Houseplants are sometimes tricky housemates, and many are with you for life. Candid Orange have complied a list of seven houseplants that are perfect for novice newbies and green fingered fanatics.
We have provided a list of seven houseplants that as a first-time planter would be great for inside the house. They vary, with some being harder to look after than others and some plants lasting for life; let’s keep that CO2 – O2 exchange healthy by looking after them well. Whether your fingers are freshly green or not at all, let’s keep green veins pumping.
We have complied a rating system to make selection easier to find the perfect plant for you.
DURABILITY – Going on holiday for a month but unsure your little honey can hack life alone? This durability test will ensure that even with a bit of rough and tumble, the plant should still be thriving.
EASY CARE – Are you looking for a simple ‘water every three weeks’ job? Watch out for high ratings of this to ensure that your plant life doesn’t clash too much with your busy lifestyle.
LIFE SPAN – So, you and your partner of one month have just invested in a plant that you didn’t realise grows to ten ft tall and lasts a life-time…Let’s hope you don’t want joint custody if it all goes wrong!
The rating system is out of 5 with 5 being for example the most ‘durable’ and 1 being the least.
TOP SEVEN PLANTS LIST
Yucca
Starting as an innocent sproutling, yuccas are not ones to underestimate. My parents bought one when I was born at the short length of 2 ft tall, yucca plants can grow to tremendous heights. These beautiful plants look like they belong in the jungle and are incredible. Not one for the faint hearted though as, like I said, they might be sticking around for a while.
If you’re keeping this baby outside, feed basically never. Once a year will do, that’s right once a year! You can use some ‘miracle grow’ once of or twice a year if you really want to get some groundwork in, otherwise, what a great addition to the family the Yucca plant could be.
Bella Middleton
Easy Care – 5
These kids are easy to look after and don’t need much care and attention. A little drink every 3 weeks and they will be fine.
Life span – 5
LONG. LONG. LONG. Repotting once a year, these get BIG.
Durability – 5
You could swing this about and I think it would be fine (but this isn’t recommended!)
Dracaena Terminalis
We are following a similar vein here, but I thought it I would throw this in for a bit of contextual durability. As we all know, official lockdown was a chaotic slog. And, with deepest regret, I forgot about this old boy in my lounge and left him to fend for himself for two and a half months. Granted, on my return he was in a rough state and shrivelled, but after a good drink a two-and-a-half-month drought was nothing. These plants are here to survive even in the darkest of time.
Bella Middleton
Durability – 5
Need I say more?
Life Span – 5
Long. Arduous. Well worth it.
Easy Care – 5
Water once every few weeks or if the soil is dry. Another easy plant that looks stunning in your lounge.
Basil
Do not underestimate the power of herbs. Let’s stop buying those plastic potted ones from Aldi every three weeks only to watch them rot on the countertop. Buy one and RE-POT IT into a ceramic pot and watch it thrive. You will never have to buy basil again if you do this. Guaranteed.
Bella Middleton
Easy Care – 3
Basil plants can be slightly stroppy. Too hot and it will wilt, too much water and it will wilt. Water in small increments every few weeks and whenever you use some of the basil for your culinary desires, do not over pluck. Nobody likes a naked basil.
Durability – 3
They are delicate, okay? Be kind.
Life Span – 1
As long as you make it! Probably a year if you really give it some welly.
Mint
Hello summer cocktails! The mint has arrived and its sprouting like no tomorrow. These plants are literally the most durable things you will ever come across. Wild weather is nothing on this minty treat.
Bella Middleton
Easy Care – 5
Store this baby outside and you’ll rarely have to water it, unless you have a particularly hot spell.
Durability – 5
Rain, sun, showers, wind. Throw whatever you’ve got at the mint plant because they are probably the most durable you will ever meet.
Life Span – 5
Seasonally forever. If you pay attention, these can keep coming back.
Swiss cheese plant
This is no wensleydale or cheddar. This is a gorgeous eruption of large lavish leaves that protrude from the base of the pot. Only needing a moderate water, these plants are an absolute corker. Some people might Vaseline the leaves to give a bit of an extra sheen, but I would definitely say that this is optional.
Bella Middleton
Easy care – 2
A bit of a leaf diva. Occasionally, if leaves are drooping it might be a good idea to tie a piece of string around the stems to keep them upright. Water occasionally, every three weeks allowing time for the top of the soil to get dry.
Durability – 4
Don’t snap the stems! It will be ugly. These bad boys are beautiful and fairly hardy. Just make sure you are keeping the stems upright, so that the leaves are growing in the correct way.
Life Span – 5
Kept in the right way these honeys could be living forever. With some TLC and some loving, you are well on your way to lifetime companion ship.
Ivy
I have seen many dead ivy plants in my time. If you do not keep these in the sunlight they will not live! I know they might look quite cool hanging off a bookshelf, but in realty this is causing more pain than good.
Bella Middleton
Durability – 4
Many unsuccessful careers I have had with ivy. The key is the keep them right next to a window.
Life Span – 5
Long unless you kill them. Treat with love.
Easy Care – 4
All you need is an understanding that these plants need sunlight and water when the top of the soil has dried out.
Gerainium
A perfumed beauty, these gorgeous flowers have different scents depending on your choice. These beautiful plants are ones to be cherished.
Bella Middleton
Durability – 4
Easy to look after you just need to make sure you are keeping on top of those stems at the base. Cut when wilted.
Easy Care – 5
Water when needed, if the soil is dry give it a drink. No dramas.
Life Span – 5
Repot every year for a life-long friend. Keep In a sunny dry area of your house and once the soil at the top has dried give it a healthy glug of H2o. Fertilise in summer but not in winter. Repot in the spring!
Plants are living and breathing and should be treated with respect
My plant knowledge stems from my Mum’s love of nature and studying of botany. She has raised me to understand that plants are living things and need to be treated in the correct way in order to thrive.
Next time you buy a basil plant, do not let it wilt in the corner. And I know the ivy may look nice hanging off your bookshelf but give it some sunlight, give it some love. I am in no way an expert but for anyone who is looking to begin a planting career, or your fingers are newly green, a few of these additions may be a good place to start.
Drawings courtesy of Bella Middleton
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