Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.
She has conducted or assisted on research studies covering trees such as the bald cypress, swamp maple, and water tupelo, as well as important marsh grasses including Juncus, Spartina, and Phragmites.
Kiersten is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.
Houseplants are wonderful for bringing a sense of light and life to any room in the house. However, keeping them alive and healthy, especially if you’re new to being a ‘plant parent’ can be a tough task.
All plants require different levels of sunlight, water, and the right kind of soil to thrive. Thankfully, there are different plants that are easier to keep alive than others, making them perfect for those new to raising plants. There are plenty to choose from, so it's hard to pick (honorable mentions include Monstera Deliciosa, Arrowhead Plant, English Ivy, African Violet, etc.), but here are our top picks:
The Moon Orchid is a stunning house plant that’s easy to maintain. Although some versions of Orchid are notoriously difficult to raise, the Moon Orchid can survive in many different conditions.
For beginners, the only thing you need to know is that the Moon Orchid loves a humid environment, with bright indirect sunlight. If you know that one simple rule, it can help you choose the perfect spot for your Orchid. And even if you forget to care for it everyday, it will still manage to grow and thrive.
Golden Pothos Vines are one of the most commonly seen houseplants. This hanging vine features dual-colored, yellow, and green leaves that become rather large.
Golden Pothos vines grow aggressively and don’t require much upkeep to do it. They can even grow in low light (but thrive ideally in bright indirect light)! They do need moist soil, though, so check our app for ways to stay on top of it. These vines are also easy to propagate, especially in water.
Along with the ZZ plant and African Spear Plant, the Golden Pothos is one ideal house plant to give as a gift.
The Spider Plant is a stunning indoor plant, with long, thin leaves, and its flower is usually white and found at the end of its long stems. The green leaves are edged with a pale yellow/cream color gives the plant a bit of finesse and elegance.
Ideally, Spider plants love to have access to bright but bright indirect light, as well as regular watering. However, they don’t require a lot of care and can grow even in low light.
They are also suitable for regular houseplant potting soil. They grow easily and create small plantlets on long stems that form a beautiful hanging display. As one of the most popular hanging plants, the Spider Plant is also known as one of the most low-maintenance indoor plants.
Looking for detailed, step-by-step instructions on watering your plants? By using physics and machine learning to predict the water needs of any plant in any environment, the Greg plant care app will help you grow healthy plants with confidence. Download the app today!
Snake plants, also called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, are indoor plants known best for air-purifying abilities. They’re incredibly sturdy and tough plants that can handle almost anything except overwatering.
This is because the roots of this plant are exceptionally vulnerable to rotting. Our app can help you manage your watering schedule so that you prevent this from happening.
Ideal conditions for a Snake plant are bright indirect sunlight, regular waterings, along with well-draining soil that prevents root rot. Its attractive qualities makes it one of the best plants for beginners.
Money plants may well be one of the easiest vines to grow in a household. They’re so keen to grow and thrive––requiring minimal effort on your part––that even the most novice of beginners will succeed.
Money plants require some direct sunlight (in fact, it is one of those plants that like full sun and heat) throughout the day and a weekly watering schedule. They grow well in regular potting mix, and they’re easy to propagate.
Photo by Momontheradcarpet
The Dracaena species of plants––including the dragon plant––are easy to grow and do very well in household environments. They can survive and flourish in varying conditions and possess a sturdy, woody stem and arching leaves on top that create a stunning combination. The Dracaena family is also known as some of the best air purifying house plants.
Prayer plants feature beautiful leaves in shades of greens and mustard with a unique, stripe-like design. This gorgeous plant is ideal for a low-light environment with a high humidity content. They are a great option for bathrooms, although they can still survive well even if the environmental conditions vary. The best soil for a Prayer plant is peat-based.
Succulents come in many shapes and sizes and are exceptionally easy to care for. Succulents are characterized by their thick, fleshy leaves. Common examples are Aloe Vera and Agave plants. And because they’re closely related to cacti, it’s no wonder that they are some of the best dry climate plants. But some can withstand cold climates. Hardy succulents, in particular, can withstand below-freezing temperatures, making them some of the best indoor plants for cold weather. These are truly some hardy plants.
Beginners need only to place them in an area with sun exposure. Succulents can manage just fine without almost everything else and don’t require much watering and upkeep.
Photo by Valeria
Kalanchoes are a beautiful flowering plant with rich green leaves and bright flowers in various shades of orange, red, pink, and yellow, creating stunning contrasts.
The flowers are small in size and surrounded by leaves on all sides, with the whole plant resembling a bouquet, even though it’s technically a succulent and not a flowering plant. Florist Kalanchoe loves living under full sun and grows well in a mixture of sand and potting soil.
Lucky Bamboos are long-lasting, tree-like plants often seen in offices due to their neat and elegant appearance. They belong to the Dracaena family and are easy to grow and maintain. Even beginners who are not used to watering regularly can keep a thriving Lucky Bamboo in their house! Especially if you use our app to help keep you on track.
Lucky Bamboos can do well no matter the humidity and temperature levels, or the air quality and bright light. In some cultures, Lucky Bamboos are considered good luck, hence the name.
When first starting out, the best plants for beginners don’t require a ton of upkeep. Keep in mind the basic needs and necessities of all plants––like well-draining soil, good light exposure, and access to water––and beyond that, just have fun being a new plant parent!
Looking for the best air purifying house plants? Check out this detailed guide to find out!
