Impressive Yet Low Maintenance House Plants
I am obsessed with houseplants but I wasn’t always. I used to be afraid of having real plants in my home because they always seemed to die eventually. Yet, as I learned more about them and which ones were easy to take care of- my collection started to grow! The truth is, there are plenty of houseplants out there that are low-maintenance but still beautiful and cool.
So in this article, I will be sharing my favorite houseplants and how to care for them. Here are 5 low maintenance houseplants sure to make an impression:
- Jade Plant- also called the money plant, this is a great beginner houseplant. It only requires bright light and occasional water to thrive. It is also a gorgeous bright green color.
- Pothos- are vines that can climb, which makes them a very versatile plant to have around your home. They are also able to grow in low-light conditions.
- ZZ Plant- this is one of the easiest houseplants to take care of. It is a succulent that only requires bright light and occasional watering.
- Peace Lily- are popular houseplants because they have beautiful blooms and require very little light or water to thrive. In general, you should only need to water this plant 1-2 times a week!
- Spider Plant- this plant is excellent because it can grow in low light conditions and does well with infrequent watering. It also has a really unique and interesting shape and texture.
As you can see, the plants on this list aren’t picky about their water and light, making them easy to care for. However, there is more I want to share about each of these plants including optimal care, where to place them, and how to style them in your home for the most impact.
So read on and you’ll soon be a bit of a houseplant expert too!
1. Jade Plant
The Jade Plant is a great houseplant to start with because it really doesn’t require much care. This type of plant only needs bright but indirect light and infrequent watering.
Placing it nearby a window is best. Over time, the jade plant will grow and produce small white flowers that mature into red berries. You should water it when the soil is dry to the touch and make sure it has good drainage. As far as air conditions, this plant prefers dry air over humid.
Styling The Jade Plant
Jade plants are an excellent choice for an entryway or living room because they can grow quite large and will remain green year-round. Some ideas on getting the most visual impact with this plant include:
- Grow this plant in a nice pot and place it on top of a white piece of furniture. This will make the jade stand out even more!
- Try a minimalistic approach in your styling. Simplify the look of your entryway with one piece of furniture, maybe white or wooden in color, and let the jade plant be the star attraction!
- Grow multiple mini jade plants in small pots together to make it look like you have more than one plant. This
- You can also grow two or three smaller jades together in the same pot for a fuller look. You can then choose to keep them in the same color pot or use different pots for a fun layout.
2. Pothos Plant
The Pothos plant is also known as devil’s ivy and can grow in low light conditions. This houseplant will not only survive but thrive in dimly lit areas like a bedroom or bathroom.
Like other plants on this list, the pothos requires little watering and infrequent feeding (when using nutrients).
This plant isn’t picky when it comes to humidity or air conditions either. To water your pothos, wait until the soil is dry and be sure it has good drainage. Water sparingly and just make sure you don’t overwater. While it doesn’t necessitate extra soil nutrients, you can grow pothos in nutrient-rich soil if you’d like.
Styling A Pothos Plant
Pothos plants are also great houseplants because of their air-cleaning abilities. This makes them a great choice for your bedroom so you breathe easier while you sleep.
Some styling ideas for this plant include:
- Clip the vines off your pothos plant to make it shorter and fuller. This will help prevent it from getting too leggy (when stems are long and leggy). Place in a hanging basket so that the vines can drape down for an even fuller look.
- Train your pothos plant to grow up and around moss or pieces of wood to create a unique display. This is also a great way to cover up any exposed pipes or electrical boxes if you’re styling your plants in the living room or entryway.
- Placing multiple pothos plants together can result in a fuller display. You can do this by planting them all in the same pot or by clipping some of their vines to make them shorter and placing them closer together.
3. ZZ Plant
ZZ plant, also known as the eternity plant, gets its name from the fact that it can be neglected for a very long time and still look stunning!
You should not water this plant too often (only when the soil is dry) but will need to make sure it has good drainage. It enjoys bright light conditions so keep near windows or in rooms with southern or western exposure. The ZZ plant has few air-conditioning needs so it will be fine in drier air.
Styling The ZZ Plant
ZZ plants look great by themselves but you can also grow several of them together for a fuller appearance. Keep in mind that they will produce small flowers that eventually turn into berries which is a fun surprise for guests! Some other ideas to style your ZZ plant include:
- Place your ZZ plant in a terra cotta pot with other succulents for an even fuller display. Use this same idea to place two or three smaller ZZ plants together in the same pot. This will make it look like you have multiple plants without having to care for multiple small pots!
- ZZ plants are also great for styling in dish gardens. Layer different plants together in a thin, large dish to create a unique display. This is a great way to add green to an indoor kitchen garden.
4. Peace Lilly
I have two of these plants in my home and can attest they are tougher than they look! The peace lily plant is a great choice for beginners and people who don’t have time to care for their plants. It requires little watering and doesn’t need nutrient-rich soil.
This plant does not require much regular trimming so you won’t need to worry about getting pruners out very often. Place your peace lily in bright, indirect light and keep the soil fairly dry. It only needs to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch- around once a week or so.
Styling A Peace Lilly
Peace Lilly plants are great for styling with other plants because of their long, waxy leaves. They will also bloom into beautiful white flowers which is a bonus. Some ways to style your peace lily include:
- Place your peace lily in a round pot so that it has room for its leaves to spread out. Be sure the pot you choose has good drainage because this plant does not like soggy soil!
- Peace lilies also look beautiful in larger, low-dish gardens. Layer different plants together to create a unique display.
- Since peace lilies are a slightly larger plant, they are great for a center focal piece.
5. Spider Plant
This is one of the easiest plants to care for because it requires little attention. Place your spider plant in bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist except when it’s time to water weekly.
Spider plants are great at filtering indoor air so they make great choices if you want a plant that is pretty and also functional.
The best kind of pot for a spider plant is a hanging basket. This will allow the plant to hang down and create a cascading effect. As with the other plants on this list, it doesn’t require any special nutrient feedings.
Styling A Spider Plant
There are so many ways you can style your spider plant! Here are just a few of my favorite ideas:
- Hang your spider plant in a hanging basket to give it room to trail.
- Place your spider plant on the windowsill of a large window to break up the glass without blocking out too much.
- Put a spider plant in your bathroom or kitchen to keep the air clean and get rid of odors. This also adds a fresh green touch to these rooms!
Which Houseplant Grows The Fastest?
The pothos plant grows the fastest on this list. It can grow up to ten inches per month. The peace lily plant is also a fast grower, especially if you place it in direct sunlight. If you are starting with a baby plant and want faster growth, there are a few things you can do.
- Place your baby plant in a bright spot.
- Also, feed it an all-purpose fertilizer every month so that it will have access to the nutrients it needs to develop quickly.
- By keeping the soil moist and in a bright location, most plants will grow into an adult within a few months.
Are These Plants Children/Pet-Safe?
No, none of these plants will seriously harm your children or pets. However, the Jade, Pothos, and Lillies can be toxic at some levels if consumed too much. So if you do have a cat or dog who has a habit of leaf-munching, then you will want to look into other options or put the plants out of reach.
I hope you enjoyed this list of 5 low-maintenance houseplants and learned some new things. These plants are beautiful and easy to care for, making them great for beginners or people who don’t have time/knowledge to care for plants. Now you can confidently buy your first few plants and know you won’t kill them!