5 Easy Indoor Plants You Can't Kill

There are many reasons to enjoy having indoor plants. For starters, they add style to your home, and they also clean the air, freshening up your living space.

Low-maintenance houseplants bring a welcome pop of green to your decor with spiky or trailing leaves. The colorful flower pots can add a bit of oomph near the windows.

Houseplants are a gateway to gardening. Try out a few of the easiest indoor plants in your home. Then move up to containers of outdoor plants on the patio next spring. With some success, you’ll be ready for a small vegetable garden in the backyard the summer after that.

Before you bring any of these easy-to-care-for plants home, take stock of your living space and note the best placement for houseplants. Good light is crucial — choose a location that gets either morning or afternoon full sun. Some indoor plants prefer plenty of indirect sunlight over direct sunlight.

Afternoon sun can be intense, so be prepared to experiment once you bring your plants home by placing the pots at varying distances from the window.

ZZ plant is a popular indoor plant that you will spot most often in hotels and shopping malls. Its graceful branches arch over the edges of planters. The glossy dark foliage plays well with more vibrant tropical plants.

ZZ is short for Zamioculcus. It's drought tolerant and tolerates low light. ZZ plants like to be pot-bound. Grow ZZ plants in medium to low light. Water when soil is dry to the touch. Be sure to drain excess water from the tray or saucer.

Jade plant (sometimes known as lucky plant), a succulent, just needs weekly watering in the warm months, and every other week through the winter. Have a room with lots of sunlight? Put the jade plant there and it will thrive.

Pothos is a climbing vine that is green with irregular streaks on its leaves. Put it in a spot with good light, and let the soil dry out before watering. The leaves will become limp when they need water, and perk up after a drink.

Pothos is often confused with philodendron, an equally low-maintenance indoor plant. In fact, philodendrons are a little more tolerant of low light situations. Read plant tags for care tips for your plants.

Sansevieria (a.k.a mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant) will soak up sunlight and tolerate infrequent watering. The glossy, spiky leaves add interest to any room. Learn more about snake plant care.

Plant succulents and cactus plants in a well-draining potting mix and find a dry, sunny location in your home. Let them be, checking for moisture every week or so. The fleshy leaves help them retain water. Delicate “air plants” (tillandsia) require no soil, but their thin and wispy tendrils do require a misting of water every couple of weeks. Learn how to care for succulents.

Aloe is a popular succulent. You can amaze your friends with the healing properties of an aloe plant. Aloe likes light, but it does not need direct sunlight. A north- or south-facing kitchen window is a convenient home for your aloe vera plant. Water only when the soil dries out.

While these indoor plants for beginners need little attention, it’s important to provide the right environment and be aware of basic houseplant tips.

• Find the right light in your home. This will take some experimentation, so start with the sunniest room and work from there. Look daily for signs of stress, such as wilted or yellowing leaves.
• Make sure plants are in properly sized, well-draining containers with quality potting mix. A root-bound plant will not thrive in just any condition.
• If over-watering is a temptation, put a base of gravel in the pot saucer. Known as an overflow container, this is especially helpful when there are several gardeners tending the plants.
• Get in the habit of observing your houseplants every few days. Touch the soil to determine if watering is needed. Every so often, wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them glossy. Look for signs of pests and ill health and treat immediately.