Looking for easy indoor plants to add some green into your home? Then this list is for you!
All of these are the perfect houseplants for beginners, self-proclaimed brown thumbs, or anyone who wants low-maintenance indoor plants.
If you want to be a successful indoor gardener, then it’s best to start with easy houseplants. I wanted to create a list to get you started.
So below you will find some of my favorites, and they are all very low-maintenance.
The best part is that there are so many wonderful, easy to care for houseplants out there that you can build up quite a nice collection.
Heck, a few of them will even flower for you if you’re nice enough to them.
What Makes These Houseplants Easy To Care For?
Before I start listing out my top picks for the easiest indoor plants to grow, I want to quickly explain how I chose these. I made my selections based of a few key factors. All of these…
- are common houseplants that you can find for sale just about anywhere
- adapt quickly to the average home environment
- can flourish without ever going outside
- do not need a ton of light or humidity
- are very forgiving of neglect
- don’t require any special care
Another thing I want to mention is that many of these have the same or very similar care requirements. So, you could definitely get more than one, and even put them into the same pot if you want.
15 Easy Indoor Plants To Grow
Without further ado, here is my list of the easiest indoor plants for you. For each one, I also included some quick care tips to get you started…
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of my all-time favorites, I’ve been growing spider plants for most of my life. Not only are they simple to care for, they’re also beautiful.
Hang them from the ceiling, or place them atop a shelf where the dangling offshoots can spill over the edge. Learn how to care for spider plants here.
2. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia seguine)
If you’re looking for an easy houseplant with unique foliage, then this one is for you!
Though dieffenbachia doesn’t need to sit in a sunny window, it’s best to place it in a bright location to keep it from getting too leggy. Learn all about growing dumb care here.
3. Peperomia
There are tons of different varieties of peperomia, and all of them are fairly simple to care for indoor plants. The arching branches will spill over the pot, which makes them great for hanging baskets, or cascading over the top of a shelf.
For best success, give it bright, indirect light, and regular watering. Read all about their care here.
4. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
There are several types of arrowhead vines that you could add to your collection, and they are some of the easiest houseplants you can get.
Select a spot with bright light for this one, but never direct sun. It has average watering needs, but don’t let the soil dry out completely.
5. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
As a perfect beginner houseplant, pothos (aka devils ivy) is practically impossible to kill. They are extremely forgiving of being neglected.
Forget to water it to the point where it starts drooping? No problem! Give it a good drink, and it will pop right back. Learn how to grow pothos here.
6. Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Since they don’t like direct sun, they’re the perfect choice for easy houseplants. This one needs a bit more water than others on this list, but it’s not super fussy.
Place it in a spot where it gets bright, filtered light. Learn all about their care here.
7. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
They don’t call this one the “cast iron plant” for nothing. It gets the common name because it’s extremely hardy, and can endure some of the toughest conditions.
This is another one that requires very little maintenance. Just make sure you don’t consistently overwater it.
8. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Though they look like they would be high-maintenance, Boston ferns are actually pretty easy indoor plants. With the proper care, they can become quite large.
They look great hanging or set on a pedestal. Keep the soil consistently moist, and place it in a shady spot for best results.
9. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
If you don’t have much natural light in your home, Dracaena fragrans is the perfect choice.
Mine has been living next to a north-facing window in my kitchen forever, and it’s happy as can be. Keep the soil on the dry side, but never bone dry.
10. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
The best thing about Norfolk pines is that they can grow into large floor specimens, and live for several years.
Plop it near a sunny window, keep the soil moist (but be careful not to overwater!), talk to it once and awhile, and it will thrive!
11. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Another wonderful floor specimen, a well cared for weeping fig can turn into a small tree. I’ve had mine for many years, and it’s about 8′ tall.
Place it near a bright window, water once the top inch of soil is dry, and your benjamina will live for a very long time.
12. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
A popular houseplant with lovely spiky foliage, snake plants are also one of the easiest indoor plants you can get. Since they don’t need a lot of water, they’re perfect for filling those hard-to-reach spots.
Keep it in a bright room, allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and it will be happy. Learn exactly how to care for them here.
13. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Since you can grow these indoor plants with minimal maintenance, they’re perfect for beginners. A bright spot is ideal to keep it from getting leggy, but never put it in the direct sun.
Be careful not to overwater this one, let the soil dry between waterings. Learn how to care for them here.
14. Umbrella Tree (Schefflera)
Not only are they really easy-to-grow houseplants, Scheffleras are very forgiving. They will tolerate their soil drying out, but prefer consistent waterings.
They can grow into huge trees, but there are also dwarf varieties if you prefer a smaller specimen.
15. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
One of the best things about Chinese evergreens is that they don’t like a lot of sunlight or water. Let the soil dry out between waterings, but never allow it to become completely dry.
If you treat it right, you’ll be rewarded with cute little flowers followed by bright red berries.
If you want to add some green into your home, but don’t want all the maintenance, then choose from this list of easy indoor plants. Be sure to bring it with you to the garden center too. When you start with the easiest houseplants to grow, your brown thumb will turn green in no time.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More Houseplant Lists
- 20 Low Light Indoor Plants
- 15 Of The Best Flowering Houseplants
- 17 Of The Best Office Plants For Your Workspace
- 15 Pet Friendly Indoor House Plants
- 17 Beautiful Purple Houseplants
Add your top picks for the easiest houseplants in the comments section below.
Eileen Streit says
Amy – I find your site so very helpful for the best plant care. Can you address a little different problem with regards to providing water for the plants. City water contains many chemicals and in my particular Canadian city – we have very hard water. I find I am losing plants that should be so easy to care for and I cannot help but think it has something to do with the water condition itself. What are your views about various city waters for plants. I have too many plants to melt snow or catch rain for them. Can one use distilled or bottled water for the plants? Eileen
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great to hear, thanks for your nice comment! While rainwater/melted snow are the best, you can definitely use distilled/bottled water on them. While chemicals in city water can be a big problem for sensitive plants, it’s not usually something that will cause them to die. So I would definitely make sure you’re giving them the proper amount, and not overdoing it. Here’s my detailed guide for when and how to water houseplants, which will give you more details.
Annie says
I found your writings very useful and something I’m doing so wrong. Need to get some sand or stone and quit watering
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great, glad you found this info useful! 🙂 Yes, overwatering is definitely a big problem with indoor plants. Good luck!