My diffenbachia was the first plant I ever owned while in a toxic relationship where she never grew more than 3 leaves. The day I left she started to flourish and is now my large and in charge plant. I call her my soul plant; when I'm happy, she's happy.
It's amazing how plants just know the environment and their owners. I had a similar experience with my fiddle leaf fig. I tried so hard to get her to branch out and not be so leggy but as soon as I got away from a toxic living situation she suddenly exploded with growth. Today 10 years later she is my most prized plant and is now twice my size. She's a literal tree in the sunny corner of my bathroom with gorgeous long golden pothos trailing down the sides of her container 😊
The Dieffenbachia was nicknamed, yes because it has toxic properties, but there is a MUCH deeper meaning. Slavers in the Caribbean would force feed this plant to slaves to render them 'dumb' (unable to speak) as a punishment. Read up about it, I was shocked when I found out and always correct/inform.
I agree with you with everything except anthurium. It was one of my first purchases and mine did well however I had a humidifier. But I ordered it. Bc I love those juicy roots. It was a $45 plant from planterina but you're right in that I probably got lucky. I thought croton we're cool at first until it died a slow death dropping leaf by leaf. Great video.
They're nice to have. I have a Brasil, lemon lime one, and the normal green one. The plain green one is growing super fast and is becoming really pretty. The other two are a bit slower growing. But still like them.
Absolutely. Mine is always pushing new growth, and it’s nice to have a splash of dark green against all my other fun and variegated or special plants. The Brazil is gorgeous too when she starts to get going. Mine came from a grocery store as a rescue so mine is looking a little rough but she’s getting there
Last year I randomly ordered a red maranta offline cause it was so pretty. It was the first plant I’ve bought in a couple years and quickly started going downhill. I decided I was determined to keep it alive and become a plant person so I looked online for plant videos (found all the plant TH-camrs) and joined so many fb groups. My girl is happily living in my shower and I now have over 100 plants!
That cool! I had one for like 2 years with bo issues at all, even flowered. Then one day out of nowhere her leaves just rolled up and it was a slow painful death after that. I tried everything to bring her back but failed 😅
I agree with all the plants you mention. I would add Fiddle Leaf Fig to your list. I have seen time and time again people's Fig plants dying and or struggling with them and leaves dropping, etc.
True but I think it’s a really good learning experience as a beginner! The small ones are relatively inexpensive so if it turns into a stick, it’s nbd and the plant parent learns something!
Agree! Everyone sees them on tv, or in rich and famous celebrities houses and they want one! Although I've spotted a lot of artificial plants on camera throughout the pandemic. I would also add Ferns to the list, so many people buy them, and they are not the easiest much like Calathea and Anthuriums.
I’ve found fiddles too be so easy tho…! I’ve had mine for a year. I wouldn’t call myself a beginner collector, but I’ve only ever had pothos and spider plants in the past… 17 years. During COVID, I started expanding my collection and a fiddle was the first new plant I bought.
@@yukiaditya7352 It was really the lighting for mine, I think. My apartment isn't well lit and at the time I hadn't yet ventured into supplemental lighting. This is great info, thanks!
Just bought mine a few weeks ago all leaves turned yellow, I thought it had root rot- I repotted everything was fine healthiest roots ever, then i thought it was lightning but it definitely got enough but not too much, temperature is also out (I guess) because none of my other plants ever complained 😂🥴
@@julianova7060 probably they are just adapting. my first one is almost dropping all of her leaves. As soon as I repotted her with more cacti mix, she thrives back.
Alocasia black velvet was one of my first houseplants😅 I bought it with 6 leaves and within a month it was down to two, but here we are three months later and its put out its first leaf with me and even has a pup! The journey was definitely crazy tho😂
I killed my first one fast. Bought 2 more and they are doing good now. Put out 2 flowers this summer. The problem I have with them though is the end of the leaves browning. Cant figure out why.
@@alliejoy729 they do but it looks more like a pregnant tube and not like a traditional flower. I use a moisture meter and water it when it hits a 3. I have 3 alocasia and they are all doing good.
My alocasia sinuata flowered. It then produced nothing but flowers (they kinda stink btw). I was told you should cut them so I did... Not one new leaf in 10 months and now the tips are browning and it's dying from the outer leaves in. I'm down to 2. 😩
Ugh!!! My black velevet confused me!!! It did sooo good the first month I had it, even gave me two new leaves!! And then right after, the older leaves started to get crispy and then within like three weeks, the whole plant died 😭 I'm still new so I'm gonna wait on that one since I have issues with getting the humidity high enough
I agree with all of these except for Crotons. They do like strong light, even some direct sun if you have it and they don't like drying out ALL the way, but I have 4 that are thriving in my house. I really don't think they're as difficult as people say. I just keep them close to windows and try not to let them dry out too much and they're doing great. and I live in Tempe, so humidity is not the issue.
I find them easy to grow here, too. I use a humidifier because it is BONE dry here, but they're doing fine. I should put them in more light so they will grow faster, but those spots are already crowded. :)
Croton petra is the only croton that was developed to be an indoor plant. The rest are, as you mentioned, to be grown outside. They like tons of light, warmth, and humidity to get those vibrant colors. I have a petra for about two years now and it is doing well, it is not very colorful due to lack of bright direct light but all in all it has been easy and puts out two to three leaves on a regular basis.
That must be the one i have. Put it in a dark corner (before i became a responsible plant mom) and the new leaves stareted coming out soooo small and lost their color. Now I have it in my south facing window with a boost of a grow light in the winter, and she is back to her former glory! Im starting to love her again!
Calathea was my first love when it comes to plants, and they still are my favorites. I never really had any major problems with them, except for my Rattlasnake, which unfortunately hates me and I don't know why. I have like 7 different Calathea currently, and they are all (except my Rattlesnake) doing great. I think the important thing is to go easy on the watering. They hate to be wet. Once you find the right balance (not too dry, but certainly not too wet) you will be ok for the most part. My house is rarely above 55% humidity and they seem to be fine with that. Now Dieffenbachia. is another story. They are marketed as 'easy plants' but they have been a nightmare for me. I don't see myself purchasing another Dieffenbachia as I don't want to go through that emotianl rollercoaster again. I have tried everything to make them happy, and they just aren't. They crisp up and die no matter what. Croton.. I actually have one in a terrarium and it is doing great in there. Probably because it gets plenty of humidity. I did buy one two years ago and it died in less than two months. It hated my house. I agree with you, they are not really suitable as houseplants, but I do think they are beautiful as outdoor trees.
This is so funny! My Calathea rattlesnake is the one that has been super easy going and just thriving in my kitchen. My medallion and makoyana are doing okay. I tossed my maranta bc it just kept growing new dried leaves. Dumbcane. Ugh mine is still alive but the leaves keep turning yellow and Im quite over it. It just will not thrive.
@@empressm6 I honestly don't know what It am doing wrong with my rattlesnake. It gets the exact same care as my other calathea. Are there any care requirments specific to rattlesnakes that I don't know about?
@@packer812 Honestly I don’t know. I have all 3 of my calatheas (medallion, makoyana & rattlesnake) in the same place. The rattlesnake looks perfect while the other two get a little brown on the edges. 🤷🏽♀️
I never got why people don't like calathea tbh. I guess they die for other people, but the calatheas I have are thriving. Maybe because it's very humid where I live?
@@Naranylla I really like them also. They can just be a bit temperamental. They love humidity so they would absolutely thrive where you live. There’s a few more Id like to acquire but winter in the Northeast… 🤷🏽♀️
I think it really depends on what climate zone you live in. Like in the desert cacti will thrive, but not so much in a rainforest. I'm not a big fan of these videos, because they only represent one corner of the world. I'm not a plant expert nor a beginner but most of the plants I own, that are supposed to be hard are doing pretty well. Like I own some calatheas and a velvet alocasia and they still look beautiful. Most likely because I live some where with very high humidity. Keep growing
It's more about how much it cost rather than their looks, some people may not be able to invest so much in a plant that needs more care than common house plants, most anthurium need high humidity, enclosed cases and grow lights that beginners don't know much about
The Dieffenbachia was my first long lasting house plant, and they're still going strong five years later; I had absolutely no idea they were such a tough plant to grow! I should probably be more careful with them now that I know this, thank you! Edit: Plot twist; Dieffenbachias aren't meant to look like that... rip
Same! Dieffenbachia was my 1st plant purchase ever 1 yr ago and that plant is thriving and growing like a weed. Had no idea it would get that bag in a year's time.
My first house plant was a Calathea Ornata (Cleo), she's a little tricky and I'm still figuring her out but I've enjoyed having a more challenging starter plant just because it's helped me learn how to respond to her needs and she has made those more forgiving plants much easier to understand.
I guess I just have ideal conditions for it because my Dieffenbachia is like the healthiest and least sensitive plant in my collection. My alocasia polly is quite happy as well! Sub tropical climate helps :)
Same! I’m new to plants and got a LOT at once (like she recommends us not do 😂) and while they’re all alive still, including the sad abandoned snake plant I found at death’s door, the dieffenbachia is by far the happiest and fastest grower of the bunch and has let me know that I do not in fact have a brown thumb.
The best Beginner plant for me was the Peace Lily. I was a super overwater-er when I began and with the Peace Lily being basically a bog plant it was one of the first plants I didn’t kill from overwatering. Now, with the Domino Peace Lily available with some fun variegations and her being an even more stable plant, this might be Perfect for the new over-loving (over-watering) plant parent. Only big rule with them: no direct sun, they burn within hours ♥️🪴🚿🤗
direct sun is fine as long as the window does a good job of keeping the intensity low. i have mine in by my window and it is in beams of light all day. Its doing AMAZING!
@@coagulatedsalts4711 same, my Peace Lily Sensations is my Southwest window, and it hasn't burned. I wanted it in a place that would encourage the flowering, but it is a very large plant, so it's definitely very established and that makes a difference as well.
yess I had the pleasure of reviving mine from my moms care and I felt really proud of myself! also incredibly vocal with watering. Right now its two meters from a south facing window and its doing great ( despite it being a low "light plant")
I love Croton, I have many varieties, never had an issue with this plant. I learned as a beginner way back when that Croton doesn’t want to dry out ever, likes moist soil always, but not sipping wet. Mine are north and west window and flourishing,
Croton was the first plant I seriously bought and I loved it! I neglected it and it thrived but when I started to take care of it I was so scared of overwatering I ended up letting it dry out too much and it dropped four leaves on me 😭 I’ve learned my lesson now but I think they’re such pretty plants!
You’re lucky, I inherited two, have mine split apart so the foliage receive sun, on the ledge of a large north west window. Their new leaves want to stay green ugh. It’s a warm window. Some of my other plants hate it there. But I’m in Montreal so maybe that’s why
I totally agree 👍 I've been collecting sansevieria since 2012. I started with Sansevieria and Aloe Vera then ZZ Raven. In recent years I ventured out to different plants because I started watching TH-cam channel. Now I am overwhelmed so I am going back to what I am best at. I have about 25 different varieties of Sansevieria and they are my favorite.
My crotons are doing great with combination of grow light + west facing window. I had most of these plants as a beginneer (couple years ago), I think I overall did well /avoided most of these issues because I live somewhere with medium tempatures (no extremes) and good humidity (San Francisco). Most crotons are pretty cheap so good to just see if they work imo, they so beautiful.
right?? i was so offended (kind of joking) when said she said they thought ugly. I honestly think there's tons of more expensive plants/overrated plants that are a lot uglier!!
most of my plants are calathea and my first one was an ornata, they haven’t died and they’ve put out lots of growth! i love them and have had such good luck
I have a Mamey Croton with beautiful red leaves and it is THRIVING. I’ve gotten sooo much new growth in the past two weeks. I have it under my LED grow strips on my shelving unit for 12+ hours every day. I water it when the top two inches of soil are dry, otherwise these plants can be verrry dramatic (like Peace Lillies) when they need to be watered. As long as you have good grow lights, if you want a Croton, get one!
Crotons are beautiful OUTSIDE plants, go to the islands and you see them everywhere outdoors pretty much like Azalea here in North Carolina. Unless you have a sun room or skyline I wouldn't suggest growing them inside. I love Crotons and have several of them in my frontyard. I love their vibrant colors. 🌱
Great list. One of my first plants was a Rattlesnake Calathea, which I had heard was one of the easier ones. I did a bunch of research on the genus and ended up amending the soil after about six months. It completely took off and i had to repot it two more times the following spring because it was growing so much! I ended up passing it on to downsize a bit, but it ended up being a great first plant for me. I learned a lot! But I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. 🙂
What do you mean by amending the soil? I haven't taken mine out of the grow pot it came in, since it was doing so well and this plant scares me, but I think it's going to need attention soon
@@sarahleeann7208 amending the soil means adding in other materials to change the moisture holding properties. So I like to add a lot of perlite to make the ratio about 50% soil and 50% perlite. This helps make water drain through faster and provide more oxygen to the roots. If yours seems happy, then I wouldn’t sweat it! But I did notice that after I made the change, a bunch more leaves started popping up! Since we’re heading into winter, growth is slowing down quite a bit, so it’s not the best time to change up the soil and disturb the roots. Maybe reevaluate in the spring. Hope that helps! Also, Addy Beez has lots of videos specifically about Calathea. That’s where I got the inspiration to try perlite. She’s a great source of knowledge!
I would say Anthurium Clarinervium is the exception to the Anthurium rule 😁 I got mine quite early on and as anthurium go they don't need as much humidity. I got mine in the early days. And they are on the lowest end price wise for Anthurium and I think they're are great starter anthurium 😊
My rex has always been super easy. I almost didn't buy it because I heard they were kinda picky. It was one of the first plants I bought and it's been so easy going. It's so interesting how different plants fail/succeed with different people. Some that I struggle to keep alive the next people has no problems and vice versa.
I’m absolutely obsessed with my prayer plant. She is incredibly happy just doin her thing. I do however have her still in a nursery pot and that pot it’s on a bowl of Leca and water… she’s been such easy care that way.
The secret to dumb canes is bright light and never over water. Even my mother grew one plant into 8 plants about 7 ft tall. You do have to cut them back when they get leggy.
yesss!! it confused me when she said that plant first. it was one of my very first plants but has never had any issues for me! i feel lucky to know I've been able to keep it alive lol
They don't get as leggy if you cover the topsoil with moss, I had one years ago that only put out about 3-4 leaves at a time until I did this and it helped it bush out more
@@marieknight9385 Legginess comes from insufficient light or age. It can also get very lucky if you don’t rotated on a regular basis.. The moss holds the moisture in the soil longer. From my extensive background as an interior landscaping designer, moss doesn’t impact the legginess of the plant. It’s more light rotation and proper watering
@@marieb3630 well you weren't there when I did this and I know for a fact it was the moss because the soil and lighting didn't change, just the one addition. The pot and watering schedule were the same too, so just because you think you're an expert doesn't change my personal experience
@@marieknight9385 Just giving you the scientific information. I never said it didn’t happen I just said that moss not impact the growth of the plant. Why so defensive? I am an expert because I am educated and paid lots of money to do what I do. I don’t get involved in this kind of crazy bantering, not worth the time. Just trying to help you in the future.
I love the motherly knowledge your dropping. Yes, my darling, it’s pretty and it looks fun but listen to me. There is heartbreak ahead and I want you to learn from my mistakes. As a mom I can appreciate this so much!
You are very correct especially about the croton, I'm from the Caribbean and crotons grow magnificently here in brilliant full sun, they aren't meant for a sad corner next to a couch in an apartment, nice video.😊😊
I have loved all of your videos and definitely appreciate your advice: Weird though: was surprised to hear about the croton! I'm a new plant mom and my second plant was a gold dust croton that is still the most beautiful plant! It's about 3 - 4 feet away from a north - mostly west window and it's thrived for the last 3 months. I've lost one leaf a month ago, but it's doing great. We will see how it goes.
I love my African mask so much. She’s got my heart and soul. I bought her and repotted immediately, and have her with a ton of plants for humidity. I also have a Croton that’s thriving and amazing, but she’s definitely not for a starter plant person. She’s always in my south facing window and doing amazing.
I’m so surprised to hear your first pick! My family has about 15 Dieffenbachias trees in our home, split between my office and our foyer. The original plant had been passed down through my family for generations, and we’ve since propagated her over and over again. We have three XXL pots with 2/3 huge trees each, partially held up by posts for stabilization but truly gigantic, and then my personal, original propagation who is about four feet tall, with two branches in one pot. Finally, we have about 7 smaller/medium propagations who have plenty of full beautiful leaves each already! Honestly, they’re our pride amongst our/my plant collection. 💚
I’m pretty new to plants, and a croton was one of the first I bought. It’s doing really well, unless I accidentally leave it in full sun, then the youngest leaves go completely limp. I have it near, but not directly in, an east window and recently had to repot it because the roots were growing out of the drainage holes.
I have no idea what I'm doing right, but my Alocasia African Mask is doing really well. I was given a bulb for free last winter and it's sprouted 4 huge leaves and 7 babies in my medium light, average humidity apartment.
One of my first plants was the calathea ornata. That plant died a slow horrible death. I tried everything for this darn plant, even brought it in the shower so it could get a blast of humidity. Nothing worked to make that plant happy. I'm glad I bought a second and much easier plant that day otherwise I may not have loved collecting as much as I do.
My first two plants were a Calathea makoyana and an Alocasia frydek…. Oops. It’s been 3 weeks now and they both seem to be doing okay (I’m sure the Virginia humidity is helping since it’s always over 65% in the room they’re in). I’ve also been filtering the water I give the Calathea. Both have put out new growth and I haven’t seen spider mites yet so honestly counting it all as a win thus far!
I’ve got Makoyana and micholitziana (the green frydek, cause frydek is the variegated version ;) ) and yeah. I’m a “beginner” too, but I have a lovely outdoor garden and major special interest in biology and evolution and what not, so I’ve never found plants difficult. My Calatheas and Alocasias (I have multiple lmao) live in my bathroom, close to my shower. They’re perfectly happy. Beginner plants or otherwise, I think as long as it brings you joy and you’re prepared for what you might need to deal with, you’re set.
Solid list! I avoid most Ferns & Ficus as well. Peace lillies are great beginner plants... also a bird of paradise I found to be a good starter plant. BOP taught me lots about watering/fertilizing. By the time I gave the beat up plant away, it had grown probably 3-4 ft in a year under my care, despite my shotty care routine. Also love Agleonema for beginner plants - gives you that tree/shrub look without all the pests!
Yes to ferns. The only plant that I've truly struggled with is a lemon button fern. No idea what that thing wants cuz I've killed 2 and the third is on its way out. 🤦♀️
I got 2 red flamingo flowers very early in my plant collecting days and thanks to living in Florida, they are thriving in my front porch. I love how easy they are in Florida. Started off in little 4-6” pots and now they are now just massive, in 12” pots and Ive done nothing but water them every few days xD
Hey Becca! I have two dieffenbachias and I find them incredibly easy but that's only because they're in semi Hydro I think! They were one of my first plants to acclimate with no problems to its new medium. 😁
I have a Croton (I'm a fairly new beginner) and its held on really well as an indoor plant. Its in a south facing window and its just living its best life 😊 it tells you when it needs water by the leaves and its held up great with the light. Much easier than a succulent!! Lol
Crotons are pretty easy to grow. You don’t need sunlight at all, to make them happy. I live in the northern hemisphere, with north & east facing windows. I have two crotons growing under light, I use 4000k led bulb. Nothing else. And they are nearly 90cm tall, still pushing out more growth 🍀
Most calatheas live in a very humid rainforest with 90-100% humidity, which kills spidermites & thrips. When my calathea got thrips, I put it in my shower 3-4 days in a row, showers it twice a day, and the thrips naturally dies
I've been a plant parent for less than a year, and I did have some hard times with Alocasias in the beginning, but I have over a dozen beautiful varieties now! as long as they get a ton of warmth and bright light, and is kept moist (I water mine often), they do vv well. they do love pests, so they do take a little more attention, I often have to be on the lookout for spider webs!
Thanks for the video! I actually started off about 2 years ago with Dracaena, spider plants and Monstera but ended up giving them away and now I am super happy with various kinds of Calatheas and Philodendron. The one type of plant I keep struggling with are succulents 😅 my North Western windows are just not right for those. Starting my plant journey near the Dutch border did make experiments and gaining experience more affordable and the quality of plants better than other parts of Europe 🙃
It’s so interesting to read the comments and see how people all over the world do with various plants! I haven’t had that much trouble with my calathea and maranta, and I live north of the Arctic circle, which means cold, dark and dry air. I do have grow lights, but not for my calathea. My maranta leuconeura is one that I regularly just forget about and it looks beautiful 😂 Anthurium generally grow really well for me, especially the clarinervium, and I have several. I think the point is that people need to do research before buying plants, always. And there is a learning curve. Plants will die along the way, but my best tip for beginners is to get a handful of super cheap ones so people don’t lose a lot of money, try to get them thriving and work from there
i currently have 8 plants and one of them is a purple anthurium. i bought it as a baby and even though I don't live in a humid place and don't own an air humidifier, shes doing great 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 first it had 10 blooms (last autumn when I got it) but now it has 6 blooms and grew a lot of leaves! i think shes pretty good, at least looks very healthy to me. A week ago I bought a full grown pink anthurium to keep it company and they look so cute together! :) and yesterday I ordered some anthurium potting mix (for moving the baby not-so-baby-anymore anthurium) and a black anthurium :) they will make a very cute family I am very I love with them and I wish they could grow bigger
Awesome video . I wish this video existed b4 I purchased many of the mentioned plants. Another one to add is the fiddle leaf fig. Very educational and hopefully people will listed 2u. Keep up the great videos.
I’m a beginner and I have some of the plants you mentioned. A little research (other than from you) you can learn about their needs. And the plants that you say not to purchase, and then add the comments that you don’t even think they are pretty, I find ridiculous. Example- the Croton and Anthurium, just to name a couple you mentioned.) I hate that people will be discouraged from buying some of these beautiful plants. There’s a lot of helpful info out there from others on TH-cam, FB, and Google, for example that people can learn from.
So true! Beginners will be better served watching Nick Pileggi or Summer Rayne Oakes (although she’s nearly just as preachy and know-it-all as Becca is.) By Becca’s own account , she’s only been tending to tropical plants for 2-3 years. Many others have a decade or more of experience and are much more knowledgeable on the topic than she claims to be. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet!
I got into plants a few months ago. I went crazy and bought a ton of plants online. Surprisingly, my Dieffenbachia, Calatheas, and Alocasias are all thriving. The one plant I did somehow kill was a ZZ plant lol.
Me staring at my happy croton: 👁️👄👁️ Haha really though, it's by a south window with no obstructions and I'm on the 16th floor. My alocasia polly is also somehow doing well too. I also have a happy v. string of pearls. I think it's all due to my south window. Meanwhile, I'm stressing over a hoya pubicalyx and dracaena fragrans 😂
Put that Hoya right by the window as well and let her dry out until you can bend her leaves like a taco. Using Miracle-Gro orchid spray weekly has made a tremendous difference for all my Hoya as well 👌
@@hollypuckett3931 thank you for the advice! It actually has mealybugs which is why it's stressing me out. I've heard great things about the orchid spray. I'll have to try that out when I get the pests under control.
@@hollypuckett3931 just killed all I could see with alcohol 🤢 and applied dead bug brew. 😭😭😭 Thank you for confirming dead bug brew works because I wasn't sure lol. Hoping for the best. My first mealybug infestation.
I'm not a begginer, but not an expert too. Few months ago couldn't resist and bought alocasia amazonica. And it thrives in my bathroom, started blooming. So I would say that you can buy whatever you want if you can give conditions that plant needs
My first plant was an alocasia poly! I am in Florida so I think that’s helped me out but proud to say I’ve had her for over a year now and she’s always growing 💚
I was nervous about my Polly but it's been a few months and she seems to be doing good. I'm in Florida as well. I've noticed several that are problem plants for others haven't been for me, I guess this humidity is good for something. 🥲
Your content is so rich of information that I couldn’t see somewhere else. Most impressing thing is the way you explain and giving examples, like the example of a new car 😂
I was so surprised to see all the croton hate in the plant community because I hadn’t had any issues with mine, then I realized it was because I had mine planted in an outdoor garden in zone 9. I will say they drop leaves like crazy in the winter, especially with the crazy temps we’ve been getting in Texas the past few years.
My Croton somehow survived my first year of houseplant collecting. I now have it in a southwest corner room with huge windows AND a grow light. It also has a humidifier. Flipping drama queen. 🙄
I love Crotons to the moon and back 🌛 they are tricky. The easy rule is to give it a lot of everything: light, water, humidity and fertiliser. It doesn't sound complicated when you put it this way 😉 Southern or Eastern window can be ok for spring and summer, but it will appreciate grow lights for the rest of the year. But I agree that it is a fusy plant.
@@ShonjiPowerOf2 yeah, it's dry here, but i have 2 humdifiers and i keep it around 60. One of them grows out of the back of one of my fish tanks, and I can cut chunks from it, because the stem underwater is just teeming with roots. maybe try growing in water? they WILL lose leaves, though. I've noticed that mine will lose a bottom leaf, sometimes two, when they are putting new shoots out the top.
I’m in Missouri too and my calathea has actually been doing well since I moved them outside. It’s very strange since they’re not direct light plants but they’ve been thriving way more
I will agree with you on some of these such as Calatheas - Maranta's (Prayer Plants). I am on my 2nd plant. But my Dumbcan, Croton and Anthurium (Flamingo Flower) are doing fine. Knock on wood. I find Alocasia's difficult. As well as that Swiss Monstera you have behind you. Very difficult.
Dieffenbachia can be propagated with stem cutting with one node. Doesn't need to be divided. I grew my first dieffenbachia from a stem cutting with one leaf and a node propagated in water.
Agree with all of these! I bought the pinstripe calathea and the alocasia polly way too early and they did not last long at all. Now when I look at both of these in stores I just don’t even find them attractive anymore. Left a very bad taste. Luckily I waited like you to get an orbifolia until I had more experience and it’s doing so well!
My diffenbacchia was a full struggle until I realized it wanted a watering schedule. I was watering when blah blah is dry but I did research. Now I water every Sunday and it’s putting out new growth and it’s thriving. It’s leggy, though, from the struggle weeks 😂 I just got 3 calathea and now have a water filter because they didn’t like my tap no matter what I did (even leaving the water out for days). So far, doing better… but it’s only been 3 weeks. My croton is THE BEST. It has been my easiest by far. It’s outside (east facing patio) since I wanted to keep the color. It fell in a random wind storm but it’s already recovered and filling in the spots with new leaves. It’s my favorite to look at 💚💚 The bane of my existence are spider plants. Cannot keep them alive. Cannot figure them out.
My parents had a calathea houseplant for 20 years. They never fertilized it, never repotted it, and only watered it once a month maybe. I have no idea how it survived so long. xD
I was lucky with my first plants. I bought calathea, croton, AND alocasia 😂 but I have large south windows and the humidity here in iowa is very high in the summer, often 85%. My apartment generally stays around 60% naturally until winter time. My croton is in a south windowsill getting direct sun. Its never dropped a leaf and has actually put out 6 over the last 2 months. Now I know how to take care of them to make them thrive but im sure they survived initially just due to my natural conditions.
Big same! I haven’t gotten a croton but I bought the other two with a string of hearts on my first trip to the nursery. All three are still alive & doing well, 3 months later. Here in NC, we have 75-90% humidity May-mod Oct.
Yes! The nerve plant too, don't look at it and certainly don't buy it!! So many people in the comments saying "oh my xyz look amazing", well you're one of the lucky ones lol
Great list! I’ve bought and successfully killed all of these when I first started 😂 I tried again of course and figured them out by now. Also, I wouldn’t recommend buying cheaper plants from overseas, aka importing, for beginners simply due to the acclimation process. Another thing I did in the beginning and my imports died since I didn’t know much about acclimation or propagation to save them I’ve they weren’t doing well.
omg i bought a marantaceae as one of my first plants a few months ago.... its been absolutely fine and is growing well! maybe im just lucky, fingers crossed i havent jinxed myself now :D
Dieffenbachias and crotons are the easiest plants ever. You can literally cut them up, overwater or underwater them, put them in low light, direct light, high temp, low temp, dry, humid, loamsoil, sandy soil, clay, etc. They'll live. I literally meant it when I said 'cut it up and throw it anywhere.' I was expecting less common plants on this list.
This was fantastic Becca! I have been a plant collector for about 7 yrs now, and have only recently stepped up to more rare plants, but my budget is always $50, so I mostly buy cuttings and seedlings (which tip, I find easier to grow them than full plants, much easier to acclimate these). I have a friend who got a few plants during the Pandemic I think 5 or 6, and I swear she got everything on this list! Plus a fern! I sent her your video to watch because she has asked me about the plant's diva-ness and I told her she bought every plant I would have recommended against for a beginner, so I am trying to help her learn more to keep them alive, I am estatic to have my bff into plants, and I would hate for her experience with these "Sirens" to put her off of plants forever. Love your videos, you always choose great topics!
Great video! (as always :) ) I think the biggest 'problem' with Dieffenbachia is over watering - which in itself is a major hurdle for new comers to houseplants. Other than figuring out the watering, I don't find them all that challenging. But again, I don't think I got my first Dieffenbachia until I already had a couple of years of experience with houseplants, so that may be skewing my view with them. I think I got my Croton fairly early on in my 'plant journey' and it's doing well, but I knew it needed A LOT of light, so it always spends the Summer outdoors and the Winter right up next to a West or South facing window or, like you said, right under an intense (read - meant to grow Coral underwater type light) grow lights (WAY more light than a typical 'grow light' for plants). Oddly, some other so-called 'easy' plants I seem to have problems with are Pepperomias and Pileas - they're supposed to be easy, but after years of experience with houseplants, I find them as challenging as Calatheas. Orchids are MUCH easier by comparison than any of those genera (Calathea, Pilea, Pepperomia), at least for me.
Thanks Becca for all your useful information, however I disagree with you about the Croton. My Croton is about 20 years old and has always done well. It may be due to the skylight that it lives right under, but I love my Croton and think it's pretty.
The alocacia and croton one! I love them so much and I really hope I can be able to keep one. I have a croton and he’s doing really well actually. But I also live in an area with very high elevation and lots of intense sun
I’d like to suggest begonia for the list 😂 they’re beautiful but rot easily. I killed my first bush on fire croton. Learned the care a little better and now mines 2 years old and is branching off babies. Definitely wouldn’t recommend for a newbie but if you have the sun and you’re determined enough, you can make them happy. I’m a bush on fire croton Stan 😂 I think they’re gorgeous
I bought an anthurium clarinervium a couple of months into collecting plants without doing research. I stuck it in my bathroom (just by chance it was the only space I had at the time for it) and it has been my chillest and easiest plant in my collection. So that’s definitely a tip I recommend if you’re not experienced in artificially increasing the humidity for a plant; just keep it in a bathroom! I also bought a maranta as my third ever plant and somehow it’s been my easiest plant along with my anthurium, but I’ve no idea why it’s doing so well lol
Honestly i feel like as someone who’s managed to make it through their first year as a plant parent - I’ve certainly gotten a few that are probably something i should’ve gotten later (succs are the bane of my existence) - but I’ve found philodendron have basically tons of different plants and range of skill level that i think i don’t even care to bother with any other unless it’s rlly important like my beloved string of hearts
All the philodendrons I’ve tried have been surprisingly easy to care for. I have stuck with more “basic” ones, so it could be I’ve just chosen beginner-friendly philos, but I love em!
My diffenbachia was the first plant I ever owned while in a toxic relationship where she never grew more than 3 leaves. The day I left she started to flourish and is now my large and in charge plant. I call her my soul plant; when I'm happy, she's happy.
Was my first plant as well. Was so beautiful. It flourished and was a happy plant.
It's amazing how plants just know the environment and their owners. I had a similar experience with my fiddle leaf fig. I tried so hard to get her to branch out and not be so leggy but as soon as I got away from a toxic living situation she suddenly exploded with growth. Today 10 years later she is my most prized plant and is now twice my size. She's a literal tree in the sunny corner of my bathroom with gorgeous long golden pothos trailing down the sides of her container 😊
The Dieffenbachia was nicknamed, yes because it has toxic properties, but there is a MUCH deeper meaning. Slavers in the Caribbean would force feed this plant to slaves to render them 'dumb' (unable to speak) as a punishment. Read up about it, I was shocked when I found out and always correct/inform.
This. It has a truly terrible history. To piggyback on this, they're able to be propagated with cuttings as well as division
The ancestors told me to not bother with that plant every time I enter a plant shop. Good to know why!
Sad... it is true
I agree with you with everything except anthurium. It was one of my first purchases and mine did well however I had a humidifier. But I ordered it. Bc I love those juicy roots. It was a $45 plant from planterina but you're right in that I probably got lucky. I thought croton we're cool at first until it died a slow death dropping leaf by leaf. Great video.
@Victoria C thanks for that important information
There is nothing boring about the heart leaf philodendron! It's one of my all time favorites. Plus, it's SO rewarding. It grows so fast!
They're nice to have. I have a Brasil, lemon lime one, and the normal green one. The plain green one is growing super fast and is becoming really pretty. The other two are a bit slower growing. But still like them.
Absolutely. Mine is always pushing new growth, and it’s nice to have a splash of dark green against all my other fun and variegated or special plants. The Brazil is gorgeous too when she starts to get going. Mine came from a grocery store as a rescue so mine is looking a little rough but she’s getting there
Last year I randomly ordered a red maranta offline cause it was so pretty. It was the first plant I’ve bought in a couple years and quickly started going downhill. I decided I was determined to keep it alive and become a plant person so I looked online for plant videos (found all the plant TH-camrs) and joined so many fb groups. My girl is happily living in my shower and I now have over 100 plants!
thats very nice
That cool! I had one for like 2 years with bo issues at all, even flowered. Then one day out of nowhere her leaves just rolled up and it was a slow painful death after that. I tried everything to bring her back but failed 😅
I agree with all the plants you mention. I would add Fiddle Leaf Fig to your list. I have seen time and time again people's Fig plants dying and or struggling with them and leaves dropping, etc.
True but I think it’s a really good learning experience as a beginner! The small ones are relatively inexpensive so if it turns into a stick, it’s nbd and the plant parent learns something!
Agree! Everyone sees them on tv, or in rich and famous celebrities houses and they want one! Although I've spotted a lot of artificial plants on camera throughout the pandemic. I would also add Ferns to the list, so many people buy them, and they are not the easiest much like Calathea and Anthuriums.
They are easy if you can put them in full sun and water them every day. 😂
I’ve found fiddles too be so easy tho…! I’ve had mine for a year. I wouldn’t call myself a beginner collector, but I’ve only ever had pothos and spider plants in the past… 17 years. During COVID, I started expanding my collection and a fiddle was the first new plant I bought.
Are they difficult?
Honestly, for me, it was Pilea peperomioides 😩 I still cannot bring myself to buy another one due to all the seriously unprocessed trauma I have 😂
Put them in cacti mix, and add like 10-20% compost. Water them twice or once a week.
@@yukiaditya7352 It was really the lighting for mine, I think. My apartment isn't well lit and at the time I hadn't yet ventured into supplemental lighting. This is great info, thanks!
Just bought mine a few weeks ago all leaves turned yellow, I thought it had root rot- I repotted everything was fine healthiest roots ever, then i thought it was lightning but it definitely got enough but not too much, temperature is also out (I guess) because none of my other plants ever complained 😂🥴
@@julianova7060 probably they are just adapting. my first one is almost dropping all of her leaves. As soon as I repotted her with more cacti mix, she thrives back.
@@yukiaditya7352 you are giving me real hope there
Alocasia black velvet was one of my first houseplants😅 I bought it with 6 leaves and within a month it was down to two, but here we are three months later and its put out its first leaf with me and even has a pup! The journey was definitely crazy tho😂
I killed my first one fast. Bought 2 more and they are doing good now. Put out 2 flowers this summer. The problem I have with them though is the end of the leaves browning. Cant figure out why.
@@jeffzimmerman25 they flower!? 😮 I had no idea. I’ve had mine for about 2 months now, and he’s doing well so far. Any tips?
@@alliejoy729 they do but it looks more like a pregnant tube and not like a traditional flower. I use a moisture meter and water it when it hits a 3. I have 3 alocasia and they are all doing good.
My alocasia sinuata flowered. It then produced nothing but flowers (they kinda stink btw). I was told you should cut them so I did... Not one new leaf in 10 months and now the tips are browning and it's dying from the outer leaves in. I'm down to 2. 😩
Ugh!!! My black velevet confused me!!! It did sooo good the first month I had it, even gave me two new leaves!! And then right after, the older leaves started to get crispy and then within like three weeks, the whole plant died 😭 I'm still new so I'm gonna wait on that one since I have issues with getting the humidity high enough
I agree with all of these except for Crotons. They do like strong light, even some direct sun if you have it and they don't like drying out ALL the way, but I have 4 that are thriving in my house. I really don't think they're as difficult as people say. I just keep them close to windows and try not to let them dry out too much and they're doing great.
and I live in Tempe, so humidity is not the issue.
I find them easy to grow here, too. I use a humidifier because it is BONE dry here, but they're doing fine. I should put them in more light so they will grow faster, but those spots are already crowded. :)
I love your crazy-plant-mom-librarian look 😭❤️
She looks beautiful 🤩
Croton petra is the only croton that was developed to be an indoor plant. The rest are, as you mentioned, to be grown outside. They like tons of light, warmth, and humidity to get those vibrant colors. I have a petra for about two years now and it is doing well, it is not very colorful due to lack of bright direct light but all in all it has been easy and puts out two to three leaves on a regular basis.
I agree!!! Mine has been holding on really well, its as happy as can be.
That must be the one i have. Put it in a dark corner (before i became a responsible plant mom) and the new leaves stareted coming out soooo small and lost their color. Now I have it in my south facing window with a boost of a grow light in the winter, and she is back to her former glory! Im starting to love her again!
Calathea was my first love when it comes to plants, and they still are my favorites. I never really had any major problems with them, except for my Rattlasnake, which unfortunately hates me and I don't know why. I have like 7 different Calathea currently, and they are all (except my Rattlesnake) doing great. I think the important thing is to go easy on the watering. They hate to be wet. Once you find the right balance (not too dry, but certainly not too wet) you will be ok for the most part. My house is rarely above 55% humidity and they seem to be fine with that.
Now Dieffenbachia. is another story. They are marketed as 'easy plants' but they have been a nightmare for me. I don't see myself purchasing another Dieffenbachia as I don't want to go through that emotianl rollercoaster again. I have tried everything to make them happy, and they just aren't. They crisp up and die no matter what.
Croton.. I actually have one in a terrarium and it is doing great in there. Probably because it gets plenty of humidity. I did buy one two years ago and it died in less than two months. It hated my house. I agree with you, they are not really suitable as houseplants, but I do think they are beautiful as outdoor trees.
This is so funny! My Calathea rattlesnake is the one that has been super easy going and just thriving in my kitchen. My medallion and makoyana are doing okay. I tossed my maranta bc it just kept growing new dried leaves. Dumbcane. Ugh mine is still alive but the leaves keep turning yellow and Im quite over it. It just will not thrive.
@@empressm6 I honestly don't know what It am doing wrong with my rattlesnake. It gets the exact same care as my other calathea. Are there any care requirments specific to rattlesnakes that I don't know about?
@@packer812 Honestly I don’t know. I have all 3 of my calatheas (medallion, makoyana & rattlesnake) in the same place. The rattlesnake looks perfect while the other two get a little brown on the edges. 🤷🏽♀️
I never got why people don't like calathea tbh. I guess they die for other people, but the calatheas I have are thriving. Maybe because it's very humid where I live?
@@Naranylla I really like them also. They can just be a bit temperamental. They love humidity so they would absolutely thrive where you live. There’s a few more Id like to acquire but winter in the Northeast… 🤷🏽♀️
Noooo don't tell people to stay away from Anthuriums, they're gorgeous haha
I think it really depends on what climate zone you live in. Like in the desert cacti will thrive, but not so much in a rainforest. I'm not a big fan of these videos, because they only represent one corner of the world. I'm not a plant expert nor a beginner but most of the plants I own, that are supposed to be hard are doing pretty well. Like I own some calatheas and a velvet alocasia and they still look beautiful. Most likely because I live some where with very high humidity. Keep growing
It's more about how much it cost rather than their looks, some people may not be able to invest so much in a plant that needs more care than common house plants, most anthurium need high humidity, enclosed cases and grow lights that beginners don't know much about
The Dieffenbachia was my first long lasting house plant, and they're still going strong five years later; I had absolutely no idea they were such a tough plant to grow! I should probably be more careful with them now that I know this, thank you!
Edit: Plot twist; Dieffenbachias aren't meant to look like that... rip
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Same! Dieffenbachia was my 1st plant purchase ever 1 yr ago and that plant is thriving and growing like a weed. Had no idea it would get that bag in a year's time.
I actually adopted mine, it was in pretty bad shape and was very easy to save it 🥰
My first house plant was a Calathea Ornata (Cleo), she's a little tricky and I'm still figuring her out but I've enjoyed having a more challenging starter plant just because it's helped me learn how to respond to her needs and she has made those more forgiving plants much easier to understand.
I guess I just have ideal conditions for it because my Dieffenbachia is like the healthiest and least sensitive plant in my collection. My alocasia polly is quite happy as well! Sub tropical climate helps :)
Same! I’m new to plants and got a LOT at once (like she recommends us not do 😂) and while they’re all alive still, including the sad abandoned snake plant I found at death’s door, the dieffenbachia is by far the happiest and fastest grower of the bunch and has let me know that I do not in fact have a brown thumb.
The best Beginner plant for me was the Peace Lily. I was a super overwater-er when I began and with the Peace Lily being basically a bog plant it was one of the first plants I didn’t kill from overwatering. Now, with the Domino Peace Lily available with some fun variegations and her being an even more stable plant, this might be Perfect for the new over-loving (over-watering) plant parent. Only big rule with them: no direct sun, they burn within hours ♥️🪴🚿🤗
direct sun is fine as long as the window does a good job of keeping the intensity low. i have mine in by my window and it is in beams of light all day. Its doing AMAZING!
@@coagulatedsalts4711 same, my Peace Lily Sensations is my Southwest window, and it hasn't burned. I wanted it in a place that would encourage the flowering, but it is a very large plant, so it's definitely very established and that makes a difference as well.
yess I had the pleasure of reviving mine from my moms care and I felt really proud of myself! also incredibly vocal with watering. Right now its two meters from a south facing window and its doing great ( despite it being a low "light plant")
I overwatered mine 🤣
thats literally my worst plant. i always forget to water it and yellow leaves appear all over the place
I love Croton, I have many varieties, never had an issue with this plant. I learned as a beginner way back when that Croton doesn’t want to dry out ever, likes moist soil always, but not sipping wet. Mine are north and west window and flourishing,
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Croton was the first plant I seriously bought and I loved it! I neglected it and it thrived but when I started to take care of it I was so scared of overwatering I ended up letting it dry out too much and it dropped four leaves on me 😭 I’ve learned my lesson now but I think they’re such pretty plants!
Bottom watering was a game changer for my Croton
You’re lucky, I inherited two, have mine split apart so the foliage receive sun, on the ledge of a large north west window. Their new leaves want to stay green ugh. It’s a warm window. Some of my other plants hate it there. But I’m in Montreal so maybe that’s why
I totally agree 👍 I've been collecting sansevieria since 2012. I started with Sansevieria and Aloe Vera then ZZ Raven. In recent years I ventured out to different plants because I started watching TH-cam channel. Now I am overwhelmed so I am going back to what I am best at. I have about 25 different varieties of Sansevieria and they are my favorite.
My crotons are doing great with combination of grow light + west facing window. I had most of these plants as a beginneer (couple years ago), I think I overall did well /avoided most of these issues because I live somewhere with medium tempatures (no extremes) and good humidity (San Francisco). Most crotons are pretty cheap so good to just see if they work imo, they so beautiful.
right?? i was so offended (kind of joking) when said she said they thought ugly. I honestly think there's tons of more expensive plants/overrated plants that are a lot uglier!!
@@mendi3395 I agree..I think crotons are absolutely gorgeous. And the croton mammys are so ridiculous with their spiral leaves!
most of my plants are calathea and my first one was an ornata, they haven’t died and they’ve put out lots of growth! i love them and have had such good luck
You must live somewhere with a lot of humidity!! I’m in Arizona.. where it’s mostly DRY as a bone!!
I have a Mamey Croton with beautiful red leaves and it is THRIVING. I’ve gotten sooo much new growth in the past two weeks. I have it under my LED grow strips on my shelving unit for 12+ hours every day. I water it when the top two inches of soil are dry, otherwise these plants can be verrry dramatic (like Peace Lillies) when they need to be watered. As long as you have good grow lights, if you want a Croton, get one!
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Crotons are beautiful OUTSIDE plants, go to the islands and you see them everywhere outdoors pretty much like Azalea here in North Carolina. Unless you have a sun room or skyline I wouldn't suggest growing them inside. I love Crotons and have several of them in my frontyard. I love their vibrant colors. 🌱
Definitely common here in Jamaica 🙋🏾♀️
Great list. One of my first plants was a Rattlesnake Calathea, which I had heard was one of the easier ones. I did a bunch of research on the genus and ended up amending the soil after about six months. It completely took off and i had to repot it two more times the following spring because it was growing so much! I ended up passing it on to downsize a bit, but it ended up being a great first plant for me. I learned a lot! But I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. 🙂
What do you mean by amending the soil? I haven't taken mine out of the grow pot it came in, since it was doing so well and this plant scares me, but I think it's going to need attention soon
@@sarahleeann7208 amending the soil means adding in other materials to change the moisture holding properties. So I like to add a lot of perlite to make the ratio about 50% soil and 50% perlite. This helps make water drain through faster and provide more oxygen to the roots. If yours seems happy, then I wouldn’t sweat it! But I did notice that after I made the change, a bunch more leaves started popping up! Since we’re heading into winter, growth is slowing down quite a bit, so it’s not the best time to change up the soil and disturb the roots. Maybe reevaluate in the spring. Hope that helps!
Also, Addy Beez has lots of videos specifically about Calathea. That’s where I got the inspiration to try perlite. She’s a great source of knowledge!
The rattlesnake calathea was the only one that interests me right now, I actually love it
I love croton. Have 2 types, and they grow well. You are right about light! But it doesn't need more than a succulent.
I would say Anthurium Clarinervium is the exception to the Anthurium rule 😁 I got mine quite early on and as anthurium go they don't need as much humidity. I got mine in the early days. And they are on the lowest end price wise for Anthurium and I think they're are great starter anthurium 😊
As a beginner, I also had difficulty with begonias, although the cane varieties are generally easier than rex or rhizomatous begonias.
I had a Rex begonia escargot when I was first starting out. It was kind of an impulse purchase and it only lasted about 3 months with me lol.
My cane begonia is dying😔, I am not a beginner but it is for that type of plant
My rex has always been super easy. I almost didn't buy it because I heard they were kinda picky. It was one of the first plants I bought and it's been so easy going. It's so interesting how different plants fail/succeed with different people. Some that I struggle to keep alive the next people has no problems and vice versa.
I’m absolutely obsessed with my prayer plant. She is incredibly happy just doin her thing. I do however have her still in a nursery pot and that pot it’s on a bowl of Leca and water… she’s been such easy care that way.
The secret to dumb canes is bright light and never over water. Even my mother grew one plant into 8 plants about 7 ft tall. You do have to cut them back when they get leggy.
yesss!! it confused me when she said that plant first. it was one of my very first plants but has never had any issues for me! i feel lucky to know I've been able to keep it alive lol
They don't get as leggy if you cover the topsoil with moss, I had one years ago that only put out about 3-4 leaves at a time until I did this and it helped it bush out more
@@marieknight9385 Legginess comes from insufficient light or age. It can also get very lucky if you don’t rotated on a regular basis.. The moss holds the moisture in the soil longer. From my extensive background as an interior landscaping designer, moss doesn’t impact the legginess of the plant. It’s more light rotation and proper watering
@@marieb3630 well you weren't there when I did this and I know for a fact it was the moss because the soil and lighting didn't change, just the one addition. The pot and watering schedule were the same too, so just because you think you're an expert doesn't change my personal experience
@@marieknight9385 Just giving you the scientific information. I never said it didn’t happen I just said that moss not impact the growth of the plant. Why so defensive? I am an expert because I am educated and paid lots of money to do what I do. I don’t get involved in this kind of crazy bantering, not worth the time. Just trying to help you in the future.
I love the motherly knowledge your dropping. Yes, my darling, it’s pretty and it looks fun but listen to me. There is heartbreak ahead and I want you to learn from my mistakes. As a mom I can appreciate this so much!
You are very correct especially about the croton, I'm from the Caribbean and crotons grow magnificently here in brilliant full sun, they aren't meant for a sad corner next to a couch in an apartment, nice video.😊😊
I have loved all of your videos and definitely appreciate your advice: Weird though: was surprised to hear about the croton! I'm a new plant mom and my second plant was a gold dust croton that is still the most beautiful plant! It's about 3 - 4 feet away from a north - mostly west window and it's thrived for the last 3 months. I've lost one leaf a month ago, but it's doing great. We will see how it goes.
Pro tip, just move to an exteremy humid city. You will now be happy for the sticky summers knowing it will help your plants trive
I think moving is not easy 😅
I love my African mask so much. She’s got my heart and soul. I bought her and repotted immediately, and have her with a ton of plants for humidity.
I also have a Croton that’s thriving and amazing, but she’s definitely not for a starter plant person. She’s always in my south facing window and doing amazing.
Freaking majesty palms are jerks. That should have been on this list. 😂
I’m so surprised to hear your first pick! My family has about 15 Dieffenbachias trees in our home, split between my office and our foyer. The original plant had been passed down through my family for generations, and we’ve since propagated her over and over again. We have three XXL pots with 2/3 huge trees each, partially held up by posts for stabilization but truly gigantic, and then my personal, original propagation who is about four feet tall, with two branches in one pot. Finally, we have about 7 smaller/medium propagations who have plenty of full beautiful leaves each already! Honestly, they’re our pride amongst our/my plant collection. 💚
I’m pretty new to plants, and a croton was one of the first I bought. It’s doing really well, unless I accidentally leave it in full sun, then the youngest leaves go completely limp. I have it near, but not directly in, an east window and recently had to repot it because the roots were growing out of the drainage holes.
I have no idea what I'm doing right, but my Alocasia African Mask is doing really well. I was given a bulb for free last winter and it's sprouted 4 huge leaves and 7 babies in my medium light, average humidity apartment.
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
👍👍
One of my first plants was the calathea ornata. That plant died a slow horrible death. I tried everything for this darn plant, even brought it in the shower so it could get a blast of humidity. Nothing worked to make that plant happy. I'm glad I bought a second and much easier plant that day otherwise I may not have loved collecting as much as I do.
My first two plants were a Calathea makoyana and an Alocasia frydek…. Oops. It’s been 3 weeks now and they both seem to be doing okay (I’m sure the Virginia humidity is helping since it’s always over 65% in the room they’re in). I’ve also been filtering the water I give the Calathea. Both have put out new growth and I haven’t seen spider mites yet so honestly counting it all as a win thus far!
I’ve got Makoyana and micholitziana (the green frydek, cause frydek is the variegated version ;) ) and yeah. I’m a “beginner” too, but I have a lovely outdoor garden and major special interest in biology and evolution and what not, so I’ve never found plants difficult. My Calatheas and Alocasias (I have multiple lmao) live in my bathroom, close to my shower. They’re perfectly happy. Beginner plants or otherwise, I think as long as it brings you joy and you’re prepared for what you might need to deal with, you’re set.
Solid list! I avoid most Ferns & Ficus as well. Peace lillies are great beginner plants... also a bird of paradise I found to be a good starter plant. BOP taught me lots about watering/fertilizing. By the time I gave the beat up plant away, it had grown probably 3-4 ft in a year under my care, despite my shotty care routine. Also love Agleonema for beginner plants - gives you that tree/shrub look without all the pests!
Yes to ferns. The only plant that I've truly struggled with is a lemon button fern. No idea what that thing wants cuz I've killed 2 and the third is on its way out. 🤦♀️
I got 2 red flamingo flowers very early in my plant collecting days and thanks to living in Florida, they are thriving in my front porch. I love how easy they are in Florida. Started off in little 4-6” pots and now they are now just massive, in 12” pots and Ive done nothing but water them every few days xD
Hey Becca! I have two dieffenbachias and I find them incredibly easy but that's only because they're in semi Hydro I think! They were one of my first plants to acclimate with no problems to its new medium. 😁
I have a Croton (I'm a fairly new beginner) and its held on really well as an indoor plant. Its in a south facing window and its just living its best life 😊 it tells you when it needs water by the leaves and its held up great with the light. Much easier than a succulent!! Lol
Crotons are pretty easy to grow. You don’t need sunlight at all, to make them happy. I live in the northern hemisphere, with north & east facing windows. I have two crotons growing under light, I use 4000k led bulb. Nothing else. And they are nearly 90cm tall, still pushing out more growth 🍀
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
I have a Dieffenbachia that was gifted to me in my 1st apt. I've had it for 20 years. They seem to last through everything, to me anyway.
Most calatheas live in a very humid rainforest with 90-100% humidity, which kills spidermites & thrips. When my calathea got thrips, I put it in my shower 3-4 days in a row, showers it twice a day, and the thrips naturally dies
I've been a plant parent for less than a year, and I did have some hard times with Alocasias in the beginning, but I have over a dozen beautiful varieties now! as long as they get a ton of warmth and bright light, and is kept moist (I water mine often), they do vv well. they do love pests, so they do take a little more attention, I often have to be on the lookout for spider webs!
Croton was my first house plant. It was dying in a grocery store with like 5 leaves and its growing amazingly ..I love mine
Thanks for the video! I actually started off about 2 years ago with Dracaena, spider plants and Monstera but ended up giving them away and now I am super happy with various kinds of Calatheas and Philodendron. The one type of plant I keep struggling with are succulents 😅 my North Western windows are just not right for those. Starting my plant journey near the Dutch border did make experiments and gaining experience more affordable and the quality of plants better than other parts of Europe 🙃
I was waiting for you to mention Begonias its the most challenging plant for both beginners and even the best of plant enthusiasts
It’s so interesting to read the comments and see how people all over the world do with various plants! I haven’t had that much trouble with my calathea and maranta, and I live north of the Arctic circle, which means cold, dark and dry air. I do have grow lights, but not for my calathea. My maranta leuconeura is one that I regularly just forget about and it looks beautiful 😂 Anthurium generally grow really well for me, especially the clarinervium, and I have several. I think the point is that people need to do research before buying plants, always. And there is a learning curve. Plants will die along the way, but my best tip for beginners is to get a handful of super cheap ones so people don’t lose a lot of money, try to get them thriving and work from there
My first plant was phalaenopsis.Then I bought a ficus.Then I fell in love with croton.And now i have over 100 plants...
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Hey Becca, you're such a ray of 🌞, just love you and how well you take care and pride in your plants!
Thank you so much!! 🥹
i currently have 8 plants and one of them is a purple anthurium. i bought it as a baby and even though I don't live in a humid place and don't own an air humidifier, shes doing great 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 first it had 10 blooms (last autumn when I got it) but now it has 6 blooms and grew a lot of leaves! i think shes pretty good, at least looks very healthy to me. A week ago I bought a full grown pink anthurium to keep it company and they look so cute together! :) and yesterday I ordered some anthurium potting mix (for moving the baby not-so-baby-anymore anthurium) and a black anthurium :) they will make a very cute family I am very I love with them and I wish they could grow bigger
Awesome video . I wish this video existed b4 I purchased many of the mentioned plants. Another one to add is the fiddle leaf fig. Very educational and hopefully people will listed 2u. Keep up the great videos.
I’m a beginner and I have some of the plants you mentioned. A little research (other than from you) you can learn about their needs. And the plants that you say not to purchase, and then add the comments that you don’t even think they are pretty, I find ridiculous. Example- the Croton and Anthurium, just to name a couple you mentioned.) I hate that people will be discouraged from buying some of these beautiful plants. There’s a lot of helpful info out there from others on TH-cam, FB, and Google, for example that people can learn from.
So true! Beginners will be better served watching Nick Pileggi or Summer Rayne Oakes (although she’s nearly just as preachy and know-it-all as Becca is.)
By Becca’s own account , she’s only been tending to tropical plants for 2-3 years. Many others have a decade or more of experience and are much more knowledgeable on the topic than she claims to be.
Don’t believe everything you read on the internet!
Alocasia are my favorite ever since the beginning!
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
I got into plants a few months ago. I went crazy and bought a ton of plants online. Surprisingly, my Dieffenbachia, Calatheas, and Alocasias are all thriving. The one plant I did somehow kill was a ZZ plant lol.
Me staring at my happy croton: 👁️👄👁️
Haha really though, it's by a south window with no obstructions and I'm on the 16th floor. My alocasia polly is also somehow doing well too. I also have a happy v. string of pearls. I think it's all due to my south window.
Meanwhile, I'm stressing over a hoya pubicalyx and dracaena fragrans 😂
Put that Hoya right by the window as well and let her dry out until you can bend her leaves like a taco. Using Miracle-Gro orchid spray weekly has made a tremendous difference for all my Hoya as well 👌
@@hollypuckett3931 thank you for the advice! It actually has mealybugs which is why it's stressing me out. I've heard great things about the orchid spray. I'll have to try that out when I get the pests under control.
@@anekcm 😩 mealies! God speed, comrade! 😂 If you have access to Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, it will make short work of your issue 👌❤️
@@hollypuckett3931 just killed all I could see with alcohol 🤢 and applied dead bug brew. 😭😭😭 Thank you for confirming dead bug brew works because I wasn't sure lol. Hoping for the best. My first mealybug infestation.
@@anekcm Of all houseplant pests, mealies are the easiest to eradicate, imo and experience. You got this, doll! I'm rooting (😆😩) for you!
I'm not a begginer, but not an expert too. Few months ago couldn't resist and bought alocasia amazonica. And it thrives in my bathroom, started blooming. So I would say that you can buy whatever you want if you can give conditions that plant needs
Perfect to watch while I'm getting ready!
I love how real you are and it never feels like you're looking down on people that are new to plants or have less knowledge
My first plant was an alocasia poly! I am in Florida so I think that’s helped me out but proud to say I’ve had her for over a year now and she’s always growing 💚
I was nervous about my Polly but it's been a few months and she seems to be doing good. I'm in Florida as well. I've noticed several that are problem plants for others haven't been for me, I guess this humidity is good for something. 🥲
Not a beginner, but I LOVE your sit down chatty videos. I agree with your choices and would add Ficus in general. 🙂
I never had issues with a croton, I placed mine near a window and I’ve had it 2-3 years and it’s still growing. I had more issues with monsteras
Your content is so rich of information that I couldn’t see somewhere else. Most impressing thing is the way you explain and giving examples, like the example of a new car 😂
I was so surprised to see all the croton hate in the plant community because I hadn’t had any issues with mine, then I realized it was because I had mine planted in an outdoor garden in zone 9. I will say they drop leaves like crazy in the winter, especially with the crazy temps we’ve been getting in Texas the past few years.
My Croton somehow survived my first year of houseplant collecting. I now have it in a southwest corner room with huge windows AND a grow light. It also has a humidifier. Flipping drama queen. 🙄
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
I love Crotons to the moon and back 🌛 they are tricky. The easy rule is to give it a lot of everything: light, water, humidity and fertiliser. It doesn't sound complicated when you put it this way 😉 Southern or Eastern window can be ok for spring and summer, but it will appreciate grow lights for the rest of the year. But I agree that it is a fusy plant.
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Dieffenbachia was the one that really got me going with houseplants. It's the easiest plant I've grown other than pothos.
Do you have high humidity? I tried a baby and he's lost two of three leaves. Idk maybe a baby isn't ready for 40% humidity
@@ShonjiPowerOf2 yeah, it's dry here, but i have 2 humdifiers and i keep it around 60. One of them grows out of the back of one of my fish tanks, and I can cut chunks from it, because the stem underwater is just teeming with roots. maybe try growing in water? they WILL lose leaves, though. I've noticed that mine will lose a bottom leaf, sometimes two, when they are putting new shoots out the top.
I’m in Missouri too and my calathea has actually been doing well since I moved them outside. It’s very strange since they’re not direct light plants but they’ve been thriving way more
I will agree with you on some of these such as Calatheas - Maranta's (Prayer Plants). I am on my 2nd plant. But my Dumbcan, Croton and Anthurium (Flamingo Flower) are doing fine. Knock on wood. I find Alocasia's difficult. As well as that Swiss Monstera you have behind you. Very difficult.
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
Dieffenbachia can be propagated with stem cutting with one node. Doesn't need to be divided. I grew my first dieffenbachia from a stem cutting with one leaf and a node propagated in water.
I was told at the beginning that Dieffenbachia was easy and it most definitely is not. I couldn’t keep it happy in my house.
Agree with all of these! I bought the pinstripe calathea and the alocasia polly way too early and they did not last long at all. Now when I look at both of these in stores I just don’t even find them attractive anymore. Left a very bad taste.
Luckily I waited like you to get an orbifolia until I had more experience and it’s doing so well!
My diffenbacchia was a full struggle until I realized it wanted a watering schedule. I was watering when blah blah is dry but I did research. Now I water every Sunday and it’s putting out new growth and it’s thriving. It’s leggy, though, from the struggle weeks 😂
I just got 3 calathea and now have a water filter because they didn’t like my tap no matter what I did (even leaving the water out for days). So far, doing better… but it’s only been 3 weeks.
My croton is THE BEST. It has been my easiest by far. It’s outside (east facing patio) since I wanted to keep the color. It fell in a random wind storm but it’s already recovered and filling in the spots with new leaves. It’s my favorite to look at 💚💚
The bane of my existence are spider plants. Cannot keep them alive. Cannot figure them out.
Spider plants have thick succulent roots and like to dry out between waterings. 😸✌️
GREAT advice for our newbie friends and I agree with ALL of this!! 🙌
I read somewhere that full sun inside is equivalent to part shade outside. Crotons barely have a chance inside
Very true!!!
If you’re dead-set on having one, a plant light could make all the difference. ❤️😸✌️
My parents had a calathea houseplant for 20 years. They never fertilized it, never repotted it, and only watered it once a month maybe. I have no idea how it survived so long. xD
I was lucky with my first plants. I bought calathea, croton, AND alocasia 😂 but I have large south windows and the humidity here in iowa is very high in the summer, often 85%. My apartment generally stays around 60% naturally until winter time. My croton is in a south windowsill getting direct sun. Its never dropped a leaf and has actually put out 6 over the last 2 months. Now I know how to take care of them to make them thrive but im sure they survived initially just due to my natural conditions.
Big same! I haven’t gotten a croton but I bought the other two with a string of hearts on my first trip to the nursery. All three are still alive & doing well, 3 months later. Here in NC, we have 75-90% humidity May-mod Oct.
Yes! The nerve plant too, don't look at it and certainly don't buy it!! So many people in the comments saying "oh my xyz look amazing", well you're one of the lucky ones lol
When you live in the Philippines and all of those plants are easy to grow because of our weather. It's summer everyday here and very humid. lol
All of those plants are thriving in our house.
Great list! I’ve bought and successfully killed all of these when I first started 😂 I tried again of course and figured them out by now. Also, I wouldn’t recommend buying cheaper plants from overseas, aka importing, for beginners simply due to the acclimation process. Another thing I did in the beginning and my imports died since I didn’t know much about acclimation or propagation to save them I’ve they weren’t doing well.
🤭
It is all true Becca!!! Your words need to be posted in all Plant shops.
omg i bought a marantaceae as one of my first plants a few months ago.... its been absolutely fine and is growing well! maybe im just lucky, fingers crossed i havent jinxed myself now :D
No need to cross your fingers. Jinxes are purely mythical. ✌️
Surprisingly my calathea I bought at the beginning of my plant journey are still alive, a little ugly, but alive nonetheless 🤣
Dieffenbachias and crotons are the easiest plants ever. You can literally cut them up, overwater or underwater them, put them in low light, direct light, high temp, low temp, dry, humid, loamsoil, sandy soil, clay, etc. They'll live. I literally meant it when I said 'cut it up and throw it anywhere.'
I was expecting less common plants on this list.
Great for you!!
Just proves my point that no one should be on TH-cam telling others what to grow or not to grow. ❤️😸✌️
My easiest plant has been my thanksgiving cactus. Potted inbhalf bark, half potting soil and I water if / when I remember. It blooms every year.
This was fantastic Becca! I have been a plant collector for about 7 yrs now, and have only recently stepped up to more rare plants, but my budget is always $50, so I mostly buy cuttings and seedlings (which tip, I find easier to grow them than full plants, much easier to acclimate these). I have a friend who got a few plants during the Pandemic I think 5 or 6, and I swear she got everything on this list! Plus a fern! I sent her your video to watch because she has asked me about the plant's diva-ness and I told her she bought every plant I would have recommended against for a beginner, so I am trying to help her learn more to keep them alive, I am estatic to have my bff into plants, and I would hate for her experience with these "Sirens" to put her off of plants forever. Love your videos, you always choose great topics!
I have an Alocasia Polly (African mask plant) that was accidentally sent to me incorrectly by costa farms! I love it so much but it sure is dramatic.
Do you allow it to go dormant over winter like caladiums? That’s what it needs.
Rooting Mindfully has a good video on the topic. ❤️😸✌️
My first plant was a medallion calathea and it lasted 3 years. But I must say it was a fluke 😂😂 all the calatheas I got afterwards were a disaster 😶
Great video! (as always :) ) I think the biggest 'problem' with Dieffenbachia is over watering - which in itself is a major hurdle for new comers to houseplants. Other than figuring out the watering, I don't find them all that challenging. But again, I don't think I got my first Dieffenbachia until I already had a couple of years of experience with houseplants, so that may be skewing my view with them. I think I got my Croton fairly early on in my 'plant journey' and it's doing well, but I knew it needed A LOT of light, so it always spends the Summer outdoors and the Winter right up next to a West or South facing window or, like you said, right under an intense (read - meant to grow Coral underwater type light) grow lights (WAY more light than a typical 'grow light' for plants). Oddly, some other so-called 'easy' plants I seem to have problems with are Pepperomias and Pileas - they're supposed to be easy, but after years of experience with houseplants, I find them as challenging as Calatheas. Orchids are MUCH easier by comparison than any of those genera (Calathea, Pilea, Pepperomia), at least for me.
I love my dieffenbachia. I’ve had it for years and propagated many from it. 💚
Thanks Becca for all your useful information, however I disagree with you about the Croton. My Croton is about 20 years old and has always done well. It may be due to the skylight that it lives right under, but I love my Croton and think it's pretty.
Good advice! It is fun with new and different plants, but I think it is good to never pay more than you can afford to loose money wise.
The alocacia and croton one! I love them so much and I really hope I can be able to keep one. I have a croton and he’s doing really well actually. But I also live in an area with very high elevation and lots of intense sun
I’d like to suggest begonia for the list 😂 they’re beautiful but rot easily. I killed my first bush on fire croton. Learned the care a little better and now mines 2 years old and is branching off babies. Definitely wouldn’t recommend for a newbie but if you have the sun and you’re determined enough, you can make them happy. I’m a bush on fire croton Stan 😂 I think they’re gorgeous
Yes I stopped because I was thinking that I was doing something wrong Thank you for sharing
I bought an anthurium clarinervium a couple of months into collecting plants without doing research. I stuck it in my bathroom (just by chance it was the only space I had at the time for it) and it has been my chillest and easiest plant in my collection. So that’s definitely a tip I recommend if you’re not experienced in artificially increasing the humidity for a plant; just keep it in a bathroom! I also bought a maranta as my third ever plant and somehow it’s been my easiest plant along with my anthurium, but I’ve no idea why it’s doing so well lol
Excellent class. Im a beginner. Thank you
Honestly i feel like as someone who’s managed to make it through their first year as a plant parent - I’ve certainly gotten a few that are probably something i should’ve gotten later (succs are the bane of my existence) - but I’ve found philodendron have basically tons of different plants and range of skill level that i think i don’t even care to bother with any other unless it’s rlly important like my beloved string of hearts
All the philodendrons I’ve tried have been surprisingly easy to care for. I have stuck with more “basic” ones, so it could be I’ve just chosen beginner-friendly philos, but I love em!
@@myconfusedmerriment same! I definitely have more beginner friendly ones most due to accessibility bc I’m not going broke over plants lmao