Best Low- Maintenance Easy to Care Indoor Plants 

Dr. Soma Patnaik, 4 May 2020

Hey Folks, in the previous blogs we discussed what benefits we reap from our indoor plants and why people are tending more and more to have indoor plants around them. We could know that indoor plants don’t just add to the home decor, but are beneficial for our physical and mental well-being too. In recent times people are showing more and more interest in having plant pets because of varied reasons. But bringing and caring for plants as pets can be intimidating at times.

Getting perplexed by the wide range of indoor plants available these days to give them the right care can be overwhelming at times. In case you are an amateur plant lover then it can be much harder to decide on selection and how to take care of it. 

Just like humans, even plants differ in their temperament and responsiveness. There is no such thumb rule which can be applied across all plant types and categories. Some plants need too much care and attention to grow whereas there are some low maintenance and easy to grow plants. These plants go well for all types of plant parents be it new or old.

So, if you want to pep up your space with some greenery but you are a busy bee with no time for plants or if you are a new plant parent with no prior experience in taking care of baby plants. Here is a list of some sturdy, low maintenance, easy to grow plants that are aptly suitable for you. Here we go!

Snake Plant 

There are about 70 different varieties of Snake plants (Sansevieria), which are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Europe. These plants are scientifically approved by NASA that convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. These plants are highly tolerant, low maintenance plants and can stay fresh without water for weeks. It can be planted in both low and high lighting spaces. These study beauties are easy to propagate. All it needs is well-drained soil as the root rhizomes may suffer rot due to waterlogging. Snake plants love dry soil and less water for proper growth.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant is among the perfect indoor indestructible plants. It is perfect for the one who neglects or forgets to take care of their indoor plants. If also this plant is not watered for days it still survives giving a fresh and vibrant look. The deep green waxy shiny leaves give a unique feathered look. It can survive in low to medium indirectly lit spaces as it’s not fond of bright light at all. It doesn’t like much water either as it has rhizomes beneath the stalks which store water and excess water can lead to the rotting of these bulbous rhizomes. This low maintenance plant gives a statement to your decor and also purifies the air around.

Ficus Elastica

The Ficus elastica is commonly known as the rubber plant that makes a great indoor plant but one has to understand some basic things about it. The younger the plant, the better it gets adapted to the indoors. It requires light and water in moderation. Excess of both can either cause withering of leaves or rotting of the plant. During the dormant season, it should be watered when leaves start drooping or else once/twice a month is sufficient. It is easy to propagate through cuttings from tree nodes. It doesn’t need much fertilization and care. But the beautiful broad dark-hued or variegated leaves can be cleaned with a soft cloth to keep the shine and lustre intact.

Crassula Ovata

Crassula Ovata is considered to be a lucky jade plant. It is a tough succulent native to South Africa and is adaptable to tough climatic conditions. But it asks for minimal attention during the growing stage. The important factors to consider are water, sunlight, temperature and fertilizer. It needs balanced watering and a lot of sunlight to grow properly. Fertilizing your crassula once every six months with a water-soluble fertilizer is enough. With these little efforts and care, this perennial evergreen gem might turn into a beautiful jade tree one day and get adorned with pink/white blossoms.  

Pothos

The pothos is a wonderful, easy and lovely indoor plant. It is truly undemanding and fills your space with greenery around. This plant comes in various shades from shades of green and variegated. Pothos can be grown in multiple ways in varied designs and setups, as a bushy shrub for tabletop decor;  as a hanging garden plant, as ground cover for landscaping and as a tree climbs in shady open garden space. Pothos can sustain a wide range of environmental variations. They do well in low, bright, as well as indirect lighting. It can be grown in soil or in water. They can grow immensely well in nutrient-rich soil and can also sustain in nutrient-deficient soil. It can be propagated easily through the trailing nodes. 

Peperomia

A peperomia is an excellent attractive houseplant. It makes a tabletop decor or an addition to your house plant collection as they are compact and consume less space. There are about 1000 varieties of peperomia plants, but only a few of them are available as indoor plants. These plants require a light houseplant mixture with some coarse gravel mix to make the soil airy for better growth. It requires medium to low light, sparse water with occasional fertilizing for the right growth. It doesn’t need much care and pampering. With just a little effort it gives wonderful foliage with various variations and shades to your home/ indoor garden.