Good Morning, Starshine. The earth says hello!
I’m calling all plant virgins to look no further. I am here to give you 5 Tips On How To Not Kill Your First Houseplant. My goal is that by the end of this post you feel confident enough to keep your first plant child alive!
First things first, don’t let fear keep you from trying out the plant world. Trust me, once you’re in, you’ll never leave. What makes me an expert? WELL. I started with 2 plants at the beginning of the pandemic and now I have 29. 👀
**cue Matthew McConaughey voice**
I know you have been anxiously waiting, so without further ado…
5 TIPS ON HOW TO NOT KILL YOUR FIRST HOUSEPLANT
1. Beginner Plants are Your FRIEND
What do I mean by that? Well, to put it simply, there are some plants that are just way easier to take care of than others. Start with a nice low light plant that doesn’t require much watering. A few of my favorite beginner houseplants are Pothos (all types), Snake Plants (Are they even alive?!), and ZZ Plants.
2. Lighting is V important
Trust me, make sure you check that little tag in the soil when you buy your first plant. You’ll thank me for it later, I promise! Different Plants like different lighting, it’s that simple. Some plants like bright direct light (ie. right in the window with the sun beaming on them), while others enjoy bright indirect light (ie. Near a window, but not in the direct rays of the sun). This is super important, because you don’t want to burn your plant, but you also want to make sure to give your plant enough light to thrive. Still a little confused about lighting?! Well you’re in luck - look no further! Click here to check out my Ultimate Lighting Guide equipped with a snazzy infographic to help you out. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
3. Drainage is KEY
Since I’m assuming this is your first time as a plant mom or dad, I encourage you to make sure to buy a planter with a drainage hole in the bottom. When you’re first learning to care for plants, it’s hard to know when you’re watering too much or too little. The drainage hole will help you out with this! Any extra unneeded water will drain right out.
4. Get Your Plant on a Water Schedule
This tip and the last tip go hand-in-hand. Proper drainage for your plant will help you not overwater, however it is on you if your plant goes underwatered. That’s why it is important to establish a watering schedule for your plant, especially if you are a beginner. Some plants call for being watered once a week and some need it every few days. Once you get a feel for your plant and how often the top soil dries out, you can establish a more proper watering schedule. Make sure to look into your specific plant and see how dried out the plant likes to get. Some like to dry out quite a bit, while others only like their top soil to dry out.
5. Repotting when it’s time & Using the Best Pot/Soil for Your Plant
A good rule of thumb when you are ready to repot your plant is to go an inch or two up in pot size. If you put a plant in too large of a pot, the soil may take too long to dry out which can result in mold, root rot, and various other problems. In regards to picking the right soil and pot for your plant, do some research and make sure you are using the right mixtures and materials that best suit your plant. Typically, I go with the Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix for almost all of my plants and it does the job! In regards to finding a nice pot for your new plant friend, I favor Ceramics/Plastics with a drainage hole over Terracotta since Terracotta absorbs water (sometimes causing you to need to water your plant more frequently). Potey & La Jolie Muse are my favorite brands on Amazon and their quality is top-notch! My personal favorite pot right now is this marble and gold Potey pot, check it out.
Alright, you’ve made it to the end! How do you feel? Empowered? Ready to take on your first baby houseplant?! Well, without further ado, welcome to the beautiful world of plants! We would love to hear about your plant journey - Drop your first houseplant ever in the comments! Until Next Time,
Jessie
Comments