Some people feel that plants are too much trouble, but for beginners who might not feel confident in their plant care abilities, choosing plants that are easy to care for is a great start! There is quite a variety of easy to care for plants to choose from in the 1-800-Flowers.com plant shop and would make great plant gifts. Some great examples of these are
The Aloe Vera Plant
Light
Proper light is important for aloe vera plants to thrive. Place in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light. A western or southern window is ideal. Aloe that are kept in low light often grow leggy.
Aloe vera plants prefer temperatures between 55 and 80°F (13 and 27°C). The temperatures of most homes and apartment are ideal
Water
Aloe vera plants do not like cold weather so in the evening if nights are cold.
Water aloe vera plants deeply, but infrequently. Water the aloe plant only when the soil has dried out completely, or every few weeks to discourage root rot. Water it even less in winter. To water the aloe vera, pour water onto the soil near the base of the plant until the soil is thoroughly wet.
Fertilize sparingly (no more than once a month), and only in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant formula mixed at ½ strength.
The Dieffenbachia Plant
Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, is an incredibly easy-to-grow houseplant which makes it quite popular.
Light
Just like most tropical houseplants, grow dieffenbachia in a relatively warm, humid spot with plenty of filtered light. Dieffenbachia prefers filtered sunlight or partial shade, but will tolerate full shade, which is why it is well-suited as a houseplant. It thrives in temperatures between 60 and 75°F.
Pilea
Light
Pilea’s leaves tend to grow in the direction of the light source. For this reason, you will need to rotate your plant a few times a week if you want that it keeps a nice and symmetrical shape.
Water
Water this plant when the soil is completely dried out and if it takes too long to dry out, it may not be getting enough sunlight.
The Snake Plant
Snake plants are a type of Sansevieria and the plants in this category share characteristics like narrow, upright leaves and short, thick roots. Native to West Africa snake plants are known to help to remove harmful toxins from the air and are popular with plant lovers because they are so easy to care for.
Light
Water
Soil
Snake plants are sensitive to water and prone to root rot, so it’s important to plant them in soil that drains well
Water
Allow the soil to dry between watering. Don’t let your plant sit in water because it can easily cause stem and rhizome rot. Your plant can survive months without water, but will grow faster if watered more regularly
Like the plants mentioned above, over-watering can lead to root rot which can be detrimental to the plant.
Taking care of plants doesn’t have to be a daunting process- with practice and experience, and learning what the optimal environment is that is required for your plants to thrive, you’ll earn your plant whisperer badge in no time.