20 Finest Low-Upkeep Houseplants

Do you like vegetation however do not have a lot time or endurance to maintain them? Whether or not you are away from residence for lengthy durations otherwise you merely do not have the time to examine on them, you want some hardy, low-maintenance vegetation that may do their very own factor with out an excessive amount of deal with common watering or feeding.

Learn on to find 20 excellent low-maintenance vegetation and tips on how to take care of them (minimally as which may be).  

Warning

A number of the vegetation on this checklist are poisonous to pets. For extra details about the security of particular vegetation, seek the advice of the ASPCA’s searchable database.

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

 Jessica Ruscello / Getty Pictures


Succulents are typically fairly hardy, which makes them nice low-maintenance vegetation. This one is simply what its title signifies, with lovely spherical inexperienced “pearls” on a string. It seems to be particularly fairly cascading over the sting of a pot and might develop to be between 2 and three toes lengthy. It even has little white flowers within the spring.

The string of pearls wants full solar and extra common watering than succulents with thicker leaves, however as soon as every week remains to be a lot.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, direct mild.
  • Water: Water nicely, however permit to dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Sandy, dry soil that drains nicely.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Treehugger / Lindsey Reynolds


A typical desert dweller, the aloe plant does want a good quantity of sunshine and prefers soil on the dryer aspect — once-a-week watering is sufficient. Aloes are inclined to develop pretty quick, so taking common cuttings from them to entry the aloe gel inside leaves will not hurt the plant.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, direct mild for not less than 4 hours a day.
  • Water: Let dry out nicely between waterings.
  • Soil: Sandy and well-drained.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

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English ivy is extremely hardy — a lot in order that outside, even in powerful climates, it thrives sufficient to be an invasive plant species in lots of international locations. However these traits make this an ideal indoor plant, with fairly leaves that fall gracefully over the sting of a dangling basket or will attain throughout a doorway. It likes lower-light circumstances, which could be useful should you stay in a house with out quite a lot of sunny home windows. Whereas it must be watered usually, it may take some dry spells and barely must be fertilized.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Oblique mild to shade.
  • Water: Maintain soil moist however do not let roots sit in water.
  • Soil: Common, well-draining potting combine.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

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The ghost plant is a singularly fairly addition to a small succulent backyard or assortment. This plant has silvery-lavender leaves as an alternative of the standard inexperienced leaves of different succulents — whereas being simply as straightforward to maintain alive.

It wants full solar, but when it will get much less daylight it should simply get leggy and fewer compact. Water necessities are minimal, however ensure to not let any liquid accumulate in its leaves.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, direct mild.
  • Water: Let dry out nicely between waterings.
  • Soil: Sandy and well-drained.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

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This one is usually utilized in public atriums, workplaces, and physician’s workplaces for a motive: It is almost unimaginable to kill. Whereas it prefers common oblique mild, golden pothos can take low mild and even fluorescent lighting, and it may adapt to heat or cool temperatures. Over time, it should path out of a dangling pot or move over the perimeters of 1 sitting on the ground.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild to principally shade.
  • Water: Water nicely, however permit to dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Common potting soil.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Treehugger / Kasia Surowiecka


In case you are on the lookout for a plant that does not have to be watered usually, the ZZ Plant is right. It is capable of retailer water, and it can also survive in mild circumstances starting from low mild to medium-bright mild, although hours of direct solar aren’t splendid. The ZZ Plant could be grown or bought as a big plant, so if you’re keen on an enormous low-care companion, this one is a good alternative.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild.
  • Water: Often, however err on the aspect of underwatering and let dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Common potting combine with good drainage.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Pink Moonstone (Pachyphytum oviferum)

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This beautiful succulent has pinky-peach coloured foliage and is coated with a slight silver movie, referred to as farina, which protects the plant in its pure surroundings. It has a small rosette that may develop lengthwise fairly than horizontally. A number of solar and common however not heavy watering is all this one wants.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, direct mild.
  • Water: Let dry out nicely between waterings.
  • Soil: Sandy and well-drained.
  • Pet Security: Toxicity to pets unconfirmed, so train warning.

Hindu Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa compacta)

Elena Gureva / Getty Pictures


This plant’s ropy vines and glossy leaves give it a particular look. However simply wait till it flowers with pink, star-shaped blooms; it is simply pretty. The Hindu rope does have to be saved out of direct solar — just a few hours of oblique mild a day is a lot. It is going to have to be fertilized to get it to bloom. Watch out for overwatering and go for much less water than you assume it wants (these leaves are good at water retention).

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Medium oblique mild.
  • Water: Make sure to let the highest of soil dry fully between waterings.
  • Soil: Common potting soil that may simply drain.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

Lana2011 / Getty Pictures

Christmas cactus does not simply bloom at Christmas (although some do) and is not actually a cactus (they’re native to the rainforests in Brazil). They have a tendency to bloom within the late autumn months and typically will bloom within the spring, too. They’re very hardy, easy-care vegetation that may stay for many years and solely want transplanting just a few occasions, since they’ll tolerate squished roots. Some mild and common watering (however not an excessive amount of) and this plant will hold going for years.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild to principally shade.
  • Water: Water nicely, however permit to dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Light-weight potting soil that is well-draining.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

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Rubber vegetation, of their native habitat, develop to be 100 toes tall, however you’ll be able to trim yours to the dimensions you want — or let it get massive and take over a nook of the room. It wants medium mild, however may even do nicely in a darker spot. They do not require a lot consideration past common watering (weekly is ok) and an occasional wipe of their leaves.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Medium, oblique mild.
  • Water: Water nicely, however permit to dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Light-weight potting soil that is well-draining.
  • Pet Security: Toxicity to pets unconfirmed, so train warning.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Renata Tyburczy / Getty Pictures


This plant is a relative of the agave plant and can be initially from Mexico, the place they’ll stay to be tons of of years outdated. It’s totally drought-tolerant, so that is one other one on this checklist that may go weeks with out water. It prefers a good quantity of sunshine; it may take care of decrease mild circumstances however will not develop as shortly or as nicely.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Full, direct solar, however much less will not kill it.
  • Water: Twice a month or much less; permit soil to dry between waterings
  • Soil: Something well-draining.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Treehugger / Kasia Surowiecka


This Dracaena wants common watering and filtered solar, but it surely’s thought of low-care as a result of if it dries, it may simply bounce again with slightly TLC.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Decrease to medium oblique mild, filtered solar.
  • Water: Maintain soil moist however not soggy.
  • Soil: Wealthy, well-draining.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Umbrella Plant (Schefflera)

Treehugger / Sanja Kostic


The umbrella plant simply wants some vivid, oblique mild (just a few hours a day is a lot) and common watering, and it may develop as much as 10 toes tall. this plant is hardy as a result of it is a favourite in workplace buildings, the place vegetation get uncared for over holidays and simply hold going.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild.
  • Water: Common watering, however make sure to let dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Common potting combine with good drainage.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Solid Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

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Typically described as a virtually indestructible plant, the forged iron is the proper alternative for anybody on the lookout for a straightforward plant. It’s fairly tolerant of low-light circumstances and might even deal with dryer residence environments. Overwatering is the one drawback you may encounter with this plant.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Subtle mild or partial shade.
  • Water: Water twice a month, permitting high of soil to dry earlier than re-watering.
  • Soil: Wealthy, well-draining potting combine.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis fasciata)

mertkantekin / Getty Pictures

This dramatic-looking plant has loads occurring — upward spiking limbs, variegation, and deep colour. As a succulent, it should want vivid mild, however do not put it in full solar or it should lose its darker, extra attention-grabbing colours and switch pastel.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild.
  • Water: Water usually however let it dry out between watering.
  • Soil: Succulent or cactus combine with sand.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

Olga Gubstaya / Getty Pictures


The purple number of the Oxalis plant makes fairly a dramatic impression and contrasts fantastically with different vegetation. It is truly edible, however most individuals develop it for its pretty colour and tiny pink flowers. As a perennial, it’s pretty adaptable to totally different circumstances. And if it will get too dry and dies, its bulbs will regrow vegetation as quickly because it’s watered usually once more.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild.
  • Water: Water usually however let it dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Potting combine.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)

Marina Bogachyova / Getty Pictures


The flamingo flower plant is well-known for its thick, shiny leaves and vivid crimson flower (which is definitely a modified leaf). Though it is fairly hardy, the plant must be saved out of direct daylight as a result of it should burn. It additionally wants moisture, however you’ll be able to simply set it on a pebble-filled tray with water to maintain the air across the plant moist. If the leaves lose their shiny look, which means they’re too dry.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant, oblique mild.
  • Water: Water usually however let it dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Mild potting combine with perlite.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)

Treehugger / Kasia Surowiecka


A part of the succulent household, jade vegetation require little or no care if they’re positioned in a comparatively vivid spot in your house. They’re very distinctive as a result of they’ll develop into small tree-like varieties. Additionally they develop very quick, so you will need to minimize them again yearly or so to maintain them from getting too broad. Apart from that, they only want a little bit of water — month-to-month throughout winter and extra continuously in the course of the hotter months — they usually’ll be completely content material.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant mild.
  • Water: Common watering, however let high of soil dry fully between waterings.
  • Soil: Common potting soil blended with some sand.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Spineless Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)

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The spineless yucca has been a preferred outside plant for a while now, however has extra just lately been introduced indoors. It is a drought-tolerant plant and desires a number of vivid solar, which makes it splendid for the low-maintenance plant dad or mum with a sunny window.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Full solar.
  • Water: Let not less than the highest 50% of the soil dry out between waterings.
  • Soil: Sand blended with potting soil.
  • Pet Security: Poisonous to cats and canines.

Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummulariifolia)

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A floor cowl plant native to the Caribbean, creeping Charlie could be invasive outside, so watch out if it’s worthwhile to eliminate it. Although it likes common watering (a couple of times every week), it should not sit in damp soil for too lengthy and needs to be planted in a well-drained soil/pot mixture. Because it grows, it should move over the edges of your pot and bloom with broom-like tiny white flowers.

Plant Care Ideas

  • Mild: Brilliant oblique mild, not full solar.
  • Water: Common watering, however let high of soil dry fully between waterings.
  • Soil: Wealthy potting soil combine.
  • Pet Security: Unhazardous to cats and canines.

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