Introduction
If you are a novice gardener, then it’s best to pick low-maintenance indoor plants for home. Different plants have different requirements when it comes to light, water, and fertilization. But we have collated a list of plants that can thrive on neglect. Most of these plants require indirect sunlight and sparse watering. This makes them perfect for modern-day office goers who can’t spare much time for gardening.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the best indoor plants for the home, which can attain a maximum height of 10 feet. With their heart-shaped leaves, they can enhance your home aesthetics.
- Light: Thrives in bright indirect light but can also be kept in low-light setups. Direct sunlight leads to leaf scorch.
- Water: Water every 1-2 weeks when the top 1-2 inches feel dry.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 1-3 months during summer and spring months. Avoid applying fertilizer during fall and winter.
- Maintenance: A well-draining potting mix is required. Make sure to wipe out dust from the leaves and prune leggy vines.
Spider Plant
The spider plant earns its position in our list of best indoor plants for the home with its high resilience. This arching houseplant features dangling plantlets and variegated leaves.
- Light: Spider plants prefer bright indirect light. However, it also adapts to low and moderate light.
- Water: Every week during spring and summer. Frequency should be 2-3 weeks during fall and winter. Check for dryness in the top layer of the soil before watering.
- Fertilizer: Use a diluted liquid fertilizer such as 10-10-10 every 4-6 weeks during summer and spring. Applying fertilizers should be reduced or fully skipped during fall and winter.
- Maintenance: Trim dead leaves and brown tips. Repot every 1-2 years.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is a succulent-like houseplant that is renowned for its extreme drought tolerance and ability to sustain itself in low light.
- Light: Has low to medium light requirements, making it perfect for offices and dim rooms.
- Water: Check whether the top 3 inches of the soil are dry. In case of dryness, water every 2-3 weeks. You need to be cautious during winter, as overwatering can cause root rot.
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring and summer. This should be avoided during fall and winter as it causes build-up.
- Maintenance: Prune the yellow leaves and opt for a well-draining potting mix with perlite.
Monstera
The Monstera, or Swiss Cheese Plant, is popular for its iconic split leaves, which can impart a dramatic flair to your home interiors.
- Light: Bright indirect light is required for its optimal growth. However, these decorative plants for home interiors get scorched when kept under direct sun.
- Water: Add water every 7-10 days when the top 50-75% of the soil is dry.
- Fertilizer: Apply a 50% diluted balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly during summer and spring.
- Maintenance: Offer an aerated and well-draining potting mix. Prune the leaves for shape and repot every 1-2 years. The aerial roots might require a moss pole for climbing.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are versatile tropical houseplants with heart-shaped leaves. These air-purifying indoor plants for the home come in vining and non-climbing variants.
- Light: Place them near east and north windows where they will receive bright indirect light.
- Water: You can add water every 7-10 days when the top 1-2 inches of the soil dries out. Ensure full drainage to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizer: Apply water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks every spring and summer.
- Maintenance: Plant the Philodendron in an airy soil and prune for shape.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is a hardy succulent featuring sword-like leaves. These indoor plants for the bedroom are prized for their stellar air-purifying abilities.
- Light: It can easily adapt for bright indirect light. You can also keep them in low-light conditions for prolonged periods.
- Water: Add water when the soil is completely dry every 2-4 weeks.
- Fertilizer: Apply minimal diluted balanced liquid fertilizers once or twice a year during spring and summer months.
- Maintenance: Use a well-draining soil and wipe the leaves occasionally.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent houseplant having thick leaves containing a healing gel. This plant is a popular choice of beginner gardeners, as it is extremely easy to maintain. Having an aloe vera plant at home can help you cure minor cuts and burns with its medicinal attributes.
- Light: Needs some direct morning light or bright indirect light throughout the day. These indoor plants for the home can also be kept near a sunny window.
- Water: Add water every 2-3 weeks when the soil has dried completely. Opt for pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizer: You can use a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 1-3 months during spring and summer months.
- Maintenance: Plant the Aloe Vera in a succulent mix and repot every 2-3 years.
Cast Iron Plant
Just as the name suggests, this super tough houseplant can thrive on neglect. You can keep it in a shady corner, but these low-light indoor plants will grow long, arching leaves.
- Light: It prefers low to moderate light. This is why the cast iron plant will excel when kept in dimly lit spaces.
- Water: Give an interval of 10-14 days between watering. Check out the top 1-2 inches of soil before adding water.
- Fertilizer: Use a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer once or twice a month during spring or summer.
- Maintenance: A well-draining potting mix boosts the growth of cast iron plants. You should also prune dead foliage and repot every 2-3 years if the pot gets too crowded.
FAQ
1. What to do if the leaves of my indoor plants for home turn brown?
Brown tips indicate low humidity, overwatering, and burns due to fertilizers. As a remedy, you can trim the affected regions.
2. Which houseplant is the most difficult to take care of?
It’s highly tasking to take care of orchids and fiddle-leaf figs. These plants are extremely sensitive to high moisture and light.
3. Which are the best air-purifying indoor plants for home?
Spider plants, peace lilies, rubber plants, aloe vera, and English ivy can help purify your indoor air of toxins.
