Jumping into the world of houseplant parenthood can be overwhelming. That’s why we are sharing this list of fun and beautiful plants that can survive a little neglect or prefer less-frequent watering. If you’re looking for a place to start, these plants make great first plants.
For the most part, plants need just a few things to be happy: light, water, and food. Most houseplants come pre-fertilized, so you won’t need to feed them for a few months or longer depending on the plant.
All plants need light. Unfortunately even “low light” plants need at least 6-8 hours of light, whether natural or man-made. The best rule of thumb is to keep your plants next to a window with sheer curtains or blinds where they will receive diffused, (not direct) sunlight. Some plants will survive in dimmer areas but no plant can be kept in the dark.
Knowing when to water can be tricky since both environment and species play a role in how much water they drink. Always test the soil using your fingers or a wooden stake to see what level the moisture stops. Thirsty plant varieties should be watered when the top 1-2 inches start drying and those that need less shouldn’t be watered until at least 3-4 inches start drying. Always allow excess water to drain out of the pot after watering. Even the thirstiest plants will rot if kept in soaking wet soil.
1. Air Plant
An easy care plant that doesn’t need any soil at all. Weekly watering and lots of light are the only things to pay attention to for these hardy plants.
2. Snake Plant
Sansevierias love bright, indirect light but can be kept in a shady or low-light corner. Root rot is common in these plants so allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between watering.
3. Pothos Ivy
These vining plants come in many different varieties and grow super fast. They like infrequent watering when the top half of soil starts to dry out. They do okay in medium to low light but will reward you with new growth if kept in bright, indirect light. Sparce leaves along their vines will tell you if they need more light.
4. Peace Lily
These tropical flowering plants can be kept in soil or hydroponically as they prefer a consistent moisture level and bright light but can survive in low light environments. They will continue to bloom if given enough light and care.
5. ZZ Plant
These easy to care for plants prefer medium amounts of light but can tolerate low-light areas. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between watering.
6. Corn Plant
These tropical plants do best in medium indirect light but can also tolerate low-light areas. Too much water can lead to root rot, so only water when 75% of the soil has dried out.
7. Chinese Evergreen
These variegated plants do well in bright, indirect light, but can survive in low-light areas. They don’t like a ton of water and can go weeks between watering sessions.
8. Nerve plant
A humidity lover, nerve plants will thrive in a bathroom or terrarium where they can get a good amount of indirect light. Water when the top 25% of soil starts drying.
9. Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Your fiddle-leaf wants to be kept in a draft-free spot with a lot of indirect light. These plants drink a lot of water so check the soil frequently and water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.
10. Croton
Another humidity lover, these colorful variegated plants need a lot of bright light and direct sun. This makes them perfect outdoor plants or indoor plants in a south facing window.
