Bringing live plants into your home or office is a quick and affordable way to brighten and liven up a space. Aside from looking beautiful, many houseplants also come with wellness benefits. They filter and humidify the air you breathe, making them especially appealing to the wellness-conscious indoor gardener.
But, even if you don’t identify yourself as an indoor gardener and are a little dubious about the greenness of your thumb, you can still successfully cultivate some indoor greenery. Contrary to popular belief, there are many houseplants that are easy to grow and don’t require loads of maintenance. Not every houseplant needs you to have a magical green thumb and gardening expertise to grow happily. In fact, there are many no-fuss houseplants that like to simply grow on their own, and some that even thrive on neglect.
Low maintenance houseplants are houseplants that are adaptable to their environment. This means that despite seemingly unfavorable growing conditions—such as forgetting to water them for two weeks—these laid back houseplants will adapt and grow nonetheless. They also don’t require full light. Low maintenance houseplants also don’t require pruning or pinching, and aside from the occasional watering, prefer to be left to their own devices. Even with very little care and attention, these lovely plants are sure to grow and love you regardless.
If you are keen to bring some lush greenery into your home but don’t have much faith in your gardening skills, then a low maintenance houseplant is for you. We have selected some of the best beginner houseplants that are low maintenance and will grow beautifully without much fuss. You’ll feel like a star gardener in no time.
Aloe Vera
Known for its many health benefits and healing sap, aloe vera also makes the perfect beginner houseplant. This succulent requires little watering and will happily grow for years in the same container so you need not worry about having to transplant it as it grows. Aloe vera does prefer bright and indirect sunlight, making it the perfect plant to have in that sunny corner of the kitchen or even in the bathroom. Give it a deep watering every couple of weeks. Unassuming, but attractive, the aloe very plant has distinguished spears with flecks of light yellow set against warm green. Feel free to harvest small pieces of your established aloe plant for treating burns, moisturizing skin, healing minor cuts, and soothing skin irritation. Aloe vera, despite being a very low maintenance houseplant, is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
Snake Plant Laurentii - Piccolo on buymebess.com
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is a pretty and easy-to-grow houseplant that fits nicely in most spaces. With its long and sharp-pointed leaves and long-lasting life, it is perhaps no wonder this plant is also called Mother-in-Law’s tongue. Snake plants are tolerant of low light and don't need to be watered that often. In fact, when grown indoors in the winter, expect to only water them a few times throughout the entire season. If you tend to overwater, then perhaps steer clear of Snake plants, as overwatering can encourage their roots to rot. Blessedly, the snake plant is one of those houseplants that simply thrive on being left alone.
Peace Lily
You don’t need a green thumb to grow flowers either. Peace lilies offer the best of both flower and foliage. The white flowers, with their long white panicle, are a striking feature that looks beautiful in any home. Even without flowers, the deep green foliage of the peace lily is enough all on its own. While the peace lily prefers warm and humid conditions, it can also be made perfectly comfortable in any room that is not drafty or unheated. Perfect for those who love to water, as peace lilies are especially prolific when grown in wet conditions.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest and most rewarding houseplants to grow. With lush jungle-like vines that like to spill over the pot and tumble to the floor, this plant looks spectacular hanging or set atop a tall piece of furniture. These playful green plants are almost impossible to kill and love to grow. In fact, they can even grow to be 10 feet or longer. Pothos plants like to dry out between waterings, but if left dry for too long, the leaves will wilt. They are very tolerant of all types of light and will happily grow in most corners of the house.
Hanging Spider Plant by Plantshed
Spider Plant
Spider plants are truly the houseplant that keeps on giving. Often grown in hanging baskets, you rarely see spider plants that don’t have strings of little babies dangling from them. Their unique coloring and cute little babies are what make them so appealing to home gardeners. When the attached babies begin to grow roots of their own, you can snip them off and plant them in pots of their own. You’ll have an effortless thriving spider plant jungle kingdom in no time.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are distinct for their thick, glossy, rubber-like leaves and dynamic shape. These are some of the most popular plants to grow indoors for their beauty and simplicity. Jade plants prefer plenty of sunlight to grow lush and healthy, so it’s best to pop them in a sunny room for the best results. Don’t overwater or else the roots will rot, but don’t underwater or else the leaves may begin to drop. Because this plant retains water in its plump leaves, it can often be left alone for weeks without any attention at all.
English Ivy
English ivy is one of the top contenders for being the houseplant that best filters and cleans the air. Aside from being a wellness superstar, it is also a beautiful and easy houseplant to grow. Set atop a bookshelf or mantle, and let the ivy tendril down for a lovely home decor look. Easy to grow, English ivy prefers medium-to-full light and likes its soil to be somewhat dry between waterings.
10'' ZZ Plant on buymebess.com
ZZ Plant
While ZZ stands for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, perhaps it’s also nicknamed a ZZ Plant for how E-Z it is to grow. Sometimes called the king of indestructible plants, this sturdy plant will happily survive drought, low light, and very low humidity. Where no other houseplant will go, the ZZ plant will happily grow. These stems filled with glossy leaves can grow up to three feet long indoors under the right conditions. Too much water or sunlight might make for an unhappy plant, so keep near an east or north-facing window and water infrequently.
This selection of hardy little beauties can certainly handle a little neglect. Low maintenance is their ideal growing condition, making them the perfect houseplant for even the most beginner home gardeners. All these plants make for excellent gifts or decorative additions to your indoor environment. Visit our online Plantshed selection to find the beginner houseplant that is best for you. Any doubts about your gardening skills? Our website also offers useful resources for all your indoor gardening queries and projects such as plant care, soil, pottery, and specialized products. You are also invited to stop by one of our Floral Cafes to meet some of these indestructible beauties yourself!
