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Last updated on December 21st, 2023 at 07:43 pm
Small, sweet, and adored by plant enthusiasts, baby plants are a great way to expand or start your plant collection without breaking the bank. Baby plants are readily available, and with different types boasting unique shapes, dramatic colors, and a general air of cuteness, it’s no wonder they’re having a moment.
What Are Baby Plants?
Baby plants are essentially small, young plants, usually growing in a five to six centimeter pot. They’re ideal for smaller spaces and are budget-friendly too.
As with all plants, watching baby plants grow and being able to nurture them to maturity is an absolute delight. However, many baby plants are slow growers, so they’ll fit their pots for a while and won’t outgrow their spaces anytime soon.
What Types of Baby Plants Should I Be Looking For?
Some common varieties of baby plants are highly sought after because they’re easy to care for and can tolerate a little neglect. Others may be more difficult to nurture but are worth the extra effort for their striking aesthetics.
When choosing baby plants, take into account the level of care you’re willing or able to offer (be honest about how likely it is you’ll forget to water the plants!) as well as the look you’re aiming for and the eventual size of the plant.
Popular Baby House Plants
If you need some inspiration when it comes to what kind of baby plants to add to your home, look no further.
Sweetheart Plant (Hoya Kerrii)
This adorable little succulent is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for and is a popular choice among both beginner and more experienced indoor gardeners. It also boasts a unique heart-shaped leaf, making it the perfect gift for a loved one.
Hoya sweetheart plants are slow growers and reach an ultimate height of up to 20 centimeters. This means the plant doesn’t need to be re-potted often, and you won’t need to move it around as it outgrows its allocated spot.
As a succulent, the hoya sweetheart plant stores moisture in its fleshy foliage, so it doesn’t need to be watered very often. Allow the soil to completely dry out between watering to mimic the plant’s native environment.
Rose Painted Prayer Plant (Calathea Roseopicta Rosy)
Prayer plants are renowned for their colorful and/or patterned foliage, and the rose-painted prayer plant does not disappoint. Its captivating leaves are dark green around the edges with bright pink centres drawing the eye. This quirky little plant gets its name from how the leaves fold together in the evenings, resembling two hands joined in prayer.
Keep your baby prayer plant thriving by placing it in bright light, avoiding direct sunlight, and watering regularly. Child and pet-safe, this is the ideal small plant for a baby’s nursery or playroom.
Red Heart Begonia (Begonia Rex Red Heart)
The red heart begonia makes a dramatic statement that is ideal for lovers of autumn hues wanting to create a cozy and colorful vibe. It features broad, toothed foliage in vibrant red tones that really capture your attention.
Like all begonias, this baby plant needs some TLC to flourish and is perhaps suited to more experienced plant parents. However, the effort is definitely worth the results!
Water little but often, keeping the soil evenly moist. Aim the flow at the soil to avoid getting the plant’s leaves too wet, but mist the foliage regularly to boost humidity levels. Red heart begonias tolerate lower light levels, but you’ll see the most vibrant color when they are placed in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.
Wandering Dude (Tradescantia Zebrina)
Another baby plant with eye-catching color, wandering dude’s dark green leaves are embellished with silver on top and boast lush purple undersides. This is a faster-growing plant with a trailing habit, so you can let it spill from a high shelf or hang it from the wall or ceiling.
Aside from its obvious beauty, one of the main benefits of the wandering dude is that it’s so easy to propagate. Simply take some cuttings, and leave them in water for a couple of weeks until new roots form. Then move them into their own pots to add to your collection.
Tradescantia Zebrina loves bright light and is the perfect baby plant to fill a space near a window. This plant prefers a drier environment and only needs to be watered whenever the top inch or so of soil feels dry.
Rubber Plant (Ficus Robusta)
While mature rubber plants are a popular choice for creating a statement in a room, baby rubber plants are bursting with cuteness. Their tall, upright stems haven’t quite developed and grown yet, which means the broad, glossy, dark green leaves appear to grow straight out of the soil.
Rubber plants prefer a spot in bright, indirect light but are somewhat shade tolerant. Unfortunately, these lovely little plants are toxic to babies and pets, so keep them out of reach — a high shelf or cabinet is perfect. Water your baby rubber plant regularly, ensuring excess moisture drains freely away and rub the leaves occasionally to remove dust and allow sunlight through.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata)
Ponytail palms can reach an ultimate height of up to 2.5 meters and are a great choice for filling an empty corner with greenery. However, they are slow growers. So if you love the tropical feel of this house plant but don’t have the space for a fully grown one, a baby plant is perfect.
These are low-maintenance plants that don’t need much watering. They store moisture in their trunks and can happily go weeks between waterings. In fact, a ponytail palm is much more likely to die from being watered too much than not enough. Ponytail palms thrive in humidity, making them ideal for the kitchen or bathroom. If your indoor space is drier, mist regularly to keep the foliage looking its glossy best.
Where To Put Baby Indoor Plants
The beauty of baby plants is that they look fabulous almost anywhere. They may be small, but they make a big impact and are the ideal way to decorate your desk, bookcase, shelves, or side tables. Basically, any surface in indirect light with a little space to spare is just perfect for a baby plant.
Have you incorporated baby plants into your home decor? Or, do you plan to? Leave us a comment.
Also read:
The Best Calming Colors to Create a Cozy Home
6 Tips to Make Your Home Feel More Luxurious
How to Create a Cozy Home on a Budget: 6 Tips
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