The Best Beginner Houseplants for Your Nashville Home or Apartment
Image of Nashville Plant Person Neil B. in his home. Photographed by Lindsey, Lucid Linds Photography & Nashville Plant People
This blog is written by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
The pandemic is far enough in the past that it’s beginning to feel a bit nostalgic. Like, remember that period of time when we all wore pajamas 24/7 and we weren’t allowed to leave the house and there was a NATIONAL EMERGENCY excuse to avoid people?
Ah, sometimes, I almost miss it.
Although 2020 was a year marked with instability and heartache, many beautiful things began to bloom — including a generation of Pandemic Plant Parents.
Demand for houseplants increased by 18% during the pandemic, and today, 72% of plant owners say having them just makes them feel better.
Unfortunately, 47% of millennials don’t own plants because they don’t know how to care for them, and I think that’s the saddest thing I’ve read today. I’m here to shed some light on the best beginner houseplants because I believe anyone has the ability to develop a green thumb.
Beginner-Friendly House Plants
Plants are like pets. Each has its own unique temperament and needs, and half the fun is in learning what makes it happy. Luckily, it’s okay to fail a few times when you’re learning the ropes of plant parenting.
Here are some of the most low-maintenance, low-investment plants that will look fabulous in your apartment or home.
Herbs: My Gateway Plants
Although they’re not at the top of most beginner plant listicles, herbs were my very first venture into house plant life. Like many during lockdown, I experimented with new recipes, and I found myself in need of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil (sidenote: Google “blueberry basil margarita.” You’re welcome).
Herbs are solid low-risk beginner plants for several reasons:
They’re sold right there in the produce section
They’re a practical plant that can be harvested immediately
They’re easy to keep alive
They cost less than dried herbs (and taste better, too)
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
Successfully growing herbs on my window sill gave me the confidence to take on new plants, and from that point on, I’d officially caught the plant parent bug.
Golden Pothos
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
Pothos are beautiful trailing plants that have bright green leaves and lovely golden variegation. They soak up the sunlight, but they aren’t picky about where you put them. Best of all, they’re extremely forgiving. In fact, pothos’ nickname is the “devil’s ivy,” because it’s just that hard to kill.
As a new plant owner, I loved the way my pothos plant, Vera, communicated with me that she needed more water. When her leaves began to droop or curl, it was time to give her a soak. When tiny droplets formed on her leaves, it signified that I’d overwatered.
ZZ Plant
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
ZZ plants are drought-resistant, which means they’ll thrive for nearly four weeks without water. They’re perfect for absentminded plant owners and for folks who travel often since they don’t mind a little neglect. ZZ plants are also happy to grow anywhere — they’ve even been rumored to thrive in dark closets!
If you’re looking for a starter plant, a ZZ plant is a great choice. They’re low-maintenance, budget-friendly, and absolutely beautiful. I actually purchased my first ZZ plant at Kroger on clearance for seven bucks!
Snake Plant
Image taken at Earth First Plant Co. Photographed by Lindsey, Lucid Linds Photography & Nashville Plant People
Also known as St. George’s sword or mother-in-law’s tongue, a snake plant is easy to identify. Named after its sharp, vertical leaves, they are variegated in shades of yellow and green.
They don’t like cold, drafty spaces, but they’ll thrive in spots with low to bright indirect light, and they’ll do just fine if you forget to water them for a couple of weeks. In fact, snake plants are succulents, and they prefer to be watered once the top few inches of soil have completely dried out.
I honestly forgot I had one during a particularly scatterbrained season, and by the time I remembered to water it, he looked just as good as the day I bought him.
Aloe Vera
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
Aloe vera is another succulent that doesn’t require a lot of water. I’ve had the same aloe plant for five years, and it’s tolerated neglect, a big move, and an unfortunate Nerf gun incident.
It’s one of my favorite plants because it’s stuck with me as I grappled to juggle multiple plants and kids, and it’s provided first aid for my wild boys on more instances than I care to count.
I keep my aloe plant in the kitchen for aesthetics, but I’ve also cut off its leaves for wound care, beauty recipes, and delicious smoothies.
Peace Lily
Image provided by Maria Elizabeth @elizmari_a via unsplash images
Peace lilies are so elegant, with smooth, white blooms and contrasting green leaves. They don’t mind infrequent watering, and if you wait too long, the leaves will begin to droop until you give them a nice soak. They aren’t picky about light, so you can place your peace lily wherever it looks best.
They’re incredibly forgiving, but from firsthand experience, I can attest that they are not indestructible. With 100% neglect, they will die. And your mother-in-law (the gift-giver) will probably never let you live it down (the giftee).
Heartleaf Philodendron
Image taken at Earth First Plant Co. Photographed by Lindsey, Lucid Linds Photography & Nashville Plant People
Philodendron, like pothos, are vining plants that grow very quickly. As the name suggests, heartleaf philodendrons have lovely heart-shaped leaves that unfurl at a rapid pace — especially when they’re getting plenty of indirect sunlight. They’re incredibly easy houseplants to care for, and it’s so gratifying to watch them grow.
Because they’re a tropical plant, philodendrons love humidity. If you’re looking for some bathroom decor, opt for one of these.
String of Bananas
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
Warning: The “string of” plants are highly addictive, and you’ll never be satisfied until you’ve got them all.
The string of pearls was my wish list plant, and I purchased one from a fellow Nashville Plant Person about a year ago. Some people have no problem growing thick, luscious, strands of pearls that trail to the ground.
Some of us struggle to keep them alive no matter what pot, watering schedule, or window sill you place them on. They’re moody and cantankerous little beauties and I’m still learning what my plant needs.
String of banana plants, on the other hand, grow very quickly, and they’re much more forgiving than their spherical shaped sisters. Shaped like tiny bananas, these succulents grow in long strands that look fabulous in hanging baskets.
If you’re itching to try a “string of” plant, start with bananas. Once you’ve got the hang of its sunlight and watering needs, you can move on to a more difficult plant.
So far, I have collected a string of dolphins, bananas, pearls and hearts (Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, and Carrie Bradshaw, respectively.) They hang above my desk to keep me company as I write.
Image credit: by Katie Lukes, Nashville Plant People Member and Freelance Writer.
Join our Nashville Plant People Community!
When my family moved to the Nashville area, we had a lot of acclimating to do. I immediately joined a Nashville mom group, a foodie group, and the Nashville Plant People group. With momming, eating, and plant keeping under control, I was sure I could handle anything. I was, of course, moving into an entirely new growing zone.
I consider myself to be an “begintermediate” plant person. (I have, after all, kept my pearls alive for a year.) I’ve got a nice collection of post-pandemic plant babies that I continue to propagate and I add new plants when the mood strikes.
I also have *so* much to learn.
The Nashville Plant People community has welcomed me with open arms, answered my questions with patience and wisdom, and continues to inspire me with pictures from their personal collections. I’m honored to be one of over 3,200 members in the Facebook group, and I’m honored to write for all of you. Check out the Instagram or Facebook page, and sign up for the newsletter. This community rocks, and we’ll only grow stronger as new members join the party.
If you’re plant-curious, but you’ve always been too timid to try, today is your day. Pick a beginner-friendly plant, give it a name, and take it home. You may surprise yourself with your natural green thumb. And if you need a little help, you’ve got a whole community of plant people rooting for you.
Sincerely,
Nashville Plant Person