Someone please help this plant murderer

[BKLounger]

So I finally decided to slowly start having plants in the house. The kinda brighten my crappy little apartment up. So far the first plant I bought died within 7 days (i think I overwatered it), the newest plant is on 10 days and still looks relatively healthy.

I was curious what are some colorful small house plants that don't need constant attention and won't die. I really don't want to grow palm or cacti either. Also any tips are appreciated on how to care for a house plant. Right now my little plant gets sun and I water it just enough so some water seeps out the bottom once every two days.


Also any tips on a decent plant for the office. Something that looks nice but won't die with the fact that there is no natural light.

Thanks.

 

[Bryophyte]

You're watering the plants too often. You don't water house plants every two days. Normally, it will be at most once every week to two weeks. When the soil is getting dry (stick your finger in the soil, or lift the pot and feel if it's light), take it to the sink and drench the soil until water comes out the bottom of the pot. Let it drain in the sink for a few minutes, then put it back. The key is to drench the soil, then let it dry down a bit between waterings. Don't let it stay dry until the plant wilts, but don't leave it wet all the time unless the plant specifically needs those conditions. If in doubt, google the plant name and find out the specific needs for the plant.

Most houseplants fall into a couple categories: 1) cacti and succulents, which prefer very infrequent waterings and sandy soil and lots of sunlight, and 2) plants that grow in tropical rainforest conditions. These plants do not grow in direct sunlight, so you will need to remove them from a south or west facing window, and place them a few feet back so that they get bright, indirect light. When you're growing houseplants, you're trying to immitate the natural environment. When I lived in California, I'd just time watering my cacti and succulents with the rains. If it rained, I watered them. If it didn't rain, I didn't water them. We lived in a more or less desert climate.

 

[silverpig]

Also, don't move your plants much. Find a place for them and leave them there. Remember, plants don't have legs so they get accustomed to a spot and then grow well there.

 

[Bryophyte]

When your plant gets dusty, give the leaves a good rinse when you water it. Most plants absolutely thrive when you do this. In nature, the rain will keep them clean and allow the stomates to stay open. This does NOT apply to plants like African violets, which have fuzzy leaves that get moldy and fall off when they get wet (the crown also rots easily and the plant will die.) These are cleaned with a very soft brush when they get dusty.