Top Picks for Neglect-Resistant Indoor Plants for Inexperienced Gardeners
Keeping houseplants can be a challenge, especially for newbies. Sometimes you might forget to water that sad little plant, or maybe you end up pouring too much on it. Despite your best efforts, it often still dies. But fret not! There's a whole range of houseplants that are easy to look after, more manageable than a slow dance with a snake!
For the plant-challenged, here are some plants that practically beg to be ignored. They're just as happy with your negligence as they are with your care.
1. String of Hearts aka Toothache Plant (Ceropegia woodii)
This succulent vine, looking like it's trying to hang itself off the side of a hanging planter or tall shelf, is the string of hearts. It comes in a lovely pinkish variegated version, too, but the green one is sturdier and still quite attractive. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Since it's a succulent, the soil needs to dry out between waterings. So forget about it for a week or so, and it'll be fine.
2. Golden Pothos aka Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos is one of the most popular and easiest houseplants to care for. Its vines can trail or be trained to climb, and its green leaves have varying levels of golden variegation depending on the amount of light it receives. This easygoing plant tolerates low light conditions, though more light will bring out more of that lovely golden hue. If you have a black thumb, wait until the leaves start to droop before giving your golden pothos a drink.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Even if you travel a lot or often forget to water, this plant is for you. It's named for its alliterative scientific name and has glossy, bright to dark green leaves and a growth habit that resembles a miniature palm or fern. ZZ plants tolerate low light and require watering only every two to four weeks – even less in the winter months! It's one of the most resilient plants out there.
4. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
Heartleaf Philodendron isn't quite as hands-off as Golden Pothos, but it's still a beautiful trailing house plant suitable for beginners. It has glossy, heart-shaped leaves, most commonly found in a solid dark green but occasionally in variegated forms. Heartleaf Philodendron prefers bright, indirect sunlight but will tolerate lower light. It should be watered when the soil dries out, and it appreciates a somewhat humid environment.
5. Snake Plant aka Mother-in-law's Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata)
Known as Mother-in-law's Tongue, this plant has rigid, upright leaves growing from a basal rosette. Smaller cultivars work well on tables and shelves, while taller varieties can stand on the floor. Some types have a pretty gold edging around the dark green leaves. These slow-growing plants can go several weeks without water and survive on minimal sunlight. If it starts to look a little spindly, try moving it to a slightly brighter location.
Happy planting, you fig DOM-o! May your shriveled wilted plants rest in peace. Place the gifts of these easy-to-care-for plants around your den, and watch them flourish under your neglect.
Sources:[1] https://www.bonnieplants.com/article/how-to-grow-a-philodendron-cordatum/[2] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/threadleaf-heartleaf-philodendron_p01344/[3] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/zz-plant/[4] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/pothos/epipremnum-aureum/[5] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/golden-pothos/[6] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/spider-plant/[7] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/aloe-vera-growing-tips/[8] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/string-of-hearts/marybeth-s-ceropegia-woodii/
- The string of hearts, a succulent vine often found in hanging planters or tall shelves, is an easy-to- neglect houseplant. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and prefers its soil to dry out between waterings.
- Golden Pothos, one of the most popular houseplants, can be easily overlooked as it tolerates low light conditions well. Its vines can trail or climb, and it shows off varying levels of golden variegation depending on the amount of light it receives.
- ZZ Plant, with its glossy, bright to dark green leaves, is ideal for neglectful gardeners who travel often or forget to water. It can survive on minimal sunlight and watering only every two to four weeks, even less in the winter months.
- Heartleaf Philodendron, with its heart- shaped leaves, is a beautiful trailing houseplant suitable for beginners. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered when the soil dries out, appreciating a somewhat humid environment.
- Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-law's Tongue, not only survives on minimal sunlight but can go several weeks without water. Smaller cultivars work well on tables and shelves, while taller varieties can stand on the floor. It can tolerate low light and has a striking gold edging around the dark green leaves.
