So you’re thinking of starting a houseplant collection? Here are five of my favorite easy houseplants for beginners that are easy to grow and don’t take up much space.
First: Let’s Define Some Things
I’m going to use the term “newbie neglect” below, but I want to first clarify what that means before you call PPS (Plant Protective Services) on me.
When you’re just starting out, it’s natural to be a little neglectful of your plants. That’s okay! After all, you’re new to this whole gardening thing, and you’re probably super busy. This is where newbie neglect comes into play.
Newbie neglect isn’t an intentional lack of care for your plants; far from it! Instead, it’s simply a lack of experience. You might be putting your plants in the wrong place, you might not be watering them enough, or you might be overwatering them.
Don’t worry; as long as you’re following the basic tips below, your plants will be just fine.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get down to business! Here are my favorite easy houseplants for beginners that you most likely won’t kill.
Five Easy Houseplants for Beginners That Can Handle Newbie Neglect
1: Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an easy houseplant to grow that is one of the best indoor plants for beginners because it doesn’t require a lot of care. It’s a low-maintenance plant that likes indirect light and medium to fresh water.
Care tips for spider plants:
- water thoroughly when the soil feels dry
- fertilize every two weeks in the spring and summer with a water-soluble fertilizer
- keep away from drafts
- Mist often. Spider plants love humidity.
- put in a hanging pot so the leaves can dangle. It’s the easiest way for your spider plant to grow plant pups!
2: Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is one of the prettiest easy houseplants for beginners that can handle newbie neglect. It’s deep green leaves are a great show stopper and are really easy to propagate. It’s a slow-growing plant that likes plenty of indirect light, moist soil, and occasional watering.
Care tips for jade plants:
- water thoroughly when the soil feels dry
- fertilize every two weeks in the spring and summer with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted half and half with regular potting mix
- prune off any damaged parts yearly
- Mealy bugs are their biggest issue, so keep an eye out for them and treat them quickly if you see little critters on their leaves.
3: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum orchidifolium) is another easy houseplant that is great for beginners. It needs bright, indirect light and moderate to high water volumes, but it’s relatively low maintenance.
Care tips for peace lilies:
- Keep away from direct light. Peace lilies are great for low-light places like offices and powder rooms
- Water thoroughly when the soil feels dry. Over-watering can cause fungal growth and root rot.
- Don’t pot them in too big of a pot. Too much soil around the roots (from being in a pot too big) takes longer to dry and can quickly lead to root rot
- Peace lilies also do well in some aquariums!
4: Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
You might’ve known this as sansevieria trifasciata but the scientific name was updated, though the care remains the same. The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is another great beginner’s houseplant that can handle lots of neglect. It’s actually one of the best indoor house plants for beginners because it’d probably prefer you just leave it alone!
Care tips for snake plants:
- Water occasionally. These plants can develop root rot easily if there’s too much water in their soil.
- Give them lots of indirect light. These plants don’t like bright light, so keep them in a spot with indirect light
5: Pothos Vine (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos vines (Epipremnum aureum) are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They need very little care and thrive in low light, making them great for beginner’s homes.
Care tips for pothos vines:
- Water only when the soil feels dry. Over-watering will cause fungal growth and root rot.
- Give them a little fertilizer every few months, if desired.
- pothos leaves curling inward typically means they’re pretty thirsty and are trying to retain water.
Bonus: Cacti/Succulents
If you’re looking for an easy way to add some beautiful plants to your home without spending a lot of time taking care of them, try cacti and succulents instead! These plants are usually very easy to take care of and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you’ll be able to find the perfect one for your home. Since they’re primarily desert plants, they can handle a lot of water neglect, making them a great option for beginners.
A Few Tips for How to Care for These Best Indoor Plants for Beginners
1. Choose The Right Plant For Your Environment
When you’re choosing a plant for your home, it’s important to think about the environment you’re living in. Are you in a small space? Maybe a succulent is the right choice for you! If you have a lot of light and space, consider choosing an indoor plant like a philodendron.
2. Give Them Proper Watering And Feeding
Houseplants require both water and food (a balanced fertilizer) in order to survive and grow. Make sure to give them enough water (but not too much!) and then feed them once a week with a balanced fertilizer according to the instructions on the package.
3. Give Them Some TLC Once A Month
Just like people, plants need some TLC from time to time. When they start feeling tired or stressed out, give them some tender loving care by spraying them with warm water and giving them plenty of love and attention!
4. Prune Them Once A Year To Keep Them Healthy And Bushy
As your plants grow, they’ll start to sprawl out and take up more space than necessary. To keep them healthy and lush, prune them once a year in early spring or late fall according to the growing pattern of the plant(s). This will also help control their height so they don’t take over your home!
5. Do NOT put plants in direct sunlight – this is the number one cause of newbie neglect!
Final Thoughts
These are a few great, easy-to-grow plants that will add beauty and function to your home. Once you have a plant or two in your home, you’ll be hooked!