Don’t have a green thumb? Or are you super busy looking after the once loved plants? Don’t feel bad because you are not alone! As much as most people love the tranquility the indoor plants bring to their spaces, the “taking care” part scares them away from keeping one.

This article is an easy step-wise guide for all the plant lovers out there who feel that keeping up with their maintenance is a hard job. Once you read through it, you will realize that there are many ways to keep plants that do not require that much care and time and are worth keeping in your homes and offices. 

But, before we get into the list of low-maintenance indoor plants, here are a few things to keep in mind:-

Analyze Your Space 

You need to analyze your space well before bringing the plants to your indoor space. Mark those spots that get a good amount of sunlight and are bother-free for the plant. Like all of us, plants when placed in a particular spot get comfortable with it and make it their home. The size of the plant should also be kept in mind while placing it in a particular spot. Also, the humidity level of your place matters a lot for the plant that is kept there.

Low Key Plants

The first key to keeping up with green genes at your place is to choose the ones that have the better stamina. Maybe look for perennial indoor plants. They will not only look beautiful but are totally low-maintenance plants. They will be your one-time investment and will keep coming back year after year. There are many plants out there that can withstand neglect for a long time. So always choose such plants that are good to go with any kind of soil and can adjust to available sunlight. 

Succulents Can be an Option

Succulents can come down in history as the most forgiving and low-maintenance plants. These sturdy plants are extremely good for you if you are a beginner. Known to be drought-tolerant, succulents have thick leaves and swollen stems that store water for a very long time. Just make sure that you choose a very well-draining pot for them. Another low maintenance feature of succulents is that you need to add fertilizers to the soil on a yearly basis.

10 Low Maintenance Indoor Plants According to Experts

We have narrowed down a list of plants for your indoor spaces that can endure a little neglect and at the same time keep your green space game going. So if you travel a lot or have little time to look after the plants, the best is about to hit you!

1. Spider Plant

Commonly known as a ribbon plant because of its ribbon-like thin leaves, this plant is categorized as a perennial flowering plant since they bloom tiny white flowers in summers. This plant thrives in high humidity levels but can do well in low levels also. Keep the soil slightly moist for your plant. In the summer, this implies it will need to be watered in a week. Spider plants can thrive in direct sunlight as well as in shade. Hence light adjustment is not a problem for them.

Tip: If the leaves of your plant are turning brown then it is an indicator of low humidity. Simply mist spray your plant.

2. Snake Plant

The name Snake plant, does it scare you? Don’t be! The name only explains the leafy structure of the plant. This plant not only looks good but is also extremely kind to your lungs as it purifies the air by filtering so many toxins. They absorb cancer-causing pollutants. Commonly known as “mother in law’s tongue”, it can grow from six inches to several feet high.

There is a reason these plants are so popular. Extremely easy to maintain, snake plants need little to less water to grow. It can do up to weeks without water until it starts to wrinkle. If you are a frequent traveler then the snake plant is the ideal plant for you.

Here are some ideas on how to use faux Palm trees for indoor and outdoor decor which will make your space unique.

3. Cactus

It’s been quite some years now that cacti have made their way back into the interior designers’ list of indoor plants. Aesthetically pleasing, the survival rate for indoor cacti lasts up to ten years which is pretty impressive for an indoor plant. Since every cactus turns out to be only one of its kind, it could be a statement piece on your shelf! The only hitch is that with time they start declining in their outer beauty. Cactus is a very adaptive plant and can work very well if watered less. Don’t need to worry if your house is centrally heated as these plants grow perfectly in a warmer environment. They need very good drainage pots and compost as poor drainage can kill your plant.

Pro-Tip: Because cactus is a spiky plant, we recommend keeping them in an unreachable spot or not keeping them at all if you have small children or pets at home.

4. Lemon Balm

What a wonderful way to keep a plant in your indoor space that keeps the house lit with a mild lemon scent. Enter Lemon balm! This plant is closely related to the mint family and doesn’t need a humid environment to thrive. It also has a medicinal history that can be used to treat digestive issues. Lemon balm can be grown all year round. Place them in a spot that receives maximum sunlight. This plant prefers slightly grainy and well-drained soil so choose a pot that has a good amount of drainage holes. Overwatering the plant can result in rotting roots and a dead plant! Just water the plant in smaller quantities to be on the safe side. 

Tip: Don’t add additional fertilizers to the soil as it decreases the scent of the plant. 

5. Aloe Vera

What else could you ask for when you have an Aloe Vera as your indoor plant? Super easy to maintain, it doesn’t require direct sunlight. In fact, the leaves start turning brown when you expose them to too much light. Watering regularly is not an issue for them at all but too much watering kills the plant. Once you have watered the plant, sit back and relax for at least two weeks and you may drag it to the third week. Aloe Vera is known for its plump leaves. These leaves, when cut, ooze out a gel that is the best organic solution to skin and hair care. It is also great for healing minor cuts and burns.

Tip: The soil should be completely dry before watering.

6. Gerbera Daisy

If you get enough bright light in your home at any point, you are lucky enough to keep Gerbera Daisy (also known as Transvaal Daisy). Long-lasting gorgeous blooms and bright green foliage best describe this indoor plant. You’ll be amazed by the wide range of colors Gerbera Daisy blooms in. This plant can be your happy place on gloomy days with a bright pop of color!  The only thing that it demands is direct sunlight. The plant cannot take overwatering as it rots easily. So it’s better to water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry. They can last up to three years if taken well care of. If you feel that your plant is drooping, increase the sunlight exposure but try to keep it in moderate temperatures.

Pro Tip: Remove dead leaves and wilted blooms frequently to encourage more growth.

7. Bamboo

Not all bamboos are destined to make it indoors. Lucky Bamboo is your best option if you are planning to keep one indoors. The only care required for this indoor plant is good quality water. These plants are sensitive to chemicals that are usually combined in tap water so we suggest distilled water for keeping them. Best if kept in long cylindrical vases that support the length of the plant as they can be quite long. Lucky Bamboo can be the most eye-catching ornament in your home with its unique structural shape. 

They were considered a novelty a few decades back as they were very expensive and hard to find. Nowadays you can find them easily with brilliant stem modification and shapes. If you are a spa owner, these are a must-have for you as they are the epitome of elegance and tranquility. These plants are often given as gifts because they symbolize good luck. 

Lucky Bamboo requires a hefty amount of filtered sunlight, so it’s better that you place it in a well-lit room where they are not prone to direct sunlight as they can get perched. The best part about keeping them is that you have the option of growing them in water alone, no soil required!

When it comes to having bamboo at your home, you have different possibilities. Read my tutorial on How do I Choose and Use Faux Bamboo Trees for my Home Decoration for more information.

8. ZZ Plant

ZZ plant is an indoor plant that has become a popular choice due to it being big on tolerance. Another to add to your easy-going plants’ list, ZZ is a tropical perennial plant. Bright emerald green and shiny leaves spring from water-storing roots that are hidden underneath the bulbous stalks of the plant.

This plant requires little water and can easily thrive in low heat and light. Don’t keep your plant in direct sunlight as the leaves may turn brown. As for watering the plant is concerned, allow the soil to dry between watering patterns. This plant doesn’t tolerate dry air but is good to go with an average home humidity.

Precaution: ZZ plant should not be an option in pet-friendly or child-friendly houses as its foliage can be hazardous if consumed.

9. Bromeliads

The bromeliad family has a vast variety of plants out of which many types make superb house plants. Closely related to the pineapple family, these plants are native to the tropical side of the world. Some types act as succulents which require less water and grainy soil that is moist but not soggy. Also, provide adequate drainage to keep the extra water filtered from the soil. Shade is the preference of these plants when grown indoors. Humid surroundings are ideal for this group of plants. If you want low-maintenance bromeliads for your indoor space, here are a few types that you might want to consider keeping:

● Guzmania
● Vriesea
● Tillandsia
● Cryptanthus
● Dyckia
● Billbergia

10. Pothos

Commonly known as Devil’s ivy, these indoor plants are the first choice by many beginners. Easy and unchallenging, we suggest you keep one if you want to add rich greens to your home. These are very adaptable and good to go with any kind of environment. Rich or poor, they can thrive in any kind of soil hence considered undemanding. They can also blossom in water alone. Pothos can be a great addition to your office, your home, or your spas. 

Direct sunlight is not a requirement for Pothos. In fact, direct sunlight may cause damage to the leaves resulting in brown and brittle leaves. The leaves have white spots that don’t make energy for the plant.

Caution: These plants have poisonous leaves. Period! May not cause death but is extremely toxic to cats and dogs as well as children. Their sap can cause a severe rash on the skin so we suggest keeping them at a place that is unreachable for the pets or children of the house. And if you are still concerned that they’ll be harmful to your pets or kids, check out this advice on how I like to decorate my home with Pothos aka Devil’s Ivy.

Don’t be intimidated by keeping plants. There are a lot of plants out there that are “negligence friendly”. Invest in these low-maintenance plants and sway with the “less is more” mantra for these easy-care plants. So what are you waiting for? Let your green game roll!