Do low maintenance houseplants even exist?! It’s a question I get asked on a weekly basis, and the answer is absolutely! But…they can be tricky to find.
As a gardener, I can’t help but cringe when I read other lists of ‘supposed’ low care indoor plants! Most of them need super high humidity (not easy), regular mistings (easy…to forget) and frequent pruning and fertilization (yikes!).
Luckily, in this post you’ll discover 18 truly low maintenance houseplants that absolutely anyone can grow. These are beginner friendly houseplants that are:
- Easy to grow
- Have very low maintenance needs
Let’s jump right in.
16 TRUE LOW MAINTENANCE INDOOR PLANTS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Snake Plant
One of the most popular houseplants, the Snake Plant, also known as Mother In Law’s Tongue is virtually indestructible. An easy to grow indoor plant, it will adapt to most conditions: from bright light to the darkest corners of your home. It’s also drought-resistant!
Joint studies such as this one by the University of Georgia showed that the Snake plant removes pollutants formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
Summary:
Toxic? Yes. Mildly toxic to pets.
Waterings: Water once every 2-3 weeks. Let soil dry in between waterings.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Part sun to low light to full shade
Fertilizer: Once a month, likes succulent plant food
2. Aloe Vera
These cactus-like plants are ideal for forgetful owners. They’re drought resistant, don’t need regular feedings and thrive in full sun.
I always recommend Aloe’s to office workers (they make great desk plants) and beginners who want greenery without the worry. Bonus: they have been proven to improve air quality.
Toxic? Yes. Humans should not ingest it. Mildly toxic to pets.
Waterings: Once every 3 weeks. Let soil dry in between waterings.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Full sun/partial shade
Fertilizer: Once every 2-4 months, likes succulent plant food
3. Dragon Tree
This small, slow growing tree will rarely grow beyond 6 feet when potted indoors.
It’s a fantastic entry plant for beginner household gardeners – it’s drought-resistant, tolerant of most conditions and not to mention looks amazing with its green spear-like leaves.
Toxic? Yes. Very toxic to pets.
Waterings: Once every 3-6 days. Let soil dry in between waterings.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light indoors
Fertilizer: 2-3 times a year with balanced liquid fertilizer. No need to feed in winter!
Related: 25 Gorgeous Pet Safe Houseplants (ASPCA Approved)
4. Common Wax Plant
The common wax plant, also known as hoya carnosa or porcelain flower is a low maintenance tropical climber, though they won’t grow beyond 3 to 4 feet in height.
It produces gorgeous white and pink flowers, so perfect they look like they’ve been molded out of wax (hence its name!). In terms of their requirements, they don’t need much beyond well-drained soil and a humid environment.
Toxic? No. Non-toxic to humans and pets.
Waterings: Once every 7-14 days. It’s better to underwater them than overwater.
Mistings: Can mist twice a week if needed
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity
Sunlight: Part sun, part shade (preferred)
Fertilizer: Once every 2 months, likes all purpose plant food or fertilizer for green plants.
5. Corn Plant
Corn plants can withstand a fair amount of mistreatment from indoor gardeners, and they’re exceptionally easy to grow! The only thing they must have is a good humidity level, either achieved naturally or through weekly mistings.
These “false palms” can grow to 6 feet in potted containers, but typically only reach 4 feet indoors. Corn plant’s attractive appearance makes it an ideal choice for beginner plant owners.
Toxic? Yes. Toxic to pets.
Waterings: Once a week. Don’t let it fully dry out between waterings.
Mistings: Can mist twice a week if needed
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity
Sunlight: Part sun, part shade (preferred)
Fertilizer: Once every 3 months, likes all purpose plant food or fertilizer for green plants
6. Donkey Tail
Commonly known as Burro’s Tail, Donkey tail is an incredibly popular and easy houseplant to grow.
It’s a trailing succulent that produces iconic draping leaves that mimic a donkey’s tail. It’s a drought-resistant plant too and looks amazing in a hanging basket.
Toxic? No. Non-toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: Once a month. Let it dry out between waterings.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Part sun, part shade (preferred)
Fertilizer: Once every 3-4 months, likes succulent plant food
Related: 13 Air Purifying Low Maintenance Houseplants That Are Pet Friendly
7. Echeveria
Echeveria is a broad term used to capture over 150 different species of succulents that come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Popular amongst houseplants enthusiasts, they’re one of the easiest plants to keep and care for. In fact, as with most succulents, they don’t require much attention at all.
Popular types include: Perle Von Nurnberg, Painted Echeveria, and the Mexican Snowball. When watering, just make sure to water directly onto the soil; stagnant water on the rosette can cause fungal disease to take hold.
Toxic? No. Non-toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 2-3 times a month.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Bright, direct light or full sun
Fertilizer: Doesn’t need fertilizer, can cause ‘fertilizer burn’
8. Rubber Plant
Flaunting large, deep green oval-shaped leaves, caring for the rubber plant is surprisingly simple.
With the right amount of light, water and warmth (it’s a tropical variety after all), you can add this exotic beauty to your houseplant collection without the worry of killing it.
Toxic? Yes. Toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 2-3 times a month.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright, direct light
Fertilizer: Once every 2 months, likes all purpose plant food
9. Silver Jade Plant
A type of succulent, the silver jade plant comes from the Crassula genus, a family of low maintenance and easy care for houseplants.
Given their low water needs, they’re generally a forgiving plant, even when faced with the most neglectful owner.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: Once every 3 weeks.
Mistings: Not needed!
Humidity: Can handle dry air
Sunlight: Full sun
Fertilizer: Once every 2 months, likes all succulent plant food
10. Spineless Yucca
Extremely drought tolerant, the Spineless Yucca is an attractive, but slow-growing plant. Weirdly, they tend to thrive on neglect rather than attention.
If you kill a yucca, it’s likely you overdid it with the water. They only require repotting once every 2 years, and prefer to moved as little as possible.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 3-4 times a month. Let soil dry in between waterings.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light to full sun
Fertilizer: Once a month, likes all purpose plant food or citrus plant food
11. Striped Dracaena
One of the few houseplants that thrives in low light conditions, the striped dracaena is truly a beginner’s best friend. Even with neglect, they can produce beautiful long, pointed, striped white leaves.
In a series of studies, NASA discovered that the striped dracaena is one of the world’s top 10 plants for removing formaldehyde from the air.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 2-3 times a month.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright, direct light to full sun
Fertilizer: Once every 2 months, likes all purpose plant food
12. ZZ Plant
Looking for a low maintenance houseplant that can add a dash of color to your space without big commitments? Look no further than the Zanzibar Gem or ZZ plant for short.
Characterized by its deep emerald green leaves, glossy surface and compact size, all the ZZ plant needs to thrive is bright, indirect light and a watering every 2-3 weeks.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 3-4 times a month.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright to low indirect light
Fertilizer: Not necessary, but you can fertilize once or twice in growing season
13. Prayer Pepper
A shrubby succulent, the prayer pepper produces taco-shaped leaves that come together to form a rosette.
An easy to care for houseplant, the prayer pepper only needs adequate sunlight, very occasional watering and well-draining soil to thrive.
Toxic? No, non-toxic to pets or children.
Waterings: 2-3 times a month.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright, direct light to full sun
Fertilizer: Once or twice a year, likes succulent plant food
14. Lady Palm
Lady palm is one of the most durable and easiest houseplants to care and maintain. It’s a common indoor plant that looks amazing in decorative pots.
It’s fairly tolerant of most light conditions – it can survive in low light, though it does prefer lots of bright, indirect sunlight. When all its needs are met, it can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Toxic? No, non-toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 1-2 times a week.
Mistings: 1-2 times a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Light shade to full sun
Fertilizer: Once every 2 weeks (not in winter), likes balanced liquid fertilizer
15. Heartleaf Philodendron
An ideal choice for a small apartment or room, the heartleaf philodendron adds a splash of greenery without taking over your space.
Low maintenance by nature, they do well in locations that offer bright, indirect light. Luckily, they’re drought tolerant too.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets.
Waterings: 1-2 times a week. Let soil dry out between waterings.
Mistings: Once a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity.
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Fertilizer: Once a month, likes all purpose plant food.
16. Pothos
These trailing houseplants are extremely low maintenance and look incredible in hanging baskets.
Whilst they prefer bright, indirect sunlight you won’t kill it if you leave it in the shade, it might just become a bit leggy.
Toxic? Yes, toxic to pets and children.
Waterings: 1-2 times a week. Let soil dry out between waterings.
Mistings: Once a week.
Humidity: Can handle normal humidity, though will grow well in a place with naturally high humidity e.g. a bathroom.
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Fertilizer: Once every 2 months, likes all purpose plant food.
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