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Are you a new plant parent seeking to green up your living space? Welcome to our comprehensive guide on ‘Easy to Care for Indoor Plants for Beginners’. We discovered low-maintenance, low-light plants that thrive even in the most challenging indoor conditions. We’ve selected the perfect beginner-friendly houseplants that are resilient, require minimal care, and can add life and color to any room. Alongside our easy indoor plants suggestions, we provide essential care tips to keep your indoor greenery healthy and vibrant. Whether you’re looking to purify the air, enhance your mood, or simply add a dash of nature to your interior, these easy-to-care-for indoor plants are an excellent place to start your green thumb journey.
Easy to Care for Indoor Plants for Beginners
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Why I like it:
Pothos, also known as Golden Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, is beloved for its vine-like stems and variegated leaves. I love the color and fullness of the leaves. I love that it sort of cascades out of its container and just grows and grows. It’s also incredibly easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners.
How Much Light?
Pothos likes indirect bright light, but can also deal with low light. You know it’s getting too much light if the leaves started to get paler. If the leaves start to lose the lighter veining, then your Pothos is not getting enough light.
How Much Water?
Pothos is one of those plants that likes its soil to dry out before another watering. Don’t let it sit in mud. One way you can avoid the wet root problem is by making sure you have good drainage in your pot. A hole in the bottom or some rocks at the bottom for the water to trickle out. Pothos will let you know when it needs a drink. You can tell by droopy leaves.
Any Special Considerations?
This one is poisonous to animals and people if they eat it. So, keep away from pets and kids!
Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Why I like it:
The snake plant is one of those plants that is allegedly (nearly) impossible to kill. I have killed one before, so it’s not impossible, but it also was not easy to do. It takes many months of real neglect. So, I appreciate the grit of the snake plant. They have thick, upright leaves that are green with yellow or white edges. They come in different varieties, such as tall ones with sword-like leaves or short ones with cylindrical leaves.
How Much Light?
If the snake had its way, it would be in bright indirect sunlight. But, being the laid-back, hard-to-kill plant it is, it’s totally fine in a shady corner, too. It’s a very forgiving plant.
How Much Water?
The snake plant will not, however, forgive over-watering. It’s technically a succulent and will not stand for soggy soil. I’ve read you can water the snake plant as little as once a month.
That’s dependent on the humidity in your home, so keep an eye on it, but definitely don’t overwater this guy.
Any Special Considerations?
Snake plants like to be warm, so you may need to move it to a warmer room in the winter if it’s near a drafty spot. But luckily, snake plants are exceptionally tough and can survive almost any condition.
Succulents and Cactus
Why I like them:
I like succulents and cacti because they are usually really funky looking. They are like little living sculptures.
How Much Light?
Succulents and cactus really love light. I tried succulents once and they didn’t make it. I think it’s because my house doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. You’ll definitely want them near a window that gets sunlight all day.
How Much Water?
It’s not that succulents and cacti don’t like water. Every plant likes and needs water. You just have to be careful that they have an opportunity for the roots to dry out. They still need a good watering, though. Especially while they are growing. They like a good soaking, too, til the water runs out of the drainage holes.
Any Special Considerations?
Succulents and cacti do like a particular soil that is meant for them that dries out easily, so make sure if you re-pot your little guys, you use that soil.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why I like them:
Ok, I’m going to be honest, I don’t like Spider plants. My mother had them when I was a kid and I believed that since they were called Spider plants, they must have spiders. It’s possible an older cousin planted that nightmarish idea in my head. But, they’re one of the most popular and easy houseplants for beginners. They have long, slender, arching leaves that are green with white stripes. They also produce baby plants called spiderettes that hang from the mother plant like spiders on a web.
Spider plants are good communicators, which is why they’re great plants for beginners. When they need water, the tips of their leaves will get brown. When they are overwatered, their leaves will flop and look waterlogged. When they get a lot of sun, the lighter variegation will get wider; and when they are in a darker place, the stripes will get narrower or disappear.
How Much Light?
There’s a theme to most of these easy-to-care-for plants. They like a certain thing, in this case, the Spider loves bright light, but they’ll deal with less than optimal conditions. They can handle lower-light situations.
How Much Water?
These guys like water, especially in the warm summer months, so keep a close eye on the soil and water it when the top inch of the soil has dried out. You will not need to do this as often in the cooler months. Spider plants like to be misted, so give it a spritz of water every now and then, too.
Any Special Considerations?
Spider plants are really easy to propagate. They grow little babies that you can clip off and root in some water and then you have MORE Spider plants. These are perfect plants for hanging baskets.
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
Why I like it:
I basically like any plant that grows like crazy and spills out of its container. I like the look of that and it is something I would love to watch happen. I like the pretty little variegated leaves on the English Ivy, too. They are a very dainty-looking plant.
How Much Light?
Ivy is a woodland plant, so it’s totally fine with lower-light situations. It needs some light, but it should do ok in a shady home like mine. Indirect sunlight or filtered sunlight will keep this pretty ivy happy.
How Much Water?
These guys like water. If you think about their native home in the woodlands, the ground is usually sort of moist, right? So water them to keep them moist. English Ivy likes a spritz of water, too, and it will help to help keep pests away.
Any Special Considerations?
This plant needs to be pruned to keep it healthy. If you see the plant growing, but not showing any new leaves, you can trim that off. This usually happens in winter.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Why I like it:
I love the look of the Jade plant, it’s another cute sculptural-looking plant. Jade plants are one of the most popular and easy-to-care-for houseplants for beginners. They have thick, succulent leaves that are green with red edges. They also produce small pink or white flowers when they are happy. It’s also believed to bring luck and money and I’m definitely into that!
How Much Light?
The Jade plant is a type of succulent which means it’s going to want some good sunlight, but not direct light. If you have a sunny south-facing window that gets sun for 4 or more hours a day then you will have a happy Jade plant.
How Much Water?
Not too wet, as you would expect with a succulent. It will want a good soaking when it starts to dry out. Make sure it’s draining well. You don’t want the roots in mud.
Any Special Considerations?
If you give this plant optimal conditions (for example, it needs well-draining soil), it will give YOU white flowers in the winter.
Cast Iron Plant
Why I like it:
The name Cast Iron Plant itself indicates how hardy this plant is. It’s perfect for beginners who are seeking low-maintenance houseplants.
How Much Light?
The Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior) loves low-light conditions. Just as its name suggests, it’s as tough as cast iron and can tolerate less-than-ideal conditions, including poor light. However, make sure to place it away from direct sunlight, as it might scorch its dark green leaves.
How Much Water?
This plant loves a moderate amount of water but can tolerate being on the drier side as well. It’s crucial to remember that too much water can lead to root rot. So, ensure the top inch of the soil is dry before watering your Cast Iron Plant again.
Any Special Considerations?
A significant consideration of this plant is that it prefers cool temperatures. Hence, if you’re keeping it in a heated room during winter, ensure it’s away from the heat source.
Aloe Plant
Why I like it:
Aloe is great because, spoiler alert, it makes Aloe. An aloe plant is a fantastic thing to have in the house if you are someone who burns their fingers a lot while cooking.
Or if you get a sneaky sunburn. You can actually use the aloe in the plant to help with those mild burns.
How Much Light?
The Aloe Vera plant is a Succulent so, you guessed it, it needs sunlight. Bright and indirect sunlight is best.
It doesn’t love direct sunlight, so keep that in mind when you’re thinking about where to place your Aloe Vera plant.
How Much Water?
You’ll want to soak your Aloe Vera plant, but not very often. It again wants to drain well and have the soil and roots dry out.
You definitely don’t want this one sitting in water or it will rot.
Any Special Considerations?
If you do want to use the plant’s gel for your skin, cut a leaf off and slice it lengthwise and squeeze. Don’t eat the gel, though. In case that wasn’t obvious. It will make you mildly sick.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Why I like it:
ZZ plants are one of the newest and trendiest houseplants for beginners. I like the look of the ZZ plant. It’s tall, dark, and handsome. They have glossy, dark green leaves that grow on thick, fleshy stems. They look like miniature palm trees or ferns. It’s also extremely unfussy, which means they’re very low-maintenance and can adapt to a wide range of conditions.
How Much Light?
The ZZ plant will do well in low light. Or in bright indirect light. It’s another one of those easy-care plants, whatever you do is cool, type of plants. Just don’t put it in direct sunlight. It’s not cool with that.
How Much Water?
Don’t overwater this guy. Check the soil and if it’s dry on top, then you can water it.
It’s another plant that likes its water to drain properly, so, a hole in the bottom of the pot, or some rocks at the bottom to be sure the roots aren’t sitting in water works well.
Any Special Considerations?
This one is poisonous to pets and kids. But, a major benefit of ZZ plants is the fact they can purify the air by removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Why I Like It:
Rubber plants, or Ficus elastica, are a favorite for many indoor gardening enthusiasts, including beginners. The reason lies in their visual appeal and their easy-care nature. The plant boasts large, glossy leaves in various shades such as dark green, burgundy, or variegated. Rubber plants have the capacity to grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, adding a dramatic touch to any space. However, they can be easily pruned to keep them compact according to your preference. Plus, they have the added benefit of improving air quality by filtering out formaldehyde.
How Much Light?
Rubber plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They can also tolerate some shade. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight as it can scorch their leaves.
How Much Water?
When it comes to watering, the key is to keep the soil evenly moist. Regular watering is required, but care should be taken not to make the soil too wet or soggy. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems.
Any Special Considerations?
Rubber plants are toxic to cats and dogs, so if you have pets, be sure to place this plant out of their reach.
Philodendron
Why I like it:
Philodendron is a large genus of plants known for their stunning foliage and heart-shaped leaves, making them a striking addition to any indoor space. Plus, they’re relatively easy to care for, so they’re excellent for plant beginners.
How Much Light?
These plants enjoy bright but indirect light. However, they can also tolerate low-light conditions, making them versatile for various indoor settings. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves – that can be a sign of too much light.
How Much Water?
Philodendrons prefer their soil to be kept consistently moist but never soggy. A good rule of thumb is to allow the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings.
Any Special Considerations?
Philodendron is toxic if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Monstera Deliciosa
Why I like it:
With its glossy, large, unique leaves, the Monstera Deliciosa is an eye-catching plant that adds a tropical feel to any indoor space. It’s also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, due to the natural holes that appear on mature leaves.
How Much Light?
The Monstera Deliciosa prefers bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate some degree of shade, low light may slow its growth and the leaves may not develop their distinctive holes.
How Much Water?
Monstera Deliciosa enjoys a good drink, but you should allow the top two inches of the soil to dry out between waterings. This plant is sensitive to overwatering, so less is more.
Any Special Considerations?
Due to their large leaves, Monsteras can collect a lot of dust. To keep the plant healthy and looking its best, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth regularly.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Why I like it:
Chinese Evergreen, also known as Aglaonema, is renowned for its beautiful, patterned foliage. It’s a perfect low-maintenance plant for those starting their green thumb journey.
How Much Light?
Aglaonema is versatile when it comes to light conditions. It can handle anything from low-light areas to indirect, bright light. However, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, leading to brown tips.
How Much Water?
Chinese Evergreens like their soil to be kept consistently moist. However, they do have some drought tolerance, so it’s better to under-water than overwater. Be sure the pot has good drainage to avoid soggy roots.
Any Special Considerations?
Aglaonema prefers warmer temperatures, so keep it away from drafty windows in the winter.
FAQ: Easy Indoor Plants
1. What Makes Houseplants Easy to Care for?
Generally speaking, an easy indoor plant is one that:
- Doesn’t need a lot of light or can adapt to different light conditions
- Doesn’t need a lot of water or can tolerate drought
- Doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer or pruning
- Doesn’t attract a lot of pests or diseases
- Doesn’t grow too fast or too big
- Doesn’t have special requirements like humidity or temperature
Of course, no plant is completely carefree. You still need to provide some basic care for your indoor plants, such as watering them when the soil is dry, wiping their leaves occasionally, and repotting them when they outgrow their containers.
2. Are all indoor plants safe for pets?
No, not all indoor plants are safe for pets. Some, like the Philodendron and Pothos, are toxic if ingested. It’s crucial to check if a plant is pet-safe before bringing it home.
3. How often should I repot indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be repotted every 12-18 months, or when they become root-bound. Signs of this include slow growth and water running straight through the pot and out the drainage hole.
4. Can indoor plants survive without sunlight?
No plant can survive without any light at all. However, some indoor plants like the Cast Iron Plant and Chinese Evergreen can tolerate low light conditions.
Conclusion: Easy Indoor Plants
Keeping your houseplants alive might seem daunting initially. But compared to other plants, these easy to care for indoor plants for beginners are more forgiving and resilient. With a little attention to their light and water needs, you can maintain a healthy indoor garden even as a newbie.
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