Houseplants are one of the most important additions you can make for a happy healthy home. They purify the air and improve mental health and positive energy. If you’re new to houseplants or don’t currently have any and are unsure where to start, I’ve put together a list of my top 5 absolute favorite houseplants and a little about each.
1. Snake Plant
The snake plant is my favorite houseplant. I love the way these plants look even though that isn’t even the best thing about them. They are amazing in many ways I just think they look so cool and make such a statement. They also happen to be one of the most air purifying plants. They reduce allergens and add more oxygen by releasing it through the night too. In some cultures they are even said to absorb negative energies. Snake plants are extremely drought tolerant and you only need to water them when the soil is dry enough that it doesn’t stick to your finger. Snake plants can do well in bright light to low light and anything in between. That being said, I wouldn’t keep it in a spot that gets direct sunlight all day or the leaves may burn and if kept in a spot with very low lighting it may not grow well. I like to put them in corners next to a window but not directly in front of it. When it comes to watering a snake plant, less is more. Err on the side of too dry if unsure. They can store water to make it through a drought but if they get too much water they can develop root rot. When you do water it (once its completely dry) give it a good soak (this is what they are used to in native environments, going a while without water then getting a heavy rain). Make sure you have proper drainage in the pot you put them in so that it can soak through the soil and not sit it in for a long period of time. Another bonus of snake plants is that their saponin production deters mosquitos! One note of precaution however is that they can be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs so if you have pets that like to eat your houseplants keep them out of reach.
2. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are my second favorite houseplant. I love the luscious sturdy look of them and in my experience they have been the hardest to kill. I’ve had ZZ plants sitting in dark corners forgetting to water them and they were still thriving. They can handle low medium or bright light like a champ. Like the snake plant they are master air purifiers and can consume CO2 even at night due to their particular type of photosynthesis therefore making them great for bedrooms! ZZs can also improve cognitive function and are a great choice for offices or homeschooling rooms too. They adapt lovely to container growing and pests tend to leave them alone more than other types of houseplants. You only need to water them every 3-4 weeks and make sure to put them in a pot with drainage. If you water too often they will get root rot. In feng shui it is said that ZZ plants bring protective and purifying energy into your home.
3. Spider Plant
If Christmas was a houseplant, it would be a spider plant… the plant that keeps on giving. Spider plants are so cool because they produce plantlets that are basically like little adorable baby spider plants hanging off it that you can use to create more plants or gift to people. So fun. Spider plants are also great at purifying the air and remove xylene, benzene and formaldehyde. They prefer bright (but indirect) sunlight and well drained soil. You only need to water them about once a week or when the soil feels dry to the touch. They can also add humidity making them a great option for winter months or places with dryer climates. Bonus: they are totally safe for people and plants if consumed which sets them apart from some other houseplants.
4. Pothos
Who doesn’t love pothos? They truly are such a great addition to your home. They have an ornamental jungle vibe appearance and when given a trellis or placed somewhere it can climb they work magic. Another cool thing about the way they look is that there are so many variegation options! Pothos is also a master air purifier like the others removing benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and carbon monoxide. A lot of people place a pothos near their garage for this reason. Pothos even goes a step further and absorbs odors as well! One of my favorite things about pothos is that it absorbs radiation! I love to put pothos near any electronics or wifi routers. Pothos can also help to reduce allergens. Pothos can not only be propagated in water but it can also grow in water in addition to soil as well. They can thrive in just about any lighting condition which gives you flexibility in wherever you want to place them! In feng shui pothos is thought to bring luck, prosperity and financial abundance which is why it is sometimes called the “money plant”. Pothos is also said to remove stale and dark energy from the home and can provide a calming effect when touching it.
5. Lucky Bamboo
I love lucky bamboo because it has such a zen look to it and is easy to take care of. This plant prefers bright (indirect) sunlight. Placing it in a windowsill can burn the leaves. Make sure (as always with houseplants but especially with this one) to use filtered or distilled water and not tap water. There are a few different ways to pot this plant but my preferred method in a jar with pebbles. Like the spider plant, lucky bamboo can act as a humidifier and can benefit other plants around it for this reason. Lucky bamboo is an important part of feng shui and is a symbol of fortune and prosperity in many cultures. It’s been used for thousands of years to remove negative energies a promote a sense of safety and balance in the home. Another fun fact about lucky bamboo is that it can be used as an aquarium plant and adds oxygen to the water which benefits the fish.
For more care tips and how to propagate lucky bamboo, see my more in depth post “Lucky Bamboo the Houseplant for you”.
As you can see all of them are pretty low maintenance, purify the air and improve mental health and positive energy in your space! Whether you go get them all at once (as I probably would haha) or start with one and go from there(the more practical option), I promise you won’t regret it! Happy Houseplanting!