11 Best Indoor Plants for Beginners
Bringing the outdoors in with houseplants is a wonderful way to uplift your space. But for the plant novice, knowing where to start can feel daunting. Fear not! There are plenty of low-maintenance indoor plants perfect for those just getting their green thumbs.
So, what are the best indoor plants for beginners? Well, it depends on a lot of things. In general, I recommend Snake plants, pothos, Aloe vera, Spider plants, Monstera, and Philodendron for beginners. But other plant varieties too can be a good deal for beginners.
Let’s explore some top picks that’ll thrive with little more than basic care.
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11 Best Indoor Plants for Beginners
I’ve listed a couple of plants that are suitable and easygoing for beginners. Let’s have a look at the 12 plants I’ve for you.
1. Snake Plants
Looking for a tough houseplant that you basically can’t kill? The snake plant is your new best friend! With cool stripes and upright leaves, this low-maintenance succulent is a trooper. It can go for weeks without water, so no worries if you forget to water it now and then.
Snake plants like bright, indirect sunlight, but they can handle shadier spots too. Just let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and use a pot with drainage holes.
With their neat look and easy care, these tough plants are perfect for your office or for anyone just starting out with houseplants.
2. Golden Pothos
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular choice for indoor spaces due to its attractive foliage and ease of care. This vining plant features vibrant, heart-shaped leaves with a beautiful variegation of green and yellow.
It thrives in a wide range of lighting conditions, adapting well to both bright, indirect light, and lower-light environments. Additionally, the golden pothos is tolerant of occasional neglect, exhibiting signs of thirst through wilting but readily recovering with proper watering.
For optimal visual appeal, brighter indirect light is recommended as it intensifies the golden variegation.
3. The Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) might look tough with its shiny, big leaves, but it’s actually a pretty easygoing houseplant. Sure, it’s not really made of rubber, but its leaves do feel a bit like it!
These leafy trees like bright, indirect sunlight and don’t need constant watering. Just let the soil dry out a bit between drinks and give the leaves a wipe now and then to keep them looking their best.
Plus, they’re forgiving of neglect, making them perfect for new plant parents. Just remember, the sap can be irritating, so be gentle!
4. Aloe Vera
The aloe vera succulent is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any home. Renowned for its resilience, aloe vera thrives in sunny locations with well-draining soil. Plus, caring for Aloe vera is quite simple!
While frequent watering is unnecessary, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings is crucial to prevent root rot. Interestingly, the color of the aloe’s plump leaves may shift to a reddish hue when exposed to intense sunlight. This hardy succulent is a valuable addition to any home, not only for its decorative appeal but also for the readily available soothing gel housed within its leaves.
After the plant matures past one year of age, outer leaves can be harvested for their gel with new growth readily replacing them.
5. Palm Trees
Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Palm trees like arecas or bamboo can bring that beachy feel right to your home! Their feathery leaves look amazing and soften the light in any bright room.
Taking care of a palm is pretty simple. Just water them regularly, but make sure the pot drains well (nobody likes soggy feet!). The leaves will get crispy at the tips if they’re thirsty. Give them a little plant food in the spring and summer, and that’s basically it! Easy breezy, tropical vibes.
6. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
The weeping fig, despite the name, won’t give you any tasty figs indoors. But what it lacks in fruit, it makes up for in beauty! This leafy tree has long, elegant branches with shiny green leaves that cascade down like a waterfall. It looks amazing as a floor plant in a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
Taking care of a weeping fig is realyy easy. Just let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. If your home gets dry, misting the leaves helps them feel happy. Remember, these plants like things consistent, so sudden changes in light or temperature might make some leaves drop. But with a little patience, your weeping fig will thrive and add a touch of elegance to your home!
7. Spider Plants
Don’t worry, despite their name, spider plants won’t skitter across the floor! These low-maintenance wonders produce fountaining arches lined with long, skinny green-and-white striped leaves. But their real superpower is sprouting delicate babies on wispy stems from the center like a spider on a web.
Spider plants make delightful hanging basket specimens, trailing downwards from on high. Keep them in bright, indirect light and allow the soil to partially dry between waterings.
These quirky, child-bearing nesters are practically foolproof for gardening newbies and their easygoing nature makes them great for sharing.
8. Monstera
The Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is renowned for its captivating foliage featuring natural perforations. These vining climbers boast large, glossy leaves that develop unique splits and fenestrations (holes) as they mature.
To cultivate a thriving Monstera, provide a supportive moss pole or trellis for upward growth and maintain consistently moist soil. Optimal light conditions include bright, indirect sunlight, which encourages the plant to produce its characteristic fenestrated leaves in greater abundance.
While the Monstera exhibits some tolerance for lower light levels, reduced sunlight may result in smaller leaves with fewer splits.
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9. Prayer Plant
The prayer plant, well, it lives up to its name! At night, its pretty, colorful leaves rise up like hands in prayer. In the daytime, they flatten out again, soaking up the sunshine.
These fun tropical plants like bright, indirect light and some extra moisture in the air. Just let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, and mist their leaves or use a pebble tray to keep them happy. They’re not too fussy, and they’ll reward you with their cool nighttime leaf show!
10. Philodendrons
Philodendrons are like the ultimate beginner plant! They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from vining ones like neon pothos to the cute little heart-leaf kind. There’s one for every spot in your home, even if the light isn’t the brightest.
These tough plants like their soil to dry out a bit between waterings and look great hanging from baskets or sitting in pots. Plus, you can let their vines grow wild for a fun, jungly feel. With so many varieties to choose from, you can even collect a bunch and swap them out as you get the hang of keeping houseplants happy!
11. Peperomia
Peperomia are awesome little plants for collectors! There are hundreds to choose from, all with different shapes, colors, and textures in their leaves. Some trail, some stand tall, but they all like well-draining soil, warmth, and some humidity.
Let them dry out between waterings and give them bright, indirect light to keep those pretty leaves colorful. There’s a perfect peperomia out there for everyone!
Conclusion
So there you have it! With a little TLC, these houseplants will not only beautify your space but also purify the air and boost your mood. The best part? There’s a perfect plant out there for every lifestyle, from the forgetful friend to the sun-seeking enthusiast.
So why not bring a touch of nature indoors and watch your green thumb flourish? Happy planting!
