The Best Low Maintenance Houseplants; A Tried and True Guide
I love nature.
I know it’s a very generic and broad statement, but it is true.
What does this have to do with low maintenance houseplants? Let me provide you with some context so that you can perhaps relate.
I love spending time outdoors because nature has very powerful and positive effects on me. It calms and grounds me every time.
I love nature so much that since I was little, I brought it indoors into my home.
Fast forward a few years (quite a few years, actually!), and I have over 100 plants in our home.
Houseplants help me connect with nature even when I am not outdoors.
After so many years of having so many plants around me, I feel qualified enough to tell you which plants are the best low maintenance houseplants to keep in your home.
In fact, I wrote three Blogs on this topic;
This Blog is a bit different, though. I am not narrowing down the selection to the top 5 or 10 plants that even a zombie couldn’t kill.
There are so many unique, fun and beautiful houseplants out there that are incredibly easy to care for and are never mentioned in any list of top rated “impossible to kill” houseplants!
So this Blog is for all the forgotten Zig Zag and Coral Cacti out there!
But this is especially for you my dear reader; you deserve something better than the Spider Plant!
1. Zig zag cactus, (Disocactus Anguliger)
I put the Zig Zag Cactus first on my list because is the funkiest and most eye catching of my low maintenance houseplants.
Also known as Fishbone Cactus and Ric Rac Cactus, this incredible succulent needs very little TLC!
It loves a lot of bright, indirect light and consistent watering. I water mine once a week because I keep it in a small terracotta pot. It is very forgiving when I miss a watering, though.
Terracotta is very porous and tends to dry out the soil much faster than a plastic pot.
The Zig Zag cactus grows fast, but its roots remain relatively small. This is why it is important to keep it in a somewhat small pot.
The beauty of the Zig Zag cactus is that it is also very easy to propagate!
My funky Zig Zag Cactus.
2. crested elkhorn, (Euphorbia Cristata)
This is an interesting plant.
I found it years ago tucked at the bottom of a Walmart shelf.
It was one of those plants in tacky pots with glued-on decorative rocks on the top soil.
I took it home and removed it from its ridiculous pot and almost used a hammer to loosen and remove the crust of rocks on the topsoil.
I repotted it in a simple plastic pot and used one of my many decorative ceramic pots to display it in the living room.
Needless to say, if it can survive Walmart, it can survive a lot of neglect, making it one of the best low maintenance houseplants.
Interestingly enough, this plant is not a cactus but two succulents grafted together. You can actually see the V shaped cut of the rootstock (the stem) where the fan-shaped head has been grafted in.
This succulent thrives in bright, indirect light.
Depending on the pot material, it can be watered every two to three weeks.
I have mine in a plastic pot, so I water it every three weeks, but it forgives me when I skip a week.
If you have this plant in a terracotta pot, you would need to water it every two weeks.
The funky Crested Elkhorn. Many people call this plant Coral Cactus, but since I already have a different Coral Cactus in this Blog, I didn’t want to create confusion.
3. ZZ plant, (zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant, also know as the Zanzibar Gem, is truly a gem!
It is very low maintenance, requiring little water and low light conditions to survive.
It’s a great air purifying plant that can live for many years! (I’ve had mine for 15 years at the time of writing).
Okay, I admit it, this is a classic plant that makes into many “low maintenance houseplants” lists, but I couldn’t resist including it!
Even though this plant is famous for its tolerance to low light conditions, it also thrives in bright, indirect light.
It doesn’t need much water as it stores a good amount of it in its fleshy stems. I water mine every two weeks, but I can go three, even four weeks without watering it.
This lovely succulent is very easy to propagate by division.
P.S. If you want something different, opt for its darker version, the Raven!!
My 13 years old ZZ Plant before undergoing a major division.
4. coral cactus, (Rhipsalis cereuscola)
I am particularly attached to my Coral Cactus because it came as a cutting from one of my closest friends’ home.
I rooted the cutting in water for over a month as it took longer than other species to develop the roots.
Once I planted it in soil it began to thrive!
This cute plant enjoys bright, indirect light.
I water it once a week because it’s still in a small terracotta pot and the soil dries out faster. However, it often goes two weeks without water and it does just fine.
This little plant is the living proof that propagation by stem cutting is quite easy for this species!
5. ponytail palm, (beaucarnea recurvata)
The Ponytail Palm is another popular low maintenance houseplant.
And rightly so!
It comes with all the perks you would want in a plant.
To begin with, it’s not a true palm but a succulent. That’s right!
It’s one of the best houseplants for longevity, (I’ve had mine for 19 years at the time of writing).
It’s extremely low maintenance, requiring little water as it stores it in its bulbous trunk. I water mine every two to three weeks.
It requires bright, indirect light to thrive.
The Ponytail Palm is one of the few non-toxic succulents safe for cats, dogs, and children.
Finally, this plant has the ability to enhance and brighten the look of any space with its cheerful cascading leaves.
This is one of my newest Ponytail Palms. I keep a few of them in our home because they are great for filling empty corners with their voluminous, cascading leaves.
6. fairy castle cactus, (acanthocereus Tetragonus)
I bought this plant for my son a few years ago.
He chose it in a greenhouse in one of my many excursions.
I would have never picked it, but who am I to trump a little boy’s desire for a plant?
In hindsight, it was the best plant I could have bought for a kid’s room. Let’s face it, kids are attracted to prickly plants, and cacti fit the bill. I think it’s great because it encourages kids to care for nature and nurture something other than themselves. It also gives them a bit, just a bit, of responsibility. At least it’s not a fish that can go belly up if Mom doesn’t feed it or when the water gets so murky you can’t even spot the fish anymore.
Anyway, cacti are great because they need very little water.
This particular cactus, is cool because of its volume, with many stems at different heights.
While water is not a particular issue with this plant, natural light exposure is critical. Like many cacti, the Fairy Castle Cactus thrives in bright, direct light.
Another positive aspect for those with a very busy lifestyle is that this plant doesn’t grow fast at all. We’ve had this cactus for many years now, and we’ve only had to repot it once.
The many turrets of the Fairy Castle Cactus.
7. pothos 'n' joy, (epipremnum aureum 'n' joy)
This Pothos species is surprisingly easy to care for.
I say “surprisingly”, even though Devil’s Ivies (Pothos) are among the easiest plants one can get. The reason why I am surprised is because I am always suspicious of new plants.
In-fact, this cultivar of Marble Queen Pothos was discovered in 2002. It was found as a naturally occurring branch mutation of a Marble Queen Pothos.
Factoids aside, I really love this plant; I find it very easy to care for.
I keep it in a South facing room, away from the direct sunlight.
I water it once every two weeks or when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
The beauty of its variegated leaves mesmerizes me every time I look at this plant.
If you find one in a store, don’t pass it!
The gorgeous Pothos ‘N’Joy. Its leaves are smaller and more textured compared to the Marble Queen Pothos. Its variegation pattern is quite different too.
8. picushion cactus, (mammillaria)
The Pincushion Cactus was my daughter’s choice for her bedroom.
I found it a bit boring when she chose it from the many plants in the greenhouse.
Little did I know how much joy and satisfaction its gorgeous and dainty flowers would bring when they unexpectedly bloomed in the middle of January, which is a freezing month in our region.
This plant is an excellent choice for kids and anyone looking for a small plant for their desk or shelf that actually stays small for a long time.
Like many cacti, the Pincushion cactus requires a lot of bright light to thrive.
Water it only when the soil has completely dried out.
This plant grows slowly, so repotting is seldom necessary and it is only done to replace nutrient-depleted soil.
Our blooming Pincushion Cactus.
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9. wax plant, (hoya)
The Wax Plant is one of my favourite plants.
I started a collection of Hoyas because they are all low maintenance houseplants, (except perhaps the Sweetheart Hoya, which requires a bit more attention), and are all very beautiful.
My collection started with the Classic Hoya Carnosa. It came from three stems I snipped-off and rooted from one of my friend’s plant.
I recommend you start from this species of Hoya.
It’s gorgeous, low-maintenance, and non-toxic to pets.
It thrives in bright, indirect light.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
This plant grows long stems fast, so you will need to repot it at least once a year.
Propagating Hoyas by stem cutting is very easy!
Once you master the Hoya Carnosa, you can move onto the different species available on the market.
Here are some of the Hoya species I have. Starting from the top left; Hoya Albomarginata, Hoya Carnosa, Hoya Curtisii, Hoya Carnosa Compacta, Hoya Kerrii, Hoya Pubicalyx.
10. Pencil Cactus, (euphorbia Tirucalli)
The Pencil Cactus is another unique and eye-catching, low maintenance houseplant.
I always say it belongs to Professor Sprout’s Herbology Class.
This plant is a shrub with succulent branches.
The latex inside its stems is highly poisonous for pets and humans if ingested, it can cause severe irritation to the skin when in contact with it, and can even cause temporary blindness if it accidentally touches the eyes.
I don’t mean to scare you. After all, I’ve had this plant for many years, and it has lived alongside two puppies.
Just keep it out of the reach of young children and puppies. Use gloves when pruning or propagating it.
This curious plant requires plenty or bright, indirect light to thrive.
Water it when the soil feels dry to the touch.
I propagated mine by stem cutting. I let the stem dry out for two to three days before placing it in water to root for a few weeks.
Can you spot Pickett the Bowtruckle hiding in the Pencil Cactus?
11. birds of paradise plant, (strelitzia Nicolai)
The Bird of Paradise is among the best low maintenance tall houseplants.
It is an amazing plant! Its large leaves bring a tropical vibe into your home.
You’ll need a room with high ceilings and ample space, as this plant grows quickly. The only way to control its growth is by periodically pruning its roots.
The Birds of Paradise Plant loves plenty of bright light.
It needs to be watered every two weeks, or when the top inch of soil becomes dry to the touch.
You can propagate this plant by division. Simply divide it at the roots to reduce the number of stems in the pot or to repot a new plant.
Birds of Paradise Plant in my Home Office.
12. desert candle cactus, (euphorbia abyssinica)
The Desert Candle Cactus is another longevity champion.
I’ve had this plant for almost 20 years, and believe it or not, it was a Valentine’s present from the man who’s now my husband.
I made fun of him for years for giving me a prickly plant for Valentine’s, but I recently discovered that gifting a cactus symbolizes strength, will and determination. What a wise man I married!😜
Anyway, this plant is tough as nails.
All it needs is plenty of bright light.
I water my Cactus every three weeks, and there have been times when I stretched it to a month.
The Desert Candle Cactus doesn’t grow fast at all, so it doesn’t need frequent repotting. It is, however, a good idea to replace the soil with a batch of fresh mix once a year.
Nothing says “I love you” like a prickly Desert Candle Cactus.
13. zebra hawortia
The Zebra Haworthia is a charming succulent and one of the few non-toxic succulents safe for cats, dogs and children.
Not only is it one of the best low maintenance houseplants. It is also one of the plants that produces the most pups.
With just one Zebra Haworthia, you end up with many!
This succulent thrives in bright, indirect light. It is ideal for windowsills because it doesn’t grow too big.
Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
To propagate this lovely plant, carefully cut the pups as close to the base of the mother plant as possible.
Plant the pups in soil and share them with the people you love!
Young Zebra Haworthia
14. african milk tree, (euphorbia trigona)
Even though the African Milk Tree looks similar to the Desert Candle Cactus, they are not the same plant. In-fact, they are quite different .
They are both fantastic low maintenance houseplants, but they have different needs, especially when it comes to watering.
I adopted this plant from someone who could no longer look after it. It was pretty clear to me they were having a hard time parting with it. So, I promised myself I was going to take good care of it.
Honestly, it has been quite easy.
The African Milk Tree requires abundant bright light to thrive.
Even though this plant is a drought tolerant succulent, I noticed that it needs more water than the Desert Candle Cactus. I water mine every two to three weeks, depending on the season.
I did notice a difference when I watered it more sporadically. Its tear-drop shaped leaves started to dry out and fall. Those leaves eventually become new stems, so you don’t want them to dry out.
This plant also grows faster, (still slow compared to regular houseplants, though), than the Desert Candle Cactus.
Desert Candle Cactus filling an otherwise empty corner.
15. jade plant, (crassula ovata)
I just repotted this plant after a few years of neglect.
Yikes! I admit to neglecting some plants…
It’s easy to neglect a Jade Plant because it’s such a low maintenance houseplant that you almost forget you have it.
I actually I have a few of them.
This is one of those plants you start with one and end up with multiple; they are so easy to propagate both by stem and leaf.
The Jade Plant is the most popular Feng Shui Plant because is known to bring prosperity to those who own it. It is also a symbol of friendship. This is why it is often presented as a housewarming gift.
This succulent needs plenty of bright light to thrive.
Keep it in a terracotta pot to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. I keep it by a South facing window, and I water it every two weeks, but it forgives me if I forget a week.
The interesting thing about this plant is that even if it grows relatively fast, its roots remain small. For this reason it should not be repotted for the sake of upsizing the pot. However, replacing the nutrient-depleted soil once a year is always a good idea.
There are many options when it comes to Jade Plants; from the E.T. Fingers to variegated cultivars to the classic species. If properly cared for, Jade Plants can live for many years.
16. aloe vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most popular succulents.
It has been recognized as a skin treatment in traditional medicine for centuries and is still widely used by the cosmetic industry to create skin lotions, ointments, and gels to treat minor skin burns.
It is a very low maintenance houseplant once you understand its needs.
This plant requires a lot of bright, indirect light to thrive and grow into a big and healthy succulent that can produce multiple pups.
In my experience, it is essential to plant it in a terracotta pot that allows the soil to dry out between waterings.
It’s crucial that the soil dries out before thoroughly watering it.
Aloe Vera tends to grow quickly and become top heavy, with relatively small roots. Repotting is often necessary to prevent the pot from toppling over under the weight of the plant.
Since you need a large and heavy pot, but the roots are small, it’s critical not to over-water the Aloe Vera. Simply place it in a terracotta pot with cactus soil mixed with perlite for improved drainage. (1 part perlite to 4 part soil).
17. snake plant, (Dracaena)
I placed the Snake Plant last on my list of low maintenance houseplants.
That doesn’t mean it’s not a great plant. On the contrary!
It’s just that this plant is on everyone’s best list for almost everything!
I mean, it’s true. The Snake Plant has so many benefits, in addition to being incredibly low maintenance.
It is tolerant of low light conditions, it is air purifying, it is has a long lifespan, and it comes in so many species and sizes that you can literally drape your house in Snake Plants and not have the same plant in one room!
I have a few Snake Plants because I love their ease of maintenance and because I really like some the species, such as the Starfish one!
The Starfish and the Fernwood Snake Plants are excellent small, eye-catching plants you can place anywhere in your home or even office.
The more classic Silver Queen Snake Plant can be tall and columnar for an empty corner of your home or creating a symmetrical look at the front entrance.
When it comes to display options, the Snake Plant has you covered.
It is a succulent, but unlike other succulents, it doesn’t require bright light to thrive, (although it does really well in bright, indirect light).
Another great aspect of this plant is that it doesn’t need much water.
Depending on the species, and the amount of light they receive, you can water them anywhere between two to three weeks.
You can easily propagate these plants through division.
These are some of my Snake Plants. From top left we have the Starfish Snake Plant, Silver Queen Snake Plant, Fernwood Snake Plant, and Bird’s Nest Snake Plant.
I hope you enjoy this list of unique, low maintenance houseplants.
I also hope that you discovered and find a new type of plant you won’t be afraid to bring into your home. Or perhaps, you’ve learned that a specific plant you’ve seen before is actually easy to care for?
Feel free to share your discoveries in the replies here below! I am always interested in hearing what you have to say about your plants!
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