As the days go by and we move ever closer to the bright, sunny days of summer, now’s the perfect time to try your hand at plant parenthood.  

With their long days and warm temperatures, the next couple of months mark the peak of growing season – making it the ideal time to add one (or twenty) new plants to your collection and watch them grow big and strong.

However, if you’ve never owned houseplants before – or have struggled to keep plants alive in the past – knowing where to start can be tricky. 

While picking up a couple of plants in your local garden centre is easy enough, working out which plants suit your space – and, more importantly, how to keep them alive – requires a little more effort. 

That doesn’t mean getting into plants isn’t worth it – not only do they make your house look great, but looking after plants can be beneficial for your mental health – just that it takes a little time and experimentation to keep your leafy friends happy and healthy.

So whether you’re interested in buying a new plant for your desk, want to learn how to repot a plant when it outgrows its container or need some plant styling inspiration, we’ve put together this guide to all our best plant-related content to help you get started. 

Buying a plant isn’t just about picking the one you like the look of – to ensure you’re able to give your plants the environment and care they need, you’ll want to do a bit of research first.

If you’re a complete beginner, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that look great and happen to be easy to care for. There are also succulents to consider (which tend to be easy no matter what) and some easy-care flowering plants, too.

However, if you’re up for a challenge, you might fancy picking up an unusual plant that tends to need a bit more TLC to thrive, or a mini plant that you can rear from the very beginning.

Next, you’ll want to consider what area of your home you want your plant to live in. Different plants like different light and humidity levels, so choosing the right plant for the right spot is essential if you want them to remain nice and healthy. From desk plants to hanging plants and those that prefer low-light conditions to taller plants for open spaces, there truly is a plant to suit every kind of space. 

On the other hand, you might be looking for a plant to suit a certain aesthetic. Check out our guide to the best colourful plants to brighten up any space, and our go-to list of those that’ll help you achieve the ‘retro’ look. And if you’re looking to design your very own terrarium, you can check out our guide to terrarium plants, too.

Finally, if you’re looking to gift a plant to a friend or family member, opting for a plant with meaning is a nice extra touch.

You can check out our full list of articles on this topic below:

• 9 low maintenance plants that are perfect for beginners
• 5 easy-care succulents that’ll brighten up any living space
• 4 easy-care flowering plants to bring a piece of spring into your home
• 7 unusual houseplants to add a splash of excitement to any room
• 7 small plants to bring life to every corner of your home
• 7 eye-catching desk plants to transform your working from home space
• Short on floor space? These hanging houseplants will bring life to any room
• 8 low light houseplants to bring life into your home this autumn
• 11 statement houseplants to give your living space a new lease of life
• 11 colourful houseplants to brighten up your home
• 9 beautifully symbolic houseplants, and their meanings
• 7 humidity-loving houseplants that’ll thrive in your bathroom
• 7 unique plants that thrive in the bright, direct light on your windowsill
• How to make your own terrarium at home, including what plants to buy

When it comes to buying plants, there are plenty of different places to consider. While most plant shops are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many offer great online services that allow you to buy new plants without stepping out the front door.

The big online plant shops offer a wide range of plants with next day delivery, but if you’re willing to wait, shopping with one of the smaller, independent shops is a great way to support local businesses – especially at a time when so many are under strain.

If you want the responsibility of choosing a new plant taken off of your hands completely, you might consider paying for a plant subscription box instead.

You can check out our full list of articles on this topic below:

• 14 of the best online plant shops to buy from now
• 9 independent plant shops to support online during lockdown
• The best plant subscription boxes that deliver all over the UK

Once you’ve bought your plants, it’s time to think about how you’re going to display them in your home. After all, one of the main appeals of houseplants is their ability to brighten up a space – and accompanied with the right pot, they look extra special.

Speaking of pots, there are loads of different types to choose from – check out our round-ups of raised planters (pots with legs), quirky pots and hanging pots for some inspiration to get you started.

Alongside pots, there are other, more unique ways to incorporate plants into your home too. Terrariums are a beautiful, self-contained way to add a bit of greenery to a room (and you can buy them pre-made), or you could try and put together your very own garden room. 

Other creative ways to display your plants include making your very own succulent picture frame or putting a bunch of them together to create a living wall. If you don’t want to go all out, these wall-mounted pots are a great way to mix up your plant display too.

You can check out our full list of articles on this topic below:

• Take your plant game to the next level with these 7 must-have raised pots
• How to style plants in your home, according to 4 ‘plantfluencers’
• 13 quirky plant pots that’ll add a pop of personality to any room
• 7 hanging pots that’ll help you achieve the indoor jungle aesthetic
• Turn your home into a stunning plant paradise with these 11 terrariums
• Garden rooms are the interiors trend taking over Pinterest
• A gardener’s guide to making a luscious green living wall for your home
• This genius new product makes displaying houseplants really easy
• How to make a living picture frame using succulents in 7 easy steps

The final (and most important) step in plant ownership is actually keeping your plants alive. Depending on the type of plant you’ve picked, you’ll want to make sure it’s getting enough light and water – and be able to recognise when you’ve overwatered it, too.

On top of this, you’ll need to adjust your plant’s care routine depending on the time of year and the temperature of your home and know how to repot it when your plant has finally outgrown its pot. 

If you fancy getting super green-fingered, you can also check out these plant care hacks to help your leafy friends thrive or our guide to growing plants from seeds, too.

Check out the full list below for loads more plant-care guides and plant-specific advice.

You can check out our full list of articles on this topic below:

• Houseplants keep dying? Here’s why overwatering could be the problem
• How to keep your houseplants alive (and thriving) during the winter months
• How to take care of your houseplants during a heatwave
• How to repot a houseplant properly in 6 easy steps
• 8 TikTok plant care hacks for people who can’t stop killing their leafy friends
• How to grow your own plants from seeds, whatever your gardening skill
• Plant leaning to the side? Here’s why (and how to fix it)
• The warning signs that your plants aren’t getting enough light (and what you can do about it)
• Why you should start cleaning your plants (and how to get started)
• This is why your plant’s leaves are curling at the edges
• How to deal with brown spots on your houseplants
• 4 watering techniques to keep your houseplants happy and hydrated
• How to care for a drooping or wilted plant, according to an expert
• The 3 main reasons why plants lose their leaves, and how to fix it
• How to stop those annoying little flies taking over all your houseplants
• The tell-tale sign your plants aren’t getting enough light
• 4 reasons why your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, and how to fix it
• How to tell when your houseplant is a lost cause (and how to save it if not)
• Peace lily problems? Here’s how to get your plant to bloom
• How to manage your monstera when it’s started to grow aerial roots
• Why your plant’s soil keeps going mouldy, and how to get rid of it
• Snake plant not growing? Here’s what to do
• How to propagate your spider plant’s babies

Images: Getty