The 15 Best Houseplants for Beginners

Bringing plants into your home can instantly boost your mood and brighten up your space. But if you’re a beginner, the idea of keeping a houseplant alive can seem daunting. How do you know which plants will thrive with minimal effort on your part?

After analyzing frequently recommended houseplants for beginners on leading gardening sites I’ve compiled this definitive list of the 15 best indoor plants for novice plant parents. These beauties check all the boxes they’re easy to care for resilient, and forgiving when you make the occasional mistake.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The snake plant, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, is the top pick for beginner gardeners. This hardy succulent can grow in a variety of lighting conditions and only needs to be watered every 2-3 weeks. In fact, it thrives on neglect! If you forget to water it occasionally, don’t stress – the snake plant can handle it.

Place your snake plant in indirect sunlight for best results. The low maintenance and air-purifying abilities of this plant make it ideal for busy folks or forgetful waterers. Just remember that it’s toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of furry friends.

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

With its lush, heart-shaped leaves pothos is another excellent choice for rookie plant parents. This vining plant adapts well to a range of conditions including low light and irregular watering. Let the soil dry out between waterings and give it bright indirect light for optimal growth.

Pothos removes air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. It’s great for hanging baskets or climbing up a moss pole. The rapid growth will allow beginners to see satisfying results fast. Just beware of toxicity to pets.

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

If you want a plant that tolerates neglect, get a ZZ plant. It actually thrives in poor conditions! This unusual plant needs water just once every 1-2 weeks. ZZ does well in both sun and shade, making it ideal for most indoor spots.

ZZ plants have thick, waxy leaves that hold water. Their slow growth means you won’t have to repot often. They’re also resistant to pests and diseases. For a low maintenance, quirky houseplant, ZZ is a top choice.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

With its elegant white blooms and glossy leaves the peace lily adds elegance to any space. This forgiving plant is quite drought tolerant – it’ll let you know it needs water by drooping slightly then perk up after a drink.

Peace lilies thrive in low to medium indirect light. Keep soil slightly moist but not soggy. Mist occasionally to boost humidity. With proper care, this air-purifying plant can grow up to 2 feet tall. Just know it’s toxic to pets if ingested.

5. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plants are popular easy-care succulents. They can survive weeks without water and handle some neglect when life gets busy. Simply soak the pot thoroughly every week or two. Jade thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates low light conditions too.

Slow-growing jade plants can live for years with minimal care. Their thick, oval leaves store water and plump up when hydrated. Many cultures associate jade plants with good fortune – a wonderful reason to add one to your home!

6. Echeveria

If you want a super low maintenance succulent, go for Echeveria. This drought-tolerant plant can go weeks without water and thrives on neglect. Echeveria flourishes in bright indirect light, though it tolerates low light well.

Succulents like Echeveria have thick leaves that hold water, so you only need to water every 2-3 weeks. The rosette shape and colorful foliage make it an attractive addition to your home. Echeveria also propagates easily for gift-giving.

7. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

The ponytail palm is a quirky yet easy houseplant. Despite its name, it’s not a true palm but a succulent-like dracaena. The swollen base stores water, making it ultra drought tolerant. Ponytails thrive when somewhat pot-bound.

Place your ponytail palm in bright indirect light. Water sparingly, letting the soil dry completely between drinks. Occasionally mist the leaves and trunk to boost humidity. This unique plant adds texture and interest anywhere in the home.

8. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast iron plant is named for its near-indestructible nature. This hardy foliage plant thrives in low light and tolerates inconsistent watering, making it ideal for beginners. Its lush green leaves can reach 2 feet tall at maturity.

Place your cast iron plant in indirect sunlight and water when the top inch of soil is dry. Wipe dust off the leaves occasionally for best appearance. With minimal care, this tough-as-nails plant will grace your home for years.

9. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese evergreen is an easy-care houseplant with lush green and white variegated leaves. It adapts well to low light conditions and doesn’t need frequent watering, making it great for beginners.

Water your Chinese evergreen when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Mist occasionally to increase humidity around the plant. This undemanding plant comes in various leaf patterns and colors to suit your style.

10. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Adding a spider plant to your home is practically fool-proof. This fast-growing plant thrives in bright or low light and tolerates missed waterings. Let the soil dry between drinks and feed monthly during spring and summer.

You’ll love watching spider plant “babies” form on dangling stems. Simply place these in water or soil to propagate new plants. With proper care, the long arching leaves grow 18-24 inches long. Spider plants filter toxins too!

11. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The rubber plant has large, glossy leaves that make a statement. This sturdy plant adapts to a range of indirect light. Allow the soil to slightly dry between waterings. Wipe the leaves often to prevent dust buildup.

Prune branches back regularly to maintain the plant’s shape and size. Give it a moss pole or trellis for support as it grows. The rubber plant filters airborne toxins, making it a functional and stylish houseplant choice.

12. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

With its large, violin-shaped leaves, the trendy fiddle leaf fig definitely makes a statement. This beauty needs consistent moisture and bright indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil dries out to prevent leaf drop.

Dust the leaves often to allow light absorption. Provide support with a stake or moss stick as the plant grows. Though not the easiest plant, the rewards of growing a healthy fiddle leaf fig are great.

13. Aloe Vera

For an easy care succulent, look no further than aloe vera. This sun-loving plant needs infrequent watering and can handle some neglect. Allow the soil to fully dry between drinks, around every 3 weeks.

Aloe vera’s thick, fleshy leaves hold water. For best results provide bright indirect light. As a bonus, you can break open leaves to extract the soothing gel to treat minor burns, cuts, and skin irritations.

14. Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Air plants are a fantastic choice if you want a uniquely easy-care houseplant. Unlike most plants, air plants don’t need soil – they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air through scales on their leaves.

Mist or soak air plants 2-3 times per week. Provide bright filtered light. Ensure they fully dry between waterings. Mount them on driftwood, seashells, or terrariums for beautiful displays. These petite plants pack a lot of charm.

15. Orchid

Many beginning gardeners fear orchids, but the moth orchid is surprisingly easy to grow. These tropical beauties need bright light and consistent moisture. Water when the top inch of potting mix is dry.

Provide your moth orchid with humidity via a pebble tray. Prune dead leaves and flower spikes back. Repot every 2 years in orchid mix, dividing the plant if the roots are crowded. With proper care, you’ll be rewarded with months of exotic blooms.

When starting out with houseplants, select varieties that can tolerate imperfect care while you’re learning. Plants like pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants, and ponytail palms are great choices to boost your confidence and success as a beginner gardener.

Pay attention to your plant’s light and watering needs, but don’t stress over giving them absolutely perfect care. The plants on this list are forgiving when you make the occasional mistake. With a little practice, you’ll discover how enjoyable and rewarding it can be to have a thriving indoor garden.