People often assume that gardening always requires a lot of hard work, but while this is certainly true for some plants, many are a lot more easygoing. This is ideal for people with green fingers but who have busy, action-packed jobs. If that sounds like you, and you’d like to expand your garden, consider planting the following low-maintenance plants that practically grow themselves.
Snake Plant
Starting things off with a truly resilient plant, the snake plant is practically a survivalist. It ticks all of the boxes, tolerating low light, skipping watering routines, and even putting up with straight-up neglect, all thanks to its sturdy, upright leaves that store water. Plus, it purifies the air, which is an added bonus for any space it graces–especially indoors.
ZZ Plant
This plant is another powerhouse of resilience, thriving in low light and only needing a bit of water now and then. You’ll notice that its thick, waxy leaves retain moisture, so it won’t wither if you miss a watering. Even with minimal care, the ZZ plant has a unique, glossy charm, bringing a modern touch to any home or office.
Pothos
Beloved by plant enthusiasts around the world, the pothos has beautiful, trailing vines that can adapt to most environments with ease. This is primarily because it handles both low light and bright indirect light and doesn’t need much watering at all. Delightfully, it produces heart-shaped leaves that come in various shades, adding a lush, green vibe to any spot without demanding much attention.
Spider Plant
Not to be confused with the snake plant, spider plants bring a playful look with their arching leaves and tiny “baby” offshoots that dangle down. Achieving this won’t need much maintenance, though; they’re quite happy in various lighting conditions and only need watering when the soil dries out. Plus, they’re great at filtering indoor air, making them a functional and low-maintenance choice.
Philodendron
Another low-maintenance plant that practically grows itself is the philodendron, a houseplant staple that will be quick to forgive a little neglect. Generally, they grow well in indirect sunlight and require just enough water to keep the soil moist but not soggy. In return, they’ll reward you with their heart-shaped leaves, much like the pothos.
Peace Lily
Staying true to its name, the peace lily’s elegant white flowers won’t get too angry if you don’t keep on top of its maintenance. Yes, it needs consistent moisture to stay healthy, but it’s still forgiving when it occasionally droops from thirst. Don’t underwater it too often, which can cause stress, and we’re sure you’ll find the peace lily to be more or less self-growing.
Cast Iron Plant
Another appropriately named plant is the cast iron plant, which is as tough as it sounds. You can expect it to withstand low light, irregular watering, and just about any environment, bringing its dark green, strap-like leaves to your home, no matter what conditions you throw at it. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for anyone who tends to forget about their plants now and then.
Jade Plant
As a succulent, the jade plant’s thick leaves store water, enabling it to go without frequent watering. It will thrive best in bright, direct sunlight and may struggle in lower light, but as long as you remember that, its compact, bushy shape should flourish with minimal care.
Rubber Plant
Rubber plants grow unique, broad leaves, especially in bright, indirect light, and won’t hold a grudge if you forget to water them from time to time. Generally, though, consistent moisture helps prevent leaf drop, but you shouldn’t stress about it. Ultimately, this plant makes a bold statement with its deep green, glossy foliage as long as you can keep up with some very basic care routines.
Aloe Vera
Just like the jade plant, aloe vera is a hardy succulent known for its soothing gel and its ability to endure neglect. Place it in direct sunlight, and it’ll be able to withstand infrequent watering–in fact, it loves drought! Best of all, its gel makes for a wonderful skin remedy, doubling up as both a decorative plant and a part of your skincare routine.
English Ivy
English ivy is an adaptable vine that grows well with moderate light and a bit of water now and then. However, it’s better suited outdoors, struggling indoors if humidity levels drop too low or if light is inadequate. Moreover, its trailing vines look elegant in hanging baskets, or as table accents, so we’re sure it’ll help to fill your space with a dense green charm.
Chinese Evergreen
The striking, variegated leaves of the Chinese evergreen have made it a popular choice in the lives of busy gardeners, as it only requires minimal care to stay vibrant. For example, they’ll tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making them perfect for any indoor setting, and they grow slowly, too, so they really don’t need frequent attention to treat you to their colorful, lush presence.
Aglaonema
Next on our list of low-maintenance plants is the aglaonema, a sturdy species that, as with many of these plants, loves low light, irregular watering, and even varying temperatures. With its bold, patterned leaves, aglaonema adds visual interest, so if you live a busy lifestyle, you can depend on this plant to add a pop of color to your home without much effort.
Dracaena
Last on our list is the dracaena plant, an impressively easy-going plant that should do great in low to medium light–as long as you water it occasionally. There are many species of dracaena to explore, all of which boast slender, green, or colorful leaves, adding a whole lot of texture and interest to any home. So, stop making excuses about your busy life, and start growing dracaena as well as the other plants on this list!