If you love plants but think they’re too much work, or if your green thumb attempts always end in a pile of withered leaves and guilt, we have some good news for you! To help you incorporate a little greenery into your home or restore your faith in your plant-nurturing abilities, we’ve come up with a list of beautiful and nearly invincible low-maintenance house plants. With so many easy-to-care-for options for all lifestyles, you’re sure to find one you’ll love.
1. Cactus
Starting with the obvious, a Cactus makes a great houseplant for anyone lacking in the green thumb department, or frequently away from home. Super easy to care for, Cactuses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, and are perfect for adding a little low-maintenance greenery around your home. You’ll want to keep them out of reach for pets and children, however – they get a little “prickly” about being touched.
Requirements: Moderately heated home with access to sunlight, watering only just before the soil dries out.
2. Sweetheart Hoya
The Sweetheart Hoya is perfect for the flower-lover pressed for time. Classified as a large succulent, this houseplant is a favourite due to its heart-shaped leaves, beautiful blooms, and fresh fragrance. The Sweetheart Hoya is also pet-friendly and requires minimal watering and sunlight (though sun is recommended to help it flower.)
Requirements: Moderate to full sunlight, average room temperature, and approximately 3-4 waterings a month.
3. Spider Plants
Don’t worry, there are no spiders here. This plant gets its name from the offshoots, or spiderettes, that hang from the main plant – looking much like a spider web. Often starting as small white flowers, the spiderettes create a cool dangling effect; making this a plant great for hanging and sitting alike. Easy to grow indoors and safe for pets, the Spider Plant is even said to improve air quality.
Requirements: Moderate sunlight (don’t leave it sitting in the hot sun), average room temperature, and requires occasional watering before the soil dries out.
4. Rabbit’s Foot Fern
If you don’t have time for a dog or a cat, you may want to consider this furry little companion. Aptly named for its soft, fleecy roots, the Rabbit’s Foot Fern makes for a unique and warm addition to your home. If you do have pets, you’ll rest easy knowing this plant will get along with its furry co-inhabitants as it’s completely non-toxic.
Requirements: The best way to grow your Rabbit’s Foot Fern is to keep it out of direct sunlight as it can burn easily – a north or east facing window is ideal. Only water when the top of the soil gets dry, roughly every ten days or so.
5. Aloe
These amazing plants serve a dual purpose – in addition to adding some low-maintenance flora to your home, Aloe Vera plants offer great health advantages! Commonly used to treat inflamed skin, scar tissue, burns (including sunburns), soothing dry skin, and much more, Aloe will provide some amazing benefits needing very little in return.
Requirements: Caring for your Aloe Vera plant is easy – all you need is lots of sunlight and moderate watering. Prop your plant up in a bright sunny window, water roughly every two weeks, and keep it away from pets and children.
6. Bromeliads
Another great option for adding some floral colour, the Bromeliad boasts some beautifully pigmented leaves and flowers. Cousin to the pineapple, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance tropical addition to your home, this hearty plant is the way to go. Incredibly resilient to drought and thriving on sunlight, Bromeliads do best in a sunny spot and away from pets and kids.
Requirements: Water once a week, and provide plenty of natural light. May require a little nurturing to produce more flowers.
If you’re looking to turn that brown thumb green, these are just a few of the many different low-maintenance houseplants that will make great additions to your home. Whether you’re looking for flowers, fuzzies, or maybe a few medicinal qualities, you can create an easily-cared-for indoor garden that’s sure to please.
Photo credits: vintage decor, heart leaf, aloe vera
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