Easy Low-Maintenance Houseplants

Admittedly, creating a list of easy-to-care-for houseplants is a little difficult.  We all have our favorites and this topic has many (many) opinions! Houseplant aficionados read articles on the "10 easiest houseplants to grow" or "32 houseplants you can't kill" and often have at least a few plants on the list they flat-out don't agree with. (How does Calathea make it on these lists? This is a plant so persnickety there are memes about it!) 

Snake plant
Snake Plant  (1)

Despite all of this, there are certainly some houseplants that are much less demanding and much easier to care for than others.

In selecting my list of easy, low-maintenance houseplants I used the following criteria: 

  • Will tolerate a wide range of light levels, especially low light
  • Can thrive despite inconsistent watering.  In particular, it will tolerate dry soil conditions
  • Will tolerate low humidity and still look good
  • Remain healthy and attractive despite minimal care (not prone to messy leaf drop, no special fertilizers, etc.) 
  • If they are grown for flowers, they bloom easily 

These low-maintenance houseplants are perfect for beginners and experts alike.  Consider one of these indoor plants to start your houseplant journey, gift to your friend with a "brown thumb,"  or use these easy-to-care-for plants to add beauty to your home with minimal care.


Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Pothos
Pothos  (2)

Pothos, also called Devil's ivy, is one of the easiest and most forgiving houseplants you can grow!  It resembles philodendron, but has smooth textured, ridged stems. Plants have a trailing or climbing habit and can be grown and trained on a trellis or cascading from the side of the container. The medium-green, heart-shaped leaves are 2 to 6 inches long and are often streaked or spotted with cream, yellow, or silver. White aerial roots form at leaf nodes.

Grows in low to moderate light.  Allow soil to dry moderately between waterings. Plants grow best in average temperatures. Pinch tips to pro- mote fullness. Plants root quickly from stem cuttings.

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Snake Plant
Snake Plant  (3)

This popular and nearly indestructible plant is known by several names including, snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue, and sansevieria.  Erect, strap-shaped leaves are produced in clumps. Leaves are green and often banded with lighter green, cream, silver, or white. Some species and cultivars are longitudinally striped with yellow or white. Low-growing rosette varieties make good plants for windowsills.

Snake plant grows in almost any environment.  Grow in low to direct light. Plant in well- drained potting soil and allow soil to dry between waterings. The only way you can kill this plant is if you over water it! Plants prefer warm temperatures with below average humidity and moderate light levels. Propagate by division or leaf cuttings. When propagated by division, leaves will retain their pattern. When leaf cuttings are used, plain green leaves may be produced.

Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum

spider plant
Spider Plant  (4)

Sometimes referred to as airplane plant, spider plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, making it one of the most popular. It has 12-inch-long green and/or white grass-like leaves and often produces cascading stems with small plantlets. This plant is attractive in hanging baskets.

Spider plant is adaptable to various environmental conditions but prefers indirect light and average moisture and temperature levels. Small plantlets can be removed and potted to produce additional plants.

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

ZZ Plant By azurita AdobeStock
ZZ Plant  (5)

Named for its unique scientific name, ZZ plant is also sometimes referred to as Zanzibar gem.  Glossy upright compound leaves usually have 6 to 8 pairs of leaflets along a central axis.  The base of the leaf is slightly swollen and arises from an underground rhizome.

ZZ plant does exceptionally well in low light levels.  This plant is very tolerant of dry conditions and low humidity.  This tolerance of low light, dry soil and low humidity make it nearly indestructible.  Plants propagate easily by leaf cuttings or division.

Peperomia

Peperomia obtusifolia

Peperomia
Peperomia  (6)

Plants are often called by their genus name, but can also be referred to as baby rubber plant and radiator plant.  Peperomia has 2- to 3-inch-wide fleshy, green, round leaves on dark stems. Leaf tips are notched.

Allow soil to dry moderately between waterings. Peperomias will tolerate neglect but will rot if over-watered. Plants grow well in warm areas with below average humidity levels (like on top of a radiator!).

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron 'Brasil'  (7)

Heartleaf philodendron is a trailing plant with 3- to 5-inch-long, heart- shaped leaves.  

Keep plants evenly moist. Philodendrons will grow in areas with low to indirect light, warm temperatures, and low humidity levels. Wash leaves occasionally to remove dust. When plants grow too long or reach the end of their trellis, cut back the stem to encourage new branches to develop. Other upright or shrub type philodendrons are just as easy to care for despite the fact they can sometimes look much different.ms to encourage new branches to develop. Other upright or shrub type philodendrons are just as easy to care for despite the fact they can sometimes look much different.

Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea recurvata

ponytail palm
Ponytail Palm  (8)

Ponytail palm is not a palm at all - it just resembles one.  They are actually in the same family as houseplants like snake plant and dragon tree. Plants are slow-growing with an enlarged bulb-like base and a plume of stiff, dark green, strap-like leaves. Leaves can grow from 2 to 5 feet in length.

Plants grow best in direct light but will tolerate lower light levels.  Ponytail palm also thrives in the low humidity many homes have. Avoid over-watering. Because the bulbous base stores water, this plant tolerate dry conditions.  Ponytail palm is difficult to repot (especially large specimens) but can be propagated by offsets at the base.  Plant in containers only slightly large than the base of the plant.

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

Peace Lily By john AdobeStock
Peace Lily  (9)

Leaves are shiny, dark green, sometimes with very prominent leaf veins. Oddly-shaped flowers (composed of a spathe and spadix) are held above the foliage on long stalks. The cigar-shaped spadix is backed by a white, leaf-like spathe. As the flower ages, the spathe turns from brilliant white to green.

Peace lilies are very tolerant plants that grow in low light but flower best in indirect sunlight. Place in average temperatures and below average humidity levels. Keep soil moist. Leaves will wilt when plants are dry but will revive after watering. Plants are easily propagated by division.

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

Aspidistra elatior ‘Variegata’
Cast Iron Plant ‘Variegata’'  (10)

Cast iron plant is known to be tough (much like cast iron).  It is also called bar room plant (because it could live in a bar!).  Masses of arching, broad, glossy, green leaves grow up to 18 inches in length. 

Cast iron plant endures heat, dust, low light, and lack of water better than most other houseplants. Grow in well-drained, evenly moist soil. Plants prefer average temperatures and humidity but can tolerate below average humidity levels. Plants are harmed by frequent repotting, so divide and repot infrequently.

Dragon Tree

Dracaena marginata

Dragon tree
Dragon Tree  (11)

Dragon tree has narrow leaves edged in red. The narrow stem of this plant is often twisted and branched to create interesting visual effects. Multiple plants can be placed in a large pot to provide a variety of plant heights at one time. Plants can be moved outdoors to a part shade location during summer.

Grow in moderate to indirect light (low light may be tolerated but plants will bend and stretch excessively). These plants prefer warm to average temperatures and below average humidity levels. When the bare stem beneath the foliage becomes to long, air layer the top.


Additional Low-Maintenance Houseplants for Beginners

  • Chinese Evergreen | Aglaonema
  • Aloe | Aloe vera
  • African Violet | Saintpaulia ionantha
  • Jade Plant | Crassula ovata
  • Rubber Plant | Ficus elastica
  • Swiss Cheese Plant | Monstera deliciosa
  • English Ivy | Hedera helix
  • Parlor palm | Chamaedorea elegans
  • Money Tree | Pachira aquatica
  • Lucky Bamboo | Dracaena sanderiana
  • Holiday Cactus | Schlumbergera
  • Dumb Cane | Dieffenbachia
  • Air Plants | Tillandsia
  • Succulents
Jade Plant
Jade Plant  (12)
Parlor Palm
Parlor Palm  (13)
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen 'Silver Queen'  (14)
Monstera
Swiss Cheese Plant  (15)
Holiday cactus
Holiday Cactus  (16)
African violet
African Violet  (17)


More Information


Photo credits: 1: Aaron Steil; 2: Aaron Steil; 3: Aaron Steil; 4: Aaron Steil; 5: azurita/AdobeStock; 6: Aaron Steil; 7: Aaron Steil; 8: Aaron Steil; 9: john/AdobeStock; 10: Aaron Steil; 11: Viacheslav/AdobeStock; 12: Aaron Steil; 13: Aaron Steil; 14: Aaron Steil; 15: Aaron Steil; 16: Aaron Steil; 17: Aaron Steil

Authors:
Last reviewed:
January 2025