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Houseplants are a wonderful way to add some life and color to your indoor space. They can also purify the air, reduce stress, and boost your mood. However, not all houseplants are easy to grow and care for. Some may require special conditions, frequent watering, or regular pruning.
If you are new to houseplant gardening or just want some low-maintenance options, you may want to start with some of the best houseplants for beginners. These are plants that can tolerate a range of light levels, humidity levels, and watering schedules. They are also resilient and forgiving of occasional neglect or mistakes.
Here are 10 of the best houseplants for beginners that will look amazing in your home.
1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plant is one of the most popular and hardy houseplants for beginners. It has long, sword-like leaves that are green with yellow or white edges. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and does not need much space.
Snake plant is very easy to care for. It can survive in low light or bright light, as long as it is not exposed to direct sun. It can also tolerate dry air and occasional drought. In fact, it is better to underwater than overwater this plant, as too much moisture can cause root rot.
Snake plant is also known for its air-purifying abilities. It can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It also releases oxygen at night, which can improve your sleep quality.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plant is another beginner-friendly houseplant that has a graceful and elegant appearance. It has long, slender leaves that are green with white stripes. It also produces baby plants or plantlets on long stems that hang down like spiders.
Spider plant is very adaptable and forgiving. It can grow well in bright indirect light or medium light, but it can also tolerate low light for short periods. It likes moist but well-drained soil and moderate humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Spider plant is also a great air purifier. It can remove pollutants such as carbon monoxide and xylene from the air. It can also help reduce dust and allergens in your home.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ plant is a stunning houseplant that has glossy, dark green leaves that look like feathers. It has thick stems that store water and nutrients, making it very drought-tolerant and resilient.
ZZ plant is very low-maintenance and easy to grow. It can thrive in low light or bright light, as long as it is not exposed to direct sun. It can also handle dry air and temperature fluctuations. It only needs watering when the soil is completely dry, which can be once a month or less.
ZZ plant is also a good choice for improving indoor air quality. It can remove toxins such as toluene and xylene from the air. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety with its calming presence.
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is a beautiful trailing houseplant that has heart-shaped leaves that are green with yellow or white variegation. It can grow up to 10 feet long and can be trained to climb or hang from a pot or basket.
Pothos is very versatile and easy to care for. It can grow well in bright indirect light or low light, but it will have more variegation in brighter light. It likes moist but well-drained soil and moderate humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Pothos is also an excellent air purifier. It can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It can also help increase oxygen levels and humidity in your home.
5. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendron is a large genus of houseplants that includes many varieties with different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns of leaves. Some of the most common ones are heartleaf philodendron, split-leaf philodendron, and fiddle-leaf philodendron.
Philodendron is very adaptable and easy to grow. It can grow well in bright indirect light or medium light, but it should avoid direct sun. It likes moist but well-drained soil and high humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Philod dendron is also a great air purifier. It can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene from the air. It can also help reduce stress and boost your mood with its vibrant foliage.
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lily is a gorgeous houseplant that has dark green leaves and white flowers that look like calla lilies. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide and can bloom several times a year.
Peace lily is very easy to care for. It can grow well in low light or medium light, but it will have more flowers in brighter light. It likes moist but well-drained soil and high humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Peace lily is also a powerful air purifier. It can remove toxins such as ammonia and trichloroethylene from the air. It can also help increase oxygen levels and humidity in your home.
7. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is a succulent houseplant that has fleshy, spiky leaves that are green with white spots. It can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide and can produce yellow or orange flowers in the summer.
Aloe vera is very low-maintenance and easy to grow. It can grow well in bright light or direct sun. It likes dry and well-drained soil and low humidity. It only needs watering when the soil is completely dry, which can be once every few weeks or less.
Aloe vera is also a useful houseplant. It can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It can also help heal burns, cuts, and insect bites with its gel-like sap.
8. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade plant is a succulent houseplant that has thick, oval leaves that are green with red edges. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide and can produce pink or white flowers in the winter.
Jade plant is very low-maintenance and easy to grow. It can grow well in bright light or direct sun. It likes dry and well-drained soil and low humidity. It only needs watering when the soil is completely dry, which can be once every few weeks or less.
Jade plant is also a lucky houseplant. It is believed to attract wealth, prosperity, and good fortune with its coin-like leaves.
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber plant is a stunning houseplant that has large, glossy leaves that are green, burgundy, or variegated. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide indoors and can produce small green flowers in the spring.
Rubber plant is very adaptable and easy to grow. It can grow well in bright indirect light or medium light, but it should avoid direct sun. It likes moist but well-drained soil and moderate humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Rubber plant is also an effective air purifier. It can remove toxins such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air. It can also help reduce dust and allergens in your home.
10. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreen is a beautiful houseplant that has lance-shaped leaves that are green, silver, pink, or red. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide and can produce white or pink flowers in the summer.
Chinese evergreen is very versatile and easy to grow. It can grow well in low light or medium light, but it will have more color in brighter light. It likes moist but well-drained soil and high humidity. It does not need much fertilization or pruning.
Chinese evergreen is also a good air purifier. It can remove toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde from the air. It can also help improve your mood and creativity with its colorful foliage.
