Adding houseplants to your home can instantly liven up any space. Not only do they purify the air, but caring for houseplants can also be a fulfilling hobby. However, figuring out which houseplants are best for beginners can be overwhelming with so many varieties to choose from. We’ve put together a list of the 30 best houseplants for beginners that are easy to care for and perfect for those just starting out on their houseplant journey.
What to Look for in Beginner Houseplants
When choosing the best houseplants for beginners, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Low Maintenance – Look for plants that don’t require frequent watering or pruning. Once a week watering is ideal.
- Difficult to Kill – Go for hardy plants that can tolerate some neglect and bounced back easily if problems arise.
- Low Light Tolerant – Great for homes without bright light, these plants thrive in low to medium indirect light.
- Pet/Child Safe – Make sure the plants are non-toxic for homes with kids and pets.
- Little Fertilizer Needed – Beginners often forget to fertilize, so choose plants that don’t require much.
- Add Color – Select plants with interesting foliage colors and variations to create an attractive display.
- Different Textures – Mix leaf shapes and plant heights for visual interest.
- Suitable Size – Ensure the plant’s mature size fits the space available as you don’t want to constantly re-pot.
Keeping these factors in mind, below are the 30 best houseplants for beginners:
1. ZZ Plant
With its waxy, oval-shaped leaves, the ZZ plant has an exotic look while remaining incredibly easy to care for. It tolerates low light and infrequent watering, making it perfect for beginners prone to overwatering. The ZZ plant purifies air by removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. Let the soil dry out completely between watering and provide bright, indirect light.
2. Pothos
A trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves, pothos is one of the most popular houseplants due to its versatility and vining growth habit. It is tolerant of low light and irregular watering, though it thrives in higher light. Pothos requires little care and can be left alone for weeks at a time when life gets busy, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Propagate new plants by clipping a stem and rooting it in water.
3. Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, features upright, sword-shaped leaves with architectural shape and style. Native to tropical West Africa, it tolerates low light and infrequent watering, though it grows faster with more light. Only water when the soil is dry to the touch. The snake plant filters indoor toxins and requires little maintenance, though avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
4. Peace Lily
A favorite for beginners, the peace lily has lush dark green leaves and elegant white flowers that give it a tropical feel. It thrives in medium to low light and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering which can cause leaves to turn yellow. The peace lily filters mold spores, formaldehyde, and other toxins from indoor air.
5. Chinese Money Plant
Also called the missionary plant, the Chinese money plant features round, coin-shaped leaves that emerge bronze before turning green. It grows well in bright, indirect light and adapts well to lower light conditions. Allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings. The Chinese money plant filters indoor air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene making it an excellent choice for improving air quality.
6. Spider Plant
A favorite since the Victorian era, the spider plant has long arching leaves with white stripes giving it a bold, artistic look. As a succulent, it stores water in its leaves and prefers less frequent watering. Allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings. Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light but also tolerate low light. They are easy to propagate by planting the shoots, or “spider babies” in potting mix.
7. Rubber Plant
With its large, glossy leaves, the rubber plant adds a tropical feel reminiscent of its Asian jungle origins. It grows over 8 feet tall at maturity but also thrives in smaller pots. Rubber plants tolerate low light but prefer bright, indirect conditions and consistently moist soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Wipe dust from the leaves regularly and watch for pests like spider mites.
8. Dracaena
Dracaena features slender, green foliage that adds texture and style to any space. The most popular varieties are the dracaena fragrans ‘Janet Craig’ and dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’. Dracaenas tolerate a wide range of light levels from low to bright indirect light. Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings and avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot. Dracaenas filter chemicals like xylene, making them excellent at purifying indoor air.
9. succulents
Succlents come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and colors perfect for beginners wanting unique, easy plants. Choose low light tolerant succulents like jade, echeveria, haworthia, and aloe vera for indoor growing. Allow soil to completely dry out between waterings and provide bright, indirect light. Avoid overwatering which can rot succulents. Arrange a collection together in a pot or separately in containers to create a living succulent wall art piece.
10. Philodendron
Philodendrons feature eye-catching, deeply-lobed leaves emerging bronze before turning glossy green. They trail or climb depending on the variety and add lush, tropical style to indoor spaces. Philodendrons tolerate a wide range of light levels from bright indirect to low light and should be watered when the top several inches of soil are dry. Beginners will appreciate philodendron’s low maintenance needs and striking foliage.
11. Parlor Palm
A favorite since Victorian times, the parlor palm has feathery, arched fronds emerging from multiple slender stems. Hailing from tropical rainforests, parlor palms thrive in bright, indirect light and high humidity. They tolerate low light but grow slower and may require less frequent watering. Parlor palms adapt well to indoor conditions and filter airborne toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde.
12. Lucky Bamboo
Though not a true bamboo, lucky bamboo features slender, bamboo-like stems and lush, green leaves. It grows well in low light and just a vase of water, making it incredibly low maintenance. Lucky bamboo symbolizes good fortune, happiness, and prosperity in Feng Shui and Chinese cultures. For indoor growing, change the vase water weekly and add liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep away from direct sun which can scorch leaves.
13. Cast Iron Plant
As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is nearly indestructible and ideal for beginners who tend to overwater. Native to Japan, it thrives in low light and features dark green, lance-shaped leaves with purple undersides. Allow soil to partly dry between waterings and provide bright, indirect light. Cast iron plant grows slowly and may only need repotting every 2-3 years. It filters indoor air pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.
14. Fern
Ferns add delicate, lush texture perfect for shady rooms and bathrooms. Choose Boston fern for hanging baskets or Kimberly Queen, ruffle fern, and maidenhair fern for pots. Provide bright to medium, indirect light avoiding direct sun which burns fern fronds. Keep soil moist but not soggy and fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Mist ferns daily to recreate the moist forest conditions they prefer.
15. Gardenia
Prized for its fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves, gardenia adds elegance and intoxicating aroma to indoor spaces. Provide bright light avoiding direct sun which can scorch leaves. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, allowing excess to drain from the pot. Gardenias thrive in humid conditions, so mist regularly and place on a pebble tray with water. Feed with acid fertilizer to keep leaves glossy green.
16. Majesty Palm
A favorite for beginners, majesty palm has feathery fronds on long stems giving it a mini tropical tree appeal. It filters airborne toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene and provides elegant, architectural height. Majesty palms prefer bright light but tolerate low light, growing slower with less frequent watering needed. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and mist regularly to increase humidity.
17. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen features oval-shaped, dark green leaves beautifully variegated with silver. It tolerates low light levels making it ideal for darker corners and grows in a shrub-like mound. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and keep away from cold drafts. Wipe dust from the leaves to keep its vibrant color. The Chinese evergreen filters indoor pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
18. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf fig has elegant, violin-shaped leaves that add an architectural, tropical look to indoor spaces. Provide very bright, indirect light to encourage lush growth. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and mist regularly to increase humidity which it prefers. The fiddle leaf fig filters indoor toxins like xylene and provides pleasing height. Keep away from drafts and rotating the plant prevents uneven growth toward light.
19. Orchid
Available in endless color varieties, orchids add exotic, elegant blooms to indoor spaces. Provide very bright, indirect light and water 1-2 times per week allowing pots to fully drain. Orchids prefer humid conditions, so place the pot on pebbles with water. Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer monthly. Phalaenopsis and moth orchids are beginner-friendly and re-bloom when caring for properly.
20. Bromeliad
Known for their stunning colorful blossoms, bromeliads feature exotic striped leaves in green, red, silver, purple and more. Provide bright, indirect light avoiding direct sun and water the central cup/reservoir, not soil. The colorful tank-like cup holds water which nourishes the plant. Mist frequently and fertilize monthly. Place near a bright window where the unique foliage and blooms can be appreciated.
21. Ponytail Palm
Despite its name, the ponytail palm is not a true palm but a succulent with a swollen, bulbous base and flowing fountain of leaves. As a succulent, it stores water in its round base making it extremely drought tolerant. Provide infrequent watering, allowing the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Bright, indirect light is ideal but the ponytail palm adapts well to low light. Repot annually in spring as the bulbous base expands.
22. Arrowhead Plant
The arrowhead plant, also called syngonium, has arrow-shaped leaves mottled in white, green, and pink that add vibrant color to indoor spaces. Young leaves start more solid in color before variegating as they mature. Provide medium to bright, indirect light and allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Arrowhead plant is easy to propagate by clipping a stem with leaves and rooting in water before potting up.
23. English Ivy
A classic trailing vine, English ivy features lobed dark green leaves on long stems perfect for hanging baskets. It tolerates low to medium light and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Mist often to increase humidity which English ivy prefers. If leaf tips turn brown, increase humidity levels. Propagate by clipping a stem with leaves and rooting in water before potting up. Avoid direct sun which can scorch leaves.
24. Bird’s Nest Fern
The bird’s nest fern has tightly curled fronds rising from the base resembling a bird’s nest. Provide medium to bright indirect light avoiding direct sun. Water thoroughly and allow the pot to drain fully before returning to its saucer. Water again when the top inch of soil is dry. Mist frequently and avoid drafts to keep the bird’s nest fern healthy and lush. The curled architecture of its fronds adds unique texture and style to indoor spaces.
25. Jade Plant
Jade plants are ideal succulent houseplants for beginners. Their thick, smooth leaves can vary from deep green to pale green or reddish purple depending on variety. Allow soil to completely dry before rewatering and provide several hours of direct morning sunlight if possible. Jades prefer dry air making them perfect for beginners prone to overwatering. Repot annually in the spring as the plant grows and wipe dust from leaves regularly.
26. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an easy to grow succulent known for its healing gel. Its plump, spear-shaped leaves first emerge white before fading to green. Allow soil to fully dry before watering and provide bright, indirect light for best growth and to prevent “stretching” toward light. Aloe vera offsets easily making propagating new plants simple. Repot when rootbound as the plant expands quickly in ideal conditions.
27. Peperomia
Over 1,000 peperomia varieties exist featuring colorful leaves shaped like watermelon rinds, coins, spikes, or waves corrugated like fans. They thrive in medium to low light with infrequent watering. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before rewatering. Peperomias seldom flower when grown as houseplants. Provide air circulation to prevent fungal problems in humid environments and avoid overwatering which causes leaves to yellow.
28. Nerve Plant
The nerve plant, or Fittonia, has gorgeous mosaic-like leaves with bright pink, red, and white veins that make it stand out. It prefers medium to bright, indirect light to maintain the best leaf coloring. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry and mist often for added humidity. Nerve plants grow best in humid environments and filter pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.
29. Golden Pothos
A variegated form of pothos, golden pothos has heart-shaped leaves splashed in yellow blended with green. It tolerates low light levels but thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Trailing stems make golden pothos ideal for hanging baskets where its vines can gracefully cascade over the edges. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Wiping dust off the leaves regularly keeps its colors vibrant. Propagate new plants from cuttings.
30. Air Plant
Air plants, also called tillandsia, are epiphytic plants that grow by absorbing moisture from the air and require no soil. soak them in water weekly and mist between soakings, allowing excess moisture to drain fully. Provide very bright, indirect light. Air plants attach to various objects using holdfasts or wire to create living plant art pieces with minimal care required. Their unusual shapes and forms make them interesting additions to beginner houseplant collections.
Houseplant Care Tips for Beginners
Caring properly for houseplants is easier than you think when you understand a few basic needs. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to having your houseplant collection thrive:
- Provide the right amount of light each plant needs – low, medium or bright indirect light. Insufficient light causes leggy, weak growth.
- Water thoroughly when soil is partly or fully dry. The top inch of soil is a good gauge.
- Ensure pots have drainage holes and tray to catch excess water.
- Mist plants to increase humidity which most houseplants prefer.
- Keep plants away from hot and cold drafts near vents or open windows.
- Rotate plants periodically to prevent uneven leaning toward light.
- Wipe dust from leaves regularly with a damp cloth to prevent buildup.
- Remove dead leaves and spent flowers to keep plants looking their best.
- Repot plants annually in fresh potting mix to provide new nutrients.
- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer according to label directions.
Following these simple tips will keep your houseplants healthy and thriving indoors. The plants on this list are perfect choices for beginners starting their first indoor garden. With minimal care, these houseplants will bring years of beauty and visual interest to your living spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houseplants for Beginners
What are the easiest houseplants for beginners?
The easiest houseplants for beginners are those that tolerate low light and irregular watering such as pothos, Chinese money plant, ZZ plant, snake plant, and philodendron. Peace lily, succulents, and palms are also easy choices.
How often should you water houseplants?
Houseplants should be watered when the top inch of soil is partly or fully dry. The frequency depends on factors like light, humidity, size, season, and temperature. Ideally allow soil to partly or fully dry out between waterings.
Where should houseplants be located?
Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light near an east or west facing window where they receive sun for part of the day. Rotate plants periodically to prevent uneven leaning toward light. Avoid direct southern sun exposure which can burn leaves.
What kind of soil is best for houseplants?
A good quality potting mix made for houseplants is best. It will contain ingredients like peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and compost for drainage and moisture retention. Or create your own mix using equal parts peat moss, perlite or sand, and compost.
How do you increase humidity for houseplants?
Misting plants daily, placing pots on pebble trays with water, and using a humidifier are great ways to increase humidity around houseplants. Group plants together to create a mini greenhouse effect. Bathrooms also provide humid conditions.
Bring Natural Beauty Home with Beginner Houseplants
Adding any of these easy-care houseplants to your indoor spaces will increase the natural beauty of your home and provide you with a fulfilling hobby. Their ability to purify the air while requiring minimal maintenance makes them ideal