If there’s one thing that apartments from magazines and Pinterest have in common, it’s the presence of greenery, a.k.a. houseplants.
Indoor gardening isn’t just a great way to breathe life into a space–it’s also a rewarding hobby. But for many gardening newbies, it can be frustrating, especially when plants die without rhyme or reason.
If you think you aren’t born with a green thumb, don’t lose hope just yet. With the right houseplants, you can enjoy a lively home and turn into a gardening expert in no time.
Here are the best indoor plants that are virtually indestructible–perfect for beginners:
1. Snake Plant
Also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue and sansevieria, snake plants come with thick sword-like leaves and tapered ends. They’re famous for their love of neglect, making them a top favorite among indoor gardeners.
They thrive in low-light conditions and hate overwatering and freezing temperatures. So keep them in a warm, sufficiently bright spot in your apartment and allow their soil to dry out between waterings.
2. Pothos
With long trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, pothos is another pretty houseplant that’s pretty unbeatable.
Like snake plants, pothos can withstand neglect. Place yours in bright, indirect light (we suggest on top of your bookshelf or near your window) and watch it grow several feet over time.
3. ZZ Plant
Caring for zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ) plants involves a lack of care. They’re drought-resistant and look incredibly impressive, even after months of neglect.
Not a fan of intense sunlight, ZZ plants love medium to bright indirect light. Plant it in well-draining soil, give yours some H2O once the soil dries out, and it’ll grow graceful wand-like stems.
4. Peace Lily
Who says you can’t grow flowers indoors? With peace lilies, you can spruce up your home with dark green foliage and beautiful white blooms.
While peace lilies can survive in low light, they’ll grow more flowers when placed in bright, indirect sun. Just keep them away from drafts and keep their soil slightly moist.
5. Chinese Evergreen
Add exotic-looking variegated foliage to your space with the aglaonemas or Chinese evergreens. They enjoy a Goldilocks kind of watering–not too little, not too much, just right.
Chinese evergreens prefer a moist environment, like bathrooms and kitchens. Keep them in draft-free areas with bright, indirect light to help them thrive.
6. Lucky Bamboo
For a more zen-style apartment, consider growing a lucky bamboo. In traditional Chinese culture, it serves as a popular gift, and it’s believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to its recipient.
If you want to grow your lucky bamboo to a larger size, place it in a brightly lit room. You can also choose to put it under partial shade and grow it in water.
7. Cast Iron Plant
Cast iron plants are as indestructible as they sound. They tolerate extreme conditions, thriving in dry summers and cold winters. Plus, they’re capable of dealing with low light and sporadic, occasional watering, making them perfect for busy apartment dwellers.
Another great thing about these plants is that they’re non-toxic to cats and dogs. So if you have pets as your flatmates, the cast iron plant is one of your best options as pet-friendly beginner plants.
Want more non-toxic plant options? Consider the two plants below.
8. Spider Plant
If you love to experience the joy of propagating plants, then you’ll love having a spider plant in your apartment.
Spider plants aren’t only easy to grow indoors–they also quickly sprout tendrils with tiny “spider babies,” which you can pluck and grow in different pots. Well-draining soil, weekly watering, bright indirect light, and a slightly root-bound environment will encourage these plants to reproduce.
9. Wandering Jew
Unlike most of the plants on the list, wandering jews do not like their soil to dry out too much.
To keep these plants alive, you have to keep their soil consistently and evenly moist, provide them with sufficiently bright light, and mist them regularly. While they have a relatively short lifespan, they come with lovely purple foliage, accentuated by a silvery sheen, which makes them worth a little extra care.
Oxford at Sonterra Apartments in San Antonio, TX