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Dec 28, 2020 Rahul Sharma

I. Introduction

Houseplants have always been an enigma to me, I've seen them everywhere from the dentist's office to a barbershop but couldn't differentiate between a thorny and a leafy one. For me, they have always been just plants.

In December 2020, I decided to change that and level up my plant-game. This is a somewhat opinionated guide to getting started with houseplants (coming from my own experiences).

II. The Plants

I started out with extensive research on the most common houseplants that require least effort + hardest to die. The last thing I want is to let my plants wither away due to lack of water or sunlight. Fortunately, there are plenty of such species that can survive in less than ideal conditions.

Here are my top three picks (+ water and light requirements) that I eventually ended up buying.

a. Snake Plant

Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, this is a quintessential house plant. It has broad green leaves that can range from 6in to 8ft.

Scientific name: Dracaena trifasciata Water: 1-2x per month Light: part sun, part shade

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/1b7cd197-9e48-41bf-b26c-13ca5b053a83/snake.png

b. Money Plant

Also known as Pothos, this is the easiest and most undemanding plant. It has heart-shaped leaves with white and yellow patches, and the vine can grow up to 10ft.

Scientific name: Epipremnum aureum Water: once per week Light: shade

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/ad47887c-87e9-4e7a-bc1e-d4a6182c12fb/pothos_golden_6_eva_latte_4b4e1239-3217-4c74-988c-435954541465.png

c. Tricolor

Not as ubiquitous as the above two but I went for it for its pinkish leaves. Native to Brazil, it requires high humidity and temperature to thrive.

Scientific name: Stomanthe sanguinea Water: twice per week Light: part sun, part shade

If Tricolor is not your jam, you can swap it for Spider Plant or Peace Lily, both of which are easier to maintain.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/06aff8fb-2da5-439a-b65e-3d280add97e6/tri.png

III. Where to buy

Once I knew the plants I wanted, the next part was actually buying them. I turned to the ol' reliable AMZN but quickly realized that the shipping might be a deal-breaker. If you absolutely need to order plants online, I'd recommend checking out Bloomscape ($$$), The Sill ($$), and The Home Depot ($).

The best way is to buy it from your local nursery. This not only allows you to check and verify before the purchase but also supports local businesses in these trying times. If you are in the Jersey City area, 14th St Garden Center is a great option.

Note that when you buy a plant, it usually comes in a "potter's pot" which is a small plastic container meant for temporary use. Ideally, you'd buy new pots (terracotta or ceramic) and re-pot your plant with additional soil. The pots themselves are categorized by diameter and come in 6", 8", 12", and larger ranges. For houseplants, especially if they are going to be kept by windows or on desks, 6" is a perfect size. You'd also need a tray as these pots have a hole in the bottom to let the excess water out.

Here's my itemized receipt for the plants and their accessories.