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4 min read
Whether you’re a serial plant killer or a first-time plant owner, these low-maintenance plants are the perfect option for anyone getting started.
Bringing plants into your home isn’t just a great way to spruce up your interiors – it can also be a lot of fun. The more challenging part, however, is keeping them alive.
We’ve all been there: one day you’re the owner of a colourful succulent, and the next you’re faced with the shrivelled shell of what once was.
You swear you did everything right – OK, you might have gone a bit heavy-handed on the watering that one time to make up for forgetting to water it for the month prior – but for the most part, you feel a bit confused and disheartened about the whole thing. In fact, you’re considering sacking the whole thing off and investing in a collection of artificial plants instead.
If you’re feeling seen right now, then this is the place for you. While there’s nothing wrong with artificial plants, you can be comforted in the knowledge that, while looking after plants is hard, there are also plenty of easy-care, low-maintenance plants that are perfect for beginners if you want to stick to the real thing.
Of course, there’s no such thing as an ‘unkillable’ plant. But for the most part, these guys are pretty easy – not only are they fine with a little bit of neglect, but they’re not particular about things, either: just give them a decent amount of light and water and they’ll be happy.
So, if you want to start a plant collection in 2024, but don’t want any of the fuss that comes with it, keep reading to check out our guide to the best beginner-friendly plants to buy now.
Kentia Palm
For a low-maintenance statement plant, look no further than the magnificent kentia palm. Not only is it really easy to take care of, it can also thrive in low light corners and looks fantastic too.
To keep it happy, simply water when the top of its soil is dry and give it a mist if its leaves begin to turn brown.
Cylindrical Snake Plant
There’s a reason why snake plants remain just as popular as they were in the 70s – besides the fact that they’re great to look at, they’re also able to withstand neglect and are happy with whatever you give them.
The architectural appeal of this cylindrical snake plant makes it the perfect plant for anywhere in your home – it’ll thrive with very little watering and bright, indirect light.
Cast Iron Plant
If you’re notorious for killing your houseplants, give the cast iron plant a go. This plant got its name for a reason, after all: they’re as close to an unkillable houseplant as you can get.
Your cast iron plant will be happy with any kind of light level (as long as it’s not super bright sunlight) and only needs watering when the top two inches of soil are dry (although it won’t mind if the waterings are irregular, either).
Spider Plant
Spider plants really are the gift that keeps on giving. Alongside looking great and being super easy to care for (they grow insanely fast and thrive no matter what conditions you throw at them), they also produce baby spider plants, so you’ll end up with loads of plants to share with friends.
To keep your spider plant happy, simply position it in bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist if possible (the tips of their leaves go brown quite regularly, so that’s nothing to worry about).
Aloe Vera
On top of being incredibly easy to care for, aloe vera is a medicinal plant that can be used to soothe burns (the gel-like substance inside the leaves is easy to harvest whenever you need it).
It also happens to grow incredibly fast and is tolerant of irregular watering, so it’s the perfect plant for the first-time plant owner.
Zebra Cactus
Although not technically a cactus (it’s a succulent, closely related to aloe vera), the zebra cactus is still just as hardy as its spiky cousins.
It’s the perfect low-maintenance desk plant – it’ll cope with all kinds of light conditions and only needs watering when the soil dries out. We love the little white details on its leaves that give the zebra cactus its name.
Golden Pothos
The golden pothos – also known as the devil’s ivy – is the perfect trailing plant for anyone who wants that indoor jungle aesthetic without all the fuss.
It got its devilish nickname because of its low-maintenance nature: on top of being almost impossible to kill, it also stays green even when kept in the dark. Keep it happy by watering when the soil is dry and giving it indirect light.
Chinese Money Plant
Last but by no means least, the Chinese money plant is as eye-catching as it is easy to look after.
Keep it happy by waiting for the top of the soil to dry out before watering and giving it indirect light, and not only will it thrive, but it’ll also produce lots of little baby plants that you can cut off and grow into full-sized ones to share with friends.
Images: courtesy of suppliers
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