If you love the look houseplants add to your décor but lack the green thumb that goes with caring for them, you’re probably resigned to plastic or silk fake plants, but think again. With very little effort on your part, you can be the proud grower of houseplants, really.
There are actually quite a few low maintenance houseplants out there, but here are 5 of my favorite beginner houseplants for anyone just starting out.
Pothos – Pothos is a perfect plant for the beginner. In its native habitat, this variegated beauty clambers up trees encompassing them entirely with gold and green foliage. In the home, pothos is easygoing regarding light, although low light will mute its colored foliage. It does well in average home temps and is tolerant of those who forget to water it. Even with minimal care, pothos can send out long stems but can be easily trimmed. Stick those cut stems in a glass of water and watch the plant root rapidly to form new additions.
Snake plant – Members of the family that bring us dracaena and liriope, snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue are dramatic specimens that are almost impossible to kill. While they prefer lots of light, they can tolerate less and are extremely forgiving about watering. Snake plant has sword-like green leaves slashed with lighter green other varieties have yellow leaf margins.
Spider plant – Spider plant is one of those easy care plants that works well as a hanging plant. It is unfussy about light, temperature or water and, even when ignored, produces plantlets or offsets off long stems that can be repotted as new spider plants.
Succulents – Succulents are all the rage and with good reason. There are hundreds of varieties with every hue and texture under the sun. Aloe has long been a popular succulent houseplant as have varieties of Echeveria. Since this isn’t a particular houseplant but rather a group of plants, I’ll lump cacti in here as well. Both succulents and cacti are slow growers particularly suited to abuse by the grower.
Heartleaf philodendron – Philodendron is another plant that thrives with minimal care. It is a trailing houseplant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves that flourishes in an array of lighting conditions and standard household temps. Its only downside? Don’t allow it to be constantly wet; instead, allow the soil to dry between watering.
Don’t be intimidated by the thought of growing plants for the first time. These low maintenance houseplants for beginners will provide everything you need to get you started – ease of care, beauty and more.
