If your garden is looking more like a graveyard for plants, there is hope for your green thumb dreams. Check out these 6 best indoor plants to add greenery to your home. Having indoor plants is lower maintenance for many reasons. Firstly, you don’t have to worry about outdoor pests like caterpillars, birds, and bugs getting into your plants. You can also avoid overwatering or over-sunning your plants when they’re indoors – you have more control over how often they get watered and where they’re positioned! Not to mention, seeing your plants every day indoors keeps them top-of-mind.
Benefits of having indoor plants
Indoor plants are not only easier to take care of, but having some greenery around your home is also an easy way to liven up your space and make it feel more clean and in tune with nature. But, did you know that they also provide some health and mindfulness benefits?
Indoor plants are also known to boost productivity. Healthline cites three different studies from 1996, 2004, and 2007 showing the benefit of adding plants to your workspace. The same article from Healthline also discusses the benefits of indoor plants when it comes to stress and anxiety; indoor gardening is often used to increase feelings of well-being among people with depression or anxiety.
First time exploring your green thumb? Don’t worry – we’ll help you get started. We recommend one of the following best indoor plants for newbies.
Read more: 5 Amazing Health Benefits of Houseplants
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera plants can liven up your space if you’re aiming for a more tropical feel. The most popular type of monstera is the Monstera deliciosa (some call it the “Swiss cheese plant”). These are some of the best indoor plants for many reasons, but mostly because they’re both beautiful and easy to take care of. The leaves can grow large quickly, adding a lush feel to your space in no time.
Though the Monstera Deliciosa is the most frequently available variety, you can often find other fun shapes and colors at your local plant nursery. The Monstera Variegata is a unique, colorful type of plant, but it is often hard to find and even harder to take care of. Or, you could opt for a Monstera with smaller leaves, like the Monstera Adansonii. Though you may want to start with a more simple variety, some of the best indoor plants are also the unique and beautiful ones.
Dracaena (snake plant)
Does your house have rooms with low light? You’ll want to shop for the best indoor plants for durability. The snake plant might be the best choice for you. These durable, but gorgeous plants are easy to care for and can grow up to 6 feet tall, making them the perfect statement starter plant for your home. Watering your snake plant is easy – simply feel the soil and water when it’s dry to the touch. But, if you forget to water your snake plant for a couple of weeks, you’ll likely be in the clear. They’re relatively easygoing and can tolerate being under-watered – making them some of the best indoor plants for beginners.
Plus, these plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They’re known for their air-purifying properties – they even help to remove toxins from your indoor air by absorbing them through their leaves and roots. If you are extra good to your snake plant, you can even see it flower!
Pothos
The most common type of pothos is the Golden pothos, which sprouts green leaves with yellow variegation. These are some of the best indoor plants because they grow quickly in many different light conditions. For the best chance at success, place your pothos in bright, indirect sunlight. Plus, once you’ve mastered the pothos basics, there are so many gorgeous varieties you can choose from. Check out the Neon pothos or the Pearls and Jade pothos to see what we mean.
Though pothos can also be grown in a pot, these types of plants are perfect to hang from a macrame plant holder or wall hook. Their long vines have many nodules with leaves, making them a bright, beautiful option to liven up your space from any height in your home.
If you’re daring enough to start propagating your houseplants, the Pothos is a great starter for that, too. Given its rapid growth rate, the pothos species is one of the best indoor plants for making cuttings for propagation. To do this, use scissors to cut a healthy section of stem above the nodules with at least two leaves and place it in a small container of water or soil. With a little love, your propagated cutting will root and eventually grow into a new plant.
Read more: A Quick Guide to Houseplants
Cactus
Some of the best indoor plants for beginners are the ones that require the least amount of care. If you vacation frequently and don’t want the high maintenance of having someone come over to water your plants, a cactus is the perfect plant for you. Not only do they not need to be watered frequently, but they also come in a variety of fun shapes and sizes. You don’t need to water them frequently. While cacti are low maintenance, this option may not be ideal if you have kids or pets who like to explore. Some of the sharp cactus spines are not so easy to get out of your skin.
Money Tree
If you’re more superstitious, the money tree is a great option for you. This plant is a known symbol of luck and prosperity. It’s called the Money Tree based on its looks, which are said to look like a tree with coins hanging from its branches. Plus, Money Trees are easy to care for. The best place for your Money Tree is a space with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. If you’re looking for a larger-sized addition to your room, Money Trees are one of the best indoor plants you can choose. They have the perfect combination of trunk and leaves, often sold with gorgeous, braided stems – a sight you won’t get tired of looking at in your home.
Yucca Cane
Like the Monstera, this option is also a great choice for a home that has more of a beachy or tropical vibe. Yucca plants are a type of succulent most known by their sharp, sword-like leaves and their tall, flowering stalks. Yucca plants are popular for several reasons – most importantly, they’re relatively drought-tolerant (so if you forget to water your plants often, you might be in luck). They can also grow in a variety of climates and help purify the air in your home.
Plus, they’re very easy to take care of. Yucca canes thrive best when placed in bright, indirect sun. Yucca canes are also known to be relatively pest-resistant, making them one of the best indoor plants. Though they do need water frequently, yucca cane is also pretty drought-resistant. This means if you forget to water it for a while, you’ll likely be in the clear.
Have a Smaller Space? Check Out the Best Indoor Plants for Small Spaces
Succulents are an obvious small-space starter for the best indoor plants. They can be potted individually and placed nearly anywhere around your living space. Their small size makes them the perfect addition to the coffee table or windowsill. When caring for a small succulent, keep in mind that your pot should have at least one drainage hole. If not, your succulents could easily become overwatered.
Like succulents, cacti can also come in small pots. Because they don’t need to be watered as often, smaller cactuses are a great option if you are frequently away from home. Plus, these plants work well in hotter climates. They require a lot of sunlight (at least 6 hours per day) so be sure to choose a space where it can catch some rays on the daily.
Prefer something a little more tropical-looking? Limited space is also a good fit for a “spider plant.” These leafy plants go by many names – you may have heard them being a “ribbon plant” or “hen and chickens.” These are some of the best indoor plants for smaller spaces because they grow to about 2 feet tall. Though, if you have furry friends, perhaps this option isn’t the best fit for you, since they are toxic to pets.
Read more: 7 Plant Care Myths and Tricks: Green Thumb Trend
Where to Shop for the Best Indoor Plants
When it comes to your first indoor plant purchase, we recommend starting at a local nursery. Not only does shopping small support local plant growers in your area, but these types of shops are usually able to provide expertise and help you answer any questions you might have about your new addition. If you can’t find what you’re looking for nearby, the garden centers at larger retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s are another great option. Or, you can shop for some of the best indoor plants online. The Sill is a great option for getting houseplants delivered to your door.
Ready to grow? We recommend introducing one new plant at a time so you can focus on whatever it needs to survive without being overwhelmed by your new love for plant caretaking. The best indoor plants for you might be the ones that are easiest to care for, the most beautiful, or the mosh lush and tropical. Whatever you feel works the best for your space, the most important thing to remember is to nurture your plants and don’t give up on them.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Prefer outdoor gardening? Explore 10 Great Fall Plants to Spice Up Your Garden.
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