3 best beginner plants you can try growing, according to Instagram's Plant Kween
For one Instagram influencer, the secret to self-care, community building and self-growth is simple -- house plants.
Christopher Griffin, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, goes by the moniker "Plant Kween."
"First, kids were the thing, then pets were the thing, now plants are the thing," Griffin said about the growing plant trend and why so many millennial have them in their homes. "I think it’s just an opportunity to nurture."
Griffin identifies as a "black queer femme kween," and goes by either she/her or he/him pronouns. And we are here for her plant collection, tips and tricks and self-care philosophy.
She calls her plants "Green Gurls," which "honors the femme in me," she told "GMA." "It’s also just a way to note that pronouns exist and pronouns matter, especially to LGBTQ and non-binary folks."
"GMA" got an exclusive tour, on which she showed us a few of her favorite Green Gurls and shared tips on how to take care of some beginner plants.
Here are her tried-and-true recommendations for new plant parents and some tips to keep them alive.
Snake plant
"This is my favorite, favorite, favorite plant because it is so resilient. I tend to overwater, or over-nurture, so this plant is a good reminder that sometimes you just have to let plants be."
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light, but you can get away with having this plant in low-light areas. It will be OK, but will just grow slower.
Water: Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. This can be as little as once every two weeks to once a month in the winter. (Note: The amount you water plants depends a lot on the season and, on average, you can expect to water plants half as often in the winter.)
Humidity: This plant likes to be warmer, so be sure to place farther away from drafty windows and in a spot where it won’t get much colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the winter.
Soil: Use a well-draining soil mix that will avoid saturating the roots with water. You can even mix your own with fur bark, perlite and a succulent-specific soil.
What Plant Kween loves about it: They’re great air purifiers, they don’t require a lot of attention or watering, and are low-light tolerant, so they make for excellent plants for beginners.
Pothos
"This was my very first plant, and she’s still thriving and still alive today so, hello! It’s one of the easiest plants to take care of. It doesn’t need a lot of water and is a fast grower."
Light: Very flexible, can survive medium light, low light or bright indirect light.
Water: Water once a week in the summer and twice a month in the winter. The leaves will droop when it needs water, so that’s a good sign to water right away.
Humidity: Prefers high humidity, but will be OK in low humidity settings as well.
Soil: Well-drained potting soil; roots like to be on the drier side.
What Plant Kween loves about it: It can also be easily propagated from cuttings -- if you cut off the plant at its node, you can place it in a glass of water until the roots grow enough to pot it in soil.
Heartleaf philodendron
"These queens are fast growers, so you just get the satisfaction of some new growth. We all love some new growth, darling!"
Light: Prefers shady environments, both dappled bright light or indirect light with some shade are ideal. Will tolerate low light.
Water: Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater. Misting a couple times a week can help and allow surface to dry out between watering in the winter.
Humidity: Prefers more humid air, but can tolerate dry air.
Soil: Peat moss-based mixes work well, but most potting soils that drain well are also an option.
What Plant Kween loves about it: Grows quickly, is resilient and has the cutest heart-shaped leaves.
For all the new plant mommies and daddies, Griffin says, "Just have fun with it, do your research and don't be afraid to green up your home!"
Editor's note: This was originally published on Nov. 12, 2019.
