Sarah Dills
Multimedia Storyteller
Bath Garden Center and Nursery in Fort Collins, CO. 5/1/2022. Photo by Sarah Dills
As you pass through the front doors, you get blasted with thick, sweet, humid air. Between the fans and the sprinklers, the room is noisy. Your eyes spot every shade of green, as well as various pinks, purples, and whites. A worker wearing an apron smiles and invites you to come find them if you need help. You smile back and thank them, though you feel a little embarrassed. You know you will need help, as this is your first time purchasing a plant.
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While you take a slow lap around the store, you hear customers and employees using terms and speaking of things that you’ve never heard before. Suddenly, you’re experiencing a severe case of imposter syndrome. You think “what am I doing here? I obviously don’t know as much as these people. Maybe I’m not ready for this...”
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This is the experience of many first-time plant parents as they go to make their first purchase. Whether it was years ago or quite recently, every plant parent has had a moment of “OMG, I’m going to kill this plant.” As you prepare to buy a plant, it can be extremely overwhelming. With hundreds of plant species in any given store, as well as all the different variations, it seems impossible to know which is the best to choose.
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Luckily, there are a few quick questions you can ask yourself to determine what plant will be your best fit.
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Question 1: How much space do I have available?
If you live in a studio apartment, you might want to look for smaller-sized plants. If you're living in a larger apartment or house, you might have more free space to shop for larger plants. And remember, the size of the plant when you buy it won’t be its size forever; don't forget to account for growth.
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Question 2: How much light does this space get?
There are two different kinds of light (direct and indirect) and three different amounts of light (high, medium, and low). Each plant requires its own combination of the kind and the amount of light. As you look around your home, keep in mind what each area experiences in terms of light.
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The two kinds of light:
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Direct light occurs when the plant is reached by unobstructed light. This usually means the plant is sitting on a windowsill or it has a plant light above it.
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Indirect light occurs when there is something in between the plant and the light source, whether it be another plant, furniture, sheer curtains, or a tree outside.
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The three amounts of light:
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High light plants require exposure to light for 6+ hours a day. These plants can withstand a long period of light, but watch out for yellow or crispy leaves; this indicates your plant is getting sunburnt and might need to be moved to a different location. West- and south-facing rooms often get the most light in a house, making them the perfect spots for these plants.
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Medium light plants only need a few hours of light each day. Placing them in an east-facing room that gets a little sun in both the morning and the afternoon is a good option. They can usually handle some direct light but prefer to be in indirect light. You can create a medium light location by placing a plant further away from a window or behind a piece of furniture in a sunny room.
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Low light plants don't require much light at all and are the most beginner-friendly. They are usually more resilient than plants that require more light. These plants can thrive in rooms with fewer windows, like a bathroom, or a shady corner of a room. North-facing rooms get minimal sun, so low light plants will do well in these rooms.
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Question 3: How much time do I want to spend taking care of my plants?
Compared to pets and children, plants are pretty low maintenance. However, different plants require different amounts of care. Some plants can be ignored for a month and shockingly continue to thrive, while others need to be checked on every couple of days. If you want to enjoy looking at your plant but don’t want to spend more than two minutes a month taking care of it, you might consider getting a lower-maintenance plant. If you have more time and enjoy the idea of frequently taking care of something, you might want to look for a plant that requires more care.
Now that you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re ready to figure out which plant is right for you!
The Snake Plant
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Snake Plants. 5/1/2022. Photo by Sarah Dills
Known as one of the easiest plants to maintain, snake plants are very resilient and nearly indestructible. If you aren’t looking for a big commitment, this plant is for you! It is said that snake plants thrive on neglect.
Water: When the soil feels completely dry, usually around once a month. Can go up to two months without water. Don’t water more than every two weeks.
Light: Prefers low to medium indirect. Can survive in dim corners, high direct light, and anywhere in between. Very adaptable to any light conditions.
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The ZZ Plant
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ZZ Plants. 5/1/2022. Photo by Sarah Dills
Often referred to as the “Easy ZZ,” this plant is a staple in the beginner plant community. They grow from rhizomes, a type of underground stem that helps them store water, meaning they are prepared to survive a long period of time without a drink.
Water: When their soil dries out, usually between two weeks and a month. Again, if you forget to water them, don't panic! They will utilize the water they've stored until you remember.
Light: Can tolerate many different lighting conditions but prefer high indirect. They are fairly susceptible to sunburning, so watch out for yellow, crispy leaves.
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The Pothos
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Pothos Plant. 5/1/2022. Photo by Sarah Dills
Another very easy plant to care for, but quicker growing compared to the snake and ZZ. As a vining plant, it is fun to watch it grow in length, which is usually 12-18 inches a month (depending on conditions). There are also tons of pothos varieties, so you have plenty of options in terms of appearance. This is also an easy plant to maintain because its leaves will tell you when it needs water and more or less light…
Water: Leaves will droop when it is thirsty, usually around once a week. You can tell the difference between a well-watered pothos and a thirsty one based on how perky its leaves are.
Light: Prefers high indirect light. Leaves will lose patterns if it isn’t getting enough. Leaves turning paler means it is getting too much light. Finding a location with a good balance of light will restore its original look.
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The Philodendron
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Philodendron Plants. 5/1/2022. Photo by Sarah Dills
The philodendron has many similarities to the pothos. This is also a vining plant that grows quickly and has many different varieties. The difference between the two is that philodendrons require more water and less light.
Water: Prefers a moderate amount of water. Leaves will droop when thirsty, but will also droop when overwatered, so make sure to check the soil as well. The top inch of soil should be completely dry before you water it (this is a good watering tip for most plants).
Light: Grows best in low indirect light. In nature they grow under a tropical canopy, so they will be alright if covered by another plant or furniture.
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The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed picking out a plant, ask yourself the initial three questions. Make sure you have a location available, then pick a plant based on the kind and amount of light the space receives. And it's more than okay to recognize that you don’t have the time or the desire to take care of complicated plants. It is perfectly fine to fill your space with beginner plants and you will be less stressed because you can easily figure out how to care for them!
So head into that plant store with your head held high, because you got this! You've answered the preliminary questions and have the wisdom needed to pick out a perfect plant for yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask questions; if there's one thing I know about the plant community it is how willing everyone is to share tips and advice with each other. Remember, every expert was a beginner once too!
