Embrace the joys of indoor gardening with these 18 great indoor plants for beginners that are both easy to care for and visually stunning. This blog post offers a selection of beginner-friendly plants to help you cultivate a thriving indoor garden without any stress.
As you embark on your indoor gardening journey, learn more about indoor plants that grow like crazy even in the dark or check out indoor plants you can grow if you are lazy.
Are you eager to start your indoor gardening adventure? Explore this blog post and discover the perfect plants to kickstart your passion for indoor greenery.
Takeaways |
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Indoor plants are great for beginners because they are easy to care for and can improve indoor air quality. |
Some of the best indoor plants for beginners include snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and spider plants. |
When it comes to watering indoor plants, it’s best to wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering. |
Low-maintenance plants like succulents, snake plants, and ZZ plants are perfect for those who are short on time but still want to enjoy the benefits of indoor greenery. |
Indoor plants can help to improve air quality by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. |
Pothos
For beginners, Pothos is a great option. It’s known as devil’s ivy because of its long green leaves and vines that grow up to four feet tall.
You can keep it in your home or garden, and it requires minimal care just be sure not to over-water (this will make the leaves yellow).
You can also change its look by pruning back some parts of the plant or hanging it in different ways.
Pothos grows well indoors and out, although you may need a little more sunlight if you want bigger leaves. While they do prefer moisture, they don’t require much watering at all—once every two weeks should suffice!
Spider Plant
The spider plant is a popular houseplant because it’s easy to grow and requires basic care. It’s also one of the best plants for beginners because its long, spindly leaves make it a beautiful addition to any home.
In addition to its appearance, you might know that spider plants are named for their ability to produce new shoots from their leaves. If you’re looking for more options than just having one large plant take up space in your home or office, try pruning your spider plant into a bonsai!
The Spider Plant is an excellent indoor plant choice for beginners because they are tolerant of many different conditions.
The only thing they really need is bright light (but avoid direct sunlight), so make sure that you place them near windows where they can get plenty of natural lighting throughout most of the day.
“Indoor plants not only bring beauty to your home but also help to purify the air. Check out our list of 17 cool indoor plants ideal for cleaning the air in your home to create a healthy environment for you and your family.”
Snake Plant
The snake plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It can be found in almost any room, even high-traffic areas like offices and kitchens. The snake plant is a succulent, which means it stores water in its leaves instead of in its roots.
This makes it an especially low maintenance plant that requires little attention once it’s established.
Even though they’re relatively easy to care for, snake plants are still very rewarding plants to grow! They are fantastic at removing toxins from the air and also make great additions to any home or office because of their beautiful vibrant green leaves and snake-like appearance (hence the name).
Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is a popular houseplant that doesn’t require much light to thrive. As long as it has indirect sunlight, it will grow well in your home.
It’s easy to care for, but because it’s slow growing, you may want to invest in the largest pot possible so that your plant grows at a normal rate.
Although its leaves are relatively small (about 12 inches), this evergreen tropical tree can get up to 6 feet tall and requires plenty of water during its active growing season (February through June).
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Philodendron
Philodendron is a genus of tropical and subtropical plants in the family Araceae, native to the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia and Oceania. They are known as elephant’s ears because of their large leaves.
The genus contains between 700 and 900 species with worldwide distribution; most of these do not have English names.
The best-known members are canna lily (Canna indica) and mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), but there are also many popular houseplants including heartleaf philodendron (P. cordata) and umbrella plant (P. bipinnatifida).
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that grows well in a variety of light conditions. It is native to Africa and can be grown indoors or outdoors, making it a good choice for beginners.
Aloe Vera is easy to care for and can be used to make a variety of products, including teas, lotions and even toothpaste!
If you are looking for an indoor plant that is easy to care for and produces plenty of fresh-looking leaves year round, then Aloe Vera might be the perfect choice for your home or office!
Peace Lily
This relatively low-maintenance plant is a good choice for beginners. It requires loose, well-drained soil and can grow in most light conditions.
The peace lily is an excellent indoor plant, but it also makes an appearance outdoors in shade gardens and tropical climates. Its large leaves are shaped like paddles and fall over gracefully as they age, giving the plant its name.
The peace lily is often grown as a houseplant, where it has been known to last 20 years or more with little care. Peace lilies enjoy full sun locations but can tolerate partial shade if needed. They require moist soil to thrive; however, they will do just fine in water alone!
If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow houseplant that requires minimal care (and is also aesthetically pleasing), consider this versatile beauty!
“Are you a lazy plant parent? No problem! Our list of 15 indoor plants you can grow if you are lazy offers easy-to-care-for plants that still bring life and beauty to your home.”
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Fiddle leaf fig trees are actually quite easy to grow indoors. They’re also known as weeping fig trees, because they have long leaves that hang down from the branches.
These plants are hardy and can survive in low light, which makes them perfect for people who live in apartments or rooms with few windows. They’re slow growing, but can reach up to 9 feet tall!
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen is a common houseplant, and it’s easy to grow. It’s great for beginners because it thrives in low light conditions and can be kept relatively small with regular trimming.
This plant also does well in dry air and cool temperatures, making it ideal for more temperate regions where humidity levels are low.
Chinese Evergreen is one of the best options if you have dry air or very little light; however, this plant will struggle in high humidity areas or warm temperatures (above 70 degrees F).
Rubber Plant
Besides being an easy-to-care-for indoor plant, the rubber tree is a great choice for beginners.
Rubber plants are also a good choice for people who live in small spaces and don’t have a lot of time to take care of plants.
If you’re new to growing indoor plants and want something that requires little maintenance, this might be the best plant for you!
“Keeping houseplants alive can be a challenge, but with a few simple tips, you can make it a breeze. Check out our guide on 13 tips to never let your houseplants die and say goodbye to wilting leaves and brown stems.”
Jade Plant
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are succulents that can grow in low light, making them a perfect choice for beginners.
They’re also easy to care for, requiring only watering when soil feels dry. They can be grown indoors or outdoors and can thrive in both environments. Jade plants grow very slowly and will survive for years with little maintenance.
Jade plants can be propagated by cuttings or seeds growing from seedlings. To propagate by cuttings, remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem (the part you want to propagate), dip it into rooting hormone powder and then place it into your preferred medium soil or water and keep warm until roots form.
Alternatively, you could plant some jade plant seeds directly into soil once they begin to sprout from their pods; however, this takes longer than using cuttings as roots won’t form until after five months have passed since germination began so make sure you have plenty of patience before attempting this method!
Dracaena Reflexa Song of India
The Dracaena Reflexa Song of India is a common indoor plant with a thick trunk and long, arching leaves. It’s also known as the Song of India. This slow-growing plant doesn’t mind being neglected and will thrive even in low light conditions.
It won’t take long for you to notice the distinctive beauty of this elegant piece of foliage the dark-green leaves are narrow at their tips, get wider towards the base, and have smooth edges.
The Dracaena Reflexa Song of India makes an excellent choice if you want something easy to care for but don’t have much space (or patience) for pruning or repotting plants regularly.
“Indoor plants not only provide a beautiful aesthetic but also have the power to boost productivity and purify the air. Our article on 13 plants that will boost productivity and purify the air in your home highlights some of the best plants for creating a healthy and productive workspace.”
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ plant is a slow-growing, semi-evergreen perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall in its native habitat of southeast Africa. This plant is easy to care for, and can be grown indoors or outdoors. It prefers indirect light and should be kept away from drafts.
Asparagus Ferns
Asparagus ferns are a common houseplant and an excellent choice for beginners. They’re easy to grow, require very little maintenance, and thrive in most environments.
For these reasons, asparagus ferns make a great addition to offices and other indoor spaces with limited natural light. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of growing this plant!
Asparagus ferns (also called emerald feather) are native to tropical climates, but can be grown indoors anywhere there is adequate lighting (around three hours per day).
As their name suggests, these plants look like miniature trees or bushes covered in green leaves that resemble fern fronds hence the name “fern.”
These tropical plants typically reach 1–2 feet tall at maturity, with each frond growing 10–14 inches long.
Give your asparagus fern plenty of space so that it can grow into its potential height without crowding other plants nearby; you’ll want at least two feet between each plant if you don’t want them touching each other’s leaves when they’re fully grown up!
Prayer Plants (Maranta leuconeura)
Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura), an excellent option for beginners, were originally from South Africa and are characterized by their thick, succulent leaves that fan out from the center. They can grow up to 3 feet tall and live for up to 15 years!
Prayer plants are also available in many different varieties, including yellow-leafed varieties with variegated leaves.
They prefer low light levels but will tolerate medium light levels as well. When planted in soil or an average potting mix, prayer plants need less water than other houseplants just remember not to let it dry out completely between watering sessions!
Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae family)
Bromeliads are a popular choice for indoor plants. Their colorful foliage and showy flowers make them an attractive addition to any room.
Bromeliad plants are part of the Bromeliaceae family, which includes about 2,000 species in about 70 genera.
This family is native to tropical regions around the world. The epiphytic bromelias grow on trees or rocks in the wild, but you can keep them as houseplants or even outdoors in your garden if they have enough light and water (where they will flower more often). The terrestrial varieties will also do well indoors with proper care!
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
If you’re looking for a succulent plant that can be grown indoors, the string of pearls is a good choice. It’s also commonly known as string of pearls because each leaf is shaped like a pearl.
The plant grows to about 20 inches tall and produces small white flowers in late summer that are followed by round black seed pods.
This hardy indoor plant will tolerate low light levels and dry air conditions but prefers bright indirect sunlight or full sun if you have it available to you.
The string of pearls isn’t fussy about soil conditions and requires minimal watering just enough so its roots don’t dry out completely.
Succulent Plants (Crassula ovata)
Succulents are one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. They can thrive in a wide range of light conditions and are low-maintenance. Plus, they’re drought tolerant, meaning you don’t have to water them often.
Plant succulents in a container that allows for drainage, or place them in pots with holes at the bottom. Make sure your potting soil drains well; this allows excess water to escape without damaging roots or causing root rot.
Some plants may need more water than others depending on their size and growing conditions, but be wary of overwatering as this can kill succulents just as easily as underwatering (the process by which too much water causes root rot).
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great indoor plants that are easy to grow and suitable for beginners. If you have any questions about the care of these plants or which one might be best for your space, contact us today! We’re happy to help!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about indoor plants, check out these helpful articles:
Hard-to-Kill Plants That Will Survive Your Busy Schedule: Learn about low-maintenance plants that are perfect for those who are short on time but still want to enjoy the benefits of indoor greenery.
The Best Houseplants for Beginners, According to Our Experts: Looking for the perfect plant to start your indoor garden? Check out this article for expert recommendations on easy-to-care-for plants.
15 Best Indoor Plants for Beginners: From succulents to spider plants, this article provides a comprehensive list of the best indoor plants for beginners, complete with care tips and photos.
FAQs
What are the best indoor plants for beginners?
Some of the best indoor plants for beginners include snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and spider plants. These plants are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of attention.
How often should I water my indoor plants?
The watering frequency for indoor plants depends on the plant species, pot size, and environmental conditions. In general, it’s best to wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering.
What are some low-maintenance indoor plants?
If you’re short on time, consider low-maintenance plants like succulents, snake plants, and ZZ plants. These plants require minimal care and can thrive in a variety of environments.
Can indoor plants improve air quality?
Yes, indoor plants can help to improve air quality by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. Some plants, like spider plants and pothos, are particularly good at purifying the air.
How do I know if my indoor plant needs more light?
If your indoor plant isn’t getting enough light, it may start to droop or lose its color. To determine if your plant needs more light, check the care instructions for the specific plant species and adjust its placement accordingly.
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.