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Indoor plants can add style to your home, softening a room and even helping to purify the air. Better still, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants to choose that can thrive even in low light.
This guide presents 10 low-maintenance indoor plants to suit different needs, growing conditions and tastes.
When choosing indoor plants, consider how much natural light your room receives, as this will influence which plants will thrive. Also remember that some plants need more attention than others when it comes to watering.
For people new to gardening or with busy lives, selecting low-maintenance varieties that can withstand occasional neglect is a wise choice, while pet owners might prefer non-toxic choices.
Here are 10 low-maintenance plants that are a great choice for your home.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is celebrated for striking, large leaves, making them a popular choice. They thrive in bright, indirect light and can grow reasonably tall, appearing very elegant.
A Fiddle Leaf Fig is perfect for anyone looking for a bold, eye-catching plant. With lush foliage, the plants bring a vibrant and tropical feel to spaces like living rooms and offices.
Fiddle Leaf Fig prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.
Water Fiddle Leaf Fig when the top 5 cm of soil is dry - typically every 1-2 weeks. Ensure thorough drainage, as the plants are sensitive to overwatering. Fiddle Leaf Fig appreciate consistent moisture but should not sit in soggy soil.
Fiddle Leaf Fig is mildly toxic to pets.
Spider Plant
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) features arching leaves and “spiderettes”. Known for its air-purifying abilities, the plant is forgiving and thrives in a variety of indoor conditions.
Spider Plant is great for new gardeners and people who love playful, decorative plants. Spider plants are ideal for hanging baskets or shelves where their long leaves can cascade down. They’re also a fun choice as they’re easy to propagate and share with others.
Spider Plant thrives in bright, indirect light.
Water Spider Plant weekly. If the top 2.5cm of soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Make sure to soak the soil thoroughly when watering. Spider plants prefer to be slightly dry between waterings, so if you miss a week or two, they won’t mind.
Spider Plant is non-toxic to pets.
Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is known for its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines. It is adaptable and resilient, and can bring elegance to any room. It’s great for beginners, as it’s very forgiving and thrives in various lighting conditions. Plus, pothos has air-purifying qualities.
Pothos is perfect for those seeking a decorative yet low-maintenance plant that can be placed almost anywhere. It’s an excellent choice for forgetful plant owners or anyone new to indoor gardening, as it quickly bounces back from missed watering. The plant’s trailing vines also make it ideal for hanging or high shelves where it can cascade freely.
Pothos thrives when placed in dim hallways, shaded windows, or a shelf a few metres away from sunlight where it receives indirect light.
Pothos requires water every 1-2 weeks. Let soil dry between waterings. To check if your plant needs water, insert your finger into the soil about 2.5 cm deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. When you do water, make sure to give it a thorough soaking until excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the roots get the moisture they need without sitting in water, which can cause root rot.
Pothos is mildly toxic to pets.
ZZ Plant
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has glossy, deep-green leaves. It’s practically indestructible, thriving in low light and requiring very little water. The plant’s thick roots store water, meaning you can forget about it for a while without a worry.
Perfect for busy professionals or those who travel frequently, ZZ Plant doesn’t require constant attention. It’s also ideal for rooms with low natural light, such as offices or hallways, and suits anyone looking for a sleek, modern plant with minimal upkeep.
ZZ Plant is ideal for darker areas like bathrooms without windows, low-lit corners, or offices with only fluorescent lighting.
ZZ Plant only needs watering monthly. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Check by sticking your finger into the soil. When you do water, ensure it is thorough, allowing excess to drain out of the pot. This helps to prevent waterlogged roots, which can lead to rot.
ZZ Plant is mildly toxic to pets and humans.
Snake Plant
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is often called mother-in-law’s tongue. It is hardy and drought-tolerant, featuring striking, upright leaves. It’s incredibly low-maintenance and even improves indoor air quality by removing toxins.
Snake Plant is perfect for people seeking a bold, architectural plant with minimal care requirements. The plants grow well in low-light rooms and are perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle. They’re also great for adding structure to a room’s décor, as their tall, upright leaves make a strong statement.
Snake Plant is great for low-light rooms like entryways or shaded corners with limited natural light.
Water Snake Plant monthly. Water only when the soil feels dry, then ensure you give it a good soak until water drains out from the bottom. Snake plants prefer to dry out a little between waterings, so be cautious not to let them sit in water, which can cause root rot.
Snake Plant is mildly toxic to pets.
Peace Lily
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is known for lush green foliage and delicate white flowers. They thrive in low-light conditions and droop visibly when they need water, giving a clear signal to water them.
Peace Lily is perfect for anyone who wants an elegant, easy-care plant that can also improve air quality. Peace lilies are perfect for dimly lit spaces like bedrooms or offices, and are ideal for those who appreciate visual reminders for watering. Their air-purifying properties make them great for improving air quality in shared spaces.
Peace Lily does well in areas with indirect light, not direct sunlight.
Water Peace Lily plants when leaves droop. Check the soil moisture every week. If it feels dry 2.5 cm below the surface, it’s time to water. When watering, thoroughly soak the soil until water drains from the bottom. Don’t worry if you notice the leaves drooping, it will perk back up within a few hours after watering.
Peace Lily is mildly toxic to pets and humans.
Cast Iron Plant
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is true to its name. It is highly durable and thrives in low light. With minimal care, it adds a rich green presence to your home or office.
Cast Iron Plant is perfect for rooms with limited natural light or people who want a plant they can “set and forget.” It’s an ideal choice for darker rooms like basements or bathrooms, and for people who might forget to water or who have struggled to keep plants alive in the past.
Cast Iron Plant does well in darker rooms, with little to no sunlight.
Water Cast Iron Plant every 1-2 weeks. Always check the soil moisture. If the top layer feels dry, water thoroughly, allowing the water to flow out from the drainage holes. Be careful not to overwater. The plant prefers to be slightly dry rather than sitting in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
Cast Iron Plant is non-toxic to pets.
Rubber Plant
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) features glossy, oversized leaves. It is striking and hardy, tolerating a range of light and requires little water, adapting well to various indoor environments.
Rubber Plant is perfect for people wanting a statement plant with minimal care needs. The rubber plant is excellent for bright living rooms or offices and is suited for those who want a larger, more impactful plant without the need for frequent watering or special care.
Rubber Plant does best in bright, indirect light, such as living rooms with nearby windows or well-lit spaces.
Water Rubber Plant every 1-2 weeks. Check the soil moisture by inserting your finger into the soil; if it feels dry about 2.5 cm down, it’s time to water. Water deeply, allowing excess to drain out. Rubber plants prefer to dry out a little between waterings, so err on the side of underwatering if unsure.
Rubber Plant is mildly toxic to pets.
Dracaena
Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) is also known as the happy plant. It has striking green leaves and is well-suited to a variety of indoor lighting conditions. It requires minimal watering, making it ideal for busy people.
Dracaena is perfect for adding height and drama to a room. Its tall, slender profile is perfect for corners or narrow spaces. Dracaena is terrific for people who want a tropical touch and rooms with low-to-moderate lighting conditions.
Dracaena does well in moderately-lit corners, bedrooms, or offices with indirect sunlight.
Water Dracaena every 2-3 weeks. Water when the top 2.5 cm of soil feels dry. Ensure you saturate the soil thoroughly until it drains out from the bottom of the pot. If the leaves begin to yellow, it may indicate overwatering, so be cautious not to let it sit in water.
Dracaena is mildly toxic to pets.
Lady Palm
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is an elegant plant known for its attractive fronds and thriving on little care. It handles low light and infrequent watering well, helping to create a lush, tropical look.
Lady Palm is perfect for pet owners or anyone who prefers a non-toxic plant option. Lady Palm grows beautifully in shaded rooms or offices and adds a refined, tropical feel. The plants are also great for filling empty spaces with lush foliage that doesn’t need frequent attention.
Lady Palm performs well in shaded areas, like hallways or rooms with minimal indirect light.
Water Lady Palm every 1-2 weeks. Check the soil with your finger. If the top 2.5 cm is dry, water the plant thoroughly until excess water drains from the pot. Make sure not to let it sit in water, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
Lady Palm is non-toxic to pets.
