Whether you’re a plant hobbyist or just someone remotely interested in plants, it can be quite daunting to decide where to start your plant journey. My recommended starting point is getting your favourite plant. I think this is a great idea because it keeps you motivated and there’s nothing as satisfying as seeing plant you love flourish.
Choosing a plant
A good plant to start with is one that carries some sort of memory for you. I started my journey with an African Violet because it was my mum’s favorite plant and gosh, she killed so many of them trying to propagate them from a leaf. So why this plant you may ask?
Well, I do like a bit of a challenge, but I’ll be honest. I’ve never tried to propagate African violets from a leaf, instead I buy them from the local nursery. When it comes to African Violets, I have a zero propagation approach. In case you’re wondering why. It’s because my aunt had these plants and I remember my mum making countless trips to get leaf cuttings. She’d place them in a water glass by the kitchen window and check for growth every couple of days to no avail.
That’s not to say it’s impossible to start them off from leaf cuttings, no. It’s just a bit more challenging and requires a big dose of patience. So, in a nutshell, choose a plant that feels right for you and keeps you energized on indoor gardening journey. Easy plants are peace lily, Monstera deliciosa (swiss cheese plant) and many species of succulents.
Choosing the right location in your home
Different plants have different lighting requirements and it is important to keep this in mind when you’re considering the ideal location for your plant. Some plants require low light for example, snake plant (Sansevieria/ mother in law’s tongue). Other’s need moderate lighting such as Peace lily and African violet. Yet still others require bright lighting to thrive such as many cacti species.