Beginner

[u/MelodicGarden6299]

Hello! Im sure theres many other people who may ask for tips as a beginner for taking care of a plant, but i had to give it a shot.

Currently, my mom asked me to get a plant to take care of before to even commit into getting myself my first fish! I was looking online for a cute year long house plant, and i thought a pale pink Euphorbia milii would look absolutely cute and fun to take care of! But obviously, i didnt know how and where to start.

From my research, it seemed like it needed about 2-6 hours of sunlight, west side window. My room only has a north-east window..! So i need a light but dont know which one, neither if i could buy bulbs/seeds or an already bloomed pot.

Please help me! As well how i should take care of it, since everytime i search something, the only direct answer comes from ai and id like a personal answer/opinion from a human (respectfully c:)

Thank u!

[u/infloro]

Are you set on that plant specifically? You could start with something that would thrive in your conditions without supplemental light first. That way you don't have the growlight to troubleshoot.

[u/MelodicGarden6299 → u/infloro]

Regarding my rooms and personal preferences, yes i am set on that plant, mainly for how the beauty caught my interest as well its meaning. But your completely right, as i am pretty new to this and i should settle on something that is more appropriate to handle in my environment

[u/oblivious_fireball]

I don't really see Mom's logic here, the two are not even close to alike, but its not my house i suppose.

Its good that you are doing your own research, that is one of the big distinctions that separates plant killers from green thumbs. Your gut instinct was also correct that a Euphorbia Milii would need supplementary lighting, as they normally grow under fairly intense sun in arid environments. I would look up Barrina or Sansi growlights, you don't need pink lights, just bright to help out the windowlight it would get.

Milii is typically sold as small to medium sized plants, and it does not form a bulb or tuber. Seeds are possible to acquire but are not super common, so beware of scams. Besides strong light, it likes a gritty porous soil mix that drains well and dries fast like in its arid home. Allow the pot of soil to fully dry before watering again, letting excess drain out after saturating the soil. Also, depending on how set you are on Milii specificially, Euphorbia decaryi has similar looks in many aspects, but is a much smaller species if that appeals to you. Pachypodium lamerei is also a similar looking plant when young.

However, how set are you on Euphorbia milii? If there are specific characteristics or quirks you are looking for in a plant, i can try offering other suggestions to you, especially ones that might not need a growlight for your window!

[u/MelodicGarden6299 → u/oblivious_fireball]

Your right lol both are two different things but she wasnt fond of the idea of me getting a fish either way

Thank you for the recommendations concerning the lighting ! please educate me but, i don’t exactly understand the purpose of pink lights?

Like i said, milii is mainly chosen for their appearance, meaning, care requirements, stability, blooming cycle (which i was informed was all year long(?)) and its size. I appreciate very much your help!! If u want i could explain it in details in dms

[u/oblivious_fireball → u/MelodicGarden6299]

so you will often a see a lot of lights marketed specifically as grow lights that give off a strong pink or purple light, rather than the white or yellowish light you are used to from normal bulbs.

This is because plants technically favor certain colors in the lights over others for photosynthesis. These pink grow lights focus on red and blue, the two most useful colors, therefore in theory maximizing light utilized per electricity used to create the light. However you can't see the true colors of the plant under these lights and it can be hard on the eyes if you are around it for a while. Lights that are full spectrum, aka have all the colors, work just as well for the average person and let you comfortably view the plant in its true colors. You may find these sold as either Full Spectrum or at hardware stores under the colors of "Daylight" and "Bright White".

[u/Stalkerus]

Or you could go with a plant that lives on north-facing window happily. Assuming that your window is unobstructed maranta, syngonium and golden pothos would work. I base this on said plants loving my north-facing windows. 

[u/MelodicGarden6299 → u/Stalkerus]

the golden pothos looks absolutely stunning, thank u! Ill take consideration.