Top 10 Easiest Plants for Beginners
A list of low-maintenance plants that are perfect for novice gardeners.
Are you new to the world of gardening and wondering where to start? Don’t worry—gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you have a sunny balcony, a tiny patio, or just a windowsill, these beginner-friendly plants are nearly foolproof and will have you feeling like a seasoned green thumb in no time. Here are the Top 10 easiest plants for beginners—beautiful, low-maintenance, and hard to kill.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Why it’s great: This stylish, upright plant is practically indestructible. It tolerates low light, infrequent watering, and neglect—perfect for busy or forgetful gardeners.
Care Tips: Water every 2–3 weeks and place in indirect sunlight. Too much love (aka overwatering) is the only real danger.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why it’s great: Pothos is the ultimate starter plant. It’s fast-growing, forgiving, and looks gorgeous trailing from shelves or hanging baskets.
Care Tips: Thrives in a variety of lighting and only needs watering when the soil feels dry.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why it’s great: Known for its fun, curly leaves and this plant is easy to grow and propagate.
Care Tips: Keep in bright, indirect light and water about once a week. Bonus: it purifies the air!
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why it’s great: With its glossy green leaves and elegant white flowers, the peace lily is a visual treat that’s surprisingly low maintenance.
Care Tips: Prefers shade and needs watering only when the leaves start to droop slightly.
5. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Why it’s great: This glossy, sculptural plant can survive in very low light and needs minimal water.
Care Tips: Water every 2–3 weeks. Great for offices or low-light rooms.
6. Aloe Vera
Why it’s great: Not only is it super easy to grow, but it also has healing properties for burns and skin irritations.
Care Tips: Loves a sunny spot and needs watering only once the soil dries out completely.
7. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea)
Why it’s great: This tropical-looking beauty is great for indoor spaces and can help humidify the air.
Care Tips: Prefers indirect sunlight and weekly watering. Don’t let it sit in soggy soil.
8. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Why it’s great: This succulent is cute, compact, and brings good luck in many cultures. Plus, it thrives on neglect.
Care Tips: Loves bright light and should only be watered when the soil is completely dry.
9. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Why it’s great: True to its name, this plant is nearly indestructible. It handles low light, temperature changes, and occasional drought.
Care Tips: Keep in low to moderate light and water every couple of weeks.
10. Herbs (Mint, Basil, or Chives)
Why they’re great: Not only are herbs easy to grow, but they’re also useful in the kitchen. Perfect for a sunny windowsill!
Care Tips: Provide plenty of light, keep soil moist (but not soggy), and snip regularly to promote growth.
