Nothing completes a room like a houseplant or two (or three!). In addition to adding the perfect green touch, indoor plants bring all kinds of benefits to your space, including better air quality and even lower stress levels. But with so many options available — all with different care needs – becoming a plant parent for the first time can be quite daunting. If you have been hesitant to test your green thumb due to intimidation or lack of knowledge, you have come to the right place. We spoke to Lindsay Pangborn, Bloomscape’s gardening expert, and Shayla Cabrera, owner of Tia Planta (a plant store in Jersey City, New Jersey) to find out why plants are so important for interiors and to get tips on choosing the best houseplant for your home.
Advantages of indoor plants
First of all: it is important to know that indoor plants are more than pretty things (unless they are fake, in which case that’s all they are). They also offer health, lifestyle and aesthetic benefits that make them a must-have in any home.
“Plants have the ability to absorb toxins from the air and clean their spaces,” Pangborn explained. “Studies have shown that they can reduce stress, increase concentration and productivity and improve creativity.”They also encourage owners to establish care routines that can improve well-being and structure our lives. And of course, being able to really personalize your home and make it your own oasis is also an added advantage.
How to choose a houseplant
“With such a variety of plants, plant owners can choose a species, size or care preference that best fits their lifestyle and decorating style,” Pangborn said. But with so many options, where do you even start?
Take Into Account Your Level Of Experience
A starting point is to take into account your level of experience and the time you plan to devote to your future plant inhabitants. Are you ready for a houseplant that requires special attention and a strict watering schedule, or do you want a less maintenance option that only requires watering every few weeks? These are important questions to ask yourself to make sure you don’t pick a plant that doesn’t fit your lifestyle and dies after just a few weeks. If you are a beginner in indoor plants, opt for a plant that is known as a good option for beginners. As you get more comfortable with indoor plants, you can choose those that have more demanding needs, but don’t advance too early in your plant journey.
Find a variety that matches the environment of your home
You should also look around your house to determine the space available for indoor plants. If you choose a plant that needs a lot of sun but does not have space near a window, it is unlikely that your plant will thrive. So, before shopping, first think about where you want your indoor plants to live in your house, and then determine the amount of light that this area receives. All plants need a little natural light, but different varieties have very different needs. Do your research to find one that fits your lighting situation. This way you can buy a plant that matches the environment of your home rather than forcing a plant into an area where it will struggle to survive.
Look for beginner-friendly indoor plants
If you still don’t know how to choose the best houseplant, we have it. Here are the indoor plants that you should consider bringing into your home based on their space and experience:
Best houseplant for beginners: ZZ Plant
For true beginners, Cabrera most often recommends the ZZ plant, as it is “one of the most durable indoor plants and ideal for beginners.She explained that they are the “put it on and forget it” plant that does well with little sun. While all indoor plants need sunlight, “these babies are the best option for low-light homes,” she said. They also need infrequent watering, which makes them ideal even for the busiest people.