20 Low Maintenance Plants to Brighten Your Home or Office

Aloe Vera is a type of succulent that isn’t just for decor. These plants have a soothing gel inside their thick leaves. You can use this gel for minor cuts and sunburns. Place your Aloe Vera plants in bright or indirect sunlight and water them deeply, about every 3 weeks.

Unlike other succulents, which tend to thrive in dry conditions, the jade plant demands regular moisture. To keep your jade plant healthy and thriving, simply water it when its soil feels dry. However, be sure not to overwater your jade plant, as too much water can kill it. With proper care and attention, this versatile houseplant is sure to bring beauty and life to any indoor space.

Air plants are one of the best low-maintenance indoor plants because they don’t even need soil to grow. Put air plants in indirect sunlight, give them a little spritz of water about once a week or so, and they’re good to go. If their leaves start curling in, they may be getting a bit dry and should be given a heavier watering.

Another succulent, the snake plant has thick, waxy leaves and is one of the best plants for improving air quality. These plants do actually produce flowers but very infrequently. Snake Plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are ok with being ignored. So, they’ll definitely make a good choice if you’re looking for incredibly easy house plants.

English Ivy, or Common Ivy, can be quite lovely when hanging out of a hanging plant basket or when allowed to climb up an indoor trellis. They will grow in low light but they do best in bright, indirect light. Check their soil and only water when the top inch is dry.

The Pothos plant is another ridiculously easy plant to care for. These plants will survive in low light, but if your Pothos is variegated, try to keep it in medium light. They won’t die in lower light but they may lose their variegated coloring. They’ll only need water about every 7-10 days and they’re fantastic at purifying the air.

The Heartleaf Philodendron, or Sweetheart Plant, is known for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves. It only requires the occasional misting and can go 2-3 years between repottings. Philodendrons will grow faster in indirect light but they can survive in low light if you don’t have much access to the sun.

The spider plant is wonderfully easy to grow and equally easy to propagate from the smaller spiderettes it produces. These plants may occasionally seem like they’re in trouble if they develop brown tips. But this is usually remedied by a deep watering to flush out any excess salts and minerals from the soil.

The Rubber Plant is an excellent houseplant if you’re looking to grow something a little larger. They can grow quite tall within a few years, or you can can keep them in smaller pots if you want to manage their growth. They like bright, indirect sunlight and plenty of watering during the growing season. However, they’ll need very little water during the dormant season.

The Umbrella Plant, or Dwarf Umbrella Tree, only needs to be watered a few times per month and will do best in bright, indirect light. If you’re looking for larger indoor plants, the Umbrella Plant can grow very quickly and will get quite tall. However, for smaller spaces, you can prune them to accommodate the shape and size you prefer.

The Peace Lily is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for that also grows beautiful flowers. It can go for days without water and can thrive in low light, though they will flower best in the summer with some indirect sunlight. Their gentle white flowers help to create a calming atmosphere, allowing these plants to truly live up to their name.

Lavender needs full sun to thrive and requires regular watering when they’re young. But once they’re established, they are very easy to maintain. Only water these plants when the soil becomes dry and don’t let them get too cold as they may not survive the lower temperatures.

African Violets like moderate to bright, indirect light and they prefer a bit of a warmer climate. They’re generally easy to care for, but they do best when watered from the bottom. This is because water on their leaves can cause spotting damage. Bottom watering can be done by placing the pot in shallow water and allowing the roots and soil to absorb the water from the bottom up.

Jasmine can be grown indoors and will bloom to their full potential if kept adequately cool. They need up to 4 hours of direct sunlight between the spring and fall and require less during the winter months. These flowers are especially fragrant at night, making them the perfect indoor plant if you’re a night owl.

Different types of orchids have different light requirements. Jewel orchids require the least light but also produce the smallest flowers. Other varieties prefer medium to high light and will produce much more prominent flowers. Caring for orchids: Orchids require more air space for their roots and should be potted with bark or dried plant fibers, rather than soil. Their loose potting material tends to allow the water to drain right out of the pot so these plants should be watered from the bottom by submerging their pot in shallow water.

Basil will thrive in any warm and sunny area and is fairly easy to grow from seeds. When picking your basil to use for cooking, pick the leaves from the top of the plant so it will continue to grow closer to the base and will prevent it from flowering.

Most mint plants thrive with moderate to full sun and enjoy regularly moist soil. Not only is fresh mint great for cooking, but it can help to alleviate headaches, aids in digestion, and can act as a decongestant. Mint has also been known to help with fatigue, skincare, and weight loss. You can grow mint from seeds or start with a young plant.

Parsley will grow best in a deep pot and it loves ample sunlight. Eating parsley may help to protect against diabetes, cancer, and bone weakness. It is high in antioxidants and can also help fight inflammation. Fresh parsley also just acts as a lovely garnish to any meal.

For a slight onion flavor, add chives to salad, sauces, omelettes, or used as a garnish. Snip them from the plant as needed with some kitchen scissors but leave about 2-3 inches on the base to allow them to regrow. These herbs love sunlight, and you should water them every few days.

Thyme is very easy to regrow from cuttings and requires full sun to thrive. They do well in small pots, making them perfect plants for thin windowsills. You can harvest the leaves and sprigs in the summer and hang them in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area to create your own dried herbs.