Real talk, gents: Apartments look sad. Most of them, at least. But worry not! Today, I’m here to show you some audacious plants, adapted for busy men and perfect to freshen up your space. Isn’t that cheery news? You don’t have to be a botanist to enjoy the benefits of greenery; here is your ultimate guide to some indestructible plants that will give life to your apartment AND adapt to your tight schedule!
- Plants for the Forgetful Fellow
- Lighten Up: Plants for Low-Light Dwellings
- Plants for men with Personality: Options for the Design-Conscious Dude
- Plant Care Tips for the Busy Man
- Can plants grow if not in direct sunlight?
- I travel a lot for work. Are there any plants for busy men that can survive on their own for a week or two?
- My apartment gets almost no sunlight. Are there any plants that will still grow?
- I killed a cactus! Am I hopeless with plants?
- Can I put a plant in a dark room?
Plants for the Forgetful Fellow
We all get caught up in the day-to-day rat race now and again, but surely, your plants shouldn’t have to suffer from neglect because of it! Here are some toughies that will keep on trucking through a missed watering or two.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Water it deeply after the soil has dried to the touch, and this architectural wonder is going to do fantastic through neglect, giving you purified air with a touch of modernity.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Aptly named the “Jason”, the eternal plant, ZZ tolerates low light and less-than-regular watering. Even better, the glossy, dark green leaves will stay this way in any room you decide to put them in.
Air Plants (Tillandsia)
The best part about this plant is that it’s so special; it does not even need soil! Just dunk it in water for a few minutes once a week and mist it now and then; it will take off. Now that’s the kind of plants for busy men we all need! Plus, they come in cool shapes and sizes to mix and match for creative displays.
Lighten Up: Plants for Low-Light Dwellings
Not everyone has a sun-drenched apartment. Luckily, these plants are happy with a little less light:
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
This low-maintenance beauty comes in a whole range of fabulous foliage patterns. Water when the top inch of soil has dried out, and your cast-iron plant will be your low-light companion for years to come.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos are one of the first advices as plants for busy men. And there’s a reason it’s a classic: the pothos plant is pretty much indestructible. A perfect option for hanging baskets or trailing along shelves, pothos adds a touch of cascading green to your space. Water when the soil has been felt about dry, somewhere between very dry and very wet.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Double Duty!
Look who’s back in the game with the ball—snake plant! This guy has much flexibility, not only with neglect but also in very low light. Talk about a win-win! Notably, it will require very few waterings, and can even spend up to 8 weeks with no attention in the winter.
Plants for men with Personality: Options for the Design-Conscious Dude
Who says plants can’t be stylish? These choices add instant visual interest to your apartment:
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): An exotic beauty with flowers in vibrant orange and blue that you guessed are shaped like a bird of paradise. A bit of tropical flair would prefer bright, indirect light and even soil moisture to provide the correct lighting.
- Staghorn Fern (Platycerium): Mount this unique fern on a piece of driftwood for a piece of statement art. Water well whenever the leaves feel dry, and mist regularly for happy growing.
- String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus): Its cascading form will make an excellent presentation in a hanging planter, such as a string-like pearl bead. Water when very dry, ensuring that soil dries out completely between waterings.
Plant Care Tips for the Busy Man
Even resistant plants need a little TLC. Here are some basic care tips to keep your greenery thriving:
- Watering: Stick your finger into the soil. If the surface inch is dry, water the plant. Water the plant so that it becomes completely moist, letting the water through the drainage holes, then wait until the soil dries out and repeat. Overwatering is the arch-enemy of most houseplants!
- Light: Be careful concerning the lighting conditions within your house. Most plants prefer being in a well-lit area but not necessarily under direct sunshine. South-facing windows offer the highest intensity of sunshine, while north-facing ones have the least.
- Feeding: Most indoor plants need to be fed monthly throughout the growing season (spring and summer), but just with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted according to package instructions.
Can plants grow if not in direct sunlight?
While sunshine is the first idea that comes to mind when one thinks of plants, it’s not all direct sunshine that is required for growth. Many houseplants have adapted themselves to grow well in indirect light or even low-light conditions. Generally, in these places, the leaved plants are pobox or snake plants, which have wider leaves, through which they will be able to capture more light after it becomes available. Sometimes the direct sun can be too punishing for some plants and will singe their leaves.
Many indoor varieties prefer indirect light, like the kind that one may find near a window but not actually on the windowsill. However, it’s worth remembering: no one plant can live in absolute darkness without any light source forever. While some low-light-tolerant plants can stand short periods of darkness, no plant can grow and be healthy without light at all.
I travel a lot for work. Are there any plants for busy men that can survive on their own for a week or two?
Sure! Some of the great ideas for frequent travellers are the Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, and Air Plant. Just place them in an area with the right light level before your departure. Additionally, these plants will be an amazing companion for all kinds of busy men.
My apartment gets almost no sunlight. Are there any plants that will still grow?
Don’t despair! Chinese Evergreens, Pothos, and Snake Plants (yes, again!) can all thrive in low-light conditions.
I killed a cactus! Am I hopeless with plants?
Not at all! These are, in fact, among those plants that are quite high-maintenance. Try something easier first—Snake Plant or ZZ Plant. Experience will come with time. And after more attention and care, you will be titled as a plant pro!
Can I put a plant in a dark room?
A dark room is generally not a great place for a plant. Some very, very tough plants, like ZZ plants, will survive for a while, but most houseplants just aren’t going to make it in that situation. This is because plants use light for photosynthesis, which is the process that provides food to plants. Without the crucial light, the plants would not be able to produce enough energy to sustain their functionality.
The good news is, that most plants will survive quite nicely in indirect sun or even low-light conditions, so they don’t necessarily have to go right up to a sunshiny window to survive. If even your room does get some natural light from a north-facing window, it will still be good enough to be the home for some shade-loving plants. Some of the common low-light-tolerant plant selections include Snake Plants, Pothos, and Chinese Evergreens.
Conclusion
Adding a little green to your apartment is a great way to raise your air quality, lower your stress, and even add a little life (literally) to your space—all without spending a lot of money. There’s the perfect plant out there for every guy. And, thanks to this article, you might be able to discover yours soon!
Now, throw those cold vibes out of the door and be a plant dad through and through with these easy, smart options! It does not matter whether a plant has a small or large stature, for even a dwarf plant could create a big difference if placed inside your place. So get potting, fellas, and enjoy the benefits of bringing a little piece of nature indoors!