Looking for low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for indoor plants? Our beginner's guide features 10 of the best houseplants for new plant parents. From succulents to snake plants, we've got you covered with tips and tricks for keeping your new green friends happy and healthy.
Indoor houseplants in a home - Photo by Huy Phan on Unsplash
A how-to guide: best indoor plants for beginners
Are you looking for easy-to-care-for indoor plants that require little maintenance? If so, you're in luck! In this blog post, we'll be discussing 10 low-maintenance houseplants that are perfect for beginners.
These plants are easy to take care of and require minimal upkeep, making them ideal for those with a busy lifestyle. From ferns to succulents, there's a variety of options available that are sure to brighten up any space.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a popular indoor houseplant and one of the easiest to keep alive. Known for its succulent leaves that contain a clear gel, Aloe Vera has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant with health benefits and is an attractive addition to any home or office – it’s also used in beauty products and can be consumed within food and drink.
Here are some tips that will help you care for your Aloe Vera plant:
- Provide plenty of light: Aloe Vera prefers bright, indirect sunlight, so make sure to place it near a window with good natural light.
- Water sparingly: Aloe Vera is a succulent and can easily be overwatered, so allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Feed every month: A diluted fertiliser applied monthly will help keep your Aloe Vera healthy and looking its best.
- Re-pot every two years: When your Aloe Vera starts to outgrow its pot, re-pot it in a container larger than the current one, or if it’s grown to more than one aloe plant, consider splitting them so that you have two plants that have plenty more space to grow.
These simple tips will help keep your Aloe Vera happy and healthy for years to come.
2. Chinese Evergreen
One of the best indoor plants to keep alive is the Chinese Evergreen. Not only is it easy to care for, but it also adds a tropical feel to any home.
Here are some tips that will help you look after this beautiful plant:
- Put your Chinese Evergreen in a place that receives bright, indirect light. It’s best to place it near an east or west-facing window so it can get the morning and afternoon sun.
- Water your plant when the soil has dried out. Place your finger in the soil to find out. If the soil is still moist, wait a few days before watering again.
- Feed it every two weeks with a water-soluble fertiliser during the growing season. In the winter months, reduce the amount of fertiliser.
- Prune your Chinese Evergreen regularly to keep it looking its best. Remove any yellow or brown leaves and trim any leggy growth.
With these simple tips, you can keep your Chinese Evergreen looking its best and add a tropical touch to your home.
3. Dragon Tree
The Dragon Tree is one of the easiest plants to keep alive and requires minimal care, making it perfect for those just starting with houseplants. It has a unique shape and striking foliage, and its variegated leaves can come in shades of yellow, pink, or cream.
To ensure your plant thrives, follow these tips that will help you care for your Dragon Tree:
- Don't expose it to direct sunlight; instead, place it in bright indirect light.
- Water it regularly so the soil stays moist, but not soggy.
- During the growing season, fertilise once each month.
- Cut off dead or damaged leaves as needed.
- Mist your Dragon Tree periodically.
- Keep temperatures around 65-75°F (18-24°C).
- Repot it every 2-3 years.
4. English Ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a popular houseplant that adds charm and interest to any home or office. Its ivy-shaped leaves make it easy to recognise, but there’s much more to this plant than just its looks. It’s also low maintenance and adaptable to a variety of climates, making it an ideal option for beginner gardeners or those looking for a hassle-free indoor plant.
When caring for English Ivy, you’ll want to provide plenty of indirect sunlight. You can place it near a window that gets morning or afternoon light, but never direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy, and the plant should be fertilised every two to three months during the growing season. English Ivy prefers a humid environment, so misting the leaves can help with moisture retention.
This versatile houseplant is also great for removing toxins from the air. It can even help reduce mould spores in the home, so it's a great choice for those with allergies. Additionally, its trailing vines make it an attractive addition to any living space, and it can be trained to grow up a trellis or around other plants for an interesting display. With proper care, your English Ivy will thrive for many years to come.
5. Ficus
Ficus plants are popular houseplants that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, making them the perfect choice for any home. This hardy plant requires minimal care and is a great choice for those just starting their houseplant journey.
Ficus plants enjoy a bright spot but can tolerate some shade, although they may not flower. It is important to water your Ficus regularly to keep its soil moist, but never soggy. Make sure to never let the plant sit in standing water, as this can cause root rot. You should also mist the leaves occasionally to provide your Ficus with some extra humidity.
These plants will not require much fertiliser, but if you want to give your Ficus a little boost, use an all-purpose houseplant food every other month during its growing season. Prune your Ficus if it becomes too leggy or unruly. As always, make sure to clean your pruning tools before and after use with rubbing alcohol or a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach.
With the right amount of light and water, your Ficus plant will thrive in any room of your home.
6. Philodendron
Philodendrons are one of the most popular houseplants for their attractive foliage and low maintenance needs. There are several types of philodendrons available, but all of them have similar care requirements. These plants do best in bright, indirect light and prefer to be kept in well-drained soil. It is important to check the soil periodically to make sure it is not too dry or too wet.
These plants also need regular fertilisation. You can apply a balanced fertiliser every two to four weeks throughout the growing season, depending on your plant's specific needs. To maintain healthy foliage, mist your philodendron regularly.
When it comes to pruning, it's best to cut back the stem just above a node or leaf. This will encourage the plant to form new leaves and grow bushier. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the leaves, as they can irritate the skin.
With proper care, your philodendron should thrive indoors. If you’re looking for a reliable houseplant that will liven up your home, a philodendron could be just what you need!
7. Pothos
Pothos, devil ivy or Epipremnum aureum, is an easy-care houseplant that will add a splash of green to any indoor environment. It’s great for beginners because it can tolerate low light and doesn’t require frequent watering. Pothos has an attractive variegated appearance, with waxy leaves that have yellow, white, and green markings.
The plant grows trailing vines with large heart-shaped leaves. It's a forgiving species, so you can prune it to control its size and shape. Pothos is known for being able to tolerate inconsistent watering and even low-light environments, so it’s perfect for those who don’t have the time or inclination to tend to their plants regularly.
To care for your Pothos, place it in bright indirect light and water when the soil is dry about two inches down. Water thoroughly until it begins to drain out of the pot. Pothos are also relatively disease and pest-free, but watch out for mealybugs and spider mites. A wet cloth should be used to remove any pests you find on your plant.
8. Snake Plant
Snake plants (also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) are a type of succulent that is native to Africa and Southern Asia. They are perfect for beginning gardeners who want an easy-to-care-for indoor plant.
These tough plants can tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making them ideal for any beginner. They do best with bright, indirect light and require watering only when the soil has dried out completely. Snake plants are also air-purifying plants, helping to improve air quality in your home. There’s also no denying that houseplants can do wonders for improving our mental health, too.
When it comes to caring for snake plants, there isn’t much to worry about. These plants require minimal pruning and maintenance. If the leaves become too long or overgrown, simply snip off the excess to keep them looking their best – but I say let them grow wild and tall!
To ensure that your snake plant stays healthy, make sure to avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot. It’s also important to check for pests, such as aphids and mealybugs, which can harm your plant if left untreated.
Overall, snake plants are great for beginners who are just starting with houseplants. With minimal maintenance and care required, these low-maintenance plants make a great addition to any home.
9. Spider Plant
The spider plant is an excellent choice for those just starting with houseplants. It has long, thin green leaves with white stripes, and can grow to be quite large. It can easily survive in lower-light environments but will need a bit more direct sunlight to thrive.
When it comes to caring for the spider plant, the most important thing is to make sure it has plenty of water. It prefers slightly moist soil, so you'll want to water it frequently but avoid over-watering. You can use a potting mix specifically designed for houseplants, or a general potting mix that is light and well-draining. Fertilising every few weeks will help the plant grow better and give it the nutrients it needs.
Spider plants are also known to be quite hardy and tolerant of temperature fluctuations. They're not prone to pests or diseases, and they generally don't require too much pruning. If your plant gets too large, you can cut off some of the leaves and replant them in other containers to extend your spider plant family.
Overall, the spider plant is a great option for beginner plant owners because of its low maintenance needs and hardiness. With a little bit of love and care, your spider plant will bring lots of life and vibrancy to any space.
10. ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant is a great choice for beginners who want to start growing houseplants. It is an attractive and easy-to-care-for plant that requires minimal effort. The ZZ Plant has dark green foliage with thick stems, creating a unique texture. Its leaves are made up of two leaflets, and the plant produces small, white flowers.
The ZZ Plant thrives in indirect sunlight and does well in low-light situations, making it an ideal houseplant for any room. Watering should be done sparingly, as this plant prefers dry soil conditions. You should wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering, and it's important not to overwater the ZZ Plant.
To propagate the ZZ Plant, you can take stem cuttings or use leaf cuttings to create new plants. If you plan to propagate your ZZ Plant through stem cuttings, make sure to do so in spring or summer. To ensure that your ZZ Plant stays healthy, periodically check for signs of pests or disease, and address them right away.
Overall, the ZZ Plant is one of the many easy-to-care-for houseplants that can tolerate a variety of conditions. With its unique texture and lush foliage, it's sure to bring life to any room of your home.
To conclude
If you have pets or are considering having pets in your home, one of the most important and final things to consider when choosing which houseplants to start growing is to ensure it’s not a species of plant that is toxic to animals. For example, Aloe Vera and Jade plants are just a few of the many known plants that can cause harm to cats and dogs. Similarly, if you are expecting the arrival of a newborn, it is essential to do your research on plants that may be poisonous to babies and young children, as the devil ivy plant is one of many that can potentially be harmful.