38 Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants That Are Perfect for Beginners

Written By Ash

Share my experiences about home decor, DIY and gardening.

Indoor Plants IdeasPin

Houseplants famously double as decor since they add pops of color and offer a lived-in quality to your home.

The good news is you don’t necessarily need a green thumb to care for every houseplant.

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Low-maintenance houseplants don’t require a lot of watering or certain environmental conditions, which makes them an obvious choice for beginners.

“You can essentially buy these plants and expect them to live a long time without much work on your end,” Jamie Mitri, founder and CEO of Moss Pure, says.

For those who want the perks of indoor plants without all the work, we’ve highlighted 38 low-maintenance indoor plants you can easily find to purchase and will instantly love.

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09/09/2024 10:22 am GMT

01 of 38

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

A close up of a Jade PlantPin mikroman6 / Getty Images

Commonly called the “money plant,” the jade plant (Crassula ovata) is known for its gleaming, dark green leaves.

This might be why it has come to symbolize wealth and prosperity.

It grows slowly, averaging about two inches in height per year.

Like most succulents, this plant doesn’t require a ton of water and does well in direct sunlight, making it great for beginners.

  • Light: Six hours of direct sunlight a day
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 3 to 6 in. tall

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Gasteria (Gasteria spp.)

Gasteria little warty succulent plant closeupPin Bilal photos / Getty Images

Because of its looks, this spindly plant has a nickname of “ox tongue.”

Like many succulents, this plant doesn’t require much water, making it an easy to maintain.

  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 4-24 in. tall

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African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)

Euphorbia trigona is a species of flowering plant that originates from Central Africa.Pin Boy_Anupong / Getty Images

Though it looks like a cactus, this low-maintenance plant is actually a succulent.

The teardrop-shaped green leaves are covered in thorns, giving this plant a modern look.

Like many of the other plants on this list, the African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona) loves a range of sunlight conditions.

However, it can be toxic to pets and humans if digested.12

  • Light: Partial sun to bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 6 to 9 ft. tall

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Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Aloe Vera in a terra cotta planterPin Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images

Aloe vera is great for plant novices because this succulent requires little water.

The plant has beautiful blooms in shades of yellow, red, or orange.

However, despite all its perks, this plant is unfortunately toxic when eaten, so make sure to keep it away from pets and young children.34

  • Light: Six hours of direct sunlight
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 2-36 in. tall

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Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plant in a square white containerPin Catherine McQueen / Getty Images

This plant gets its name from its long slender leaves, which resemble a snake in a standing position.

This plant works great for beginners because it tolerates low-light conditions and doesn’t need to be watered often.

It can even survive drought-like environments.

  • Light: Six hours of direct sunlight
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 2-36 in. tall

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Black Rose Aeonium (Aeonium)

Tree aeoniumPin Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

This succulent adds a bit of drama to any space. The dark leaves look almost black, hence the name, and resemble a rose.

As with most succulents, these plants are great for beginners because they grow best in full sunlight, but are low-maintenance because they can enjoy indirect sun as well.

  • Light: Six hours of direct or indirect sunlight
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 3 ft. tall

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Purple Passion Vine (Gynura aurantiaca)

Velvet Plant purple Passion leaves - Latin name : Gynura aurantiaca Purple Passion. Gynura leaves with violetPin burhan oral gudu / Getty Images

Its velvety, fuzzy purple texture is what gives this plant its name.

However, the plant is very easy to care for if you leave it in bright, indirect sunlight.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the soil becomes dry
  • Mature Size: 1-2 ft high

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Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

An indoor plant vine golden pothos also called devils ivy is photographed against a white backgroundPin Brendan Maher / Getty Images

A vining plant, most pothos varieties do well in low-light situations and only need to be watered once a week.

That’s because the plants originally hail from rainforests, where they lived on the forest floor.

This species comes in a range of colors to fit any home style, making it a great addition to any home.

  • Light: Low or indirect light
  • Water: Water once a week
  • Mature Size: Vines can reach as long as 12 ft.

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String of Pearls

String of pearls plantPin carlofranco / Getty Images

This is a succulent plant that vines in long strings of leaves resembling pearls.

You can place the plant in a hanging pot for a trailing look in almost any space.

This low-maintenance plant is great for beginners because it can thrive in a range of light conditions.

  • Light: Low to bright light
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: Vines can reach as long as 3 ft.

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Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata)

Closeup of elephant bush plantPin Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

This diminutive plant is cute with tiny green leaves that have a tinge of pink at the edges.

Besides being beautiful, the elephant bush is easy to maintain, if it gets six hours of sunlight a day.

  • Light: Full to partial sun
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 6 in. tall

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Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

A brasil philodendron hanging houseplant soaking up the sunlight from the skylight above itPin Katkami / Getty Images

The heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a beautiful dark green plant with bronze specks.

It does well in partial sun and because it’s slow-growing, it only needs to be repotted every two or three years, which is a great feature for beginners.

  • Light: Low light to partial sun
  • Water: Water once a week
  • Mature Size: 1-3 ft. tall

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Raven ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’)

Black Zamioculcas Zamiifolia plant in a white ceramic potPin Bilal / Getty Images

Like many varieties of ZZ plants, the raven ZZ plant practically thrives under drought-like conditions and doesn’t require much sunlight.

A beautiful addition to any home, the plant is a deep purple that continues to darken over time.

  • Light: Low light
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 30 in. tall

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Cordyline (Cordyline terminalis)

cordyline plant by a windowPin The Spruce / Cara Cormack

This plant’s leathery, spikey leaves set it apart from other houseplants.

And it comes in a range of colors, making it perfect for any home aesthetic.

Cordyline thrives in a warm, humid environment and prefers having more sun. However, it’s toxic to both cats and dogs.5

  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Water when the soil becomes dry
  • Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall

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Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Tropical 'Aglaonema Stripes' houseplant with long leaves with silver stripe pattern in basket flower potPin Firn / Getty Images

With plenty of varieties of Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) to choose from, you can get a version of this easy-to-care-for plant in many different colors.

The plant comes in shades of pink and green, white, silver, or yellow.

The Chinese evergreen likes less water and can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions.

The plant is toxic to dogs and cats.6

  • Light: Partial to full sun
  • Water: Water when soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 1–3 ft. tall

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Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Green ponytail palm houseplant in white vasePin SzB / Getty Images

This hardy desert plant can go up to a month without water, making it a great low-maintenance plant.

The ponytail palm also has a unique look with its strappy appearance, so it will liven up your interiors by creating instant visual interest.

  • Light: Medium to bright light
  • Water: Water once a month
  • Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall

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Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens)

Wax Begonia or Clubed Begonia (Begonia cucullata) in plastic bags Pin Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

With dark waxy leaves, this plant is commonly called a “Wax Plant.”

Wax begonias grow slowly, taking several months to mature, so they rarely need to be repotted, a great feature for houseplant beginners. Begonias are also toxic to pets.7

  • Light: Low to bright light
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry
  • Mature Size: 2 to 4 ft. tall

17 of 38

Cymbidium Orchid (Cymbidium spp.)

Flowers on a Cymbidium orchidPin Louise Docker / Getty Images

Cymbidium orchids, sometimes called boat orchids, are some of the easiest and prettiest orchids to care for.

This is because they are cold-tolerant and don’t mind a bit of frost. They also don’t require a lot of sun.

  • Light: Partial
  • Water: Keep soil moist
  • Mature Size: 12-30 in. tall

18 of 38

Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)

Plectranthus scutellarioides in a terra cotta potPin Penpak Ngamsathain / Getty Images

Coleus can do well in the sun or tolerate shade outdoors, making it an easy-going plant to have inside.

This plant is often bred to have different colors and patterns, so it can add a range of hues to your home. However, it is toxic to pets.8

  • Light: Full sun to shade
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft. tall

19 of 38

African Violet (Streptocarpus)

A pot planted with African violetsPin Claudia Totir / Getty Images

Got limited space for a plant?

The African violet has beautiful blooms but doesn’t grow very tall.

Native to Africa, the plant can tolerate less water but prefers bright light.

  • Light: Bright light
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 6 to 12 in. tall

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09/09/2024 10:22 am GMT

20 of 38

Monstera Deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa)

Close-up of big leaves of Monstera deliciosa palm in bright lit against green wall. The Hurricane or Swiss Cheese PlantPin TorriPhoto / Getty Images

Called the Swiss cheese plant, monstera deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa) is known for its big leaves.

This plant is great for beginners because it can tolerate low light and less water, and unlike some tropical plants, it doesn’t need high humidity.

  • Light: Partial
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 3 -15 ft. tall

21 of 38

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosumare)

Spider plant on a wooden table at home balcony.Pin Veena Nair / Getty Images

With beautiful grasslike leaves, the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosumare) adds a pop of green to your home.

It’s also an easy to care for houseplant, as it can handle periods of drought and a range of sunlight.

  • Light: Partial sun to shade
  • Water: Keep the soil lightly moist
  • Mature Size: 1–2 ft. tall

22 of 38

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)

Aspidistra elatior or cast-iron-plant or bar room plant with spotted leaves in potPin skymoon13 / Getty Images

Native to Japan and China, this verdant green plant does great in low-light conditions and has earned a reputation as being a hard-to-kill plant.

The plant tolerates different indoor temperatures and irregular watering, so you can even set up a self-watering planter.

It also grows very slowly, so you won’t need to repot right away.

  • Light: Partial light to shade
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 2–3 ft. tall

23 of 38

Holiday Cactus (Zygocactus or Schlumbergera)

Schlumbergera Christmas Thanksgiving Crab Holiday Easter or Whitsun cactus flowering purple flowers home plant succulent on windowsll. Close-up. Selective soft focus. Text copy space.Pin Ð•Ð²Ð³ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Матвеец / Getty Images

This plant flowers red blooms in winter, right around Christmas.

Though called a cactus, it hails from the Brazilian rainforest and can tolerate low light.

But to grow flowers, it needs brighter light.

  • Light: Partial light to bright light
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall

24 of 38

Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.)

Dumb cane green leaves bloomingPin Penpak Ngamsathain / Getty Images

This plant comes in a variety of colors, from green to whiter shades.

While this plant prefers warmer temperatures, it likes being in bright, indirect sunlight, so beginners can place this in a sunny window and forget about it.

This plant is toxic to people and pets.9

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Keep the soil moist by watering twice a week
  • Mature Size: 3–10 ft. tall

25 of 38

Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

Closeup of window in loft with table and potted plant in bedroom home apartment hotel room and nobodyPin ablokhin / Getty Images

A super slow-growing tree, the dragon tree is easy to care for because it is drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much water.

Although it prefers bright, indirect light, it can handle a range of light conditions.

  • Light: Full sun to partial shade
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 15–20 ft. tall

26 of 38

Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

Room plant oxalis with purple leaves and delicate small pink flowers. Hard light. Horizontal orientation, selective focus.Pin Olga Gubskaya / Getty Images

Pretty in purple, this plant offers a pop of brilliant color to a home.

It also requires less upkeep, so provide it with a sunny spot and water occasionally, and you’re all good to go.

  • Light: Full, partial sun
  • Water: Water when the soil becomes dry
  • Mature Size: 0.5–1 ft. tall

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Peace Lilly (Spathiphyllum spp.)

House plant next to a window in a beautifully designed interior.Pin Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images

Peace lilies have large oval leaves and beautiful blooms that appear twice a year, even indoors.

It prefers warmer spaces, so keep it away from drafts and colder rooms.

Though beautiful, they are toxic to pets and people.1011

  • Light: Partial sun
  • Water: Keep soil moist
  • Mature Size: 1–4 ft. tall

28 of 38

Prayer Plant (Maranta)

Maranta leuconeura Kerchoveana in white ceramic pot near windowPin Artem Khyzhynskiy / Getty Images

Known for its bright, beautiful leaves, the prayer plant is a popular houseplant.

Any beginner can either hang the plant or set it near a window for indirect sunlight.

It can also handle longer light conditions, but make sure it’s not placed in direct sun, which will burn the plant’s delicate leaves.

  • Light: Partial sun to indirect light
  • Water: Keep the soil lightly moist
  • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall

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Air Plants (Tillandsia stricta)

Variety of air plants, species of evergreen,perennial flowering plants, native to the forests and mountains and deserts of Central and South America and the Southern USAPin Geri Lavrov / Getty Images

The great thing about air plants is you don’t need to water them, and you can put them in an open vessel or container.

As long as they can pull enough moisture out of the air, you don’t need to soak them in water.

If not, soak the plant in a bowl filled with water for 20 minutes every other week.

  • Light: Bright to medium indirect light
  • Water: Soak in water
  • Mature Size: 2-12 in. tall

30 of 38

Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)

Peperomia caperata or piperaceaePin Latifah Febriyani / Getty Images

Tolerant of neglect, this plant only needs water occasionally, a great benefit for beginners.

It grows slowly and doesn’t need frequent repotting. Place the plant in bright, indirect light for the best results.

  • Light: Full or partial sun
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall

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Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae genera)

bromeliad flower in bloom in springtimePin lyongyuth / Getty Images

It is easy to grow in many indoor conditions, and it can even grow without soil.

The plant comes in brilliantly bright hues, but is slow-growing, taking years to reach maturity.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: Varies by genera and species

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Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

White leaves on a potted polka dot plant.Pin Akchamczuk / Getty Images

The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) comes in a range of spotted shades, from pink to white.

It is easier to care for because it can handle a range of light, such as bright, indirect light but it can handle partial sunlight as well.

Plus, they remain on the smaller side even once mature.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Keep soil evenly moist
  • Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall

33 of 38

Nerve Plant (Fittonia)

Fittonia or Nerve plant in a white modern pot on the grey stone background with copy spacePin Lana_M / Getty Images

This vibrant houseplant is low maintenance, as long as you give it lots of light and humidity.

The plant is slow-growing and doesn’t need lots of repotting.

  • Light: Bright, indirect sun
  • Water: Keep soil evenly moist
  • Mature Size: 3–6 in. tall

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Echeveria (Echeveria spp.)

Echeveria in a pastel green colorPin Alinda Tian / Getty Images

Coming in a range of pastel hues, the Echeveria is a fast-growing succulent.

Despite this, it is fairly low maintenance because it doesn’t need lots of water and prefers to be left in a sunlight-filled window.

  • Light: Bright, indirect sun
  • Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
  • Mature Size: 2-24 in. tall

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Spiderwort (Tradescantia)

Purple leaves closeup for background. Exotic purple plant in macro style.Pin serazetdinov / Getty Images

Spiderwort (Tradescantia) grows rapidly outside, but when grown indoors, they are easy to contain.

These plants do well in hanging containers because they can vine downward, like pothos.

  • Light: Direct to bright indirect light
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Mature Size: Varies

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Pink Princess Philodendron

A pink princess philodendronPin Nora Carol / Getty Images

Like most philodendrons, this plant can do well in low-light situations, but bright indirect light keeps its pink plant colors vibrant.

The plant also requires less water. For all its beauty, it is easy to take care of.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light to low light
  • Water: Water when soil becomes dry
  • Mature Size: 4-5 ft. tall

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Peperomia Rosso

Beautiful houseplant and vase on wooden shelving unit in roomPin Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images

This species of plant is one of the easiest to grow indoors. Just be sure to give it loads of indirect light.

The peperomia rosso variety comes in a pretty fusion of red meets purple hues, offering a nice bit of unexpected color in a houseplant.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when soil becomes dry
  • Mature Size: 8 inches tall

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Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

A ruby ball cactusPin The Spruce / Alonda Baird

The colorful red, orange, or yellow top of the moon cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) makes this plant unusual.

But it is so easy to take care of because it doesn’t need much water but prefers lots of sun.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light

  • Water: Water when soil becomes dry

  • Mature Size: Varies

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09/09/2024 10:22 am GMT

FAQ

  • What is the easiest plant to maintain indoors?Cacti and succulents are the easiest. “These are sustainable and can survive any environmental condition without needing watering or sunlight,” Mitri says.
  • Which plant requires least maintenance?According to Mitri, it’s the ZZ plant. This plant thrives in several environmental conditions: sunlight, no sunlight, water, no water.”It can survive a long time without watering and being in drought conditions,” she explains.
  • Which indoor plants need the least water?This again goes to the ZZ Plant. “It doesn’t need repotting regularly, and it’s just an amazing plant that is difficult to kill and looks amazing in any space,” Mitri says.

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