Many people want green spaces indoors but are concerned about not having time to take care of them. Through discussions with experts, we found the top 8 species of plants that are popular and need little maintenance to grow in houses.
Some highlights from our experts:
- Place pots in shady areas or where they can get indirect sunlight.
- Most of the suggested plants enjoy dry soil.
- You don’t need to water these plants regularly, ideally once every 2 weeks.
Candace Helton from Ringspo
Mammillaria Cactus.
Also known as the “pincushion cactus”, the mammillaria is one of the best cacti for beginners. Its surface is covered in white spines and fluff, so always wear gloves when replanting.
It’s great to cultivate the mammillaria indoors because they like warmer climates. If you live with family, you don’t have to worry about the mammillaria because it’s not toxic to children or pets.
This type of cactus can go without water for short periods of time. When you notice that the top few inches of the soil have dried out, that’s when you add more water.
Remember to empty the drip tray to prevent the cactus from sitting in a damp environment. And in the fall, the cactus can be watered only once a month.
Echinopsis.
I find the echinopsis really pretty especially if you have the day-flowering type. The flowers are vibrant and very pretty, making them great for the indoors.
Caring for the echinopsis is pretty easy. During the growing season, you should fertilize the echinopsis with cacti fertilizer mix and move it outdoors if possible.
These plants like the sun during that time. However, I don’t recommend putting them in direct sunlight because they might scorch.
When watering, remember to allow the soil to nearly dry. Make sure to empty the drip tray to maintain excellent drainage.
Jen Stark from Happy DIY Home
Devil’s Ivy
Better known as Epipremnum aureum, this plant is excellent for beginners because it’s so hard to kill. It can get up to 40-feet long outdoors and 8-feet long indoors.
Care requirements include:
Soil – All-purpose peat-heavy potting soil. Can do well in anything from acidic to alkaline or moist
Lighting – Filtered light or bright artificial light indoors and partial to full shade outside.
Watering – Very drought-tolerant. Water deeply once a week during the spring and summer and cut back to once every 2 weeks in the dormant winter period.
Feeding – General-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once or twice during the spring and summer months.
Temperature – 60°F to 80°F
This is a very invasive plant that can take over and smother any plants around it, so you do want to take care when you plant it.
It does well in hanging containers or traditional planters. It’s also easy to cultivate using cuttings.
Jordan Collins from Two Lions 11 Ltd
Aloe vera
Apart from having a range of useful properties for the health and wellbeing of humans, the aloe vera is also a beautiful plant to have around in the house.
It’s best to use dry soil and avoid watering them too often and too much. When it comes to temperature, they thrive in 70°F and enjoy receiving sunlight.
Tip: To avoid overwatering, let the top part of the potting soil become completely dry between waterings. It’s best to allow this for the top third of the potting soil.
Air plant
This type of indoor plant is unique. In nature, it grows on top of other plants. There’s no potting and soil involved in the care and maintenance of these plants.
Their roots must receive water just like any other plant. It’s best to water your air plant once every week.
Keep an eye on the condition of the plant as some types of air plants should be watered once every 2 weeks. Protect them against direct sunlight but ensure they’re still in a bright space.
They do best in warm temperatures and can thrive in rooms between 50-90°F.
Tips: Get to know your air plant in advance. If it’s with silver foliage, it’s probably more drought-tolerant. Greener air plants are popular for drying out faster.
Ramone Taylor from Cheeky Plant Co.
Rubber tree
Rubber trees are purely gorgeous, They can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet if allowed. They are another type of indoor plant that doesn’t require much watering.
Make sure that the soil is completely dry before providing more water. Keep them in temperatures of 70-80°F, where they feel most comfortable.
When choosing the soil, make sure it’s well-draining. Position the plant in a bright area of the house, where indirect sunlight can reach it.
Tip: Wipe the leaves of the rubber tree from time to time with a damp cloth to allow them to stay moist and to take in more sunlight.
James Morgan from GetRidOfThings.com
Tomatoes
You almost can’t have a garden without tomatoes! Tomatoes are such a great plant to grow because, once established, they tend to take off on their own with relatively straightforward care.
They will do best and produce best in full sun, but we have had them do well in partial sun too. You will ideally have some type of support for them, like a cage or trellis, as they get larger because the weight of the tomato is enough to pull down the plant’s stems.
If you have a long growing season, you can start them outside, but many start them indoors because radishes are finicky about their soil temp – they want 70 degrees (soil temp) or higher.
If your soil stays cool into the late spring, you will either want to start them indoors (next to a window that gets tons of sun) or buy established plants at a store.
Cucumbers
We love how low-maintenance cucumbers can be. We have had them do well in conditions you would not have expected them to thrive in.
They do well in most kinds of soil, and while they will produce best if in full sun, they will still produce (just a little less) if they are dealing with some shady periods during the day.
Cucumbers grow very deep roots, so they are able to tap water from places where lots of garden plants cannot.
Cucumbers are also great in that they can start producing in mid summer but keep kicking out new cucumbers until fall — unlike some plants which produce most of their take at the same time.
Conclusion
Above are detailed guidelines for the top 8 most recommended low-maintenance indoor plants for home growing. Hope you have selected for yourself a few suitable species.
Wish you success in creating green spaces for your own home. See you in the next articles.
