These are plants for everyone, even the newest beginner! Here are 8 of the easiest houseplants to add to your home.
So let’s say you have to put your plant in an area with NO sunlight. That shelf is just too perfect! Or you sometimes forget to water. Don’t let that hold you back. Here’s 8 plants that are easy to take care of.
1. Boston Fern
The Boston Fern can easily thrive in your home with only a little bit of TLC (tender love & care). This plant is a popular option which makes it easy to find. It is also known as the Sword Fern. There are several varieties, including Rita’s Gold.
It’s simple, and robust – creating a display of arching fronds, spilling out from all sides of the container. A great display piece for busy rooms, minimalist rooms, bathrooms, porches, kitchens, or… anywhere! You get the point.
This plant will never look out of place.
This plant does well in spots with bright indirect, or spotted light. It needs to be kept out of the hot direct sun, or the leaves may start to brown. But don’t worry – it continually grows new fronds and will replenish anything that was lost.
It should be misted at least a few times a week, or kept on a pebble tray with water.
The Boston Fern likes to stay at temperatures between 54°F (12°C) and 75°F (24°C), although the Rita’s Gold variety can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F (-4°C) and as high as 95°F (35°C)!
Similar to the Boston Fern is the Rabbit’s Foot Fern – one of my favorites!
Check back soon for how to care for the Rabbit’s Foot Fern.
2. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is another popular choice that has been decorating households for 100 years before the invention of sliced bread! (Which makes it the greatest invention before it, right?)
The Spider Plant is tolerant of both light and shade – just keep it out of intense, direct sunlight. It does need to be in a semi-humid environment, and watered once the soil is dry. And if you forget about it, it’ll still be okay! Just don’t leave it for months on end…
With enough sunlight, this plant will produce new growth on all sides and spill out of your pot. The spider plant is long lasting, and should be repotted every few years.
3. Painted Leaf Begonia
There is a Painted Leaf Begonia out there for everybody. I mean, really – these plants are stunning. They feature foliage with polkadots, gradients, swirls, marbling, almost anything you can dream of, and they all wear it elegantly. This is a great plant to add variety and texture to your collection of greenery.
The Painted Leaf Begonia is not hard to take care of. The leaves do not like to be misted, and the soil should dry out between watering. It does need to be kept a bit more wet in summertime. This plant does not need direct sunlight and should be kept away from heaters in the winter.
4. Calathea
There are several kinds of Calathea – including the Eternal Flame, the Peacock Plant, and the Rattlesnake Plant (just to name a few).
These plants grow to between 1 and 3 feet tall, with long stems and broad leaves.
They have a lot of movement, stretching out during the day and rising up at night. They do not need a lot of light, but they prefer medium to bright light.
Calatheas love humid air. It’s another great piece for a bathroom or on a pebble tray.
Most varieties will appreciate drying out in between waterings, but some varieties like the Eternal Flame will want to stay more moist. A well draining pot and soil are the key to keeping these plants healthy – shouldn’t be too bad! Many of them will let you know they are too dry by beginning to roll up their leaves and conserve their energy.
It should be kept in temperatures between 60˚-75˚F (16-24˚C).
5. ZZ Plant (Fern arum)
This is a true beginner plant, and great at purifying the air. If you’ve never bought a plant before and are looking to freshen up your space, get a ZZ Plant.
An elegant and modern plant, the ZZ Plant grows in “ladders”. It flaunts long stems and evenly spaced leaflets.
The ZZ Plant is an easy plant to care for, and will flourish in both brightly lit and heavily shaded areas. It does not matter where you put it in your home, but it is a bit happier with more light.
It is drought tolerant, and can handle not being watered regularly in summer. In winter, only water once a month! If it gets too dry, it will begin to drop leaves long before all hope is lost.
6. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen is a stylish option and easy to take care of, with large green leaves that are streaked with white, silver, pink, or red; although some varieties may be marbled or flecked.
The soil should be watered when the top inch is dry, and it prefers a humid environment in summer. Mist a few times a week. This one isn’t very drought tolerant. Allow the pot to have good drainage, and try to keep the soil moist.
7. Madagascar Dragon Tree
The Madagascar Dragon Tree is an excellent choice for purifying your air! It features long spiky leaves and woody stems, edged with colors like red and pink. Ideal for an area with a lot of sunlight like a north or east facing window, but can tolerate shade as well.
This is a plant that can grow up to a massive 15 feet tall indoors! It is a tree after all. However, you can keep it pruned as short as you like, many are around 3 feet.
Water only enough that the soil doesn’t get soggy, and let the top few inches of soil dry out in between watering. The Dragon Tree is hearty and doesn’t mind an erratic schedule. It can tolerate being left alone for a few weeks, especially in winter.
8. Heart-Leaf Philodendron
The Heat-Leaf Philodendron has, you guessed it, heart shaped leaves. It’s a climbing plant, and a bit more bushy than a Pothos. This plant is a fast grower and loves bright light. It can easily be propagated in water and is a great option for gift giving!
Keep at temperatures between 61–75˚F (16–24˚C). It only needs to be watered when the top inch of soil is dry – about once a week.
I could go on and on – but there are so many varieties. Find one that fits your personality, and give it a go!