Looking for an easy-care, low-maintenance house plant? Then you've come to the right place. Below we have listed our top 10 easy care plants. Whether you're new to houseplants, work a lot or just want all the greenery and no fuss then continue reading.
We will give you the best tips to keep your new plant alive and thriving. Our selection comes in all shapes, sizes, patterns and textures so there is something to suit everyone!
Shop our complete range of low-maintenance houseplants at Between Two Thorns or read on for our top 10…
1. Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
Kicking off our list is the pilea peperomioides, commonly known as a ‘Chinese Money plant’. A fast grower that has round smooth leaves branching from one main stem, giving the appearance of stacked coins. Tolerate of many light conditions and able to withstand a missed watering, this is a very easy plant.
Also known as the pass-it-on plant, the Pilea peperomioides is very easy to propagate and can be potted up and shared with friends. An added bonus is that this plant is pet-friendly.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Very easy!
- Light requirements: Medium to bright, indirect light. Rotate the plant every week or so, to prevent it from leaning towards the light.
- Watering: Water roughly once a week in summer, allowing the top of the soil to dry out a little between waterings.
- Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity.
Looking for more care tips? Check out our detailed Chinese Money Plant Care Guide: Expert Tips for Pilea peperomioides.
2. Dracaena syn. Sansevieria Varieties (Snake plant/ Mother in law's tongue)
Reclassified as a Dracaena due to molecular phylogenetic studies, once known as a Sansevieria and was often known as the indestructible plant. This succulent is super easy to care for! These wonderful structural houseplants are native to parts of West Africa.
Commonly known as a Snake Plant or Mother in law's tongue, they come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colours with over 100 different species to choose from. These hardy fellows are super easy to look after and make a perfect gift or addition to a collection!
Care instructions:
- Care Difficulty: Very easy
- Light requirements: Dracaenas are tolerant of many light levels, from light shade to bright light. However, too much direct sunlight can scorch the plant causing brown patches on the leaves.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. This plant is drought tolerant so can go without water for short periods. Water even less in winter.
- Humidity: Does not need any additional humidity so will work well in regular household conditions.
We have a variety of Snake Plant / Mother in law's tongue indoor plants in all shapes and sizes - contact us for more information or come see us in our Brighton plant shop.
3. Epipremnum Varieties (Pothos / Devil's Ivy)
Often referred to as Pothos or Devil's Ivy, the Epipremnum genus consists of perennial, evergreen vines. Native to Southeast Asia, these plants are known for being easy-care climbers. These are fast-growing and come in variegations of greens, whites and yellows. They look great in a hanging planter or growing up a moss pole.
These plants are often found creeping and growing up trees, with aerial roots growing to help stabilise the plant. They are used to low light conditions as they often grow under the canopy of other plants. Its nickname devil's ivy comes from its amazing ability to stay green even in the shadiest of areas and it's hard to kill nature.
Care instructions:
- Care Difficulty: Super easy to care for, brilliant plant for beginners as they don’t require much care.
- Light requirements: Pothos can thrive in almost all light conditions while keeping its variegations, but prefer bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn.
- Watering: Water thoroughly but allow this plant to dry out mostly between waterings.
- Humidity: Epipremnum can do well in normal household conditions but will enjoy some humidity.
We have a wide range of Epipremnum Plants in all shapes and sizes perfect for your home from the Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos/Devils Ivy) to the Epipremnum pinnatum 'Marble Queen' (Pothos/ Devils Ivy) and more!
4. Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
Next on the list is the beautiful Peace Lily. Not only does it have glossy, green leaves which are sculptural in appearance but striking white spathes that resemble flowers. Native to tropical regions of the Americas and Southeast Asia. It is resilient and easy to care for.
The peace lily makes a great first plant for beginners as its leaves visually droop and wilt when the plant needs watering. This can act as a great reminder if you are forgetful with watering, and the plant quickly bounces back once it has had a drink! They are tolerant of low-medium light conditions, but when placed in a darker location they may stop producing their blooms.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Peace Lilies are easy-care plants and great for beginners.
- Light requirements: Lots of bright but indirect light will help this plant to thrive and produce ‘flowers’, but it will also tolerate lower light conditions.
- Watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Peace Lilies can droop dramatically when they are thirsty.
- Humidity: Peace Lilies thrive in humid environments and can benefit from being misted or being placed near a humidifier.
We also stock a variety of other Spathiphyllum indoor plants in all shapes and sizes including the Spathiphyllum 'Sweet Chico' (Peace Lily) the Spathiphyllum 'Diamond' (Variegated Peace Lily) and more!
5. Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)
Commonly known as a ‘ZZ plant’, the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is known and loved for its dark green glossy leaves and easy care. Although a slow grower, it can grow up to 3 feet indoors. If you look just below the soil you will find large potato-like tubers, which are called rhizomes, these are where the plant stores water enabling it to survive periods of drought.
Native to Eastern Africa, this plant is very low maintenance and thrives on very little care, being able to tolerate lower levels of light and fewer waterings, making it the perfect houseplant for anyone.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: A very easy, low-maintenance plant that is super hard to kill (unless you overwater it!)
- Light requirements: bright, indirect sunlight to semi-shade. Avoid direct sunlight so as not to scorch the leaves
- Watering: Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings
- Humidity: This plant can handle average house humidity, additional humidity is not necessary as this plant thrives in dryer air
Looking for something a bit different? We also stock the stunning Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' (Black ZZ plant) - just as easy to care for and equally as stunning.
6. Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
Probably one of the most sought-after plants on the list, due to its easy care is the classic Spider plant. With many varieties, you’re certainly not stuck for choice with the Chlorophytum. Appearance depends on the variety but they are commonly known for their slender, variegated leaves with white stripes.
The plants can send out ‘runners’, or longer stems, from which tiny white flowers can bloom and they produce ‘pups’/ baby spider plants that can easily be propagated. Popular for their adaptability and low-maintenance requirements, making them an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Easy-peasy
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerant of some shade
- Watering: Water once the top 2 inches of soil has dried out
- Humidity: Likes increased humidity but can tolerate average household conditions
Whilst Spider Plants are super easy to care for, we have a detailed Plant Care Guide: Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant) to help you with any questions or support you need.
7. Aglaonema Varieties (Chinese Evergreen)
Aglaonema, commonly referred to as ‘Chinese Evergreen’ is a genus of tropical plants found growing on the rainforest floors of Asia. It is loved for its adaptability to many spaces.
With so many varieties to choose from, (they’re not all green!) you are spoiled for choice with Aglaonemas, some of them have pink, red or even silver leaves. The best thing about them is that despite their coloured foliage (which can sometimes be a marker of more pedantic plants) they are actually easy to care for.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: An easy-care plant
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings
- Humidity: Likes increased humidity but can tolerate average household conditions
Check out the Aglaonema 'Pink' (Chinese evergreen) for a stunning pop of colour whilst still being easy to care for.
8. Crassula ovata (Jade plant/Succulent)
There are over 200 species of Crassula. With a tree-like appearance, jade plants (another name for the Crassula) are easy to look after and can grow up to 2.5 metres in height in their natural environment in South Africa. They have jade green leaves that can vary in shape depending on the type.
Some cultivars can develop a red tinge on the edges of the leaves when exposed to sunlight. If you struggle to remember to water your plants then the jade plant may be for you. Crassulas store water in their fleshy leaves so it can go for weeks or longer without water.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Very easy care needs
- Light requirements: A bright and sunny position with some direct sunlight is beneficial
- Watering: Water once the soil has dried out
- Humidity: This plant can handle average house humidity, additional humidity is not necessary
9. Aloe Vera
This old favourite, the succulent plant, Aloe vera is one of the simplest to care for. With its gorgeous matte patterned green-blue fleshy leaves and structural elegance, it's a winner all round. The gel inside of Aloe vera is used for skin irritations and sunburns.
This plant's origin is actually unknown, perhaps being North Africa and/or the Arabian peninsula. Humans have cultivated this plant for generations and it is now widely naturalised in many countries (growing as if it were wild there).
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light near a south-facing window
- Watering: Let the soil dry out a little between waterings
- Humidity: The Aloe vera tolerates average house humidity levels, more important for the Aloe is good airflow.
Looking for something different but still just as easy to care for? Check out the Aloe arborescens (Candelabra aloe).
10. Cacti plants
The ultimate low-maintenance plant. Every Cactus has its own unique appearance and can come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colours, some will even flower.
Known for being incredibly drought tolerant and being able to go for weeks without water, it's a perfect plant for the forgetful waterer. They prefer a sunny and dry environment and don't need much extra care.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Super simple
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light, can tolerate some direct sunlight
- Watering: Water soil has completely dried out
- Humidity: Cacti can handle average house humidity but thrive in drier air
We have a wide variety of cacti houseplants for you to choose from including "Barrel" Cactus Varieties and the usual Cactus varieties everyone knows and loves.
If you already own all of the above or need further inspiration check out our complete collection of easy to care for low-maintenance houseplants.
