Do you love plants but just don’t know where to begin? I got you covered! Or at least, I can offer advice to the best of my knowledge. Now this is a bit different from my usual posts about fashion. However, you’ll see occasional lifestyle posts on this blog. I’m someone who tends to seek out those who are relatable and are able to share things that I find interesting. So, I’m hope I can be that person for you! Since Covid, many I know have delved into the world of plant parenthood. Yes, I said plant parenthood! But have you found yourself excited to bring a new plant home and then realizing it just isn’t going to survive? We’ve all been there! I love plants as much as the next person, but let’s be honest. I am no where near being a plant professional and occasionally have to let go of a few of my plant babies.
However, during quarantine, I put in some time and resources to ensure that I take care of my plants. I did some deep research to make sure I only bought plants that fit the environment of my apartment. First, let’s look at things you should consider when buying a plant:
1. Lighting- Plants operate on different light spectrums. Too much and it won’t survive. Too little and it also might not survive. Before buying a plant, you’ll want to research whether it is a “low-light” plant or not. This will help to you gauge whether it’s an outdoor or indoor plant and also which section of your home you’ll want to place it.
2. Type- Some plants may be tropical, some may survive best in a dessert surrounding and others may just need some TLC. It all depends on the type of plant your purchase. Before buying a plant, you’ll want to check to see where the plant originated from as it will help you to know whether or not you have the right environment for the plant to thrive. For example, tropical plants need more light than others and also need a humid environment. What if you have a well lit environment but not a humid one? Well, you also have options. You could keep a humidifier close by or have a misting spray around to occasionally spray the leaves.
3. Size- I’ve definitely been guilty of buying a plant for a specific area in my apartment and realizing it just doesn’t fit the bill. It’s either too small or too big. Maybe it doesn’t even fit the plant pot you had in mind. A good key to plant buying is checking the measurements written on the starter plant pot it comes in. IKEA does a great job of letting people know the dimensions. I don’t think Home Depot does it. But having a tape measurer on hand couldn’t hurt either!
4. Plant Pot/Stand- One of my favorite parts of plant shopping is looking for a super cute plant pot that matches my apartment schemed. Mistakes I’ve made one too many times is buying a plant pot that is too small for my plant.. even when I repot it. Another thing to keep in mind is how large you want your plant to grow. If you want your plant to continue growing, I’d suggest getting a larger plant pot to allow the roots room to grow. You might even need more soil as well. If you don’t plan on having your plant grow, I’d suggest getting a plant pot slightly bigger but not too much bigger. It isn’t a good idea to get a plant pot that is smaller than what the plant originally comes in. Unless you plan on using a stem to propagate and create a whole new plant.
5. Maintenance- You’ve brought your plant home and placed it in the perfect pot. You have your super cute watering can too. What now? Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. While some plants come with a watering routine, it’s up to you to do the proper research in the case that it doesn’t. Perhaps, remember the name of your plant and look it up. For plants that require different watering schedules, you can write them all down and place them somewhere close by. Maybe even keep a note on your phone.
Types of Plants:
Say you just want a decorative plant and don’t want to deal with the hassle of watering it and ensuring it’s placed in the right spot for growth. Then, you can certainly opt for artificial plants. I absolutely LOVE monstera plants. But I knew my apartment would not provide enough lighting, humidity and warmth to keep it alive. So I opted for a large artificial version and I LOVE IT! If I was going to buy one, I was going to buy one that looked as authentic as can be. Though, you can rarely buy an artificial plant that gives off the authentic vibe. I found this one to be quite a success (please ignore my inability to properly fix the leaves before taking these pictures 😅):
Some other great indoor plants include:
- Succulents
- Aloe Vera
- Spider Plants (depends on lighting and temperature)
- Epipremnum Aureum aka Golden Pothos
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