To be a plant parent is to foster your new buds as you would your children. It is an activity that is both engaging and relaxing, beneficial to physical and mental health - which is why a lot of millennials are taking part in it amidst the pandemic.
Growing plants gives you a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment - and it could even contribute to food shortages or reward you with its medicinal uses. Overall, becoming a plant parent is one of the best steps you can take today as this pandemic continues to drag on.
Furthermore, if you’re wondering as to where you should start with your parent journey, read below and unearth the materials you may need and the three best plants you can start with:
Materials You Need As A Plant Parent
Just as you need diapers and milk to take care of your baby, you would also need a few materials for your plants to grow and thrive in your backyard. And no, diapers and milk are not those items. Continue below and discover the materials you will need to arm yourself to be fully called a plant parent:
Gloves
Protecting your hands from thorny bushes is the first thing you need. With this, you will need to acquire durable and fitting gloves for you to transfer your plants from pot to pot comfortably.
Pruning Shears
Pruning your plants is one way to let them thrive. For this, you will need to get pruning shears when the shrubs or branches are getting out of hand. Additionally, remember that the shears should fit and feel right in your hands so that you will have no problem doing the task.
Hand Trowel
The most fundamental gardening tool is the hand trowel. With this, you will transfer your plants, take out weeds, and plant in pots. The handle should fit well in your hand as well.
Watering Can
The watering can is the tool perfect for feeding your plants water. Coming in all shapes and sizes, this will help make your gardening life easier. You could acquire one with a sprinkler head that is best for outdoors or a long-necked can perfect for houseplants.
The 3 Best Plants To Start With:
Since you’re now fully equipped as a plant parent, you will now need your plants! With this, there are three options you could go for:
Black Eyed Susan
This garden-favorite plant shines with its bright-yellow petals and brown or black center. And if yellow is too much for you, some flowers boast beautiful red, orange, and even golden petals. It is the first plant that greets gardeners trying out the plant-parent activity for the first time.
With the black eyed susan, the only requirement you will necessarily meet is the full sunlight. When it comes to soil type or fertilizer, these plants are not that picky at all, and they only need water when the ground becomes dry.
Dracaena
If you’re an always-on-the-go person, then the dracaena plant is the best for you! The slender trunk and bright green leaves lined with an elegant yellow will become a complete show stopper, thriving only with little effort.
With the dracaena, you will want to put them in an area where they receive partial sunlight. Additionally, the soil should be kept moist, and you should never water the plant unless the ground on top has completely dried out. The unfortunate case that you did overwater your dracaena will show as the leaves will start to droop and turn yellow.
These plants are also the best at purifying the air. It removes chemicals such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene - the chemicals known for contributing to headaches, anemia, respiratory problems, and even kidney disease. And although these plants are toxic to dogs and cats, it is non-toxic for us, humans.
Aloe Vera
With its short stems and thick leaves, the aloe vera plant is known for its health benefits. The gel inside the aloe vera, when prepared properly, is edible and can be used to treat burns and stimulate hair growth. With a novice plant parent, it is also one of the easiest plants to take care of.
Just like the black eyed susan, this plant will also want you to put them in a bright spot. Likewise, the solid needs to be dry before you would like to water it again. This is to ensure they grow and thrive well.
This plant also grants you its various anti-inflammatory and vitamin-rich leaves. Their gel can be used to treat sunburn and sores, and it also contains minerals, amino acids, and even antioxidants.
Takeaway
Gardening is not an easy sport, but you could just become the best at it with the basic knowledge and the will to start. With the information presented above, you now have what it takes to create your garden and crown yourself with the title of a plant parent!
