The easiest houseplants for beginners are sansevieria (snake plant), pothos, ZZ plant, peace lily, cactus/succulent and monstera. They can cope with a fair amount of neglect, thrive in many light conditions and only need a little water. Use a plant pot cover with an inner pot that has a drainage hole, and above all, take care not to overwater – that's the most common mistake.
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Do you dream of greenery in your home, but worry that your plants won't survive? Then you're not alone – and luckily, there are several houseplants that almost look after themselves. They're tough, forgiving and perfect if you're just getting started. Here are six of the toughest, along with the simple rules that'll keep them alive.
Why choose hardy plants?
Hardy plants are ideal for beginners because they can handle irregular care. They'll survive if you forget to water them, and they don't have high light requirements. That gives you the peace of mind to learn, without a small mistake costing the plant its life.
- They forgive forgotten watering.
- They cope in several different light conditions.
- They grow slowly and rarely need repotting.
6 easy houseplants
Here are six classics that are hard to kill:
- Sansevieria (snake plant): almost indestructible, tolerates low light and little water.
- Pothos: a fast-growing trailing plant that forgives most things.
- ZZ plant: glossy leaves, copes with shade and long dry spells.
- Peace lily: flowers indoors and lets you know itself when it wants water.
- Cactus or succulent: loves light and needs minimal water.
- Monstera: decorative with big leaves, tough and easy to keep.
Tip: Start with one or two plants rather than lots at once. That way, you'll get to know their rhythm before expanding – and it'll be easier to keep track of watering.
Light and watering
Most hardy plants do best with bright, indirect light and a little water. What they all have in common is that they'd rather have too little water than too much.
- Place them in a bright spot without direct midday sun (except cacti and succulents, which love the sun).
- Only water once the top couple of centimetres of soil are dry.
- Water less in winter, when the plants grow more slowly.
Use a plant pot cover properly
A plant pot cover is beautiful, but it needs to be used properly so the plant doesn't drown. The key is that the water can get away from the roots.
- Leave the plant in its plastic inner pot with drainage holes.
- Place the inner pot inside the plant pot cover.
- Pour out any excess water from the plant pot cover after watering, so the roots aren't left standing in water.
Tip: Place a few small stones or a grid in the bottom of the plant pot cover. That way, the inner pot sits slightly raised above any excess water, keeping the roots dry.
Watch out for overwatering
The most common reason houseplants die isn't drought – it's too much water. If the roots are constantly wet, they rot, and the plant withers despite plenty of water.
- Feel the soil before you water – if it's damp, wait.
- Yellow, limp leaves can be a sign of too much water.
- Better a little too little than a little too much, especially for hardy plants.
Plant, light and watering
Here's a quick overview of the six plants:
| Plant | Light | Watering |
|---|---|---|
| Sansevieria | Little to lots of light | Rarely |
| Golden pothos | Indirect light | When the soil is dry |
| ZZ plant | Shade to indirect light | Rarely |
| Peace lily | Indirect light | When the leaves droop |
| Cactus/succulent | Lots of light/sun | Very rarely |
| Monstera | Bright, indirect | When the top is dry |
Frequently asked questions
Which houseplant is easiest to keep alive?
Sansevieria (mother-in-law's tongue) and the ZZ plant are among the most forgiving. They tolerate both shade and long periods without water, and are hard to kill, even if you forget about them.
How often should I water my houseplants?
For most hardy plants, the rule is: water only once the top couple of centimetres of soil are dry. This can vary from every week to every third week depending on the plant, light and season. Water less in winter.
Why do the leaves turn yellow?
Yellow, limp leaves are often a sign of too much water and wet roots. Let the soil dry out, and check that the plant pot cover isn't collecting water at the bottom. Overwatering is the most common mistake.
Should the plant be planted directly in the plant pot cover?
No. Keep the plant in its inner pot with drainage holes and place it inside the plant pot cover. That way, excess water can drain away, and you avoid the roots sitting in water and rotting.
Which plants suit a dark room?
The ZZ plant, sansevieria and golden pothos do just fine in rooms with limited light. They tolerate shade and indirect light, making them great choices for bathrooms, hallways and north-facing rooms.
Summary
You don't need green fingers to bring your home to life. Hardy plants like sansevieria, golden pothos, ZZ plant, peace lily, cactus and monstera forgive the odd missed watering and thrive in many light conditions. Use a plant pot cover with an inner pot that has drainage, and remember: the most important thing is not to overwater. That gives you the best chance of green, happy plants.
Read also
- How to decorate with plants
- Plant pot covers: guide to choosing the right one
- Olive and fig tree in a pot
Give your plants a beautiful setting with our plant pot covers and pots.
