Houseplants are a wonderful way to bring life and color into your home. They improve air quality, boost mood, and create a calming atmosphere. For beginners, however, it can be challenging to find plants that are easy to care for. This guide will introduce you to ten houseplants that are perfect for beginners and provide essential care tips to ensure they thrive.
We’ll also highlight some trusted international online brands where you can buy these plants and accessories to help you start your indoor gardening journey.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Why It’s Easy: The snake plant is nearly indestructible. It thrives in both bright and low light and can go weeks without water. This plant is perfect for busy beginners or those who may forget to water occasionally.
Care Tips:
- Light: Can tolerate low light but prefers indirect sunlight.
- Water: Water every 2-4 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil: Use well-draining potting soil to avoid root rot.
Recommended Brands:
- The Sill: A trusted source for beautiful houseplants delivered straight to your door, with a wide selection of easy-care plants.
- Patch Plants: Based in the UK, Patch Plants offers a variety of low-maintenance houseplants like the snake plant.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why It’s Easy: Pothos is a fast-growing vine that thrives in almost any environment. It’s very forgiving if you forget to water it and is great for hanging baskets or shelving displays.
Care Tips:
- Light: Prefers indirect light but can survive in low light conditions.
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, usually every 1-2 weeks.
- Soil: Standard potting soil works well.
Recommended Brands:
- Bloomscape: Known for their plant care guides and wide selection of hardy plants like pothos, Bloomscape ships directly to your home.
- UrbanStems: Another reliable option for finding high-quality houseplants and decorative pots.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why It’s Easy: Spider plants are extremely adaptable and produce “babies” (small offshoots) that can be propagated into new plants. They’re great for hanging planters or placing on shelves.
Care Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels.
- Water: Water once the soil has dried out, typically once a week.
- Soil: Use well-draining, all-purpose potting soil.
Recommended Brands:
- Horti: A plant subscription service offering easy-care plants like the spider plant, perfect for beginners.
4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Why It’s Easy: The ZZ plant is drought-tolerant and low-light friendly, making it one of the easiest plants to care for. Its glossy, dark green leaves make it a stylish addition to any room.
Care Tips:
- Light: Thrives in low to bright indirect light.
- Water: Water every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Soil: Requires well-draining soil.
Recommended Brands:
- Leon & George: Offers a variety of houseplants, including the ZZ plant, and provides care guides for beginners.
- Terrain: Known for their curated collection of plants, including easy-to-care-for options like the ZZ plant.
5. Aloe Vera
Why It’s Easy: Aloe Vera is not only easy to care for but also has medicinal properties. Its gel can soothe burns and skin irritations. This succulent prefers sunny spots and minimal watering.
Care Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.
- Water: Water every 3 weeks or so, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil: Use cactus or succulent soil to ensure good drainage.
Recommended Brands:
- Costa Farms: A well-known plant distributor offering aloe vera and other easy-care plants that ship to homes internationally.
- Nature Hills Nursery: Offers a broad selection of succulents, including aloe vera, perfect for beginners.
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why It’s Easy: Peace lilies are known for their lush green leaves and beautiful white flowers. They thrive in low light and are excellent at purifying the air, making them perfect for bedrooms or offices.
Care Tips:
- Light: Prefers low to medium indirect light.
- Water: Water when the soil feels dry, typically once a week.
- Soil: Use well-draining, all-purpose potting soil.
Recommended Brands:
- ProFlowers: A great option for gifting or personal use, ProFlowers offers a variety of houseplants like peace lilies.
- Bakker: This European brand is known for its quality plants and gardening supplies, including easy-to-grow peace lilies.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Why It’s Easy: The rubber plant is a robust indoor plant with thick, glossy leaves that grow well in a variety of conditions. It prefers indirect light and requires only occasional watering.
Care Tips:
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light.
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, usually every 1-2 weeks.
- Soil: Needs well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Recommended Brands:
- Greenery NYC: Known for their stylish plants and pots, they offer rubber plants for beginners.
- Lazy Flora: A UK-based subscription service that delivers low-maintenance plants to your doorstep.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Why It’s Easy: Chinese evergreens are slow-growing plants that tolerate low light and require minimal care. They come in various colors, from deep green to pink and silver, making them visually appealing.
Care Tips:
- Light: Can tolerate low light but prefers indirect light.
- Water: Water when the soil is dry, approximately every 1-2 weeks.
- Soil: Use standard, well-draining potting soil.
Recommended Brands:
- Plants.com: Offers a wide selection of easy-care houseplants like Chinese evergreens, perfect for beginners.
- Crocus: A UK-based online nursery with a large selection of indoor plants, including Chinese evergreens.
9. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Why It’s Easy: Jade plants are hardy succulents that require little attention. Their thick, fleshy leaves store water, meaning you only need to water them occasionally. They are also known to bring good luck in many cultures.
Care Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight.
- Water: Water every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Soil: Use cactus or succulent soil to prevent overwatering.
Recommended Brands:
- Succulent Box: Offers a wide variety of succulents, including jade plants, with easy-care instructions.
- Mountain Crest Gardens: Specializes in succulents and cacti, making it easy to find jade plants for beginners.
10. Philodendron
Why It’s Easy: Philodendrons are incredibly low-maintenance and come in both climbing and non-climbing varieties. They grow well in a variety of lighting conditions and are known for their lush, heart-shaped leaves.
Care Tips:
- Light: Thrives in low to bright indirect light.
- Water: Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil: Use well-draining potting soil.
Recommended Brands:
- Pistils Nursery: Offers a beautiful selection of philodendrons and other easy-care houseplants.
- House of Plants: Based in the UK, this online store specializes in low-maintenance plants, including philodendrons.
These ten easy houseplants are perfect for beginners who want to add greenery to their home without the stress of high-maintenance care routines. From the snake plant to the philodendron, each of these plants is resilient and adaptable, making them ideal choices for new plant parents.
By choosing plants from trusted international brands like The Sill, Bloomscape, and Patch Plants, you can confidently start your indoor gardening journey with healthy, easy-to-care-for houseplants. With the right care, these plants will thrive, bringing beauty and tranquility into your living space.
