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Choosing Your First Houseplant That Is Hard to Kill
Plants usually die because they are given too much water
Comparison of beginner-friendly plants
Below is a summary of watering intervals, light needs, and budgets for common low-maintenance plants. Watering intervals are based on ordinary indoor conditions; in winter, extend all intervals by 1.5 times.
| Section | Key summary |
|---|---|
| Comparison of beginner-friendly plants | Short key point |
| Decide where to place it first | If you buy a plant first and then look for a spot, you are more likely to fail |
| How to help it adjust during the first 2 weeks | Do not repot it immediately after buying it |
| Plant | Watering interval | Light | Budget | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | 7-10 days | Low light is OK | 10,000-20,000 won | Easy to propagate from stem cuttings |
| Snake plant | 14-20 days | Can tolerate low light | 15,000-30,000 won | Very resistant to dryness |
| Parlor palm | 5-7 days | Soft indirect light | 10,000-20,000 won | Air-purifying effect |
| Succulents | 10-15 days | Bright light is essential | 5,000-15,000 won | Stretches out when sunlight is insufficient |
Decide where to place it first
If you buy a plant first and then look for a spot, you are more likely to fail. Reverse the order and check the light in the place where you want to put it. If shadows are sharp during the day, it has bright light; if you can read there but the shadows are soft, it has medium light; if you need to turn on a light even during the day, it has low light. Choose a plant that suits the spot.
- Within 1m of a window, direct sunlight → succulents
- A bright living room without direct sunlight → parlor palm, pothos
- A bedroom or bathroom with almost no light → snake plant
How to help it adjust during the first 2 weeks
- Do not repot it immediately after buying it. Keep it in its original pot for 2 weeks and let it adjust to its new environment.
- Place it in the spot you chose and touch the surface of the soil with your hand. If no soil sticks to your hand, it is time to water.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot, and if possible, discard any water collected in the saucer after 10 minutes.
- If dust builds up on the leaves, lightly wipe them with a wet tissue instead of misting them to help them breathe.
- If the leaves do not droop for 2 weeks, the plant has adjusted successfully. At that point, repot it into a pot one size larger.
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Note: Do not water by the calendar. Insert your finger two knuckles deep into the soil and check the dryness yourself. Soil is more accurate than dates.
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