Best indoor plants for a beginner?

Question

I would love to grow lavender or other aromatherapeutic plants, but don't have access to a garden so I'm left to inside my apartment.
But I have no gardening experience so if ya'll have any suggestions, that would be great! Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,
You can't go past getting a Spider Plant. I gave one to my daughter's teacher for there classroom and quiet often the teacher forgot to take the plant home on the school holidays. When she returns the plant is still alive and well.

The plant grows baby's that hang down and looks great if you want a hanging basket. When you start to see the baby's grow roots you can cut them off from the Parent plant and plant them in a new pot.

It wont take long before you have a lot of low maintenance plants around your apartment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_plant

the site below also shows some easy to care for plants as well as a good picture of a Spider Plant with it off spring hanging down.
http://www.uniquespells.com/articles/Spell_Casters_Notebook/Protect_Your_Home_With_The_Mag.phtml

This is one tough plant, great for beginners

Answer 2

I have a couple of favorites.

The first is called Spathophylum...Also known as the Peace Lilly. I call mine the "indicator plant" because it lets me know when it needs water, by drooping just a little bit...And then it springs right back to life right after getting a drink. They're almost impossible to kill.

Another favorite is Azalea. I really like these because they'll flower almost all year long, and can be transplanted into your shade garden if they outgrow their pots. The come in colors ranging from white to bright pink.

Answer 3

A Chinese Evergreen (this is a leafy plant not a spruce type plant) - very easy to grow, very forgiving, and one of the best plants to have in your home that cleans the air in your home.

Peace Lily

Philodendron plant - it is toxic (so be careful with kids or pets) - but extremely easy to grow. Plants can have dark green leaves or varigated types.

Answer 4

I still have my very first house plant, it's a spider plant and I've had it for 15 years, I've probably given shoots away to half the county, they are great hardy plants & produce all kinds of babies.
There are 3 types, the solid green , the green with white stripe on the outside, or white with green stripe on the out side.
I now have all 3 varieties. they are pretty plants and low maintenance, you should do well with one of these.

Answer 5

Spider plants are very forgiving for the 1st time indoor gardener.

Answer 6

Try an African Violet. No direct sunlight, only water when the pot gets light, and with just a little african violet fertilizer a few times a year you get a pretty plant with many flowers.

Answer 7

I'm in the same boat :-)


Catus are great- don't need alot of water.

Aloe is also good.
Bamboo is also easy- sits in water, don't have to worry about watering or soil.

See my plants, these plants have done well so far:
http://home.thirdage.com/Community/rmaniac

Answer 8

I would start with a catus, doesn't take much water incase you forget, you can get different ones at dirrerent holidays example: Christmas has a Christmas catus, spring has an Easter catus they all have pretty flowers. I believe this is where I began.

Answer 9

Cactus is definitely a safe one. If you have pets, especially cats, be sure to check for poisonous plants. Cats are notorious for chewing/eating flowering plants.

Answer 10

Ivy or pepperomia. Just be careful not to overwater your plant. That's probably the biggest mistake people make.