Kid Approved Houseplants

 Growing and caring for houseplants is a constructive, educational and therapeutic activity for kids! It’s a positive break that reconnects them to the calming powers of nature. Houseplants are a great way to get children excited & also involved in gardening and science because they can be cared for year-round and are fairly easy to research. Kids love getting their hands dirty!  They also love to help care for their new plants by watering, repotting & rotating them to make sure they are getting the accurate sunlight. 

When searching for houseplants for children, focus on foliage plants that tolerate lower light and are slower growing – plants like these often have lower watering and light demands. Try to select plants that are relatively trouble-free and not particularly prone to pests, leaf tipping or shedding. Good starter plants for children include:

Philodendrons                                       

Philodendron plants are especially trouble and pest-free & and easy to care for in almost any environment. A number of newer Philodendrons have bright colors like neon green, orange and reds. It's recommended to water every 7-10 days.

Pothos

Pothos are widely available, easy to care for and come in a variety of foliage colors. Water every 7 to 14 days, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.  These are also fun to put in pots with hangers & watch them to see how long their “legs” can get!

ZZ Plant                                                                   

The ZZ Plant or as I like to call it the Zanzibar Gem, is a new-found love for a lot of plant-parents. This plant type has very interesting, waxy leaves. It doesn’t need to be watered often, isn’t susceptible to most pests AND tolerates lower light. Water every 2 - 3 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.  Avoid over-watering this plant!  

Snake Plant                                                            

The snake plant or Mother In Law’s tongue as it is commonly referred to, has elongated, wispy leaves that are thick and meaty like a tongue. It’s available in a variety of colors and patterns. It is another low maintenance plant that does not need to be watered often, tolerates lower light and is susceptible to few pests. Like the ZZ plant, it prefers to be on the dry side and should not be over-watered. It also comes in many different sizes. 

Chinese Evergreen                                                  

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)  have larger leaves available in a wide range of patterns and increasingly in a variety of colors, including pinks and reds. I happen to love these myself because of the pink stems!  Aglaonema makes a great interior plant and develops new growth even when not in direct light. It has average watering needs – avoid over-watering. 

Aloe vera                                                               

Aloe vera is another common houseplant that has low watering needs but enjoys brighter light. It is very well-known for its healing medicinal properties and is found in many over-the-counter skin-healing ointments. Like all succulents, avoid over-watering Aloe vera and provide it with more light.

Succulents & Cacti                                          

There are many other fun houseplants for kids, including a variety of miniature palms, succulents, cacti, ivies and others. A fun thing to do with succulents is to make up little dish gardens or “fairy gardens”!

Once your plants are potted, work together with your child to set up a watering and care schedule. They will love feeling a sense of ownership and pride in caring for their houseplant. Assist with any pruning or adding fertilizer . Need an extra hand tracking the watering schedule? Our moisture meters make determining if your plant friend needs a drink. You'll be nurturing a new green thumb in no time!