Houseplants can have a range of benefits for your physical and mental health. However, creating an indoor jungle becomes tricky if you struggle to keep your houseplants alive. We’ve got some expert advice from Morag Hill, co-founder of The Little Botanical, who shares the best low-maintenance houseplants for beginners…
What are the benefits of having indoor plants in the home?
Keeping houseplants in the home has a range of health benefits. Many air plants have air-purifying properties. This means they can remove toxins and allergens from the air, which could otherwise cause respiratory issues. They can also help to give your home a fresh new feel, as Morag explains: ‘Redecorating or buying new furnishings can be expensive, but a quick way to change the look and feel of your home and make a bold statement is through introducing some plants. They add colour and structure and make a huge difference to any space. As we are now officially in Spring, it is the perfect time to bring some colour into your home to celebrate the lighter evenings.’
If you weren’t blessed with a green thumb, you might feel slightly daunted by all of the different options out there – not to mention the care requirements. Why not start with easy, low-maintenance houseplants, which are (almost!) impossible to kill…
5 low maintenance houseplants for beginners
Morag Hill, co-founder of The Little Botanical, suggests the following 5 indoor plants for brand-new plant parents…
1. Devil’s Ivy
A trailing green goddess and the perfect plant for beginners. Happy in either a bright spot or
a darker corner, making him easy to place in your home. Works well in small spaces as is low
growing so pop him on a high shelf and he will cascade down beautifully. Devil’s Ivy requires
watering every 10-14 days and will look lush and green in any corner of your home. If you do
forget to water him, he’ll let you know as the leaves will start to visibly wilt. With a good drink,
he’ll perk back up again. The Devil’s Ivy is the perfect houseplant for anyone embarking on
their journey into plant parenthood.
2. Sanseveria Punk
These are most definitely the survivors of the indoor plant world. Almost indestructible, they cope in both a well-lit space or a darker spot in your home, and look fab on a desk or coffee table. The Sanseveria Punk is a structural dark green beauty that can be happily ignored for weeks at a time. Water lightly once a month and he will be happy, they just don’t like to be overwatered. This air-purifying beauty is the perfect size to pop on your desk to add some greenery to brighten up your day.
3. Monstera Deliciosa
The much-loved Monstera plant is the king of the indoor jungle, those beautiful leaves with their characteristic holes, make him an absolute must-have. This stunning houseplant is easy to care for too – it just keeps growing! To create that sought after urban jungle look, pop your Monstera in a bright spot, they need good indirect light and water him once a week. He will reward you with lots of new growth, especially now as we move into Spring and Summer. We guarantee you will love watching new leaves uncurl! Welcome to plant parenthood!
4. Chamaedorea Elegans AKA Parlour Palm
The Chamaedorea is one tropical beauty, enjoying indirect light and a weekly watering, it’s the perfect starter plant to get newbie plant parents used to the regular routine of simple plant care. Water once a week, rotate once a month and dust those leaves to ensure it continue to receive good light. Just be careful to not let your Chamaedorea get too much sun, as they will dry out very quickly in bright direct sunlight, for example these leafy palms won’t tolerate a sunny South facing windowsill and will struggle to recover if their leaves turn grey/brown. A weekly drink and bright but indirect light will keep them very happy.
5. Zamioculcas (ZZ Plant)
The ZZ plant is super low maintenance and only needs watering once every 4 weeks or more – they are the ultimate low maintenance houseplants for beginners! This indoor plant will survive well in a darker corner of your home, perfect for styling a space that doesn’t get as much natural light. With its thick, glossy leaves, this beauty will add style to your home office or why not pop him on a shelf in your kitchen space. The ZZ plant is used to an arid environment so just don’t be inclined to top him up with water as you pass him, always ensure the soil is dry before rewatering.
