plants for people who "kill everything" 🌿
have you served a sentence in plant jail for murder? this list includes low-fuss houseplants for plant beginners, type-B plant parents, and those who can’t seem to keep anything alive.
they don’t have to be expensive ether! plants go on sale all the time at big box stores, i’ve gotten many of mine from: home depot, lowe’s, trader joes, whole foods, target, ikea and walmart. people will also sell small, starter plants on facebook marketplace or they’re moving and you score a mature raven ZZ with 6 separate plants in the pot for under $100 because someone is moving.
KEY PRINCIPLES 🌱
💧 underwatering is usually safer than overwatering. imagine drinking until you’re no longer thirsty and then someone keeps pouring water down your throat. that’s your plant sitting in constantly wet soil. when in doubt, check the soil before watering again.
🚿 when you water, WATER. for most of these plants, thoroughly soak the soil from the top until water runs through the drainage holes, then let the excess drain completely. don’t leave the pot sitting in standing water.
🚰 tap water is fine for most of these plants. if you have particularly hard water or a sensitive plant, filtered or distilled water may help—but you don’t need fancy water for most beginner houseplants
☀️ bright indirect light: a bright spot near a window where the plant gets lots of light without sitting in harsh direct sun for hours
🌤️ medium indirect light: farther from a window but still somewhere that receives plenty of natural daylight
🌥️ low light: a dimmer spot farther from a window—like a corner or recessed shelf—but low light does not mean no light. if you could comfortably read there during the day without turning on a lamp, you’re generally in the right territory
