Cultivate a low-maintenance indoor garden with these 10 easy-to-care-for plants that require minimal effort but still deliver maximum visual impact. From the personal experience of a plant enthusiast, this blog post shares the secrets behind thriving plants that demand little in terms of care.
Complement your hassle-free plant collection with care-free houseplants and plants that can help improve your home’s air quality. Ready to enjoy the benefits of indoor greenery without the stress? Explore these easy-to-care-for plants and cultivate a flourishing, low-maintenance indoor garden.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Easy-care plants are a great option for those who want to add greenery to their space without spending a lot of time on maintenance. |
| Low-maintenance plants can survive with minimal watering and care. |
| Several types of indoor and outdoor plants require little effort to keep them healthy and looking beautiful. |
| Low-light conditions don’t have to be a barrier to enjoying indoor plants. |
| Even low-maintenance plants benefit from occasional fertilization to help them thrive. |
Aloe Plant
The aloe plant is one of the most popular houseplants and with good reason. It’s easy to care for and can be used to treat sunburn. A true succulent, it grows well in pots or hanging baskets. The aloe needs only moderate light and water, which makes it ideal as a houseplant or even as an outdoor plant in warm climates.
Aloes grow best in sandy soil that drains well but not too fast you don’t want the roots sitting in water all day! They do benefit from fertilizer once or twice a month during their active growing season (spring through fall).
“Eggshells are a great source of calcium, which can be beneficial for plants like tomatoes and peppers. Crushed eggshells can also help deter slugs and snails. Learn more about how to use eggshells in your garden with our guide on Are Eggshells Good for Your Garden Soil.”
Cactus
Cacti are one of the easiest plants to take care of. They need very little water and can be kept in the bathroom or anywhere else you want them, so long as they have adequate sunlight. Cactus plants are ideal for beginners and children because they need little maintenance, but still, give you something pretty to look at.
Snake Plant
The snake plant, often called the mother-in-law’s tongue or sansevieria, is one of the easiest plants to grow. The snake plant is a low-maintenance plant and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, this plant will live long and prosper!
This easy-to-care-for houseplant is ideal for beginners who are looking to get into gardening but don’t want to deal with the high maintenance required by most plants. It’s also great for those who travel often because it requires little attention while being kept in a pot on its own (although it does make a nice addition to any room).
Jade Plant
Jade plants are one of my favorite houseplants. They’re easy to take care of, low maintenance, and look great on almost any table or shelf.
Like succulents in general, jade plants don’t need a lot of water so they are great for those who don’t have time to mist their plants daily.
Even though jade plants thrive in low light conditions (which is often the case with succulents), it is still important to give them some natural light in order for them to grow well.
Jades have a variety of leaf shapes: there are rounded leaves, stiffer-looking leaves that come to a point at the end, and even ones with little holes in them!
Some varieties of this plant can get quite large; I had one that grew from about 4 inches tall when I got it as an indoor plant four years ago all the way up until this year when it was over my head when I moved it outside during summertime!
“Did you know that orange peels can be used to improve soil quality? Orange peels are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients that can benefit your plants. Discover more about the benefits of orange peels in our article on Are Orange Peels Good for Garden Soil.”
Pothos
Let’s start with the easiest plant to grow: pothos. This plant is great for beginners because it doesn’t require much care and can thrive in most conditions. Pothos are perfect for a beginner who wants to grow plants but doesn’t want to invest too much time or money into their hobby.
Pothos can be grown either indoors or outdoors, although they prefer partial shade indoors as they do not like direct sunlight.
You can also choose between growing pothos in water or soil because they will thrive in both environments as long as you keep the roots moist (never let them dry out).
And if you don’t have enough space for watering your pothos regularly, try hanging one upside down from its container!
Spider Plant
If you’re looking for a plant to keep in your home that won’t require much of your attention, then the spider plant might be a good choice.
This hearty houseplant can thrive in many different environments, from bright light to low light, and it will also clean the air around it.
The spider plant has dark leaves with white tips that grow upright along its stem giving it an appearance similar to a waterfall.
The spider plant is very easy to propagate! You can simply cut off a small portion of one of its stems and place it into the water until roots form at which point you can transplant any excess plants elsewhere (we love them in terrariums).
In addition, all parts of this plant are toxic for pets so don’t let them get near it if you have pets running around!
“Leaves can be a valuable resource for garden soil as they decompose, releasing nutrients and improving soil structure. However, not all leaves are created equal. Find out which leaves are best for your garden with our guide on Are Leaves Good for Garden Soil Explained.”
English Ivy
English Ivy is a very easy plant to grow. It can be grown indoors or outdoors, as long as it gets bright light but not direct sunlight.
Propagating English Ivy is even easier: simply take cuttings from the ends of branches and place them in water until they root. You can then transplant those rooted cuttings into pots or the ground.
English Ivy makes for an excellent ground cover with its ability to climb up walls and provide shade for other plants (like my cactus). It also looks great hanging from baskets, making this one of my favorite houseplants!
Calathea
Calathea plants can be found in many different shades of green and even some that have a more maroon tint to them, with the leaves having a distinct pattern.
Calathea plants are easy to care for, making them perfect for beginners or people who don’t have much space.
They need plenty of light, but not direct sunlight; somewhere that gets at least 5 hours of indirect light is best. If you don’t have enough natural light where you live, consider purchasing an inexpensive grow lamp instead.
Calatheas should be watered about once every five days the soil should always feel dry before re-watering and fertilized lightly with a diluted liquid fertilizer once per month from April through September (less frequently when it’s cooler outside).
“Worms are considered a gardener’s best friend, as they help break down organic matter and improve soil structure. However, not all worms are the same. Learn more about the benefits of worms in your garden and how to attract them with our article on Are Worms Good for Garden Soil.”
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are one of the easiest houseplants to take care of. They’re also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongues,” which is an apt name for a plant that can withstand neglect and still look good.
ZZ plants are succulents and therefore require little watering, which makes them perfect for people who don’t have much time or energy to devote to their home decor.
Their leaves are long, thin, shiny, and smooth which can make them look pretty similar to snake tongues (hence the name).
If you’re looking for a plant that will purify your air without requiring much maintenance from you, then the ZZ plant may be just what you need!
The leaves release oils when they’re exposed to sunlight or heat from lamps; these oils act as natural air fresheners by removing some chemicals from our indoor environment such as formaldehyde (a common off-gassing agent found in furniture finishes).
ZZ plants also happen to be great choices if allergies are an issue because they’re generally free of dust mites and other common allergens.
However: if you have cats at home then keep reading before making any decisions about bringing this plant into your home!
Prayer Plant
Prayer plants are easy to grow and a great plant for beginning gardeners. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, where they do best in partial shade. Prayer plants don’t need much light and can easily tolerate low-light environments like hallways or bathrooms.
The plant will thrive with little direct sunlight and frequent watering, making it easy to maintain even if you don’t have much time on your hands! You also don’t have to worry about over-watering this plant because it does not need much water at all.
“Wood chips can be a great addition to garden soil, as they help retain moisture and add organic matter as they break down. However, it’s important to use them correctly. Discover the best practices for using wood chips in your garden with our guide on Are Wood Chips Good for Garden Soil Brief Explanation.”
Pray Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
This tropical species of prayer plant is one of the easiest houseplants around — especially if you have kids or pets who might accidentally knock into one of those fancy new ferns from Ikea that are currently sitting on top of your mantelpiece collecting dust while everyone ignores them because they’re just so damn boring looking!
You can be a plant mom without killing a lot of plants if you just pick the right plants.
So, you want to be a plant mom but are afraid of killing things. I hear ya! I’ve killed countless plants in my time as a plant mom (and let’s be honest, I’m still technically a plant mom) and it’s not fun.
Luckily, there are some plants out there that will make good houseplants for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Plants that are easy to take care of:
- They don’t need much light or water because they’re succulents or cacti. These types of plants can go months without any care at all!
- They grow slowly so they’ll never get too tall or wide for their containers. This makes them perfect if you’re looking for something to fit on your windowsill with minimal space requirements like me!
Plants that are easy to propagate:
You can clone them by taking off some leaves from the bottom of the stem and sticking it into the soil until it grows roots (which only takes about two weeks).
Cloning is super easy with herbs but might take more work with other kinds of plants–just check around online before trying this one out!
Conclusion
So there you have it, ten plants that are hard to kill, and easy to take care of. Now you can be a plant mom with no fear! Just remember to look out for the signs of over- or under-watering and keep your plants in an area where they get enough light (but not too much).
Also, make sure the temperature is right for each one because some require warmth while others need cooler temps.
Further Reading
If you’re looking for low-maintenance plants that are hard to kill, check out this list of 11 types of plants that will forgive you for forgetting about them from Healthline.
For more ideas on easy-care indoor plants, visit Urban Garden Gal’s list of plants that require minimal effort and can thrive in low-light conditions.
Looking for plants that can withstand neglect and still look beautiful? The San Diego Union-Tribune has a list of 10 easy-care plants that will endure through neglect and lack of water.
FAQs
What are some low-maintenance indoor plants?
There are several types of indoor plants that require minimal care, including snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, and spider plants.
What are some easy-care outdoor plants?
Some outdoor plants that require minimal effort include succulents, lavender, and yarrow.
How often should I water my low-maintenance plants?
Although low-maintenance plants require less water than other types of plants, it’s still important to water them on a regular schedule. Check the soil moisture before watering to ensure that it’s dry.
Can low-maintenance plants survive in low-light conditions?
Yes, many low-maintenance plants can thrive in low-light conditions. Some examples include snake plants, ZZ plants, and pothos.
Do low-maintenance plants still need fertilizer?
While low-maintenance plants require minimal care, they still benefit from occasional fertilization to help them grow and stay healthy. Choose a slow-release fertilizer and apply it according to the package instructions.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.
