Top 10 indoor low maintenance plants

Indoor plants or houseplants are used to make our house look lively and fresh. But maintaining it becomes a task sometimes. Taking out time to take care of these plants is not always a feasible option and we end up neglecting it and they eventually die. Well, this trouble can be avoided by choosing low-maintenance houseplants that are very easy to take care of.

The top-10 low maintenance houseplants are:

• Snake plant:
• Botanical name: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
• Other names: Mother in law’s tongue
• Light and temperature: low to bright light; 60-85 degrees F
• Water: occasionally, as it is drought tolerant
• Height: up to 4 feet tall

Snake plant is a carefree succulent plant, it is quite indestructible and has lovely, long architectural, snake-like leaves. The only problem with this plant is that it’s very likely to develop root rot if we overwater it.

• ZZ plant:
• Botanical name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Other names: Zanzibar gem, Zeezee plant
• Light and temperature: low to bright light; 60-75 degrees F
• Water: allow the soil to dry between waterings
• Height: 2-3 feet tall

This plant is sometimes called the eternity plant because it lasts so long. It’s thick, fleshy leafstalks are very durable and thus, very resistant to harsh conditions. This plant is poisonous if eaten or chewed by children or pets.

• Cast iron plant:
• Botanical name: Aspiditra elatior
• Other names: Bar-room plant
• Light and temperature: low light; 45-85 degrees F
• Water: should be kept evenly moist during active growth period
• Height: up to 2 feet tall

This plant literally lives up to its name, it is nearly indestructible. One of the toughest houseplants one can grow. It withstands all adverse conditions.

• Money plant:
• Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
• Other names: Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy
• Light and temperature: bright to medium; 45-85 degrees F
• Water: moderately; let the soil dry between watering
• Height: climbs up to 7 feet (around 2 m) in containers

Money plant is the most common and most planted houseplants in India. It is seen in almost every other house in India. It can be grown in a pot as well as a hanging plant.

• Peace lily:
• Botanical name: Spathiphyllum wallisii
• Other names: Cobra plant
• Light and temperature: bright to medium; 65-80 degrees F
• Height:up to 2 feet (60 cm)
• Water: the plant should be kept moist most of the time
• Flowering season: blooms repeatedly all-year long
• Flower colours: white

Because of its low maintenance and pure white blossoms, Peace lily, is one of the most popular varieties of houseplants. The soil of the plant should be moist at all times but there shouldn’t be any standing water.

• Arrowhead vine:
• Botanical name: Syngonium podophyllum
• Other names: Goosefeet, African evergreen, Arrowhead philodendron, Arrowhead plant
• Light and temperature: low to medium
• Height:up to 3 feet
• Water: drench; let dry

Arrowhead vine is one of the most common houseplants. This plant may cause irritation of lips, tongue and throat if any of its parts are eaten or chewed.

• Asparagus fern:
• Botanical name: Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’
• Other names: Foxtail, Plume asparagus
• Light and temperature: medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F
• Height:up to 4 feet tall
• Water: should be kept evenly moist

Many varieties of Asparagus ferns are used as houseplants because they are the fastest growing, least demanding and easiest to take care of. Best grown in bright light without direct sun, shade tends to cause them to yellow or drop.

• Hens and chicks plant:
• Botanical name: Sympervivum tectorum
• Other names: Houseleek, Jupiter’s eye plant, Thor’s beard plant
• Light and temperature: medium to bright light; 60-75 degrees F
• Height and spread:up to 2-7 inches tall, 2-36 inches wide spread
• Water: Leaves are succulent; watering is only necessary in drought conditions

Since houseleeks are succulents, maintaining it is not a task at all. Keeping them in sunlight brings out the bright colours in this plant. If kept in shade, many varieties fade to a plain green colour.

• Peperomia:
• Botanical name: Peperomia spp
• Other names: Radiator plant
• Light and temperature: low to medium light; 60-75 degrees F
• Height:up to 1 foot tall
• Water: moderately, let the soil dry between watering

Peperomia is a diverse group of small houseplants with waxy colourful foliage which adds liveliness to any room where it is kept without taking up a lot of space.

• Coleus:
• Botanical name: Plectranthus scutellariodes
• Other names: Painted nettle
• Light and temperature: low to medium light; 65-75 degrees F
• Height:up to 2 feet tall
• Water: moderately, let the soil dry between watering

Coleus plant’s tallness can be maintained at a desired height. Pinch the stem tips to control the height and increase the bushiness which is favourable for indoor planting.