A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Beginner Plants

Welcome! I think I posted this in another thread, but I'll same the same thing here. I'm not a houseplant expert. But here's my experience with spider plants. I have one that spent about a year in the garage. Then it spent another 6 months or so in the basement, untended. It's fine. It might not be as big or vigorous than it could have been if I'd remembered it (yikes), but it's alive!! (why am I feeling so ashamed right now?)

Welcome Taylor!

One of the easiest beginner houseplants you can grow is a philodendron, or it's variegated (green and white or yellowish) cousin, pothos. They like indirect sun - meaning no direct sun - and will thrive with a little bit of water. OR you can actually grow it in a vase of water. It is a vining plant and will grow as long as you let it, or you can cut it back and then root the cuttings in water.

Good luck, and join us down in banter hall when you feel comfortable!

Thanks pots for the lovely welcome! I feel so at home here already. I Googled some pictures of the Philodendron and they are pretty. I am going to see if I can find one for sale online, or should I go to a nursery?

I don't know where you live, but you could even find those plants in a WalMart type store, or Home Depot, Lowes, etc - if you didn't want to get them online. They are pretty inexpensive, but lovely to look at!

How about philadendrum? Not sure if I have the spelling right on this.

They are VERY easy, actually. I have 3 that require next to NO care. My smallest has vines around 2 foot, my largest has vines next to 6-7 feet. They are Pothos I believe, but not positive. Either way, they are in the same family.

Key to those is honestly neglect. You dont want to over water, less water is better. They respond well to watering and telling you when they need it.

Water when the top inch of the soil is dry, overwatering causes them to limp. You get a hang of it quickly with them though.

Another good recommendation for plants good for beginners and LIKE spider plants is the wandering jew. All 3 of mine are within 5 feet of a window and doing very well. Theres a few variations, all are easy and get large!! They are easy to get cuttings from as well.

pssssssst - look above - I posted about philodendrums here on June 12!

yep--Plants N pots is right---I have several that are over 29 years old and all I do to have more is cut off a piece of hte end and put it in water for awhile until it roots. then they can be planted as a new plant.


Good luck