I’ve always dreamed of a house so full of plants that it looks like a greenhouse got lost in my living room. When we bought our first house nine years ago, windows and sunlight were a priority for this reason. While my minimalist tendencies, toddler, and dogs keep me from going full jungle mode, plenty of plants have made their way into our home over the years.
Here’s a roundup of my absolute favorite, easy-to-care-for houseplants—ones that have survived (and thrived) despite busy days, occasional neglect, and curious pets.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Light Needs: Pothos thrive in bright, indirect light however they can tolerate little to no sunlight. This plant does not do well in direct light which will burn it’s leaves. For many years, I had a pothos in my office. There were no windows and only fluorescent light and the pothos continued to grow just fine.
Water Needs: I typically water my pothos about once a week, with the soil drying out between waterings. It’s an easy one to tell if it needs water, because it will start to droop a bit. Just give it some water and it will come back to life. You can tell you’re over-watering if the leaves begin to turn yellow.
Why I Love It: It’s nearly impossible to kill. Pothos is the definition of low-maintenance and grows like crazy with minimal effort. I’m obsessed with the way that these trail. The inspiration for how people drape them around window/door frames or onto their floors is endless. This one also has lots of varieties and color variations which really sets it apart from other houseplants. As you can tell, this one is an easy one to love (and take care of)!
Worth Noting: This plant is toxic to humans and animals if eaten due to the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in their leaves and stems, so make sure it’s out of reach!
ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Light Needs: ZZ plants prefer bright indirect light, but they are so adaptable. This is another one I’ve had in my windowless office at work and it does just fine with the low, fluorescent light.
Water Needs: This baby only needs water when the soil is completely dry and is definitely one of those that will manage if you’re an inconsistent water-er.
Why I Love It: It is the ultimate “set it and forget it” plant. ZZ plants tolerate neglect, low light, and irregular watering, making them perfect for anyone who forgets to water (or goes on vacation often). I love that this plant never looks “leggy” and it fits in so many environments due to it’s flexibility with light and water.
Worth Noting: Another one that’s toxic to pets. It also grows slowly, but that just means less pruning! ZZ plants can develop flowers, but rarely does it happen in a house setting.
Monstera Deliciosa
Light Needs: This guy loves bright, indirect light! I’ve been told west-facing windows are best, but we don’t have any of those in our home. It’s best to avoid direct afternoon sunlight and lower light, as it could prevent new growth.
Water Needs: The more light, the more often you will need to water it. This plant likes to dry out a bit between waterings, so it may look like watering every 1-2 weeks.
Why I Love It: Those big, dramatic leaves give off serious jungle vibes. Monstera is stunning and surprisingly forgiving, bouncing back even if you miss a watering. I love how seemingly small the root ball is compared to the massive leaves and how the fenestrations can make them look so unique. There are more than 45 different varieties to choose from!
Worth Noting: It needs occasional support (like a moss pole) as it grows. Also, it’s mildly toxic to pets, so best to keep it away from chewers. These become super popular in recent years and made them hard to find in mid-MO for a while!
Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
Light Needs: Rubber Trees need medium to bright indirect light for about 8 hours a day.
Water Needs: Rubber trees do best when the soil is allowed to dry out between watering, about every 1-2 weeks. Similar to the pothos, it may start to droop or yellow if it needs a drink.
Why I Love It: Its deep green, glossy leaves add the perfect touch of drama to any room. Plus, it’s relatively low maintenance and can grow into a small indoor tree. My parents had one of these at home growing up, so it always feels a little nostalgic.
Worth Noting: It’s another plant that can be toxic to pets. Also, if you want it to grow tall and strong, occasional pruning will help shape it.
Pilea Peperomioides
Light Needs: Pilea prefer bright to medium indirect light. Too much light can scorch its leaves and too little light will cause it to become leggy or droopy.
Water Needs: I’ve read all kinds of things on pilea watering schedules, but I’ve found that they like to dry out between waterings. I prefer to bottom water this plant. All you need to do is place the plant in a pot with good drainage and then set the pot in a sink filled with water for about 15 minutes.
Why I Love It: The round, coin-like leaves are just so cute. Plus, it’s a prolific grower that produces little “pups” you can propagate. Right before Callahan was born, I propagated 3 pups off my more mature plant and it was so sweet to share one of my favorite plants with a few friends.
Worth Noting: It’s non-toxic to pets! However, it does prefer more humidity than some other houseplants, so occasional misting helps keep it happy. This plant has so many fun names – UFO Plant, pancake plant, coin plant, and friendship plant. I also recommend avoiding temperature fluctuations.
African Violets (Saintpaulia)
Light Needs: African Violets prefer bright indirect light and do well with at least 8 hours of darkness to encourage the plant to produce blooms. In my experience, African Violets don’t really tolerate direct light or being hot.
Water Needs: Watering has been my biggest downfall with this plant – several have succumbed to root rot. Resources I’ve read recommend keeping soil consistently moist but not soggy; I have found that keeping the soil more dry is key. These guys are picky and prefer for you to use room-temperature water.
Why I Love It: The soft, fuzzy leaves and frequent blooms make African violets one of the most charming plants to have around. They flower in a variety of colors, and once you find the right spot, they bloom year-round. Flowers last for a few weeks at a time so you regularly get to see new growth popping up.
Worth Noting: They can be a little fussy about watering—use a bottom-watering method to prevent leaf spotting. They also appreciate a well-draining potting mix formulated for African violets. This one required a lot of pruning due to the year-round blooms and spent leaves. Keeping the plant’s roots restricted helps it to keep blooming.
Succulents (Various Species)
Light Needs: Succulents are the only ones on the list that prefer bright, direct light. If you have succulents, go ahead and get you this Plant Light Meter app.
Water Needs: Overwatering is the number one killer of succulents—less is more! Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Why I Love It: Succulents come in so many shapes, colors, and textures, making them endlessly fun to collect. They thrive on neglect, requiring little more than good light and occasional watering.
Worth Noting: Most succulents are pet-safe, but some (like jade plants) can be toxic, so double-check if you have animals around.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria, now Dracaena trifasciata)
Light Needs: Snake plants can handle anywhere from low to bright, indirect light. Ours sits in our bathroom window which has filtered light from those glass blocks from the 90s and it’s thriving! Our plant has grown about 3 feet in less than 9 months.
Water Needs: Infrequent watering is perfect, which makes it another great candidate for someone who travels.
Why I Love It: The ultimate low-maintenance plant. Snake plants thrive on neglect, tolerate low light, and even improve air quality by filtering toxins. Plus, their tall, upright leaves make them a stylish addition to any space.
Worth Noting: It’s mildly toxic to pets, so keep it away from chewers. Snake plants do best in well-draining soil and can easily rot if over-watered.
Final Thoughts
Bringing greenery into your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These plants have proven to be resilient, beautiful, and (mostly) easy to care for—even in a home with a toddler and pets. Whether you’re new to houseplants or just looking for some low-maintenance additions, these favorites are a great place to start.
What are your favorite houseplants?