The Best Low-Maintenance Houseplants to Invest in in 2024

1

Cuddly Cactus

cuddly cactus low maintenance plants
The Sill

Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this small type of cactus lives up to its name. Unlike most of its cousins, it doesn’t have any sharp spines, so it’s ideal for households with curious children and pets.

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2

Bromeliad Vriesea Intenso Orange

low maintenance plants
The Sill

This variety of bromeliad sprouts a vibrant center spike, so it’s a great way to add color to your collection of greenery—and it’s much easier to care for than most indoor flowering plants. It’s also nontoxic and safe for pets.

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3

Kalanchoe Flapjack

kalanchoe flapjack
The Sill

This bite-size succulent’s leaves resemble pancakes, hence its appetizing name. But it’s not always a short stack: It can grow to more than 12 inches tall. Direct sun exposure helps to bring out the pretty pinkish-red pigments on the edges of the leaves.

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4

Preserved Fern Kokedama

preserved moss low maintenance plants
The Sill

A real fern that’s been naturally preserved offers all the benefits of a real plant (like look and feel) without the maintenance. Keep it out of direct light and never water it. What could be easier?

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5

Boston Fern

medium sized boston fern
Rooted

This fern needs more humidity than it does sunlight, making it a great kitchen or bathroom plant. That’s why you always see it hanging on Southern front porches, where the light is shady and the air is damp and warm. Spray it with a mister in between waterings to keep it looking fresh.

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6

Money Tree

a "money tree" plant pachira aquatica
Polina Sergeyeva//Getty Images

Need some good luck? The money tree plant is purported to bring it, but you won’t need good luck to grow it. Just give it bright indirect light, and turn it occasionally so it grows evenly. In its native habitat, it likes to be near water, so it’s a good choice if you tend to overwater your plants. Give it a drink every week or so when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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7

String of Pearls

string of pearls plant
carlofranco//Getty Images

With a name this cute, how can you not buy it? This vining succulent that looks like an elegant necklace is a fast grower when given lots of light. Put your string of pearls plant in bright indirect light, and water it when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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8

Aloe Vera

aloe vera plant on a beautiful wood table
Carlina Teteris//Getty Images

This handsome succulent needs almost no care. Give your aloe vera plant bright, indirect light and water every week or two when it’s mostly dry. The gel-like substance inside each leaf can aid healing of minor burns (break off an outer leaf when you want to use it).

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9

Philodendron Micans

tropical 'philodendron hederaceum micans' houseplant in gray flower pot on table
Firn//Getty Images

Most types of philodendrons are extremely easygoing, and this one is no different. Micans have velvety, heart-shaped leaves with pinkish petioles (the stalks that attach the leaves to the stems). Give it medium to bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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10

String of Dolphins

senecio peregrinus string of dolphin or dolphin plant in a white pot
Bilal photos//Getty Images

Another must-have succulent, string of dolphins looks just like tiny dolphins leaping out of the water. It needs bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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11

Bird’s Nest Fern

houseplant asplenium nidus in sack pot
bgton//Getty Images

If your heart is set on a fern, opt for the handsome bird’s nest, which has thick, glossy leaves that hold onto moisture longer than many other types of ferns—making it the least fussy. Give it bright indirect light, and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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12

Golden Pothos

hanging plant
Kevin Brine//Getty Images

One of the most forgiving plants you can buy, this type of pothos grows quickly when given bright light but is incredibly tolerant of low light, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

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13

Scindapsus

scindapsus pictus in a hanging pot
Eva Peters / EyeEm//Getty Images

Sometimes called a satin pothos, this plant resembles a pothos with its heart-shaped leaves and vining habit. However, it’s actually an entirely different genus—but it’s just as easy to grow. Give it bright, indirect light, and let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again.

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14

Echeveria

echeveria
Gingagi//Getty Images

This pretty succulent has rosette-shaped foliage, often with a reddish or pink tint. Give this plant lots of bright, indirect light (succulents do not tolerate low light), and water every few weeks. You want it to dry out almost completely before giving it another drink—otherwise it will rot.

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15

Marble Queen Pothos

leaves of green and white color, marble queen plant
Dwi cahyono//Getty Images

Want another pothos that’s easy to grow and just plain gorgeous? This variety has dramatic white splotches on its leaves instead of golden ones. Give it low to bright indirect light, and let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again.

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16

Prayer Plant

beautiful maranta leaves with an ornament on a yellow background close up maranthaceae family is unpretentious plant copy space growing potted house plants, green home decor, care and cultivation
Ольга Симонова//Getty Images

The gorgeous leaves of this showy plant move in response to light throughout the day, folding as if in prayer at night. Give your prayer plant bright indirect light, and let it dry out slightly between waterings.

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17

Philodendron Moonlight

close up picture of the leaves of philodendron sp moonlight plant growing in a pot for home decoration
Nattawat Jindamaneesirikul//Getty Images

Another easy-to-care-for philodendron, this one has the most beautiful large leaves. New growth emerges a glowing chartreuse and turns dark green as it matures. Give it lots of bright indirect light, and it’ll be a fast grower. Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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18

Haworthia

close up of potted haworthia
Suprecha Krujaroengit / EyeEm//Getty Images

This little guy gets only about six to eight inches tall, so it’s the perfect kitchen windowsill plant. Give haworthia lots of bright indirect light and water every few weeks when it’s totally dry.

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19

Philodendron Brasil

'philodendron hederaceum scandens brasil' tropical creeper house plant with yellow stripes in flower pot isolated on white background
Firn//Getty Images

With two-tone leaves of pale and dark green, this vining philodendron is a must-have. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

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20

ZZ Plant

green leaves of zamioculcas zamiifolia with white wall
CCeliaPhoto//Getty Images

Tough as nails and not picky, the ZZ plant can handle low to bright indirect light. It also doesn’t mind a missed watering and prefers to be mostly dry before you give it a good, long drink.

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