If you’re someone like me who has just a bit of a black thumb but seriously loves plants, then it can be a real struggle to find something that is both pretty and easy to take care of. Because, you know, we want these things to stay alive, but said black thumbs make that a little bit harder for us than others.
Luckily for me and any of you who struggle with the same issues or just want something a bit easier to take care of, there are plenty of plants out there that are low-maintenance enough for just about anyone to take care of!
1. Snake Plant
We’re going to start things off right with a plant that is not just low-maintenance, but is nearly indestructible — “Snake Plant” or Sansevieria. According to Gardener’s World, this African native boasts sword-like leaves and a gorgeous, deep-green color. It needs very little watering and actually thrives on neglect. Talk about a black-thumb-friendly plant!
2. Pothos
Next up, we’ve got the pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, which The Spruce calls one of the easiest houseplants for new beginners. A fast-growing plant with heart-shaped leaves and draping vines, you’ll get a lot of color very quickly, even if the pothos itself gets a bit neglected. Be careful, though, as this plant is toxic to pets.
3. Spider Plant
A common and well-known houseplant, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s horticulture division, the spider plant is easy to grow and propagate. It can easily be grown in medium to bright light pretty much all year round and is great for hanging baskets or corner pots.
4. ZZ Plant
If you’re looking for a plant that can tolerate low light and requires little watering, look no further than the “ZZ Plant” or Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The Sill considers this plant highly dependable, even for beginners, and it is pretty enough to stand out for even experienced gardeners and growers.
5. Peace Lily
Probably one of the most beautiful blooming houseplants that happens to also be low-maintenance, the peace lily is known for its brilliant white blooms that stand on upright, emerald green stalks. As The Spruce shares, it can live up to twenty years if taken care of correctly. A bit of shaded sunlight, watering, and warmth will give you long-lasting peace lilies. Just keep them away from your pets, as they are toxic!
6. Aloe Vera
Let’s take a second to talk about a plant you probably haven’t really thought of as a low-maintenance houseplant: the aloe vera. Known for its moisture-rich stalks, which can be broken apart for an anti-inflammatory gel, Miracle-Gro says that these hardy plants just need some bright, indirect sunlight and a little watering to be happy.
7. Cast Iron Plant
The Aspidistra elatior, or cast iron plant, is as hardy as its name might suggest and perfect for shady corners throughout your house. The Houseplant Resource Center even says that this plant is more likely to die from “too much” love (aka watering) than neglect, making it perfect for beginners who may not know what they’re doing just yet.
8. Lucky Bamboo
If you’re looking for a plant that is seriously easy to care for, then the lucky bamboo might just be it for you. ProFlowers shares that it can be grown in either water (just change the water out every week or two) or soil and needs some mild or indirect sunlight. It is great for your home or office, and you can even propagate it with very little effort!
9. Chinese Evergreen
A beautiful houseplant with gorgeous large, green leaves, the Chinese evergreen is an ornamental that comes in plenty of different varieties for a whole lot of different looks. A slow-growing plant, Gardener’s World recommends picking a humid spot with indirect sunlight to make your Chinese evergreen happy.
10. Jade Plant
Another succulent on our list, the Crassula ovata, or Jade plant, is a hardy little thing that, according to The Spruce, really just needs loose, well-draining soil and plenty of bright light. In fact, Jades needs at least six hours of indirect sunlight a day to be its very best, but other than that, it is pretty low-maintenance.
11. Rubber Plant
Low-maintenance and quite striking, the Ficus elastica or rubber plant can, says the team at House Therapy, be grown as either medium-sized houseplants or allowed to become much larger mini indoor trees. Well-draining soil, a quick misting of water every day during the summer months, and plenty of indirect sunlight are all this gorgeous plant needs to be happy.
12. Philodendron
Perhaps one of the most popular low-maintenance plants, you’ve probably seen at least one philodendron plant in your life. The experts over at Martha Stewart say that this low-light-loving plant just needs some watering once the top inch of soil is dry, well-draining potting soil, and indirect sunlight, and it’s off to the races.
13. Various Succulents
Succulents are hardy and water-efficient, meaning if you skip a week (or several) you won’t hurt it much. Better Homes & Gardens lists Burro’s Tail, Panda Plant, and Zebra Haworthias are some of the easiest to grow and care for, so make sure you check out those three first!