Easiest Houseplants to Grow

Growing plants indoors is highly rewarding. But, as any plant parent knows, some are easier to grow than others. Whether you’re a new or experienced plant parent, it’s always worth knowing which plants are nearly a sure bet (and how to keep them that way).

First, some benefits of Indoor plants…
Plants increase the quality of our lives and are important for our well-being.

Plants in our homes:

• Help us breathe easier by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
• Increase humidity which reduces dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs.
• Remove toxins released by common indoor elements (synthetic materials, paint, even books) and purify the air.

Plants at work:

• Decrease stress and enhance productivity.
• Reduce sickness and absence rates.
• Make the workplace more aesthetically pleasing.
• Boost creativity.

Plants in spaces of learning:

• Increase focus.
• Increase attendance.
• Decrease stress and anxiety.
• Promote a sense of community.
• Increase memory retention.
• Filter distracting background noises.

Top Plant Picks

We all know the usual suspects for easy care – Sansevieria, ZZ plant, Cast Iron plant – but there are many more plants that are extremely easy care, making them perfect additions to the plant parent’s collection.

Philodendron Silver Satin

Medium light, tolerates low light. Water when top inch of soil is dry.

With pretty, silver variegation on sage-green leaves, soft texture, and billowy trailing growth habit, this is one of the prettiest philodendrons. Fairly easy care to begin with, the biggest reason this plant makes the list? It’s SO forgiving! Who doesn’t need that in their plant parenting life? If you forget to water, it will let you know. The leaves will curl and droop and the plant will look just pathetic. No worries! Give it a solid drink of water, even let it sit with water in a saucer for up to an hour (no longer). Then dump the saucer, let the plant drain, and be patient. It can take up to 24 hours, but more likely than not it will bounce back looking good as new.

Peperomia Hope

Medium light, water when soil is completely dry. Pet friendly.

It’s so cute! Really, it’s just so darn cute, everyone should have one. Nearly perfectly round, lightly stiped little leaves grow on pinkish, trailing stems. One of the many fun things about peperomia is how easy they are to propagate. Just cut a stem and stick it in water. Roots will be developed and ready to plant in about three weeks. Though they can be propagated in water they do not tolerate being waterlogged when grown in soil, so let them dry between watering, then water thoroughly and allow excess water to drain. water.

Peperomia Rana Verde

Medium light, water when soil is completely dry. Pet friendly.  

Heart shaped leaves with deep veining grow on the end of pinkish, succulent-like stems, making this plant all around adorable. Relatively slow growing makes it great for indoors since it won’t overtake a space or need repotting very often.

Birds Nest Fern

Medium, filtered light. Keep soil evenly moist.

Birds nest ferns are easier to care for than more traditional ferns, and they pair well with other rain forest plants, such as Bromeliads. Though they don’t want to dry out (same as all ferns) they don’t collapse and perish if you look at them sideways (most ferns are such divas and can be so dramatic). They prefer high humidity if possible. Keep away from heat vents and consider placing the pot on a tray of pebbles sitting in water. If they leaves start to pale evaluate the current light and water situation and adjust if necessary. Birds Nest Ferns are resilient and can recover from light stress, unlike their high maintenance family members.

Aglaonema

Medium light, tolerates low light. Even moisture, does best if not allowed to dry out or wilt.

This plant comes in variegations of green, white, pink, red and silver, depending on variety. Variegation determines where it will grow best indoors. Less variegation means the plant can handle less light and will do fine further back from window, even in low light rooms. If the Aglaonema has more variegation it needs more light to keep the various colors and remain healthy. No Aglaonema wants direct light, so finding its indoor home is easy.   

Pothos Pearls and Jade

• 

Medium light, water when soil is completely dry. 

Chunky green and white variegation on the leaves makes a statement. Add to that the vigorous, trailing growth habit and you’ll have a stunning focal point in no time. This plant is perfect for a hanging basket or cascading down from a high shelf or tall furniture.

Growing Basics – A Review

• Be careful not to love your plant to death, meaning overwatering is generally the number one cause of death. Always be sure to let at least the top inch of soil dry between watering.
• Help your houseplants by planting them in a well-drained potting mix. Espoma Organic Potting Soil in an excellent choice. For larger plants, mix with Tonka Terra.
• All plants need to see the sky! Even low-light plants need to be close to the light to perform their best. Some plants will burn in direct sun.
• Fertilize every couple of weeks during active growth (spring and summer) and once a month during dormancy (fall and winter).

As always, send us your plant questions. We are here to support your indoor gardening success.