14 Easy Houseplants Anyone Can Grow

Heartleaf Philodendron

Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a wonderful option if you're looking for a houseplant that can easily transition from indoors to outdoors when the weather warms. "Some plants go through a little stress going from one environment to the other," says Adrienne Roethling, garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. "Not philodendron—it'll come with a maintenance free transition between the two." 

You''ll find the plant in a variety of shapes and sizes at your local garden center. "They come in green, green and gold, green and white, and chartreuse and green with hints of pink," says Roethling. Philodendron can handle periods of drought, but yellowing leaves is a good indicator that more water is needed.

• Size: 30 to 70 feet tall x 6 to 10 feet wide (depending on variety)
• Growing conditions: bright, indirect light; peat-based potting mix

Snake Plant

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is one of the most well-known low maintenance plants due to its ability to go without water and affinity for low light. "This tried-and-true houseplant may be a favorite of several generations of plant parents, but it has a modern look with stiff, sword-like leaves rising from the potting mix," says Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. "Its sleek look and easy-care nature makes it perfect for practically any style, particularly modern or contemporary." It should be watered when the top half to three-quarters of the soil is dry to the touch.  

• Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 foot wide (depending on variety)
• Growing conditions: low to bright light; high quality potting mix

Aloe

Primarily known for its healing properties, aloe also makes a great low maintenance houseplant. "Aloes are low-water succulents with thick leaves, some of which (such as bright star or pink blush) are variegated," says Hancock. "Most grow from a central rosette, but can grow a stem with age." This plant has very low watering needs and can go for weeks at a time without being given a drink.

• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide (depending on variety)
• Growing conditions: bright light; potting mix designed for cacti and succulents

Raven ZZ Plant

A newer plant variety, raven ZZ plant (Zamioculcas Raven) is known for its ability to go without water and tolerance for dimly lit spaces. "Super stylish, this houseplant features foliage that emerges from the soil a lime green color and matures to a stunning purple-black tone," says Hancock. "The leaves are shiny and feel almost rubbery, making it easy to think it’s plastic." Raven ZZ plant is highly drought-tolerant and can go up to a month without water. Water once the top half to three-quarters of the soil is dry to the touch.

• Size: Up to 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright, medium, or low light; high quality potting mix

Chinese Evergreen

There are many varieties of Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) available and most are easy to care for. The plant has variegated leaves in shades of white, silver, yellow, pink, red, and beyond. "Leaf shape varies by variety—some are long and narrow, others are rounded. All are beautiful," says Hancock. Chinese evergreen is a low-water plant and should only been given a drink once the top half to three-quarters of the soil dries out.

• Size: Up to 3 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: low to bright light; high quality potting mix

Wax Plant

Wax plants (Hoya) have thick, leathery-like leaves on trailing stems. If they're happy, they'll bloom clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers, says Hancock. Like most plants on this list, wax plants can survive in low light with little watering. Note that the flowers are most likely to appear in brighter light. Water once half to three-quarters of the plant's soil is dry.

• Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 2 feet wide
• Growing conditions: low to bright light; high quality potting mix

Pothos

An evergreen vine commonly mistaken for philodendron, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) has heart-shaped leaves on long vining stems that come in shades of solid green with hints of chartreuse or hints of creamy white. It's a low water plant that can survive weeks without a drink, but may need to be watered about two to three times a week when conditions are hot and dry. Add compost, pine park, or soil conditioner to assist with soil drainage, says Roethling.

• Size: Up to 40 feet tall x 6 to 8 feet wide
• Growing conditions: low to bright light; porous potting mix

Moth Orchid

Not all orchids are high maintenance—moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are a testament to that. "Moth orchid is one of the easiest orchids and you can treat it just like any other houseplant," says Hancock. "It features paddle-like leaves that start to get a wrinkled look when it’s thirsty, so it lets you know." About once or twice a year the plant produces spikes of butterfly-shaped flowers. Aim to repot moth orchid every year as the potting mix starts to break down. It is drought tolerant and only needs a splash of water every couple of weeks.

• Size: Up to 12 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
• Growing conditions: medium to bright light (can tolerate low light, but may not re-bloom); orchid mix

Coleus

One of the most well known low-maintenance plants, coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) is grown primarily for its colorful leaves. "They are strictly tropical and are easy to propagate making them manageable to carry from year to year," says Roethling. "Just root cuttings in water to start new plants." The hardy plant should be watered daily to every other day and fertilized with a high nitrogen fertilizer to keep the thick leaves vibrant during the growing season. 

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright light; regular potting mix

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), also known as Swiss cheese plant, is known for its big, showy leaves. "Over time it grows as a vine, but you can prune it to keep it shrubby if you like," says Hancock. It's a wonderful low-maintenance option because it is able to tolerate a wide range of conditions, from low light to low humidity. Plus, it can go a couple of weeks without being watered.

• Size: 10 to 15 feet tall x 8 feet wide
• Growing conditions: medium to bright light; high quality potting mix

Ponytail Palm

A type of succulent native to the deserts of Mexico, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea) stores water in its thick trunk and can go up to a month or more without water. "Ponytail palm is one of those plant-it-and-forget it plants—it doesn’t need regular care, just periodic watering," says Hancock. When grown as a houseplant, ponytail palm is a very slow grower that likely won't get very tall.

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: medium to bright light; high quality potting mix

Spider Plant

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosumare) is known for its arching, grass-like foliage that gives way to baby plants that hang down past the leaves. "Mature plants will produce arching flower stalks reaching 5 inches in length followed by new plantlets," says Roethling. "The flowers are small and look like white stars."

Each plantlet can be removed and shared with friends and family. Spider plants can be grown in potting mix or hydroponically, meaning they can survive in a container of water with no soil. This popular plant can handle periods or drought but will suffer minor leaf damage if left too dry for too long.

• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide
• Growing conditions: bright to low light; porous potting mix
  

African Violet

Ideal if you're working with limited square footage, African violet (Streptocarpus) doesn't grow to be very tall. "Leaves come in purple-ish green to all green, producing a cluster of mostly purple, pink, or white flowers," says Roethling. The plant only needs water once the soil is almost dry, which typically happens once a week. It's best to water them from the bottom by pouring water into a saucer and setting the plant on top.

• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Growing conditions: bright light; potting mix amended with pine bark

White Aspen Corn Plant

Looking for a cool, new variety to try out? Let it be the White Aspen corn plant (Dracaena White Aspen). "This ultra-easy houseplant has thick, dark green leaves broadly edged in creamy white," says Hancock. "Over time, it develops a thick trunk, forming a narrow-profile small tree." This plant is easy to care for due to the fact it's drought and low light tolerant. Water it once the top quarter to half the soil is dry.

• Size: 5 to 6 feet tall inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Growing conditions: medium to bright light; high quality potting mix