5 Plants For Beginners That Will Boost Your Mood
So you've decided to turn your space into a mini plant sanctuary— welcome to the club. Investing in plants has become more popular than ever, especially since we were all locked inside our homes for months. For some of us, this has been a fairly successful journey, while others (i.e. me) have struggled a bit along the way. If you're convinced you don't have a green thumb, maybe it's worth giving it another shot. Plants serve as amazing mood boosters, not only because of the way humans relate to nature, but also because of what they contribute to your space. Past studies have suggested that spending time in nature helps reduce stress, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety. The level of focus needed while gardening provides a sense of escapism, keeps us away from our devices and allows us to reconnect with the present moment. Almost all plants require repetitive actions such as watering or repotting, and this consistency that comes with caring for plants has been known to mimic the effects of meditation. Staying on top of your plant's health also promotes productivity and leaves many people feeling accomplished due to a release of dopamine. Additionally, plants can lead to better sleep by absorbing air pollution, generating humidity and releasing oxygen at night. As a plant mom of 12, I know how challenging it can seem to keep your plants alive and healthy. That said, here are five plants to help boost your mood that are also perfect for beginners.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
If you're looking for a plant that is practically indestructible, a snake plant is a great place to start. Snake plants are extremely durable and long-lasting. They can grow up to 4 feet tall and don't require a lot of water. If you're someone that tends to forget about watering your plants you're in luck. Snake plants generally should be watered once every 2 to 3 weeks, but over-watering can cause root rot. So, let this plant dry out between watering.
Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are quite the drama queens, but once you get to understand yours, you'll realize they're a lot easier to manage than you think. They’re notorious for dropping their leaves just before it’s time for watering. If you're new to owning plants, don't let your peace lily fool you— it’s not dying, it’s just dehydrated. When it's time for watering, stick its pot in a container of water for 15 to 20 minutes and over a couple of hours, its leaves will perk back up. This plant grows best in indirect light because of how delicate its leaves are. When taken care of correctly, this plant can bloom a beautiful white “flower” or bract.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos are arguably my favorite indoor plant. This is mainly because sometimes I get impatient when I don’t see new growth, and pothos tend to grow new leaves quickly. There's a wide variety of pothos, as there are other plants. For example, a golden pothos is much darker than a marble queen. If one doesn't fit the aesthetic you're looking for, there are always other options within the same family. Pothos love bright indirect light, but direct light will burn its leaves. Similar to a peace lily, but not nearly as dramatic, pothos leaves will start to curl a bit when it's time for watering. Sticking to a once-a-week watering schedule will promote consistent growth. If you’re looking for a plant to hang near a window, a pothos might be a perfect fit given that they can grow up to 30 inches long.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
If you're a fan of the snake plant, you will love the ZZ plant. ZZ plants are extremely durable. They love low to bright indirect light and can go two to three weeks without being watered. If you're looking for a plant that gives you more height, a zz plant can grow up to three feet tall depending on how much sunlight they receive (just not direct sunlight). When watering, avoid soaking this plant in a container the way you would with a peace lily. When left in a container to soak, root rot is likely to form.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Pro tip: it’s important to know where your plant comes from. For example, prayer plants come from the tropics of Brazil, so you would want to try to recreate those conditions to fit the plant’s specific needs; this is no different for the jade plant. Jade plants are commonly found in South Africa. It likes bright indirect sunlight and even a bit of direct sunlight on occasion can be beneficial. It should be watered once every two weeks since it loves dry conditions. Some jade plants stay small, while others can grow up to 5 feet tall. A heavy jade plant can be maintained through propagating and pruning.
These plants are not constricted to the brightest location in your home, making them ideal for anyone looking to spruce up their space. It's worth noting that many of these plants are toxic to pets, so be sure to put them in locations that are low risk. There are plenty of other options that are not toxic to animals if the ones on this list make you a bit nervous. If a plant dies in your care, it's not the end of the world. One week your plant can be looking it's best and the next not so much-- you have to embrace the learning process! The most important thing is having fun and investing in plants that are going to help you create a space that caters to whatever feeling you're looking to achieve.
