Filling your home with indoor plants will not only add a splash of green, but some can also provide amazing benefits such as:
- Reduce pollutants and carbon dioxide levels.
- Make you feel less stressed.
- Add a beautiful natural fragrance to any room.
However, if the thought of keeping a plant alive for longer than a couple of weeks sounds daunting, don’t fret — we have got you covered.
We’ve found 9 of the easiest plants to care for that anyone can look after.
All of these plants are low maintenance and will thrive in low-to-medium light conditions. Plus, most of them require weekly watering at the most, so you can relax and enjoy the benefits of these plants in your home, or even as the perfect office desk plant.
So, if you are guilty of letting your ferns wilt or leaves turn brown, read on.
Feature photo by Manja Vitolic on Unsplash
9 Easy-to-Grow Indoor Houseplants
Clivia
While the long, dark green leaves of the clivia may not seem all that special, the annual orange or yellow blooms in the cooler months of the year make having this plant around worth it.
Clivia plants require a shady spot with indirect sunlight, so it’s perfect when placed near a window. To keep this plant happy, we also recommend placing it in a large pot (although it is possible to clump several plants together) and water weekly, ensuring to keep the soil a bit drier during the winter months.
As one of the most low maintenance plants around, you’ll benefit from gorgeous green leaves all year round for minimal care.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
You may commonly find this striking foliage plant under the name ZZ plant or the Zanzibar Gem in most nurseries or Instagram feeds. This is another great option for those who are looking for a plant that needs low light and minimal watering. Even better, it’s a slow grower, so while you won’t see dramatic changes in height, you will not need to repot this plant often.
One drawback of this plant is that its leaves are considered toxic, so it is not recommended to keep the plant around house pets. You’ll also need to wash your hands after touching its green, waxy leaves to avoid any irritation.
Water your ZZ plant every week, or when the soil is dry and add liquid fertiliser every other month for a happy plant.
Monstera deliciosa.
Another Instagrammable house plant is the Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant due to the large and unusual holes in each leaf.
These plants grow up to 2.5 metres in height, so make sure to secure the plant with a piece of bamboo or wood and will require a large pot with proper drainage, making it the perfect addition to the corner of a room with access to medium sunlight. This plant will also prefer a warmer climate.
Make sure to let the soil dry out before watering your monstera, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
Emerald gem plant.
The Homalomena, or emerald gem plant, has large, heart-shaped waxy leaves, making it a stunning addition to any room. You can enjoy the gorgeous colour and benefits as this plant purifies the air all year round.
While this is another plant that is considered toxic to humans and animals if ingested, it is incredibly simple to look after and makes the perfect house plant.
The leaves, which can grow up to 40 centimetres in height, will begin to wilt when they want a drink, so it is incredibly easy to take care of this plant. Keep it in well-draining soil away from direct sunlight and plant several together for additional foliage.
Money plant.
Also known as the Jade plant, the money plant gets its nickname from being thought to bring good luck and fortune when placed near the front door.
The money plant is a type of succulent which is easy to care for, making it the perfect indoor plant. While you will see the most growth when placed somewhere the plant will receive plenty of natural sunlight, it will tolerate lower light and even artificial light. Make sure to water only once the soil has dried.
Pilea peperomioides.
This plant goes by several names, such as the Chinese money plant, the UFO plant and even the pancake plant. Whatever you want to call it, it’s known for its large, round leaves which shoot out in many directions from the root of the plant. While an adult pilea stays quite small in size, you will have an incredibly unique and gorgeous plant to place around your home.
Give these plants indirect sunlight, as the leaves may burn when exposed to sun and higher temperatures. The leaves do have a tendency to stretch towards their lightsource, so ensure you turn your pot plant every week so that each side gets even exposure. Watering is only required once every week or when the topsoil has dried out.
Peperomia.
If you love foliage, the peperomia is a great ornamental plant. The leaves, which can come in a variety of colours ranging from dark green to purple to green and yellow, can hold a lot of water in them, so this plant will do fine if you neglect it, making it the perfect houseplant for beginners.
Peperomias prefer warmer temperatures and humidity but don’t place your pot too close to the sun, medium sunlight will be best. The roots are susceptible to root rot, so they only need to be watered once a week.
Calathea.
Usually found at the base of trees in jungles and forests, the calathea plant has broad, green leaves which are perfect for capturing and absorbing sunlight even in low light areas. With that in mind, you will be able to grow a calathea easily in almost any room of the house.
Calathea plants prefer warmer temperatures and can become damaged by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, so keep this in mind if you live in a colder climate or keep the air conditioner on for long periods of time.
When it comes to watering your plant, keep the soil moist but not soaked.
Christmas cactus.
Named for the spectacular pink or purple flowers that bloom around the holidays, the Christmas cactus is the perfect indoor succulent. The flowering period will last for several weeks, and the rest of the year you will get gorgeous green long leaves which are perfect in a hanging pot.
Pop your Christmas Cactus near a window for direct sunlight and keep it in a room where it won’t get too cold, as this plant prefers humidity and warmer temperatures.
When it comes to watering your plant, ditch the watering can and opt for a plant mister to keep soil damp but not soaked.
Once you’ve found the perfect plant, make sure you have the right pot, soil and other garden accessories.
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