Whether you’re a beginner in gardening or you just wish to try out a new hobby, you always need to start with something simple to really get into it. And trying to grow plants that require simple care will tell you whether you possess the knack for gardening or even if you have any interest in further gardening.
It will be an effective way to test yourself and your interest out without having to spend on many resources like effort or money or time. Keepin’ it simple will really help you keep it green.
So in order for you to know what plants can be easily taken care of and how to go about this simple care, we’ve compiled a list of plants that you can choose from to try out your gardening charm on. Read through and take your pick! There are two broad categories of plants for you to choose from.
Kitchen Essentials
This list includes plants that can be planted in your kitchen house garden i.e. plants that will provide condiments and vegetables for you to use in your kitchen and as an added bonus are also very easy to grow.
#1 – Basil
Ocimum Basilicum
A gardening favourite considering that it can extensively be used in the kitchen, the plant is easy to grow and easy to maintain. This will mean that you will be able to easily garden as well as procure fresh condiments for your kitchen.
Care: It is one of the plants that can be grown very easily and with a minimum effort. The plant thrives in sunlight and in well-drained soil. It is sensitive to colder conditions so make sure to take care of temperature once you’ve planted it. Water the plant at the base and don’t overdo it. Make sure that your plant gets at least 6 hours of sun every day. While harvesting the plant make sure to leave 1/3 of the plant, so that it continues cultivating leaves.
#2 – Potatoes
Solanum Tuberosum
A useful plant to be used in the kitchen in making many dishes and you will never run out of use for this plant. And on the upside, they are an easy plant to grow with minimum effort and maximum output.
Care: They can survive periods of dryness which allows them to grow even without regular care. However, do not leave then unwatered for too long. Watering the plants needs to be deep so that it’s moist underground to keep the roots healthy. Hilling the plants once or two times a season is necessary for efficient growth. It also helps against pests. Watering can begin after the tubers develop. Watering them actively will help in keeping the tubers healthy and grow into tasty potatoes.
#3 – Tomatoes
Solanum Lycopersicum
Yet another vegetable to add to the garden that has extensive use in the garden. This in combination with other plants such as basil will help you complete a house garden exclusively for fresh kitchen ingredients. And thankfully, it’s a very simple plant to grow and cultivate and take care of.
Care: The plant prefers direct sunlight with well-drained soil and make sure it’s a spot where the plant receives a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight. Plant them at least 2 feet apart. Water largely in the initial stages to avoid root shock. Deep watering is recommended for strong root growth. You can add mulch for weed control and retain soil moisture. This plant is falling an easy prey to pests so make sure to take intensively careful measures to keep the pests away.
#4 – Mint
Mentha
This is a herb that you can find many uses for in the kitchen for food and beverages. It is a must plant if you plan on having a tiny herb garden for yourself and you can easily grow it with very little effort.
Care: The plant requires an abundance of water to grow and desires rich foliage with good drainage. It is averted to dry conditions. It can tolerate partial sunlight, however in order to increase its essence and oils to optimal results, planting it in direct sunlight is desirable. It is a plant that easily spreads, so make sure to use any desirable medium to contain its roots. It is recommended that you move the plant once every three or four years, as the soil weakens in nutrients and a change of place will help in revival.
#5 – Radish
Raphanus Raphanistrum Subsp. Sativus
Another plant to add beside potatoes, radish plants provides you with a great vegetable to experiment within the kitchen. Being a root plant, it can easily be grown in the comfort of your own garden and harvested for further use and can also be given to neighbours as a good gesture. The joy you would derive from caring for these plants and then
Care: Place the plant in a spot with more sunlight for smaller leaves and bigger vegetables. Use soil that is well-drained and is rich in organic compost. You can also use an all-purpose fertilizer for this purpose. Do not crowd the plants because they won’t grow as healthily and place them adequately apart.
Keep the plant actively moist at all times. Mulch can be of aid in retaining moisture when conditions become too dry. Weeds can be a great problem as they will crowd the soil space and take up all the nutrients so take measures to keep the weeds out. During the harvest period, do not leave them in the soil for too long or else they will spoil easily and all your effort will go to waste.
#6 – Spinach
Spinacia Oleracea
A plant that is easy to grow and healthy to cook while being tasty to eat. Especially for all you health lovers out there this plant works really well to quench your interest in gardening and also facilitate your healthy acts.
Care: Do not overcrowd the soil and place them adequately apart for better growth. Use organic compost or fertilizer to use on the plant. You can easily suppress weeds by applying mulch to the plant. Water the plant actively but don’t overwater it; you need the soil to be moist, not soggy.
Pests won’t be much of a problem in the case of this plant. However, pests like slugs or adult flies are prone to exploit the plant and so you must take measures against these. Harvesting only the outside leaves will increase production.
#7 – Zucchini
Cucurbita Pepo
Now you have another plant to place in your vegetable garden. Used in many dishes, this plant can provide great use and will also require simple care to grow.
Care: Place the seeds adequately apart: 36 inches at least. Applying mulch around the plant can be of great help. It not only retains soil water but also keeps the temperature of the soil stable. The plant will require enough water, so make sure there is enough water for the plant to take in, it has to be watered a minimum of 2 inches deep.
Avoid sprinklers as they will cause the zucchini plant leaves to develop powdery mildew that will harm the plant. Harvesting the zucchinis when they are small will help in the development of flavourful zucchinis. Remember that this is s plant that can be easily grown and can be used largely by you so make sure to consider it for planting in your garden.
#8 – Garlic
Allivum Sativum
A plant whose yield is very much required for use in the kitchen. Garlic is a more than common kitchen condiment that you would require to use every so often. So having this plant in your garden so that it not only provides you with said condiment but is also an easily cultivable plant which makes it a win-win situation.
Care: Make sure to plant the cloves in an area where water does not collect much as it will result in root rot. It prefers well-drained and fertile soil. Use a large amount of compost and fertilizer for growth.
Care for the plant in fall and spring is different so depending upon the season you plant it in, you’ll have to care for it separately. Use mulch in protecting the soil around the plant. Harvest the garlic bulbs at the right time because if you leave them in the soil for too long, they will separate and you won’t be able to store them well.
#9 – Onion
Allium Cepa
A kitchen essential, and easy to grow plant that can be used for purposes that are many and will provide you with a kitchen equipped garden.
Care: Plant them in a sunny location and see to it that the soil is well-drained and loose. Nitrogen and compost or manure are essential to the plant for bulb development. Space the plants well to avoid crowding; at least 4 to 5 inches apart.
Applying mulch will help to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Fertilize regularly but stop once the bulbs have sprouted. Watering the plant with loads of water will result in sweeter onions. Take measures to keep away pests such as thrips and onion maggots.
#10 – Beetroot
Beta Vulgaris
This vegetable is quite dynamic with its kitchen uses as well as its health benefits. Working with this plant in the garden can be joyous and also easy.
Care: The plant requires fertile conditions to grow and must be grown in well-drained soil. Adding compost or organic matter before sowing will help fertilize the soil. Water twice per month between dry periods. Nitrogen fertilisers can be used if the growth appears to be stunted. Mainly, keep the soil of the plant moist for better growth.
#11 – Peas
Pisum Sativum
A garden plant that can easily be grown to fruition for useful purposes in the kitchen in various foods.
Care: Adding manure or compost to the soil bed will help greatly in proper growth. Plant them atleast 2 inches apart. Placing them in cool soil is recommended but the soil must not be wet. The temperature of the soil must be properly balanced. Water very little but make sure that the plant does not completely dry out. Use your hands to weed the bed so that you don’t disturb the roots. Ensure measures are in place to keep away the pests.
#12 – Spring Onions
Allium Fistulosum
Soups or garnish, spring onion is a very tasteful rendition of the onion family that can be grown easily in your garden under your supervision.
Care: Spring (as said in the name) must be the season you cultivate spring onions in. These plants take up very little space. Prepare the soil bed using organic fertilizer. Make sure they are planted in a sunny spot in a well-drained, loamy soil.
Water the plant once every week. And keep the plant fertilizer during active growth season. Make sure to weed the bed regularly. Following this simple procedure will ensure you have healthy spring onions in about 8 to 12 weeks.
#13 – Beans
Phaseolus Vulgaris
Surprisingly this plant is an easy one to care for and to grow. It falls under the list of necessary garden vegetables and can easily be produced for use.
Care: Soil that is partially rich has to be used for planting. Organic matter can be applied for fertilization. Apply mulch around the plant to retain moisture. Use soil that is well-drained. Mulch will allow the soil to keep cool for the roots.
Water the plant actively, especially on sunny days. Do not provide the plant with a nitrogen fertilizer else the leaves will grow more luscious and you will have few beans. Weed regularly. The plant is prone to many pests so beware.
#14 – Salad Leaves
Lactuca Sativa
Having leaves fresh from the garden to prepare a fresh and healthy salad for the family is a very joy inciting activity. This can easily be achieved by nurturing for salad leaf plants.
Care: Plant them in a sunny spot as they grow well in spaces with sunlight. In order to increase water content in the soil, add organic matter to the soil before sowing. It is important to keep the soil moist, do not let it dry out or else the leaves will lose their flavour. Use liquid feed once every three weeks for faster growth. Use moist and well-drained soil for cultivation.
#15 – Broad Beans
Vicia Faba
Another member of the beans family that many might find interesting. It can be used in many savoury favourites and hence, will be a good pick to plant in your house garden.
Care: The soil must be rich in organic matter and well-drained and loose. Select a sunny spot. Cold weather is best for this plant. Space them 18 to 30 inches apart. Watering the soil just before it dries out is recommended. Moist soil is essential during pod formation. Keep the surroundings free from weeds. Use a hose or sticky traps or insecticidal soap to keeps the pests away.
Beautification
These are plants that you can plant simply for the joy of gardening and will look pleasant to the eyes. They are plants that you can have around the house to fit into your green aesthetics and can easily be taken care of to further fuel your gardening interests.
#16 – Pansy
Viola Tricolor Var. Hortensis
This bright violent over toned flowers radiate off a beauty that is very desirable in your garden. They are flowers that can grow under immensely tough conditions and hence require very little care to flourish.
Care: It may be a little complicated to begin growing pansies from seeds so if you will it, you can buy them first from the nursery and then begin to take care of them. They are a little slow to bloom. The best soil temperature for this plant if between 45 F and 65 F.
They are a cold-weather flower plant and so can tolerate a little frost but not too freezing. Use well-drained, moist soil that is rich in humus for planting. They can grow in partial sunlight and prefer comparatively colder weather. Make sure they get the joy of the morning sunlight but the afternoon heat may be too much for them. Space them well between 7 and 12 inches as they will each need a growing space between 9 and 12 inches.
#17 – Sunflower
Helianthus
Yes, you heard it. This absolutely desirable plant is easy to grow and pleasurable to look at. Imagine having these beautiful flowers in your garden, and all of it for the price of very little effort and time.
Care: Sunlight, the boon of these plant’s lives. See to it that they’re placed in direct sunlight at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Because of their long taproots, they require well-drained, loose soil.
Feed the plant with organic matter or compost as they require heavy feed. Releasing granular fertilizer in the soil works well too. Place the plants at least 30 inches apart for growth.
During planting, mixing fertilizer with the soil will aid in strong roots later on and will help with seed placement stability. Netting the plants will help keep the birds away from the plants before they grow into flowers. Water the roots of the plants and do not over-fertilize. Harvest them later for various purposes.
#18 – Marigold
Tagetes
These lovely yellow over tuned flowers will add a joyous splash of colour to your yard. They can be used for decoration in your home too. Its bright coloured flowers in contrast to their dark coloured green stalk will prove to be a beautiful addition to your home.
Care: The plants can thrive when there is plenty of air circulation. Use well-drained soil and place the plant where it can receive a minimum of six hours of sunlight. Water the soil around the plant regularly. Only water once the soil has dried off completely from the previous watering session.
Do not let the soil become soggy or place the plant in wet conditions because it will lead to root rot. Apply to the plant a water-soluble fertilizer once every month and be sure to not over-fertilize. Pinch the tips of the newly blooming marigolds to encourage a bushier bloom.
#19 – ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
This is a tough tough plant. It can survive off of no water or sunlight for longer periods of time and can still grow to be healthy. So if you’re a usually forgetful person or aren’t at home as much, this plant would be perfect for you to grow.
Care: Avoid direct sunlight and see to it that it is placed in a spot with low sunlight. Make sure to water adequately and not too much. Let the soil dry off before watering again. Overwatering will lead to stem rot. Use well-drained soil for planting. Use liquid fertilizer once a month that is diluted for growth. Prune the plant regularly.
#20 – Philodendron
Philodendron Bipinnatifidum
A simple yet large plant to have around the house. You can decorate your living room or your porch with it and put in a little effort to take proper care of it.
Care: Use a spot that receives indirect sunlight. If the plant if showered with too much sunlight then its leaves turn yellow. But make sure it gets adequate sunlight. Allow short periods of dryness between watering. Water only when the soil has completely dried off. The leaves will droop if they aren’t getting enough water. Use liquid fertilizer to increase plant foliage.
#21 – Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena Braunii
You must be quite familiar with this plant and you must have seen it in quite some homes. This plant requires little to no attention to survive and grow. And that is why it is a good choice to use around the house.
Care: The plant can survive lower light conditions but mainly requires bright light. See that the plant receives light evenly all around. Change the water in the plant according to your feasibility.
Many people have different schedules of this and so, you can have your own for it. It is better to see to it that the roots of the plant are completely covered in water at all times. The water you use must not have too many minerals in it. Fertilizer for this plant is not necessary. And pests don’t attack the plant much either.
#22 – Topiary
Topiary
It’s one of those plants that you have around your yard for decoration purposes only. The beauty of this plant lies in the fact that you can trim it into a shape of your liking. And that is not only a fun activity but can also be one of your hobbies.
Care: Give the plant a little light every day and see that the plant is receiving light all around. Trim the plant with sharp garden scissors regularly to keep them looking sharp and neat at all times. Water the plant so that it is kept moist evenly always. Never let the plant completely run out of water. Use a water-diluted fertiliser for the plant and use once every month.
#23 – Spider Plant
Chlorophytum Comosum
Now this plant, you can easily find in any outdoor growth. It’s a very common outdoor plant that many aren’t even aware of how easy it is to grow. Its beauty can be appropriately shown off by placing the plant in a hanging pot so as to show off the plant’s luscious long leaves.
Care: These plants do not require much care and attention to grow. They are plants that can easily adapt to any environment and will grow accordingly. Bright light and indirect sunlight are recommended for placement. Regularly mist the leaves in order to avoid pests such as aphids and spider mites.
Provide the plant with adequate water regularly and make sure the plant is located in well-drained soil. Water the plant well but make sure to keep the soil only moist enough or else, too much water will lead to root rot.
#24 – Pothos
Epipremnum Aureum
Its leaves are so shiny that they appear almost golden under the sun. It’s beautiful to look at and easy to grow. Because they’re creepers, you can also grow them alongside a wall so that it gives the wall a beautified look.
Care: It is an easy plant to maintain and doesn’t require special conditions of light. It is necessary to water the plant frequently and you want to make sure to not soak the soil in water but to gently water around the base of the plant.
Fertilizing the plant once every month using a balanced fertilizer will work well for the plant as it is a stable one. However, make sure to keep the plant away from children and pets as it is toxic upon consumption.
#25 – Aloe Vera
Aloe Barbadensis
This plant is one of the common outdoor plants that you can easily plant in your garden. It comes in handy for various medicinal and household uses, so hey, it couldn’t hurt to have this multi-purpose plant. It long fruit stems make for a good variation of garden plants and its thorns don’t pose much danger.
Care: Locate the plant in a spot that is bright and has indirect sunlight. Keep the plant away from direct sunlight as that will lead to the drying out of the plant and yellowing. Keep the inner flesh of the aloe leaves away from pets and children as digestion may lead to harmful consequences.
#26 – Shamrock
Trifolium Repens
Considered to be a lucky plant, this plant can be planted around the house as a lucky charm and as a charm(ing) plant.
Care: At the time of growth of the plant, water only lightly. Water the plant twice or thrice a month and allow periods of dryness in between. Use houseplant food as a fertilizer to give to the plant.
When shoots appear on the plant, move the plant to a sunny spot. During the dormant period of the plant cut back on the watering as well as the fertilizer used on it. It’s known for the luck it brings so who knows, you might catch some of it too.
#27 – Cactus
Cactaceae
These beautiful desert plants that can very much be grown indoors as a houseplant have an appeal that no one can seem to deny. Taking care of them is easy and very love demanding.
Care: Water the plants once every week. Make sure it’s moist but see to it that water does not collect at the bottom. Use a spot that is brightly lit with indirect light. Use fast – draining and aerated soil. Cutting leaves and other such methods will help them reproduce. They do the best in natural light.
Conclusion
Whatever be your preference, whether it’s decorating the house or whether it’s building your dream house garden with as many vegetable plants, there are numerous plants that you can choose from that are easy to grow and will fall right into your interests. So pick out a few plants and get to turning those thumbs green!