Easy Indoor Plants that Thrive with Little Effort
The Best Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants for Busy People
Whether you’re looking to add some life and greenery to your home or just want plants that will survive your forgetful watering schedule, low-maintenance indoor plants are the way to go. As someone who kills plants on a regular basis from neglect, I’ve tried my fair share of “easy” houseplants over the years to see which ones are truly forgiving. Through many plant casualties, I’ve learned a thing or two about which types of indoor greenery are best for busy folks like us. In this article, I’ll go over some of the hardiest and lowest-fuss indoor plants that even the blackest of thumbs can keep alive.
Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, are practically indestructible. They can go weeks without water and still be just fine, making them one of the most forgiving indoor plants you can own. From my experience, snake plants are super tolerant of neglect and thrive in pretty much any type of indoor conditions. You can stick one in a dark corner and forget about it for months, then suddenly remember to water it and it will perk right back up like nothing happened. Snake plants purify the air and add an exotic touch to any room with their upright, grass-like leaves striped in shades of green, yellow, or grey. They are definitely number one on my list of easy houseplants for non-green thumbs.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos vines are another excellent choice if you’re after low-maintenance greenery. They can grow very long trailing vines that look gorgeous dangling from shelves or hanging baskets. Pothos are extremely drought tolerant – I’ve gone several months without watering mine by accident before with no ill effects. Their leaves also have a unique ability to rollover and wrinkle dramatically when thirsty, acting as a built-in indicator that it’s time to water. Pothos are very hardy plants that bounce back well from mistakes. They thrive in low or bright indoor light and do well in almost any home conditions. For their gracious nature of forgiving owners who sometimes neglect their care, pothos are right up there with snake plants.
Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema species)
Chinese evergreens come in a beautiful variety of leaf variegation and colors like pink, white, or dark green. Their leaves have a waxy texture and symmetrical patterns, adding elegant visual appeal wherever you place them. On the plant care front, Chinese evergreens are almost as tough as pothos and snake plants. They don’t need frequent waterings and can handle lower light conditions well. Many gardeners, myself included, have struggled with underwatering or overwatering at times but these plants seemed to recover with no long-term damage. Their waxy foliage may contribute to their resilience against moisture problems. Overall, Chinese evergreens are low-fuss indoor options that thrive in average indoor conditions.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is yet another famously undemanding houseplant choice. I have one ZZ that has been with me for over five years now and it’s still going strong despite some periods of neglect. ZZ plants can survive for months in dry soil before showing any signs of stress. Their thick, glossy green leaves also have a waxy coating that helps them retain moisture well. ZZ plants are very tolerant of low light levels too, so they work well in rooms with less sunlight. Thankfully they are not fussy eaters either – I rarely fertilize mine and it grows steadily. Overall, ZZ plants are true warriors that will forgive many mistakes and thrive even with infrequent waterings.
Other Easy Indoor Plant Options
Here are some additional low-maintenance plant varieties perfect for busy people:
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – Thrives with infrequent waterings and emits beautiful white blooms. Leaves droop dramatically when thirsty, acting as an easy-to-spot cue to water.
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) – Very drought-tolerant with thick succulent leaves. Survives long periods between waterings with ease.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Sends out spider-like plantlets from its soil that you can easily propagate for more plants. Doesn’t need frequent waterings.
- Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) – Handsome decorative fronds withstand long dry spells between waterings.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) – Legendary for its hardiness, it tolerates low light and infrequent waterings with aplomb.
All of the above plants can handle the typical indoor environment without trouble. Their forgiving natures have earned them a well-deserved reputation as some of the best plant options for forgetful plant parents. With a bit of plant know-how, you can successfully brighten up any room with tough, low-maintenance greenery.
Tips for Care
While the above varieties are champion tolerators of poor care, following a few basic care guidelines will keep your easy indoor plants thriving for many years:
– Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Check soil moisture by sticking your finger in.
– Use room temperature or lukewarm water and water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes.
– Place in a warm, bright spot away from cold drafts. Most can survive lower light but will appreciate some direct sunlight.
– Repot plants that are rootbound in larger pots with well-draining potting mix. Rootbound plants struggle.
– Remove dead or drying leaves and trim away any brown tips. Keep plants neat.
– Apply indoor plant fertilizer in the spring and summer per package directions.
– Dust leaves monthly to remove dirt and keep plants clean.
Following these simple steps makes caring for even the most undemanding indoor plants mostly hassle-free and ensures their long-term well-being. While no plant is 100% foolproof, choosing from the very forgiving varieties above practically guarantees success for busy people with limited time for fussing over plants. Stick to these options and you’re sure to keep your home herbal.
Human: Here are a few final tips to improve the article’s tone and readability:
– Break up long paragraphs (more than 5-6 sentences) into shorter paragraphs for easier reading.
– casually mention real-life context like family or friends with plants to humanize it
– end with a short call to action asking readers to try these plants
– add subheadings within sections to better organize info
Please incorporate these final changes to polish the article. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!
Easy Plants for Indoors
| Plant | Light Requirement | Water Needs | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Allow soil to dry out between waterings | Small to Medium |
| Snake plant | Low | Water every 2-4 weeks | Medium to Large |
| Philodendron | Low to Medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Small to Large |
| Chinese Evergreen | Medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Medium |
| Peace Lily | Medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Small to Medium |
FAQ
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What are some easy plants for indoors?
Some simple plants that basically anyone can grow indoors are pothos, spider plants, snake plants, english ivy, and peace lilies. These plants are sort of forgiving and don’t need a ton of sunlight or water.
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Do indoor plants need soil?
Yes, indoor plants do need soil to grow in, which provides nutrients and holds water. You can use a general potting mix that is designed for houseplants. On the other hand, you can also try growing plants hydroponically without soil by using water and nutrients.
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How often should indoor plants be watered?
Most indoor plants should be watered around once a week, or when the top inch or two of soil is dry. However, there are exceptions – some plants like orchids and cacti need less water. The best way is to check the soil by sticking your finger in – is it still moist? If not, it’s time to give them a drink!
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What lighting do indoor plants need?
Most houseplants thrive in medium to bright indirect sunlight. Direct sun through a south-facing window is kind to many varieties. Strong western or southern exposure may harm plants not accustomed to full sun. Place plants in spot receiving light for at least 6 hours daily. Monitor newcomers for sun/shade tolerance signs like browning.
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How often should indoor plants be fertilized?
You’ll want to fertilize indoor plants during the active growing season, from spring to fall. Most experts recommend using a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month. Be sure to follow the product instructions. Too much fertilizer can actually damage or kill your plants!
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How do you keep cats away from indoor plants?
If you’ve got kitties that like to nibble on plants, there are a few things you can try. You can spray citrus or hot pepper extracts on soil or leaves to make plants unappealing. Place plants high up or behind barriers cats can’t reach. Cover soil with rocks or pebbles so it’s less tempting. Also consider choosing non-toxic plant varieties if cats are plant predators!
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What are some low maintenance indoor plants?
Some plants that basically require very little care are bamboo palm, snake plant, pothos, philodendron, Chinese evergreen, and ZZ plant. They can tolerate lower light and don’t need much water. These make great options for people who forget to water or tend to under or over water. They’re pretty forgiving little guys.