The Complete Guide to Growing Flowers at Home for Beginners: 10 Essential Care Tips for Starter Plants

Florists always say: "This plant is so easy to grow, just water it." But within a few months, the plant dies "for no apparent reason." What should you do? In fact, "just watering" is a skill in itself. Here is how to care for 10 beginner-level houseplants. Learn more plant care knowledge, and stop being a "plant killer"!

Care Methods for 10 Beginner-Level Houseplants

1

Golden Pothos

(...From offices to ordinary homes, its lush green form is everywhere.)

Common cause of death: Improper watering; unsuitable lighting.

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow and wilt.

Prevention and treatment:

Golden Pothos prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment. Keep the potting soil at a moist level; when the soil surface turns pale, water thoroughly. Reduce watering in winter, keeping the soil from drying out completely. Avoid direct sunlight, but do not place it in a dark spot for extended periods. When winter temperatures are low, it can be kept in full sunlight.

Care secrets:

In midsummer, mist the aerial roots and leaf surfaces several times a day. This cleans the leaves, lowers leaf temperature, and increases humidity in the micro-environment.

2

Golden Barrel Cactus

(...If you manage to kill this one, that would truly be a miracle!)

Common cause of death: Pot too large; improper watering.

Symptoms: Root rot, body rot.

Prevention and treatment:

Do not use too large a pot; one that just fits the cactus body with a little room to spare is ideal. If the pot is too large, the water cannot be absorbed after a thorough watering, air cannot circulate inside the pot, and root rot easily occurs. In winter, water sparingly on a sunny morning; watering at noon can easily cause sunburn on the body.

Care secrets:

For cacti with a depression at the top, be careful not to let water get into the depression, as this can cause rot.

3

Spider Plant

(...A hugely popular "grassroots" orchid.)

Common cause of death: Improper placement.

Symptoms: Leaf tips wither.

Prevention and treatment:

Spider plants should be placed in areas with short sun exposure or no direct sunlight. Avoid strong light, and avoid direct contact with walls, metal racks, window frames, and other structures.

Care secrets:

Promptly clean dust from spider plant leaves to keep them fresh, and regularly trim away withered, spent leaves.

4

Aloe Vera

(...Absorbs harmful gases, a must-have for a new home)

Common cause of death: Cold damage; overwatering.

Symptoms: Leaves turn black; root and stem rot.

Prevention and treatment:

Aloe vera is a tropical plant and is naturally sensitive to cold. When temperatures drop below 0°C, the moisture in the leaves will freeze. When the temperature falls below 5°C, it should be moved indoors to a south-facing, wind-sheltered, sunny spot. The most important thing in aloe care is not to overwater. Normally, mist or sprinkle the leaves and keep them slightly moist. In winter, keep the soil dry.

Care secrets:

Potted aloe vera is best grown in a clay pot; avoid porcelain and plastic pots.

5

Rieger Begonia

(...A New Year flower that has become increasingly popular in recent years, with an exceptionally long bloom period.)

Common cause of death: Unsuitable temperature; improper watering.

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow, wilt, and die.

Prevention and treatment:

The ideal growing temperature for Rieger begonia is 18-22°C. In winter, place it in a south-facing, sunny spot indoors as much as possible. If summer temperatures stay above 28°C for an extended period, move it to an air-conditioned room or a shaded area. Keep the potting soil moist, neither bone-dry nor overly wet, otherwise flowers are prone to drop.

Care secrets:

Rieger begonia needs ample fertilizer and water during the growing season. Apply soybean soak solution or fermented rice-washing water once every two weeks.

6

Asparagus Fern

(...Very common, yet long beloved by scholars for its uniquely elegant bearing.)

Common cause of death: Overwatering; improper placement.

Symptoms: Branches and leaves turn yellow and wither.

Prevention and treatment:

Do not water asparagus fern until the soil is dry; when dry, water thoroughly, but do not let water accumulate in the pot. Avoid scorching sun, but ensure it receives some sunlight, and keep the air circulating. Best kept away from stoves or televisions. Room temperature should not drop below 5°C.

Care secrets:

If the asparagus fern withers due to improper placement, trim off the dead leaves and continue caring for it; new shoots will still emerge.

Televisions and other appliances that emit radiation are "plant killers." Try not to place plants too close to them, especially delicate flowering plants.

7

Cyclamen

(...A world-renowned flower. They say it is easy to grow, but the counterexamples around me are too numerous to count...)

Common cause of death: Improper watering; poor ventilation.

Symptoms: Root rot; petals rot or dry up and fall off.

Prevention and treatment:

It is best to water by soaking the pot bottom. Water again when the flowers and leaves are slightly wilted. Do not spray water on the petals, as this will cause them to rot.

Cyclamen likes good ventilation. Smoke, dust, and stale air will cause the petals to dry up and fall off, but it should not be placed directly in a drafty spot either.

Care secrets:

Cyclamen is best placed on a windowsill, balcony, or other spot with ample light, and the pot position should be changed frequently.

If a potted plant has been placed in a poorly ventilated spot to decorate the home, remember to move it around from time to time so the plant can breathe some fresh air.

8

Money Tree

(...Ever since "Malabar chestnut" was given the Chinese name "Money Tree," it immediately became the "family guardian tree" of many small households.

Common cause of death: Temperature too low; waterlogged soil.

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow and dry, then drop off.

Prevention and treatment:

Money trees easily die below 10°C. Avoid waterlogging in the pot. Reduce watering in winter. During the growing season, lightly mist the leaf surfaces occasionally.

Care secrets:

1. Money trees like sun and tolerate shade. They can be placed in a low-light indoor spot for 2-4 consecutive weeks, then moved to a brighter location.

2. Water slowly and thoroughly in one go; stop immediately when water seeps from the bottom. Minimize irregular watering in between. Remember, never let water accumulate in the pot, as this easily causes root rot.

9

Alocasia

(...The name is very auspicious, but the water it "drips" is "toxic," so be careful!)

Common cause of death: Too much light; improper watering; insufficient fertilizer and water.

Symptoms: Drooping leaves, yellow leaves, wilting leaves.

Prevention and treatment:

Alocasia prefers shade and dislikes direct sunlight. Control watering in winter. Do not spray water on the leaves either, as this will cause white spots to appear on them. During the growing season, water and fertilize more generously.

Care secrets:

Winter is the dormant period for Alocasia. If the leaves shrivel and turn yellow, cut all leaves off at the stem, stop watering, and place it in a corner. Water only once a month throughout the entire winter.

10

Rubber Plant

(...It looks like a long-lived tree, but of course it depends on the owner's care skills.)

Common cause of death: Temperature too low.

Symptoms: Leaves turn black and drop off; root rot.

Prevention and treatment:

Rubber plants like sunlight and are not cold-hardy. In winter, move them indoors to a sunny spot and keep the room temperature above 10°C, with the minimum temperature not below 5°C. At the end of April to early May the following year, move them outdoors or onto a balcony for care.

Care secrets:

During the hot summer months, rubber plants grow quickly and can be given generous fertilizer and water.

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