10 Easiest Houseplants to Grow + a Giveaway

by Tina McCarthy on June 9, 2009 in Shelter

If you ask me, artificial houseplants defeat the point of indoor foliage. Sure, they serve a decorative purpose, but houseplants are meant to bring nature indoors, not just mimic its appearance. (Not to mention they’re plastic!)

Don’t have much of a green thumb? Going faux isn’t your only option. Here are 10 houseplants that won’t wither away if you forget to give them TLC.

Tillandsia

Referred to as the air plant, tillandsia absorbs moisture and nutrients through its leaves. This nearly indestructible plant (shown above) doesn’t even need to be grown in soil and require minimal sunlight and water. (Psst…leave a comment on this post to win a tillandsia shell garden. VivaTerra is giving away one each of the large and small gardens.)

Hoya

Commonly known as the wax plant, hoya yields fragrant flowers that will keep your home smelling fresh without the aid of scented soy candles. It can survive on small amounts of water, but it thrives best in rooms that receive moderate sunlight.

Ponytail Palm

Growing up to 10 feet tall, this succulent stores moisture in its trunk and rarely needs to be watered. However, ponytail palms require ample sunlight, so position it next to a window.

Pothos

This versatile plant can grow in a pot, up a pole or from a hanging basket. Better yet, it requires little sunlight and flourishes in moderately dry soil. Just keep in mind that pothos is poisonous when chewed or ingested, so it’s not the best choice for households with pets or small children – unless you are able to place it somewhere out of reach of little hands and paws.

Jade Plant

If you’re forgetful, the jade plant is an ideal match. This slow-growing succulent requires bright light but little moisture. So, stick it in a sunny spot and scratch the task of watering off your daily routine.

Philodendron

You can’t help but feel the love at the sight of this popular indoor plant’s heart-shaped leaves. With minimal sunlight and water, philodendrons can climb or trail beyond eight feet, so give them some room to grow. There are many types of philodendron; these a few common varieties. Like pothos, it is poisonous when chewed or ingested. (See this guide to safe and toxic houseplants for pets.)

Peperomia

Growing up to a foot tall, peperomia makes a fabulous tabletop accent. It doesn’t need to be watered frequently and can withstand minimal sunlight. Although safe for households with children, it’s a hazard to your furry friends. (There are several types; the variety shown is peperomia rotundifomia.)

Cast-Iron Plant

Its name says it all. Aspidistra Elatior or cast-iron plants are incredibly durable, and although the soil must remain moist throughout active growth, it can survive in even the darkest of rooms.

Snake Plant

This low-maintenance succulent can reach heights of up to four feet, so it’s perfect for lonely corners. Snake plants (also going by the name mother-in-law’s tongue) survive in low light with little water. In fact, if you water it too often, it will develop root rot. This is definitely one that thrives on some neglect.

Zeezee Plant

There’s a reason this succulent garnered the nickname “eternity plant”. Born to be neglected, the zeezee plant can survive a couple weeks without water and will adorn your living space for years to come. Like pothos and philodendrons, it’s not a friend to teething babies or curious pets.

Been bitten by the garden bug? Try out the 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow, the 10 Best Plants for Xeriscaping and Eco Plants You Can’t Kill.

Images: blmurch, magnio, quinn.anya, Anika Malone, Katie@!, jetalone, jriro2000, Marco’s Lawn Landscape, wikimedia, Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery

Alison
June 9th, 2009 at 6:39 AM

I need to try another Pothos and Snake Plant. Yes, I’ve killed both. Maybe I should try some others instead. Regardless, I think it says something that I am willing to give it a try again, no?
Thanks for the post – very informative! And lovely!

Alison’s last blog post..Remains Necklace
jen
June 9th, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Sign me up for the prize drawing! My cats like to eat houseplants so I can’t have them at home, but my cubicle at work always has room for more plants!

jen’s last blog post..Early Summer
Jennifer Nicole
June 9th, 2009 at 10:31 AM

The Tilandsias look so cool! I have an orchid at home, and though I can keep the leaves happy and healthy, it never seems to produce flowers. Maybe I’ll have an easier time with one of the options you posted.

Jennifer Nicole’s last blog post..Go Green with Red Tag Crazy
Jill
June 9th, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Those air plants are so beautiful! I’m impressed if they really are that easy to take care of!
Suez
June 9th, 2009 at 7:21 PM

The Tillandsia is beautiful, and looks like it would be great in a bathroom. Lovely!
Sophia
June 9th, 2009 at 10:14 PM

I like the snake plant! The indoor plant i have is dying.
sharon doble
June 10th, 2009 at 2:21 AM

I love all plants, have orchids, and orchid cactus, and x mas cactus so on. I love outdoor plants too, roses, begonias always looking for me, takes me all day to water. I had a hoya, and it flowered, but it got some icky disease, so I got rid of it, hurt me to do it, I would love to get another one, well its late, and I am tired, if there is some contest goin on, enter me for sure,
thanks to all,
sharon
sharon doble
June 10th, 2009 at 2:35 AM

opps I wanted to say, always looking for more plants, late here and I had surgery last week, so meds mess me up some,
Karissa
June 10th, 2009 at 3:19 AM

we got rid of all of our house plants thinking that was the misters allergy, well we found out that was not what it was, but now I cant ask for them back!

I love the Jade and the Tillandsia is so cute, never seen it before that I can remember!
Jenna
June 10th, 2009 at 4:15 AM

I’ve kept 2 plants alive..my African violets & my pothos. Thanks for the list of “hard to kill” plants, I can’t wait to try & add to my plant collection !
On a side note: my cat has, over the years, definately chewed & ingested some pothos leaves. Is there an amount that must be chewed before toxicity is reached?
Molly
June 11th, 2009 at 2:23 PM

The snake plant looks perfect for my bedroom! I live in a rental house and will probably be moving again come January, so I’m worried about how these hardy plants will respond to long-distance travel. Maybe I would have better luck with the smaller ones, like the peperomia or the tillandsia.
Stephanie
February 27th, 2010 at 2:06 PM

I really like the looks and easy care of the air plant. I want to try growing one my bathroom. I really hope I can win the sea shells with the air plants in them!
Nancy
June 17th, 2010 at 12:23 PM

I’ve never seen the air plant before. Great plant especially if its that
easy to take care of. Very interesting. Need to tell my friends about this.
Great to give as a gift to someone without a green thumb. Thanks.
Nissa
August 9th, 2010 at 5:39 PM

Wow thank you, I have become too busy to care for needy plants, and unfortunatley have lost a few that I have had for years as a result!
I will be looking for some of these at the nursery
Robina Gales
February 9th, 2011 at 3:10 AM

I love flowers and plants, but have to read constantly to see how to care for them. I believe I will try one of the plants mentioned in the above article that may still look good for me without too much care – I will talk to it though.
Jdfstudio
May 21st, 2011 at 7:50 PM

My girl friend and I are just getting our first apartment and we’re both very interested in getting some indoor plants. Thanks for all of this very useful info!