Top 5 Easiest House Plants to Maintain
~ You really cannot go wrong with this list ~
Snake Plant
(Dracaena Trifasciata)
Other than the hilarious nickname of “Mother in Law’s Tongue”, this plant is the best of both worlds. The Snake plant offers a striking feature to any house or apartment and is almost impossible to kill. The name of the game is pure neglect for this house plant. I know of someone who left their Snake plant unattended for over 3 months and returned to find the little guy hadn’t changed a bit. For all the brown thumbs or busy people out there, I would highly recommend a Snake plant as your introduction into the world of low maintenance greenery. As a true testament to the snake plant’s resilience, I once left mine in a windowless bathroom for over a month and it lived to tell the tale. To top it all off, the Snake plant is a proven air purifier, helping to remove Xylene, Benzene, Formaldehyde, and Trichloroethylene. Ask NASA!
Care instructions: Snake plants are highly resilient under dry conditions so only water when the soil is completely dry and no more often than once every 10 days (during summer and even less in winter). Any overwatering can lead to the Snake plant’s mortal enemy, ROOT ROT. When I water mine, I drench the soil (any variety of succulent soil that doesn’t retain water works) and make sure to let it drain thoroughly through holes in the bottom of the pot.
Realistically, this plant tolerates any light environment (low and high) but medium-light is optimal. Snake plants can also thrive with bright, fluorescent light making them a popular choice for indoor spaces with no windows. Keep Snake plants out of direct/hot sunlight as the leaves may burn.
Ensure soil completely dry between waterings. Drench the soil in water and let drain every 2-8 weeks in the summer (less is more) and 6-8 weeks in winter dependent upon home environment and sun exposure.
Snake plants really do not require fertilizer to thrive but if you do, fertilize at most twice a year during the growing period (spring or summer).
Fast and well draining soil to prevent root rot during waterings. A succulent and cactus mix is highly recommended. Rather than a plastic or glazed pot, consider a terra-cotta material to relieve the plant of any excess moisture.
Snake plants are highly pest-resistant but may have unwelcome mealy bugs or spider mites if neglected.
Ideal environmental temp:
18°C - 27°C / 65°F - 80°F
ZZ Plant
(Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
Perhaps by favorite of all time, I am wildly protective of my ZZ plant(as if it needs it). ZZ plants have large bulbs underneath the soil which hold water for extended drouts. This means you drench and drain (see above snake plant) the ZZ plant every month or two and call it a day. The shiny leaves and exotic presence will add an exciting new element to your place. Warning: the ZZ can be toxic if ingested by curious animals (or humans?) so please be careful and please be sure to wash hands after handling. While we’re talking about the leaves, the ZZ plant benefits both in terms of health and aesthetics if you give the shiny leaves an occasional wipe down with a damp clothe as they have a tendency to catch wandering dust and dirt. Another note: healthy ZZ plants tend to grow very long branches and subsequently do the “ZZ flop” as I like to call it in which the branches discontinue growing upward and instead flop outward from the pot; this is completely normal. What I like to do is tie a thread around the base branches as a support to maintain that upward growth.
Care instructions: Much like the snake plant, ZZ plants do just fine in low light environments so feel free to leave them in a less well lit corner of the living room. Similarly, keep the ZZ in a big pot and drench the plant every month or two allowing for proper drainage. Again, be careful: overwatering these types of plants can lead to root rot - just let the bulbs do all the work.
While the plant tolerates low light environments, medium to bright light is optimal. Much like the Snake plant, these plants can also thrive with bright, fluorescent light making them a popular choice for indoor spaces with no windows. Keep ZZ plants out of direct/hot sunlight.
Before watering, check if the top soil has become dry to the touch. Again, less is more because over-watering can cause stem and rhizome rot. When watering, drench the plant to allow the underground bulbs to retain as much water as possible.
ZZ plants can benefit from diluted liquid fertilizer once every month or two during peak growing season (spring and summer) and less often during winter.
Fast and well draining soil to prevent root rot during waterings. A succulent and cactus mix is highly recommended. Rather than a plastic or glazed pot, consider a terra-cotta material to relieve the plant of any excess moisture.
Aphids are attracted to the “sap” on ZZ plants and can be found hiding under the leaves causing yellow marks on the plant. If this happens, simply wipe down the plant’s leaves with a warm soap and water solution.
Ideal environmental temp:
18°C - 24°C / 65°F - 75°F
Aloe Plant
(Aloe Vera)
Aloe plants are incredibly resilient and offer additional utility if you plan on making your own aloe ointments (or other various natural remedies). For the magic goo, just chop off a leaf and peel off the exterior; my aloe plant appears unaffected by this process. Aloe plants will grow relatively slow inside and work as an excellent feature for any counter, floor space, or mantle. These plants come in a variety of very interesting looks but they all have one thing in common - they love sun. Be sure to place your aloe plant in the sunniest location possible and be sparse with the water; do not water unless the soil is completely dry and lean toward under-watering when possible.
Care Instructions: Feel free to put this aloe outside in the sun but know that it may lose some green and instead turn a bit of a pale color; do not worry as this is a temporary shock, it will continue growing. In fact, outside exposure in a warm environment will likely catalyze the growth process as mine has shot up since finding a home on my balcony!
The Aloe plant prefers bright indirect light and may bleach if placed in direct/hot sunlight. Unlike the previous two plants on this list, Aloe does not do well in low light environments and tends to droop and lose color.
Ensure soil completely dry between waterings. Drench the soil in water and let drain every 3 or so weeks in the summer (less is more) and 4-5 weeks in winter dependent upon home environment and sun exposure.
Aloe plants generally do not require fertilizer to thrive but if you do, fertilize at most twice a year during the growing period (Spring or Summer)
Fast and well draining soil to prevent root rot during waterings. A succulent and cactus mix is highly recommended. Rather than a plastic or glazed pot, consider a terra-cotta material to relieve the plant of any excess moisture.
Aloe vera plants are most susceptible to the usual indoor pests such as mealybugs and scale.
Ideal environmental temp:
16°C - 24°C / 60°F - 75°F
Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
(Epipremnum Aureum)
Preferably of the “Golden” variety - This may be the easiest of all plants to grow in your space regardless of light conditions or space (hang it from the ceiling!). When indoors, try to place your Pothos in indirect bright light where the plant will stay at it’s greenest as these plants tend to lose some vibrance (and generally turn yellowish) when placed in very low light environments. Due to the aesthetic quality of trailing vines and heart shaped leaves, this plant is perfect for hanging from the ceiling or just sitting on a medium-lit window sill. An added bonus is that the the Pothos is able to filter gaseous toxins like formaldehyde and benzene as well as carbon monoxide from the air (though I’d still recommend keeping the sensor in your home) .
Care Instructions: Pothos’ are very resilient. Keep your plant in a pot and soil that drains easily and water once every 1-2 weeks. You can tell when they need some love because they’ll yellow a bit and become droopy. Ensure the soil is completely dry before watering. Much like other plants on this list, overwatering is an easy way to cause root rot. Err toward under watering if you’re unsure. Additionally, some plant food can go a long way; consider fertilizing your pathos every couple months but don’t sweat this step. Keep your budding friend away from direct sunlight, and in low to medium light preferably in a bright room. That’s it! Pothos plants are easy to maintain and very trendy.
Pothos plants prefer bright indirect light environments but medium light and low light is fine as well. Keep Pothos out of direct/hot sunlight. Pale leaves means too much sun, and loss of variegation (differently colored zones on leaves) means too little.
Ensure soil completely dry between waterings. Drench the soil in water and let drain every 2-8 weeks in the summer (less is more) and 6-8 weeks in winter dependent upon home environment and sun exposure. Leaves will droop when the plant needs some water.
While not necessary, Pothos plants can benefit from a monthly liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Fast and well draining soil to prevent root rot during waterings. A succulent and cactus mix is highly recommended. Rather than a plastic or glazed pot, consider a terra-cotta material to relieve the plant of any excess moisture.
While not common, pests affecting Pothos will include spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. Mealybugs are the most common of these and can be removed using alcohol and a cotton swab or insecticidal soap.
Ideal environmental temp:
15ºC - 29 ºC / 60ºF - 85ºF
Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum)
Would you know, it’s not a Lily (actually a member of the Araceae family)! This secret agent is another ideal low-maintenance houseplant. The name is derived from the white “spathe” of the plant which looks like a small white flag of surrender. Additionally, NASA named the Peace Lily in it’s top 10 list of household air cleaning plants known to remove Ammonia, Xylene, Benzene, Formaldehyde, and Trichloroethylene. The Peace Lily will generally bloom once or twice a year and last for around 2 months for each cycle. This plant truly does not need a large amount of sunlight; the Peace Lily will do just fine and can perhaps even add a touch of life to darker corners of your space. Important note: Peace lilies are listed by the ASPCA as one of the houseplants that are poisonous to cats and dogs as they contain oxalates which can irritate the mouth and stomach. Upon first bite, your furry friends will likely realize their poor decision and disconiue eating the plant but there may be some short-term adverse effects. Consider avoiding this plant if you have any indoor pets or curious nibblers running around.
Care Instructions: Peace Lilies are known for thriving in low-light environments; anecdotal evidence even indicates these plants have survives during on fluorescent lighting in windowless rooms. Intuitively, this means the plant is sensitive to light. Avoid direct sunlight as the plant will likely turn a yellowish hue and produce brownish leaves. As is consistent with other plants on this list, less is more when watering your Peace Lily. Wait until the plant begins drooping just a bit which is a direct indicator the plant should be watered. If your plant is not flowering, it may need more light.
The Peace Lily tolerates low light environments but may not flower under these conditions. Bright indirect light is optimal. Keep these plants out of direct/hot sunlight.
Use room temperature purified water as the Peace Lily can be sensitive to chemicals found in tap water such as chlorine and fluoride. Tip: consider spraying the leaves with some distilled water to maintain that glossy look. If you are away for a week or two, don’t fret, Peace Lilies are known to bounce back even after a bit of neglect.
Peace Lilies really do not require high volumes of fertilizer; fertilize at most every six week during the growing period (spring or summer) and even less often during fall and winter.
Keep the soil moist and on average water once a week ensuring the soil stays consistently moist. While it is important to avoid overwatering, Peace Lilies prefer a more moist environment relative to other plants on this list.
While not common, pests affecting Peace Lilies include scale and mealybugs. Mealybugs are the most common of these and can be removed using alcohol and a cotton swab or insecticidal soap.
Ideal environmental temp:
18ºC - 30ºC / 65ºF - 80ºF
Recommendations To Get You Started!
It’s tough to go wrong with any of the plants on this list but keep these things before going crazy with it:
Most of these resilient houseplants will prefer quick dry soil (succulent soil) and pots with drainage holes. Root rot due to overwatering is a serious concern. My favorite soil can be found here.
For greatest growth potential and overall health consider using a fertilizer as directed by packaging (I like Joyful Dirt) My favorite fertilizer here.
There is nothing like a trendy watering can to polish the plant-parent look. My favorite can be found here.
Soil Moisture monitors can be extremely helpful when we struggle to get our finger far enough into the dirt when checking for moisture. Luckily, this high accuracy monitor removes the guesswork.
If you are struggling to find an area in your space with enough light for your plant, consider these grow lights here.
I personally use these pruning shares when any leaves start to yellow or branches begin to look questionable.
Happy Growing!
