buds for beginners

Aspiring plant parent? Start here.

› By Katie McPherson

Fiddle leaf fig trees are all the rage in interior design right now, but they’re… how to put it nicely… delicate. And how many orchids will have to die in wannabe plant lovers’ hands? If you’re tired of replacing yet another wilted plant but still want some greenery in your home, you need a plant that lives the “set it and forget it” life. Here are some easy keepers that are pros at ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin’ alive.

Snake Plant

This plant is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, so you know it won’t go down without a fight. It does well in low light, and too much water will cause it to rot. In fact, it only needs one or two waterings indoors during the winter. It basically thrives on being ignored, so put it where you want it and walk away.

Aloe Vera

This skin soother only needs water every two to three weeks. If you choose to take one on, make sure you let its soil dry out between each watering. Otherwise, set it in some bright,

Pothos

If you need a trailing plant to adorn a fireplace mantle or fill a plant hanger, the pothos is a nearly invincible choice. They can grow to be 10 feet long if you let them, or you can trim o small cuttings and grow new plants. Prune to keep them fuller at the base, and keep them in indirect (or even dim) light. These little guys can even thrive under fluorescent o ce lights.

bright light, which causes it to produce more flowers but also does just fine in low light. When kept indoors, it only needs to be watered about once a week and even less frequently in fall and winter to help promote its blooming cycle. Prune to keep Sources:

Air Plants

The ultimate survivors, air plants don’t even need soil to grow. That’s why you always see these little fellows inside terrariums and delicate hanging planters. They simply need to be misted once per week to retain their moisture.