Top 5 Houseplants for Beginners

Talking Plants

Jillian Patrie | University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Extension

Whether you are just starting your houseplant journey or have been collecting for years, here are the top 5 houseplants UMN-Clay County Extension Educator Jill Patrie thinks you should try out for 2025.
Cacti or Succulents: the number one trick to cacti or succulents is NOT watering them!  In most cases during the winter, you may only water cacti or succulents once a month or less!  Succulent leaves will turn wrinkled or feel squishy to the touch if gently pinched when they need a drink.  If succulent leaves feel firm and look plump, don’t water them.  Cacti cannot be checked with the pinch method, but once a month is a good watering schedule to stick to. Cacti and succulents do not have many houseplant pests or diseases either, just set them in a sunny window and enjoy their unique qualities.
Pothos: These vining treasures can live just about anywhere in your home thriving in indirect sunlight as well as bright direct sunlight.  Watering these 1-2 times every month as they are not generally a thirsty plant.  Pothos can be easily propagated in water or soil by cutting sections from the vines.
Philodendron: Choose an upright one like a split leaf (different from Monstera deliciosa) or a vining one such as Brazil to brighten up your space.  There are several types of philodendrons, but their care needs are very similar.  Philodendrons prefer a bright window, and the light can be indirect or direct, however they can do well in medium light situations such as across the room from a large window.  All philodendrons make aerial roots (roots that grow out of the container) this is how they multiply in their natural environment.  This quality makes them very easy to propagate and share with others.
Hoya: A low maintenance houseplant that produces beautiful and very fragrant blooms throughout the year.  Hoya are more closely related to succulent plants when it comes to care.  Most hoya have a succulent like leaf that will also look wrinkled or squishy to the touch when it needs water.  Hoya like bright direct sunlight and can come in multiple colors options.  The more sunlight the leaves are exposed to, the better the chance the leaves will remain multi-colored.  When blooms do appear, they will last 1-2 weeks, filling the room with a sweet floral scent.  Hoya can come down with a case of mealybugs once and a while, so remember to scout your houseplants regularly to catch any pests before they become a major issue.
Last but not the least is Sansevieria AKA mother in law’s tongue, AKA snake plant.  These plants come in a variety of colors and shapes that sometimes look like they are from another planet.  An old but popular houseplant choice for beginners and veterans alike, the rare ones are highly sought after by collectors!  Sansevieria can handle low to medium light situations as they are an understory plant in their natural environment.  They do not need to be watered often and will look wrinkled when they need a drink.  They multiply by sending up “pups” much like hen and chicks, that can be separated from the primary plant by gently breaking them off.  They will flower on occasion and the flower looks like a rhubarb flower; a spike will come up from the center with flowers coming off the main stem.
As with all houseplants it is important to have them in a container with a drainage hole or some other way to let excess water drain away from the roots.  Overwatering is the number one reason houseplant owners struggle with easy care houseplants.  For more information on houseplant care check out https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/houseplants.  For information on houseplants and pet safety visit https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.
For questions about this article or local assistance please contact Clay County Extension Educator Jill Patrie at 218-299-7338 or by email at patri350@umn.edu.

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