Are you looking to add some greenery to your living space but have no idea where to start? You're not alone! Indoor plants are a great way to spruce up any room, but getting started can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the world of plant parenthood.

In this beginner's guide to indoor plants, we'll be sharing expert tips and tricks from Plunt.co on how to choose the right plants for your space, how to care for them, and more.

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a newbie to the plant world, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to keep your indoor plants thriving. So, let's get started and bring a little bit of nature inside your home!

What are some easy indoor plants for beginners to care for? 

We believe all plants come with challenges so what's easy for some may not be easy for others. It's about how well the plant fits into your environment and care routine.

But if we really have to name a plant, we will go for the Everfresh Tree which we christened "Best Plant Ever". It grows easily and fast with good light, is pet safe and pretty to look at. Other easier plants would be the Pachira Aquatica and the hardy snake plant. 

Pithecellobium Confertum, Everfresh Tree

Featured: Pithecellobium Confertum, Everfresh Tree 
Photo credit: Plunt.co

What are some plants that are good for a small space with limited sunlight?

Most plants don't need full direct sun throughout the day. In fact, a few hours of bright indirect light or semi-shade is sufficient to keep most plants happy. There are many varieties of smaller ferns and begonias that would be happy in semi-shade and the ZZ plant, Dracaenas and Sansevierias in full shade.

However, we often caution customers that those plants that can tolerate full shade doesn't mean they will grow well in shade.

Begonia

Featured: Begonia
Photo credit: Plunt.co

I’m not sure if I’m overwatering or under watering. How can I tell?

In most circumstances, we could often tell by the leaves. Plants suffering from watering issues often display yellowing, droopy, curling or brown leaves. Different plants react differently, so we have to also look at other factors, such as the environment, the weather and the plant itself to better gauge if you are over or under-watering a plant.

A few of my plants aren’t doing well because of pests. How do I prevent them? 

The first thing about having plants is to accept that all plants come with pests. You either see it now, or later, no fault of yours. We encourage regular pest prevention measures such as washing the leaves on a regular basis and then spraying them with pest control solutions. Weekly will be good. If not, biweekly.

Having said that, it doesn't mean that you will not encounter any pest after implementing some of the above measures.. It only reduces the likelihood of major infestations. If you are unlucky enough to have a major infestation on one or more plants, the first thing to do is to separate them from your other plants and look for targeted solutions to resolve them. There are plenty of resources online to address your pests problems. And if after many failed attempts at resolving the issues, it may be better to discard the plant.  

How often should I fertilise my plants?

For us, we believe that it is always better to under-fertilise then over. By under-fertilising, the worst case scenario is slower growth. By over-fertilising, you run the risk of fertiliser burn which can sometimes kill the entire plant.

There are many different brands of fertiliser in the market and they each come with their own application instructions. For slow release fertiliser, it may be 3 to 6 months before you need to reapply. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this expert tips on indoor plants! Head over to Plunt.co for more plant inspirations and tips!

April 24, 2023 — Daphnie Teo

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