5 Indoor Plants That Are Hard To Kill - Beginner Friendly
I love plants. I care for them, I talk to them, and they make me happy when I look at them, and yet I've managed to kill a few despite my greatest efforts. Enter, low-maintenance plants.
Low-maintenance houseplants are an excellent choice for peeps who want to bring greenery into their homes or offices without the need for constant attention and care. These plants are generally resilient, adaptable, and require minimal watering, pruning, and other maintenance tasks.
If you're a busy individual, a frequent traveler, or simply prefer a more hands-off approach to plant care, these plants are for you. They are so hard to kill that you'd really have to try.
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Benefits of Having Houseplants
Improved Air Quality
Plants are natural air purifiers. Additionally, certain plants can remove harmful organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, reducing indoor air pollution and creating a healthier atmosphere.
Stress Reduction
Being around plants and nature has been shown to have a calming effect on our well-being. Studies have found that simply having plants in a room can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels.
Enhanced Productivity and Concentration
Indoor plants have been linked to increased productivity and concentration levels. Greenery in workspaces or study areas can help improve focus, creativity, and cognitive performance.
Improved Mental Health
Having plants indoors has been shown to reduce feelings of depression, increase positive emotions, and promote overall psychological well-being.
Decorative and Aesthetically Pleasing
Indoor plants add beauty, texture, and life to any indoor space. They can serve as natural decorations, enhance the visual appeal of your home or office, and create a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
5 Indoor Plants That Are Hard To Kill
1. Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, can survive almost anywhere.
They're happy with a little bit of water, even infrequently.
One of the most common problems with snake plants is overwatering. You get one, and you think to yourself, "This plant couldn't possibly go another week without water,"...but you'd be wrong.
If you suspect you're overwatering your snake plant - check for these signs.
Low light is not a problem.
Snake plants are excellent beginner plants because they will thrive in any room in your house - the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, balcony, and, you guessed it, snake plants do great in outside gardens as well.
Tip: Put one close to your bed as it's said to release oxygen at night.
2. Spider Plant
Want a plant that shoots cute baby plants from long stems and tells you when it needs water?
Spider plants will wilt and become a much lighter color when they need to be watered. And once they've been watered, they'll perk right up!
I've over and under-watered mine, and they easily survive these extremes.
If your plant is struggling to bounce back after being overwatered, chances are the roots are rotting, and you'll need this guide to repot your spider plant.
You can cut the baby plants and plant them in other pots.
Spider plants prefer indirect sunlight but can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions.
If you have cats, good news! These are non-toxic and safe for cats to be around.
3. ZZ Plant
Have a dark corner? Put your ZZ plant there. They do well in low-light conditions but thrive in medium indirect light.
They require very little water, and once you've got them figured out, they're happy to keep sprouting new leaves.
It's best to let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
They grow from a rhizome (which looks like a bulb), and you can repot them easily.
It's also quite easy to propagate your ZZ plant from stem cuttings and fill your home with more!
It's a good idea to use fertilizer, like compost, when you repot, just to give them that extra growth boost.
The ZZ plant will keep multiplying to fill the pot. If you'd like it to stay small, keep the pot small, and vice versa.
4. Pothos Plants
These plants have heart-shaped leaves and quick-growing vines.
They can thrive in low-light environments but prefer bright indirect light.
They need water once a week or less.
There are a few varieties of this plant (leaf shapes, colors, and patterns), and all of them can fill up a shelf as their vines grow long and lush.
Some of the most common problems with these plants are:
Pothos have air-purifying qualities and are super easy to propagate.
Cut a piece of stem below a node.
Place the stem in a glass of water; the node must be submerged.
Replace the water every few days until you see white roots sprouting from the node.
Plant the stem in moist soil and let it take root.
And that's all she wrote. You have a whole new plant just like that!
5. Monstera
Monstera plants (Monstera deliciosa) are known for their large and attractive leaves. These plants can go almost anywhere in your home.
The bigger the pot, the bigger they grow.
Choose a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Select a pot that is one or two sizes larger than the current root ball to provide enough space for the plant to grow.
They need water about once a week, depending on the season and where they are in your home.
This FAQ guide for Monstera will give you all the info on your plant's light needs.
Monstera may require occasional pruning to control their size or remove damaged or yellowing leaves.
Pruning also helps promote bushier growth. Trim back any excessive growth or long vines, and use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts.
As Monstera grow, they develop aerial roots that can be trained onto a moss pole or trellis for support.
This not only provides stability for the plant but also encourages upward growth and larger leaf production.
Tip: If you're a fan of weird-looking plants - check out the Swiss cheese plant; it's trendy and part of the Monstera family.
The Bottom Line
You can't go wrong with any of these suggestions - they all look great, whether big or small, and all of them do OK if you forget about them for a bit. Once you see how easy it is to care for these, you'll become a proper plant parent and never say no to another houseplant ever again!