Pot it like it's Hot!

Hello Lovelies! I think for my first post back, we're gonna keep things lighthearted. A friend of mine asked me to write a post to help her keep her plants alive, so lets start there.

So let me start by saying this: I am not an expert. I wouldn't even consider myself to be that knowledgeable. I keep my plants alive through sheer force of will, and a whole lot of Aries stubbornness.... Oh. And also my BFF Google.

But Real Talk: Google is the key to happy plants. Make sure when you're getting plants, especially if you're a beginner; you know what you're getting. It will make searching for its individual needs a lot easier (and also more accurate).

In the meantime, here are some great starter plants that don't need to much to thrive, and will give you lots of love in return.

1. ZZ Plant Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

These little babies only need to be watered about once every 3 months, and don't need a lot of light, so you can keep them virtually anywhere.

Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.

2. Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

Spider plants are pretty low key, they need to be watered semi-regularly; meaning that if you forget to water them for a few weeks, they might not be happy, but they won't die. Just water when the soil is dry, and you'll see them thrive and grow at a quick pace. They even self propagate! Meaning they will essentially make little babies of themselves.

Pet Safety: Spider plants are non toxic to dogs and cats, however it is a mild hallucinogenic, so your cats may be more drawn to play with it. If your kitties nibble on this guy to much, it can cause upset stomach, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Tip: Spider plants enjoy more acidic soil, so if your little bud is struggling, you can put a few coffee grounds in the soil to help raise the pH.

3. Snake Plant Sansevieria

Snake plants are another great low maintenance option, as they can survive in low light (but they do thrive more in medium to high light areas) and don't need meticulous watering; just water when the soil is dry to the touch. Another great benefit to snake plants is that they are great air purifiers!

Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.

4. Aloe Aloe Vera

Aloe are a great addition to any home in my opinion. Not only do they bring a lot of character to a space with their spiky little leaves, they are also very functional. The gel inside the aloe leaves is a great balm for a variety of small cuts and burns (especially sunburns). Aloe requires a little more work than someone the plants I've already talked about since they do need to be watered more regularly, and you'll want to keep them by a window that sees some decent light. That being said, aloe only needs to be watered once the top 2 inches of the soil is dry, so it's easy to keep track of when they need a drink.

Pet Safety: Toxic to both cats and dogs.

5. Rubber Plant Ficus Elastica

Rubber plants are a great eye catching plant that can grow to be a beautiful floor piece. They need semi regular watering, meaning you just need to allow the soil to dry before watering them again. However these do need to be in a well lit area of the home to truly thrive. Like the snake plant, rubber plants (also known as rubber figs) are great for purifying the air in a room.

Pet Safety: Non-Toxic to dogs and cats.

And there you have it folks, five great starter plants for anyone wanting to add some green to their space! I leaned more towards plants that are ideal for smaller spaces like apartments, as this is what I have the most experience with.

I hope you all enjoyed this piece, and if you did let me know! If you have any other plants questions feel free to leave a comment here, or on the blog Facebook Page!

Until then, Happy Gardening.

xoxo

Kass Daily