tolerable of varying light conditions
Watering: Every two weeks during spring and summer, less often during winter
The snake plant produces beautiful sword-shaped leaves. The foliage contains textured shades of dark and light green with yellow highlights. The growth is generally vertically-oriented and the plant can easily grow several feet tall indoors.
Thanks to their size and shape, snake plants look amazing in large, tall pots placed directly on the floor. Snake plants prefer indirect light, which makes them perfect for placement in the corner of your living room.
How to Keep Your Houseplants Alive
The plants featured in this guide are low-maintenance. They don't need much water and aren't too finicky about temperature or lighting levels. That said, you will need to do your part. If you take on the responsibility of a new houseplant, do some further reading on the plant you choose. Learn about its soil needs and know when it needs to be repotted.
If you think you have a black thumb, then you should try to identify your fatal flaw. There are lots of ways to kill a houseplant, but the two most common problems are (1) too much water and (2) not enough light. Every plant needs water, but they often need less than their owners provide. Stick to a watering schedule and don't water impulsively. As for lighting, remember that your plant needs sunlight to survive. Rotate the pot regularly so that all of the plant's sides receive light and growth occurs evenly. If your indoor environment has limited sun exposure, adjust your expectations accordingly--only bring home as many plants as you can properly provide with light.
Caring for a few houseplants can be easy and rewarding. If you've struggled in the past, don't give up! Just start with a low-maintenance all-star like a spider plant, aloe vera, jade plant, or snake plant.