These Easy To Care For Plants Can Thrive With Little To No Sunlight
I was first introduced to my love of plants through my mom. There were always plants in our home and we had a luscious garden in the front and back yards. I would watch her water them, cut off dead leaves, repot them, you name it. As a child, I never really gave too much thought as to why she always spent so much time nurturing them, I would just get annoyed whenever she would make me work in the garden with her. Baking in the hot sun while pulling out weeds from the flowerbeds wasn't my idea of fun and still isn't. However, I have developed a love for plants myself.
When I moved into my first place, I was excited to have my own plants to take care of and surround myself with. Because my mom had a lot of plants of her own, I begged her to give me a few to put in my space. She obliged and my apartment finally had its very own greenery. However, my lack of experience taking care of plants resulted in all but one dying.
But I wasn't ready to give up, so I begged my mom to give me another shot and now I have an aloe vera plant that I am proud to say is still thriving. With all that being said, I am still learning new things about plants, such as how often you should water them, how to properly pot them (and repot them), and knowing which ones need sunlight to grow and which ones don't. I live in an apartment that doesn't have a lot of natural light coming in so I have been on a mission to find plants that can grow in little to no light. Here are my results:
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The Best Indoor Plants That Can Survive With Low To No Sunlight
English Ivy
Etsy / Theplantchica
Ivy is probably one of the most popular plants that you will find indoors. Not only did I have one in my home growing up, but I would almost always see it in other people's homes as well. Ivy maintenance is pretty easy as it grows better when the soil is more on the dry side.
Snake Plant
Etsy / PlantCraftingCo.
The snake plant is also easy to maintain. You can go weeks at a time without needing to water it and it can improve the air quality in your home.
Maidenhair Fern
Anthropologie
The Maidenhair Fern is one of the plants that you would have to mist with a spray bottle daily, as it can be easy to drown it with water. It also grows better in slightly acidic soil.
Cast Iron Plant
Etsy / 9EzTropical
Though a slow grower, this plant is robust, hence the name 'cast iron' and its leaves are full and healthy. Also known by the name Aspidistra elatior, cast iron plants are an evergreen foilage house plant can survive dry air and forgotten water days, making it a great choice for low-maintenance plant-lovers.
Lucky Bamboo
Plants.com
The Lucky Bamboo plant needs a little light to grow, so placing it near a window would be ideal. You can grow it in soil or water, but if you decide to grow it in water, make sure to change the water every two to four weeks.
Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is great for beginners as it can pretty much withstand anything. However, be sure not to water the soil to the point where it gets soggy or it can lead to root rot.
Monstera
Etsy / RareHousePlants
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, the Monstera is known for its unique splits in its leaves and stiff roots. It grows best in warmer temperatures and needs to be repotted every year.
Chamaedorea
Home Depot
The Chamaedorea is a palm plant that, with indirect sunlight, can grow up to 4 feet tall. It is also known as being an excellent air purifier.
Sago Palm
Garden Goods Direct
Although the name suggests its a palm plant, it's actually a cycad plant and it can be grown indoors and outdoors. The Sago Palm thrives with little moisture, so water it sparingly.
Chinese Evergreen
Etsy / findusintheforest
The Chinese Evergreen plant can handle a variety of growing conditions as it is tough and easy to manage. However, make sure to check for pest periodically as it can harbor spider mites, scales, mealy bugs, and aphids.
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Originally published on January 26, 2019.
Featured image by Getty Images
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London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Going To A Wellness Retreat Reminded Me Of The Love I Deserve
If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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