Are you one of the many who are very nervous about purchasing living houseplants? Do you question your ability to care for them? Faux houseplants have faded in popularity because you often have to spend big to get a plant that looks like something you’d actually want to display and they attract dirt and dust. Because of these factors, the real, living thing has become the way to go in interior design. Houseplants are perfect for adding a pop of color to your interior and improving the indoor air and environment.
Psychologically speaking, having beautiful houseplants can boost your mood as well as improve your focus. Just a glance at them, and you feel rejuvenated. It’s no wonder that they lower stress and anxiety and uplift your soul. Think of how you feel when you visit a botanical garden or can look out your window and see beautiful plants and trees. This feeling translates to indoor plants as well.
Indoor plants come in hundreds and thousands of types, each of them boasting unique characteristics. However, the best ones are usually those that are easy to look after. These houseplants make you feel better and your house looks prettier while they don’t demand much in return. Here’s a list of the best low-maintenance houseplants that are easy to care for and thrive in almost any environment.
1. Pothos (one of my favorites!)
These plants have very forgiving maintenance needs. To stay alive and happy, pothos enjoys a bright indoor spot. It can easily tolerate erratic watering care, but it despises soggy roots. Pothos comes in several appealing varieties, but the most enduring of the lot is undoubtedly silver satin pathos. They trail endlessly so they are great on shelves and when used as hanging plants. They are also easily propagated by placing a cutting in some water until you see more roots grow!
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a well-proven natural remedy. Its gel is effective in treating burns and sunburns, slowing skin aging, and making hair shiny and smooth. Aloe vera is also known for curing illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, acid indigestion, and digestive disorders, etc. Having an aloe vera plant in your house will prove to be of great benefit. The best thing is it is indestructible. If you break off its leaf, no damage will incur. Instead, a new leaf will grow in no time. The plant’s water and light needs are surprisingly low. It likes to bask in partial shade and prefers watering once a week only. These plants can grow up to 3 feet inside so they can take up a good amount of space.
3. Money Plant
According to the California Rare Fruit Growers Association, money trees grow in both full sun and partial shade; so they can easily thrive in rooms that get sufficient or minimal sunlight. All you have to do is make sure that the placement of the plant is correct. Simply place it near your room’s open window, and you’re good to go. Money plants do not demand a lot of watering. They require watering once every one or two weeks. That said, if your money tree is getting tons of light, you will need to up its water intake so that the plant doesn’t get too dried up.
4. ZZ Plant
Also called the Zaziber Gem, this easy-to-care plant doesn’t mind neglect. It thrives in low light and dry areas the best. You can practically ignore the plants for days on end; it won’t hurt them at all. You can place the ZZ plant anywhere in the house even in areas that have low traffic guest rooms, a basement, etc. When shopping for a ZZ plant, keep in mind it comes under many names, including Welcome Plant, Cardboard Plant, and its botanical name Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
5. Snake Plant
The snake plant, or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, is a hardy plant variety that is super easy to look after. It can withstand extreme sunlight as well as manage low light. However, the plant thrives in indirect sunlight the most. Snake plants live a long life when given good care. They can easily last for up to 5 – 10 years. There have also been cases where snake plants have managed to live for up to 20 – 25 years. Clearly, it’s not easy to kill these architectural species.
6. Prayer Plant
The prayer plant is a popular hanging plant that is hard to destroy mainly because it’s is low maintenance. The hard to kill plant simply needs indirect light and well-drained soil. Provide it with a high humidity spot to perch and water it every now and then for the plant to live a long life.
7. Spider Plant
Sporting a lively shade of green, spider plants are highly adaptable. They thrive best in bright, indirect sunlight but can survive in less-than-favorable light conditions. For instance, spider plants can sustain artificial lighting as well as partial lighting. Spider plants can go days without any attention, and despite that, they can live a long life. Generally, spider plants live up to twenty years.
8. Rubber Plants
When looking for the best hard to kill plants, you can’t go wrong with rubber plants. Even though these species grow best in the wild, they are an ideal choice for indoors as well. Under ideal conditions, the rubber plant grows quite fast, so if you buy a small plant, you can expect huge plant growth with little daily effort. Rubber plants come in several varieties, from dark green leaves to pale ones. Each of them is easy to care for but hard to slay.
These lush green species are some of the best among hard-to-kill houseplants. Each of them features a beautiful appearance and is easily available on the market. When shopping for the best indestructible indoor plants, you can also look for the Chinese Evergreen, Ponytail Palm, Philodendrons, Monstera, Dragon Tree to name a few. So get over your fear and go for it! You won’t be disappointed.