Houseplants

depends on the type of plant

@brownpaperplanes I'm not the right person to listen to for advice on this subject. I decided some time ago to not keep houseplants because I'm so good at killing them. Luckily I have a garden and I'm much successful at plants outdoors. Houseplants live in such a restricted environment - thier pot - it's a real challenge to get and keep conditions just right. The margin for error is much smaller. So I have lots of respect and envy for those who do well with houseplants.

What do they need? Light, water, nutrients and heat. How much of each, as another poster said, depends on the plant. Google is quite good for helping with that. I suggest starting with something quite hardy, like a spider plant (or ask at a garden centre for suggestions). And get several, put them in different places and give them different things at different amounts and expect to lose a few, but learn from the ones that thrive. Those are the ones you got the conditions right so keep doing what you did with them.

Good luck.

Do you live in a house or apartment? I feel like most apartments don't get nearly enough light and you don't get close to enough until you're in a house. I live in an apartment and started using supplemental lights and I'm getting growth. The plants are all still thin and leggy, but it's growth.

But every plant is different. If you want starter plants, look for snake plants, Parlor palms and a cut ficus. They're super hearty and can usually handle over watering pretty well. Try not to water any of your plants more than once a week and feel free to give them a week off from time to time. Plants actually get stronger from occasional trauma and drought. They'll dig deeper and stronger roots to look for water, that way.