When you’re a first-time gardener, you might want to start with some easy-to-grow plants. As a beginner, it can be hard to know which plants are the best for your needs to start with.
You need to choose plants that adapt well to many different environmental conditions and don’t require much maintenance. Also, they don’t need a lot of pruning and don’t get infected by pests very often.
This article will help you find the best plants for beginners. These plants are perfect for new gardeners, and a great way to get started in the garden.
The following are some of the best houseplants for new gardeners:
1. Money plant
One of the easiest plants to grow for beginners is the Money Plant. This plant produces small offshoots that grow in potting mix. These baby plants look similar to the parent plant and draw energy from it. Once they are small enough, they can be separated from the mother plant and replanted into a new pot.
Money plants are easy to grow from cuttings. The best soil for money plants is well-drained and loose, as this will promote faster root growth. Cocopeat moss, vermiculite, and compost are all excellent soil amendments. Money plants prefer 20% compost or vermicompost. When planting, keep the soil moist and keep the container in a bright spot. Once you’ve established a healthy root system, the money plant doesn’t need fertilizers.
The Money Plant prefers a moderate temperature and high humidity. Humidity should range from 40 to 80 per cent. If you’re trying to grow this plant in a cooler place, be sure to position it around other plants to keep the humidity up. You should also be aware that this plant needs to be watered regularly to stay healthy and prevent it from dying.
Growing a money plant requires a little patience. The plant will need several weeks to grow its roots properly. Watering it every day is recommended to keep the roots healthy. Avoid direct afternoon sun, as this will damage the plant’s growth. Alternatively, keep the container near a window or balcony so that it gets plenty of natural light. Make sure that you clean the container on a regular basis to prevent algae.
Insects can also damage money plant’s leaves. Fortunately, they aren’t a major threat. If you do notice pests, you can treat the plant with neem oil. This will repel insects and prevent the leaves from dying and getting loose.
2. Peace lily
Peace lilies are among the easiest plants to care for. You don’t need to prune them, and they’re very easy to revive. Whether you buy peace lilies off the markdown rack or get a brand-new plant, peace lilies are easy to care for. To keep peace lilies healthy and well-tended, you need to provide them with ample sunlight.
If you grow them in darkness, they’ll grow poorly and may get powdery mildew. To prevent this, give them plenty of light and protect them from splashing water. You can also use a fungicide on your peace lily if you notice that it’s suffering from powdery mildew. Remember to remove any fallen leaves, since these leaves may attract pests and diseases.
The easiest way to revive a dead Peace Lily is to place it in a deep dish and water it. After a few days, drain the excess water. Once you’re done, you can re-pot your peace lily to a new container. The plant will grow back more quickly if you give it the proper care and attention.
3. Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena Marginata can grow in a variety of soils and doesn’t require fertilizer. It does, however, require regular watering. It will tolerate dry spells but it is important to make sure the soil drains well. Check the soil’s moisture level about halfway down from the surface.
Dracaena Marginata prefers warm, humid climates. It is a great choice for a tropical garden. It looks beautiful planted in a decorative pot next to other colourful flowers or rocks. It is also ideal for a patio corner.
This plant has excellent air-purifying abilities. Its leaves filter out lead, benzene, and carbon dioxide. It also has a high antioxidant content. This makes it an excellent plant for beginning gardeners. However, it should be kept away from pets. The saponin in the leaves can be poisonous for small animals, so keep the plant far away from them.
4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is a popular houseplant because it is easy to care for and can adapt to various environments. The snake plant is a tough plant that can survive in low light and dry air. It is a great plant for people who are busy, as it requires little maintenance.
The snake plant has been around since the 1800s and has been in cultivation ever since. It was originally grown in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was named for its resemblance to a serpent’s tongue or its writhing vines.
The snake plant thrives in most conditions from high light levels with adequate humidity, but it will not tolerate full sun all day long that lacks humidity.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera grows best in a pot that drains well. Ceramic pots are ideal as they are more moisture-resistant than plastic ones. They should also have plenty of drainage holes to avoid excessive moisture buildup and the risk of root rot.
Aloe Vera grows best in bright, sunny rooms. Avoid placing it in dark rooms, which will result in burning the plant. Aloe Vera needs water about every two weeks. When it’s growing, fertilize it with fertilizer in the spring and again at the beginning of the summer.
Aloe Vera can be harvested when it is mature. This starts when additional leaves and shoots begin to emerge from the centre. First, pick the mature leaves from the outermost section of the plant, and cut them close to the base. Be careful not to break the roots and don’t over-pick them.
6. Zucchini
If you’re a first-time gardener and are curious about the best vegetables to grow in your yard, zucchini are a great choice. This popular vegetable requires less space than other plants and requires little care. However, it is important to provide enough space for the plant to grow properly. Without enough room, the plant may suffer from fungal infections and fruiting problems, which can lead to plant death.
When planting your zucchini, ensure the soil has plenty of organic matter. If the soil is too dry or too high in nitrogen, your plants may suffer. If you want to increase the growth of your zucchini, spread aged compost across the planting area. You can also use a liquid fish fertilizer or kelp fertilizer to provide extra nutrients to your plant. Make sure to choose a fertilizer with a phosphorus-rich formula. Avoid using a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content since this will reduce yields.
Plant zucchini seeds three to four weeks before you plan to plant your garden. Make sure to sow seeds a few inches deep in a shallow hole or pot. This will ensure adequate air circulation and discourage diseases.
Alternatively, buy seedlings from the nursery. In either case, use the same general care as you would a vegetable seedling. The best way to start growing your zucchini is by starting the seeds three to four weeks before the last frost. Then, prepare the planting area by raking it smooth with a hoe, or low tunnel.
Zucchini or Courgettes are one of the easiest plants for beginners to grow, and you can get plenty of fresh courgettes from just one plant. The great thing is that they grow so quickly, that you can even get your kids involved in the planting process. The best way to sow the seeds is to place one per pot. Then, when the seeds are about 15cm tall, plant them in the soil.
7. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is one of the easiest vegetables to grow for beginners and is low maintenance. Chard is a plant that grows well in cool temperatures. Ideally, it should be grown in part shade and in the spring and fall. However, once it reaches maturity, it can tolerate warmer temperatures. The first step is to start by planting seeds in a half-inch-deep hole. Then, space each seed about four or six inches apart. Then, water and fertilize the plants.
You can purchase Swiss chard seeds or start it from seed. The seeds are usually found in clusters of two to three. Then, sow them in moist, shallow soil, about half an inch deep. Space seedlings four to eight inches apart. If they get too crowded, you can harvest them while they are still young. Be careful not to disturb the roots of the remaining plants. Chard grows best in full sun, although it will tolerate a bit of shade. It needs four to six hours of direct sunlight on most days.
Most varieties are ready to harvest in fifty to sixty days. In addition, they are highly nutritious. They are high in vitamins A and C, and are also loaded with micronutrients. Besides, growing chard yourself gives you control over the growing conditions and the type of fertilizer. You can use compost, balanced organic fertilizer, or even liquid fertilizer.
After harvesting the leaves, you can plant them in containers or directly in the garden. Place seeds about half an inch apart, space them about two to three inches apart, and water them well. The seeds will sprout within seven to fourteen days. Swiss chard prefers a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5, so be sure to maintain moist and well-drained soil. This plant also prefers deep, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. Compost tea is an excellent way to improve soil fertility.
Although chard has very few pests or diseases, it can be vulnerable to leafminers and slugs. Leafminer damage is unsightly but is not fatal. Floating row covers can help keep these insects away, but you should also handpick the affected plants to avoid any damage. Slugs and snails may also affect chard. If you encounter this problem, you can use slug-proof netting to keep pests away.
8. Kale
Kale is a versatile plant that grows easily from seed. It’s low-maintenance, long-lived, and packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It’s a great choice
for first-time gardeners and is also a great addition to a variety of dishes.
Kale is a hardy plant that does well in a cool climate. You can start the seeds indoors or outdoors. It also does well in containers and raised beds. Kale needs well-drained, not-soggy soil. It also needs to be mulched, and fertilized every six to eight weeks.
Kale can be harvested multiple times if you leave the stems intact. It will grow back with new leaves on the stem. It will also grow back on the oldest leaves, which are located near the bottom of the plant. This means that you can harvest more than once, and still enjoy the flavour of fresh kale!
Kale is a great plant for indoor gardens. It grows well in containers and can even be grown on a windowsill. But for its best growth, it’s best grown outdoors. If you’re unable to do that, you can also grow it indoors, in a potting soil container.
To plant kale, remove any vegetation in the area, and dig a bed no wider than 4 feet. Water the plants once a week. You can also mulch the beds to keep the soil cool and to keep weeds and pests away.
Kale is easy to grow and will look great in containers or raised beds
9. Radishes
Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and can be harvested quickly. You can choose from a variety of colours to suit your taste. The most common varieties are red, round, or oblong. Some are spicy while others are mild. They are part of the Brassicaceae family and are planted in spring and late summer. This vegetable has a fast growth rate; smaller ones will reach maturity in 30 days while the larger varieties will take 60 days to fully mature.
Radishes grow well in containers. However, they need the same amount of space as in a regular garden. Soil that is too compacted or has low organic matter will hinder the growth of the radish plant. In such soil, you should add sand to the bottom of the container to improve drainage. In addition, you should also use aged compost or an all-purpose fertilizer.
Radishes are best planted in early spring before the soil dries out too much. Since radishes are shallow plants, they need deeper watering than plants that have deeper roots. However, deeper watering will encourage subsurface root growth.
10. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are easy-to-start plants that need low maintenance. They prefer moist soil with adequate drainage and warmth. Add 2 inches of compost or aged manure to the soil. You can also use peat to improve the soil before planting. If you’re growing your cucumbers outdoors, consider using drip irrigation to keep the soil moist and free from diseases.
The most important thing to remember when growing cucumbers is to water them frequently. They require about an inch of water a week. If you don’t water them enough, they will not grow well and may result in bitter-tasting fruit. It’s also important to water cucumbers at the base of the plant, as wet foliage encourages leaf diseases. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation is the best way to water cucumbers. It’s also a good idea to use fertilizer every three weeks to keep your cucumbers looking great.
Cucumbers need fertile, warm soil. Their soil pH needs to be between 6.0 and 6.8. Cucumbers are easy-to-grow plants for first-time gardeners because of their easy care. Cucumbers need an inch of water every week. You should also use water-soluble plant food to make the soil better for growing cucumbers. Mulch around your cucumber plants regularly to prevent weeds from growing. Using straw mulch around your plant’s will.
11. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata)
Ponytail Palms are a fantastic choice for novices because they are relatively simple to grow and can withstand a variety of environmental factors.
The Ponytail Palm is not a heavy feeder, but it does require feeding once a month in spring and summer. Water-soluble fertilizers can be used at half of their recommended dosage. However, ponytail palms should not be fertilized during winter. You can start growing Ponytail Palms from seed or from offsets. After you have started planting, you should keep the soil moist and rich.
One of the most common problems with this plant is pests and diseases. While the Ponytail Palm is a hardy plant and will grow well in a container, it can be susceptible to scale, aphids, and mealybugs. You can control these pests by treating the plant with an organic neem oil solution. Ponytail palms are also susceptible to Botrytis blight and bacterial leaf streak. These insects will feed on the sap of the tree’s leaves and cause damage to the plant.
If you are new to gardening and have never planted before, this list of easy-to-care and low-maintenance plants will provide you with everything you need to start growing this season.
Further, it’s best to start with a small number of houseplants that have comparable growing requirements if you’re a beginner. In this manner, you can effortlessly incorporate them into your schedule and you don’t need to care for them individually.
Enjoy Gardening!!
