We're confident you can keep these indoor beauties alive.
Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Whether you have a seasoned green thumb or are looking to
start your home jungle from scratch, low-maintenance houseplants are the way to go. It's not always easy to juggle houseplant care guides, and even if you master them, you can feel like you're spending every spare moment watering and pruning. The best easy and low-maintenance plants require much less attention to survive and make your job as a plant parent lots simpler. Forgetting to water them or going on vacation isn't a recipe for wilted stems and crunchy leaves. In fact, some plants actually like to get really dry.
Most houseplants are tropical in origin, so your main job is to give them the right amount of light. You're trying to replicate their natural habitat, which would be on the forest floor shaded by the leaves of larger plants, as closely as possible. Bright, indirect light is a good baseline—unless your plant specifically needs low light levels to thrive. To find a spot with good light, consider the direction your home's windows face. A south-facing window is ideal for a low-maintenance tropical plant because it provides the best all-day light conditions, while east- and west-facing windows get peak light in the morning or evening. North-facing windows rarely if ever get direct sun and instead offer softer, more diffuse light throughout the day. If your house is very dark or if you're starting your growing journey in the winter, consider investing in an LED grow light so your plant won't struggle.
Trust us: There are actually tons of beautiful houseplants that don't need to be coddled and won't shrivel up and die the first time you forget to water them. Ahead, find our top picks for low-maintenance houseplants that are pretty and easy to care for.
2
Bromeliad Vriesea Intenso Orange
This variety of bromeliad sprouts a vibrant center spike, so it's a great way to add color to your collection of greenery—and it's much easier to care for than most indoor flowering plants. It's also nontoxic and safe for pets.
3
Kalanchoe Flapjack
This bite-size succulent's leaves resemble pancakes, hence its appetizing name. But it's not always a short stack: It can grow to more than 12 inches tall. Direct sun exposure helps to bring out the pretty pinkish-red pigments on the edges of the leaves.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Preserved Fern Kokedama
A real fern that's been naturally preserved offers all the benefits of a real plant (like look and feel) without the maintenance. Keep it out of direct light and never water it. What could be easier?
5
Boston Fern
This fern needs more humidity than it does sunlight, making it a great kitchen or bathroom plant. That's why you always see it hanging on Southern front porches, where the light is shady and the air is damp and warm. Spray it with a mister in between waterings to keep it looking fresh.
6
Money Tree
Need some good luck? The money tree plant is purported to bring it, but you won't need good luck to grow it. Just give it bright indirect light, and turn it occasionally so it grows evenly. In its native habitat, it likes to be near water, so it's a good choice if you tend to overwater your plants. Give it a drink every week or so when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
String of Pearls
With a name this cute, how can you not buy it? This vining succulent that looks like an elegant necklace is a fast grower when given lots of light. Put your string of pearls plant in bright indirect light, and water it when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
8
Aloe Vera
This handsome succulent needs almost no care. Give your aloe vera plant bright, indirect light and water every week or two when it's mostly dry. The gel-like substance inside each leaf can aid healing of minor burns (break off an outer leaf when you want to use it).
9
Philodendron Micans
Most types of philodendrons are extremely easygoing, and this one is no different. Micans have velvety, heart-shaped leaves with pinkish petioles (the stalks that attach the leaves to the stems). Give it medium to bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
String of Dolphins
Another must-have succulent, string of dolphins looks just like tiny dolphins leaping out of the water. It needs bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
11
Bird's Nest Fern
If your heart is set on a fern, opt for the handsome bird's nest, which has thick, glossy leaves that hold onto moisture longer than many other types of ferns—making it the least fussy. Give it bright indirect light, and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
12
Golden Pothos
One of the most forgiving plants you can buy, this type of pothos grows quickly when given bright light but is incredibly tolerant of low light, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Scindapsus
Sometimes called a satin pothos, this plant resembles a pothos with its heart-shaped leaves and vining habit. However, it's actually an entirely different genus—but it's just as easy to grow. Give it bright, indirect light, and let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again.
14
Echeveria
This pretty succulent has rosette-shaped foliage, often with a reddish or pink tint. Give this plant lots of bright, indirect light (succulents do not tolerate low light), and water every few weeks. You want it to dry out almost completely before giving it another drink—otherwise it will rot.
15
Marble Queen Pothos
Want another pothos that's easy to grow and just plain gorgeous? This variety has dramatic white splotches on its leaves instead of golden ones. Give it low to bright indirect light, and let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Prayer Plant
The gorgeous leaves of this showy plant move in response to light throughout the day, folding as if in prayer at night. Give your prayer plant bright indirect light, and let it dry out slightly between waterings.
17
Philodendron Moonlight
Another easy-to-care-for philodendron, this one has the most beautiful large leaves. New growth emerges a glowing chartreuse and turns dark green as it matures. Give it lots of bright indirect light, and it'll be a fast grower. Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
18
Haworthia
This little guy gets only about six to eight inches tall, so it's the perfect kitchen windowsill plant. Give haworthia lots of bright indirect light and water every few weeks when it's totally dry.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Philodendron Brasil
With two-tone leaves of pale and dark green, this vining philodendron is a must-have. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
20
ZZ Plant
Tough as nails and not picky, the ZZ plant can handle low to bright indirect light. It also doesn't mind a missed watering and prefers to be mostly dry before you give it a good, long drink.
