15 Of The Easiest Houseplants Anyone Can Grow
Our Top Choices For 15 Indoor Plants That Are EASY To Take Care Of!
Do you love the look of lush, live houseplants, and the homey feel that houseplants lend to a space? Would you like to have a few easy houseplants around your home or workplace to brighten up the environment? If you answered yes to either of these questions, these 15 easy houseplants are a snap to care for! Don’t label yourself a brown thumb until you’ve tried growing one of these beautiful (and forgiving!) houseplants.
On another note, oh how the internet has changed almost everything, including buying houseplants! Today, there are numerous online stores and greenhouses that specialize in selling houseplants. Surprisingly, Amazon is a fantastic place to buy plants and we have linked to the best choices!
JADE
Jade, a succulent that is said to bring good luck, requires very little care. Keep the plant on a spot that receives partial or indirect sunlight. This plant is extremely tolerant of poor soil and it’s thick leaves and stems act as reservoirs of water. This feature makes it one of the best for indoor gardening
TIP: Do not overwater; allow the plant to dry between waterings. If the plant begins to shed or brown spots appear, the plant may need water. If mealy bugs appear in the plant, spray with a mixture of water and antibacterial soap.
SPIDER PLANT
These easy houseplants are a favorite in homes, offices and waiting rooms nationwide. The popularity is due to its toughness and the ease of propagation and maintenance. Spider plants look great hanging, especially when they flower and sprout “babies.” The plant actually earned its name from these small baby plants that grow on its long leaves. The offshoots can be removed and placed in soil or water and will grow into a plant of its own.
TIP: Keep the plant in indirect light and maintain slight moisture in the soil.
ALOE VERA
Plants from the aloe genus are robust and hassle-free houseplants that grow easily in pots. With slight care, you can grow one for many years.
Chances are you’ve probably heard of or used commercially sold medicinal creams or ointment that say they contain aloe vera on their labels. Despite a lack of scientific evidence that Aloe Vera has any substantial healing properties, it has been used for thousands of years as a common natural remedy to soothe irritated skin.
The clear, gel-like substance found in the inner part of the leaf can be applied directly to the skin. People typically use Aloe Vera to help treat burns, sunburn, frostbite and cold sores. Make sure you speak to your doctor first in case you have any allergies.
TIP: Aloe plants do very well with lots of sun but can turn brown if they get too much of it. They need to be deeply watered and their soil should dry slightly between waterings.
SNAKE PLANT
Snake Plant, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is stylish and robust. It is very popular for its striking form and also because it is an easy keeper. This plant is extremely drought-resistant, enough to be the one to keep in your house if you forget to water. This plant grows well in most types of light.
TIP: Group a snake plant with other potted plants of varying textures and shapes to create attractive visual effects.
PEACE LILIES
Peace Lilies are great indoors. They will really compliment your home decor in the summer when their beautiful white flowers are in full bloom; but that’s not all they can do! This pretty and powerful houseplant is a master of pollutant removal, purifying the air in your home. With graceful curving leaves and stately white bracts (leaf with flower) that rise from the dark foliage, a Peace Lily looks elegant wherever you place it. It tolerates low light so it can go in a bathroom or in rooms with fewer windows.
TIP: Plant in a pot with all purpose soil and always keep slightly moist and in shaded areas.
Did you know Peace Lily’s are also amazing air cleaners? Read our guide to houseplant that can purify the air in your home.
CACTUS
Cactus house plants are easy to grow and vary widely in size and shape. They are adaptable and strong and are great plants for beginners. They are great for growing indoors and their unusual sculptural forms create a sense of decor as well as natural beauty. Many Cactus plants will bloom once a year. They require bright light and loose, sandy soil. Soak plants thoroughly when the top ½ inch of soil is dry to the touch .
TIP: During dark winter months, sunlight can be supplemented with a white fluorescent bulb.
CHRISTMAS CACTUS
Known to bloom around Christmas time, the Christmas Cactus sometimes blooms as early as October and may bloom twice in one year. This jointed, semi-prickly Cactus plant has sporadic spikes and tiny fuchsia or white flowers when in bloom. The plants require nothing but bright light and very little watering.
TIP: Once a month watering is often enough.
POTHOS
Arguably the most common of American easy houseplants, this trailing plant is shiny with medium-sized, heart-shaped leaves in varying shades of green. Often seen around stakes, trailing over frames or hung from high shelves, these plants grow fast and are very forgiving. Place this plant in bright, indirect light and water when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
TIP: To promote new leaves and compact growth, trim the plant back when it gets too leggy.
LAVENDER
Looking for a houseplant that will give back? Why not try Lavender? It calms you when you are stressed and can provide a stellar flavor in desserts and cocktails. The good news? It’s both beautiful and hearty!
The easiest to grow are the smaller varieties; there are many to choose from but our recommendation is French Lavender. You can place Lavender anywhere in your home, but putting it in your bedroom is especially helpful since it may help you sleep better.
Lavender plants prefer well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. They need deep watering, but not very often. Only water your lavender plant when the soil is nearly dry.
TIP: Crush up eggshells and mix them in with the top of the soil once a month as Lavender thrives in an alkaline soil.
WANDERING JEW
The Wandering Jew is a plant valued for the colored stripes of white, green, silver and purple on their foliage. They have trailing vines that flow from their base and are very easy to care for. This variegated, trailing plant offsets all green houseplants nicely.
With their hardy nature they are a perfect choice for those feeling they kill everything they bring indoors. This plant does best in bright sunlight with a moderate to heavy watering schedule.
TIP: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
AIR PLANTS
Air Plants seem almost otherworldly in the way they can grow, well, just in air. No soil required. Plus, their leaves can look like the appendages of an exotic sea creature. Don’t let the lack of soil scare you away; air plants are easy to care for once you know what they need.
Bright, filtered light, as well as weekly watering, will keep these plants beautiful. They absorb moisture from the environment, so the more humid the conditions, the less water they will need. If the air is dry, submerge plants in water for 2-3 hours every two weeks. Otherwise, a simple weekly misting should keep the plants thriving.
Air plants are versatile and may be placed on a shelf, in a seashell, on a window sill, desk or even on top of a television. They come in a range of sizes, shapes and forms.
TIP: You will know that an Air Plant is getting what it needs when it sends up flowers. Once the flower dries out, just snip it off and your air plant will keep on growing and eventually make more blooms. Keep your air plant out of direct sunlight.
CHINESE EVERGREEN
The Chinese Evergreen has a pretty, painted look to its leaves and requires minimal effort to keep it happy. Adorned with patterned leaves that are speckled with gold, red, silver or cream, young Chinese Evergreen plants are well suited for the desktop or credenza while the larger plants are pretty growing on the floor.
Care is not a problem as Chinese Evergreens require just a few things. They thrive in low light, so you can place them in locations where other house plants won’t grow. They like warm, slightly humid conditions.
NASA has determined that these plants help clean the air indoors. So not only are they easy and carefree, Chinese Evergreens work hard for you!
TIP: This plant does not require a ton of water, so let the soil dry out between waterings to help it prosper.
ZZ PLANT
ZZ Plants (aka Zanzibar Gems) have continued to get more and more trendy over the years thanks to how simple they are to maintain. Its appealing, spiky leaves are a fun bonus. The ZZ Plant is probably the easiest plant to maintain on our list. This plant requires only a little light and appreciates all types of environments.
TIP: The plant does not like frequent watering and make sure the roots don’t stay wet.
BAMBOO
Also said to bring good luck, the Bamboo Plant lives in water alone. It looks great bunched in vases, Asian inspired containers, or in a water garden. Simply place the stalks in a vase full of water with pebbles or marbles at the bottom.
Bamboo thrives in bright, filtered light, but avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. And if your bamboo starts to get too big for its container, just upgrade it to a new one with a similar set up.
TIP: Bamboo is very sensitive to chlorine and other impurities often found in tap water, so be sure to water your plant with distilled or bottled water or tap water that has been left out for a day to let the chlorine evaporate.
STAGHORN FERN
Ferns have been a mainstay in household plants for as long as anyone remembers. But when it comes to ferns, there are few species quite as wacky as the classic Staghorn Fern; this Fern is just so different from other houseplants.
A relative to the Orchid family, this plant looks like its deerhorn namesake and even has a soft, velvety surface that traps moisture and eliminates the need for traditional water. It’s one of the few plants that can be mounted on a wall, as it requires only indirect lighting and occasional misting.
TIP: A staghorn fern will not do well at all when planted in a normal planter. The most natural way to grow it is to mount it and it will make a beautiful focal point. Don’t shy away; once you mount it all you have to do is mist it. A little effort will go a long way and you will not be disappointed. A stunning addition to your home.
Here is a great tutorial about mounting a Staghorn Fern
https://freshexchange.com/diy-mounted-staghorn-fern-easy/
These Are The Easiest Houseplant That You Can Grow!
All the houseplants on our list will forgive your neglect and small mistakes. But remember, there is no plant that is indestructible. You have to give them at least the minimum growing conditions necessary for their survival, and if you do, they will add a touch of nature and style to your home and probably lift your mood everyday.
