Are you ready to introduce plants into your Montessori home? With so many options out there, which ones are best for children? In this guide, you will find the best indoor and outdoor plants for Montessori.
As a young child, some of my fondest memories are in the garden with my grandmother. I remember the feel of the soil between my fingers and the excitement of a flower blooming. Ever since then, I’ve loved plants and gardening and knew it was something I wanted to introduce to my children.
A few months ago, I was ready to give my daughter her first plant to care for. But, I knew that she would love to water it and that it probably wouldn’t get much sunlight. So, I was on a mission to find the best plants for Montessori.
Top Plants for Montessori
First, I want to share my three favorite plants for Montessori homes. I chose these because they are my daughter’s favorite and they are easy to care for. You can read more about them in the following sections where I talk about the best indoor and outdoor plants for Montessori.
- Herbs
- Ferns
- Marigolds
The BEST Indoor Plants for Montessori
1. African Violet
These grow beautifully without a lot of sunlight. My grandmother always had these and they lasted forever.
I love that they flower, so your child can experience the rewards of their labor!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for an African violet.
2. Jade
This is actually part of the succulent family, but I have had my plant for almost 3 years! My daughter loves to help me water it once a week.
It’s pretty hardy and is forgiving when it comes to both over and under-watering.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for a Jade plant.
3. Ferns
Most are considered non-toxic, which is a huge must when it comes to Montessori plants. Most ferns like to be moist, so you can use a plant mister! This is really fun for kids to use when watering their plants.
I really love Bird’s Nest Ferns, it has such unique and pretty leaves. It’s also really easy to care for!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for Ferns.
4. Palms
My mom does not have a green thumb and she’s kept her indoor palm alive for several years! They are pretty forgiving when it comes to watering, even if your child wants to try out their skills daily!
The Neanthe Bella Palm is super pretty. It also grows well in low light, which makes it super easy to care for!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for indoor palms.
5. Some Herbs
I have a mini aero garden that my daughter is enjoying to watch grow. Right now we have Parsley, Basil, and dill in the pods.
I also have Basil, Rosemary, and thyme growing in our window sill! Many herbs will do well as long as they have access to sunlight, if not you could supplement with a plant light!
6. Spider Plant
Most garden stores and even some grocery stores carry these. They are pretty easy to find! I haven’t had one in quite a few years, but they are really easy to care for.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for Spider Plants.
7. Prayer Plant
I love how unique this variety can be. Each leaf has beautiful stripes that are special to the type of prayer plant it is.
You can also find these at most garden centers and Lowes or HomeDepot!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for Prayer Plants.
8. Zebra Plant
I have been looking for one of these for our Montessori home. They are a bit bigger, typically maturating at 1-2 feet tall. I think a zebra plant’s leaves are super pretty with the stark contrast between white and green.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for zebra plants.
9. Bamboo
Bamboo is a really unique texture in comparison to most of the plants on this list. The thick shoots are smooth and fun for your toddler to feel.
You do need to be careful not to overwater. So, if your toddler likes to water daily you may want to choose something different. Although it does like moisture, misting it with a spray bottle will be a fun activity for your little one.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for bamboo.
10. Baby’s Tears
This is another plant that I’m on the lookout for. I love how baby tears trail down the side of the pot.
If you don’t have a lot of light in your home, this will do great since it thrives off of very little sunlight.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for baby’s tears.
11. Hoya Kentiana
These non-toxic plants have so much character! Each leaf is just as unique as the next, which is fun for your child to watch grow. It also has pretty flowers that will bloom in the spring and early summer!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for Hoya Kentiana.
12. Christmas Cactus
This is not just for the holiday season, although this is when they are typically in bloom. These beautiful cacti love a bathroom or a spot next to the kitchen sink, where they are sure to get some humidity.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for a Christmas cactus.
13. Haworthia Pearl Plant
I’ve seen a bunch of these at Homedepot and they’ve always caught my eye. They are pretty adaptable to the space you are in, they don’t love direct sunlight but will do okay with artificial light.
These are small and compact which means they won’t take up too much space in your home!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for a Haworthia Pearl Plant.
14. Phalaenopsis Orchids
Your child is sure to love the beautiful blooms that the phalaenopsis orchids produce. They are bright and colorful, but delicate. If your child is younger, orchids aren’t quite as hardy so keep that in mind!
Here is a quick guide on how to care for a phalaenopsis orchid.
15. Hens and chicks
Before we talk about this variety, you should know that these are rated low in toxicity for children. I would only recommend these for a child who’s over the stage of putting things in their mouth.
Hens and chicks grow in such beautiful little clusters. They rarely like to be watered, so if you want a plant you can forget about you will love these.
A huge bonus is you can find that at most nurseries, including Home Depot and Lowes.
Here is a quick guide on how to care for Hens and Chicks.
The Best Outdoor Montessori Garden Plants
Getting your child involved in the gardening outside is a fun way to introduce them to caring for nature. Here are 21 of the BEST outdoor Montessori garden plants, that your little one will enjoy growing.
1. Marigolds
I have grown marigolds for years. They are so easy to care for and are super adaptable. You can plant them in pots or a garden and they will grow accordingly.
These are hardy plants, so you don’t have to worry about your child ruining them. It allows you to give them space to explore and enjoy its beautiful flowers!
Here is a quick guide on how to grow marigolds.
2. Sunflowers
If you have the space to plant some sunflowers, your little one will love its reward. These bright yellow flowers are large and even amazing for adults to admire.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow sunflowers.
3. Snapdragons
These are annuals that have a short season of bloom. Their draw is that they prefer cool climates, so they are perfect if you have short summers.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow snapdragons.
4. Dahlias
Whether you pick up dahlias at the nursery or start them indoors from seed, these hardy flowers have so many beautiful varieties to choose from. Your child will enjoy practicing their cutting skills as they create a beautiful bouquet that they can admire in your home.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow dahlias.
5. Cosmos
If you are planning a cut garden for your little one you need to include cosmos. They bloom in yellow, pink, white, orange, red, and chocolate. If you buy one of the variety seed packs, you will enjoy the surprise of color that blooms in summer through the fall.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow cosmos.
6. Zinnias
These are one of the EASIEST outdoor flowers to grow. They bloom relatively quickly and come in a beautiful variety of bright colors.
These are great for kids since they don’t take too long to bloom.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow zinnias.
7. Amaranthus
The reason why amaranths are perfect for kids is that they require so little maintenance. They will survive most conditions, whether that be drought or poor soil! Their flowers are also a unique texture which is fun your little one to feel.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow amaranthus.
8. Alyssum
As a little girl, my grandmother always had alyssum in her garden. These delicate little blooms are low maintenance and will attract bees and butterflies. Which is a win-win! You can show the different insects it attracts and have a discussion about how they help each other!
Here is a quick guide on how to grow alyssum.
9. Daises
Daises are so nostalgic when it comes to childhood. It reminds me of the days when I ran through our field filled with wild daisies.
Again, daises are fairly hardy and will tolerate almost any condition. Which makes them perfect for children to grow.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow daisies.
10. Nasturtiums
While we are chatting about flowers, I thought I would ad nasturtiums to this list. The reason I added these was because they are edible, which makes them the perfect plant for babies and toddlers.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow nasturtiums.
11. Lambs Ears
I can remember walking through the garden center as a little girl and loving the feel of lamb’s ears. Their soft leaves are not only fun to play with, but it’s a fairly easy plant to care for. It’s super forgiving which makes it the perfect plant to have in a Montessori garden.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow lambs ears.
12. Daylilies
This is another plant that takes me back to my childhood. My dad planted these along the side of our home and I remember cutting them as a gift for my mom. Day Lily’s require very little maintenance and their flowers are quite large in comparison to many of the flowers I have previously mentioned.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow daylilies.
13. Dill
Now I want to talk about a few herbs. Dilly is truly one of the easiest herbs to grow outside. My daughter always picks these because she loves the soft texture.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow dill.
14. Mint
I can remember the year my grandmother’s garden was overtaken by mint. Its sweet and fresh aroma kept me picking it all summer long.
I would recommend planting these in a pot, so you don’t risk its quick spread.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow mint.
15. Chives
Your child may not love the taste of chives, but they will enjoy the pretty flowers when in bloom. This is another herb that’s easy to grow. If you plant it in the ground, it will come back year after year.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow chives.
16. Radishes
These are on my list to grow this year! I know my oldest daughter will enjoy watching these grow, plus when they are ready she can dig them up using her shovel!
Here is a quick guide on how to grow radishes.
17. Beets
This is another plant that we are planting in our Montessori garden this year. They are fairly easy to grow and their beautiful purple color makes for a fun surprise.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow beets.
18. Lettuce
Lettuce may be the easiest plant to grow. They do require quite a bit of water, which is perfect for kids that love to use their watering can daily. If you live in a warmer climate, try to keep them in the shade to give them a longer growing season.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow lettuce.
19. Beans
Last summer we grew a variety of beans, which my daughter absolutely loved! Every time we went out to the garden, she was excited that there was another one ready to eat. Beans grow fast and are easy to grow.. which is perfect for kids!
Here is a quick guide on how to grow beans.
20. Cucumbers
There are so many things you can do with cucumbers. Your child will enjoy watching them grow too! One plant typically produces quite a bit of fruit, so that means you can pick them fairly often!
Here is a quick guide on how to grow cucumbers.
21. Pumpkins
Last but certainly not least, if you have the space you need to plant pumpkins. This way you can carve them in the fall and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Here is a quick guide on how to grow pumpkins.
My Thoughts….
Whether you are looking for indoor plants or plan to start an outdoor garden, I hope that one of these Montessori plants is perfect for you. No matter which one you choose, they will help your child to practice caring for something and will get them involved in nature.
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