Low maintenance plants are easy to look after and well worth considering when designing or sprucing up your home decor. These plants not only grow fast, but they also require less attention and incur fewer costs over their lifetime.
Low-effort plants will grow in the ground or a pot both inside and outside your home, depending on your preferences. They include a variety of ornamental grasses, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Below are 22 low-maintenance plants you can grow in 2023.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe vera is a genus of flowering succulent plants. The most well-known is Aloe vera (the “true aloe”), and it has been used for medicinal purposes for at least 2,500 years.
Today, it is frequently used in herbal medicine. Aloe vera also has many cosmetic uses.
You can use the gel of the aloe plant to treat minor burns and as an antibacterial for other skin conditions such as acne.
Aloe vera plants should be kept in a warm and bright environment. It should be watered regularly and must not be allowed to dry out completely.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest low maintenance houseplants to grow. The plant thrives in almost any lighting conditions with no direct sun and tolerates low light indoors.
The pothos is an undemanding plant that can grow in lower light levels than many other common houseplants, making it a good plant for rooms with little natural light. It is also an excellent choice for growing in homes and offices with few or no windows.
This incredible plant can tolerate a range of indoor temperatures from around 40F to 80F (4C-26C) but will not flower without sufficient light.
Pothos is a versatile plant. It tolerates almost any indoor condition and can be grown in virtually any container of sufficient size, from a hanging basket to a pot.
It will root in water and can be grown in decorative planters, saucers, and window boxes without soil, as long as the container has a drainage hole. If needed, Pothos can also be placed outdoors during warm weather months.
Arrowhead Plant
The arrowhead plant is a unique-looking ornamental plant that should be grown in the shade. It has green leaves that are arrow-shaped and either green or red.
The plant only needs to be watered once a week, making it an ideal houseplant. It’s drought-tolerant and can even survive in the shade. This makes it an excellent option for people with busy lives or no green thumb.
It’s also ideal for growing in pots or garden beds. It does not require any deep sunlight, meaning it can be grown under trees without the plant dying. The plant can also be brought indoors in late fall and kept as an indoor/outdoor houseplant during the winter.
This is the only time it will need to be watered more than once a week because of its dormant stage.
The arrowhead plant is great for beginners because it is extremely low maintenance.
Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant can grow in very dim light or with no light at all. This is an excellent option for those who love houseplants but don’t want to put much work into them.
The cast iron plant requires water about once every few days and will only get to be about 12″ tall. This plant typically thrives in shady areas and is a great option for indoor pots or planters on window sills.
It’s a no-fuss plant that can grow in the sun or shade and prefers some humidity.
Asparagus Fern
The asparagus fern typically gets to be about 2-3 feet tall or so and does very well in almost all lighting conditions.
Out of direct sunlight, this low maintenance plant requires water once every few days and can do fine with just partial sun each day.
Among low maintenance plants, it has a reputation for being invasive, but if kept in a container, the asparagus fern can be a great addition to any patio or indoor space.
Peace Lily
The peace lily plant does very well in most lighting conditions. This low-effort plant typically only needs watering once every few days and can do fine with various sun exposures, especially if placed by a window.
This plant typically grows up to 2 feet tall or so and works excellent for patio planters, side table planters, or indoor pots.
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dieffenbachia is a beautiful plant from the family Araceae. It’s a tall, herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) of height.
Its big, shiny green leaves are splashed with various white or yellow markings depending on the variety.
Dieffenbachia prefers a semi-shaded position with loamy, moist soil. Water regularly and keep it away from heat sources.
You can propagate the dieffenbachia from a young plant by taking cuttings. Put them in moist, slightly acid potting soil and keep them moist.
Cactus (Cactaceae)
The cactus typically does very well in full sun to partial sun. This plant requires watering once every few weeks and can do okay when only watered every month. It will grow leggier if it isn’t watered often enough and can typically get up to 3-6 feet tall.
This plant works best in dry, desert areas but can do very well in the right spot. This is a great option for patio or indoor pots and planters with very little water exposure.
English Ivy
English ivy is a fast-growing, evergreen vine that can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 11. It attaches itself to structures using tiny rootlets, and it is commonly used as an ornamental plant.
The plant typically only gets up to 2-3 feet tall or so and does very well in most lighting conditions. Out of direct sunlight, this low maintenance plant requires water once every few days and can do fine with just partial sun each day.
Among low maintenance plants, the English Ivy has a reputation for being invasive, but if kept in a container, the English Ivy can be a great addition to any patio or indoor space.
Schefflera
Schefflera is a good plant to grow indoors as it requires little light and water. The ‘Gold Capella’ variety needs less light than the ‘Gold Star.’
The plant is native to Taiwan and thrives in moist, humid conditions, so it is good to water the plant regularly or place its pot on a drainage tray. If there isn’t enough humidity around the plant, it will drop its leaves.
Schefflera can be grown in soil, but it is easier to grow it in a potting mix with a slow-release fertilizer.
The ‘Gold Capella’ variety of Schefflera needs to be watered about once a week, whereas the ‘Gold Star’ variety needs water about once every three or four days.
Schefflera can be fertilized once a month during the spring and summer or once a week during the autumn and winter with a standard liquid plant fertilizer.
You can wipe the leaves of the Schefflera plant with a damp cloth to keep them clean.
Schefflera does well in brightly lit but not direct sun.
Spider Plant
The Spider plant will survive in direct sunlight, but only if the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings and can do well with full or partial sun.
They typically grow wider than they do tall and work best in indoor pots and planters, especially ones placed in windowsills.
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant thrives in soil with excellent drainage but stays moist at all times. This low-maintenance plant does well with only some water every few days for proper care out of direct sunlight.
This type of plant can grow to be about 2-3 feet tall and will stay leggy if not given enough sunlight. They typically work best as a table plant and, as such, will do great in homes as well as outdoor patios.
Philodendron
This plant is another incredible low-maintenance plant option for those who enjoy the outdoors. The philodendron does very well indoors and can grow to be about 3 feet tall or so.
This plant typically loves moist soil but has to have its soil dry out between watering. This means that it will work best with twice-weekly waterings at most. The plant can do fine in full to partial sunlight but will often grow leggier if it isn’t given enough.
Majesty Palm
The majesty palm is known for how easy it is to grow in zones 9-11 and how easy it is to take care of.
This plant does very well with low amounts of sunlight every day, along with water that’s infrequent yet applied often enough. This plant can also do fine in watered soil, as long as it’s well-drained.
The majesty palm can grow anywhere from 8-10′ or so tall and is a reasonably wide plant. They are perfect for those who love the outdoors but don’t want something that has a ton of care associated with them.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads, also known as air plants or tropical vaceas, are a family of perennial flowering plants in the order Bromeliales.
They obtain most of their nutrients from the air and minimal water, making them one of the easiest plants to grow without regular watering. They are found in wet, mountainous regions of South America and Mexico and can be grown easily indoors.
Spiny Bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea)
Spiny bamboo belongs to the category of grasses. It can be grown in various ways – in pots, ground, or by training a trellis. They need minimal maintenance and are extremely easy to grow with minimum care required.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a woody perennial herb with sweet pine and citrus flavors. It belongs to the family of Lamiaceae and contains pinene, an active element that acts as an expectorant and treats respiratory problems like asthma.
It’s easy to grow, requiring minimal attention. In fact, it thrives on neglect and minimal watering. You can grow the plant in pots or outdoors on cracks in the sidewalk etc.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) is probably one of the easiest plants to grow in a garden or indoors.
They have been placed on the list for being hardy, low maintenance plants, and easy to propagate from cuttings. It has lovely foliage, making it a perfect plant to add life to any room with bad lighting.
The leaves are pointed at the ends and rounded in the middle. It grows in upright, bushy clumps with leaves reaching up to 90 cm long by 30 cm wide.
“Aglaonema” are often used in homes, offices, or public buildings because they are effortless to grow and maintain. The plant will rarely flower indoors under normal circumstances, but if given proper light, your plant will produce small inconspicuous flowers that can self-pollinate to form seeds.
The plants are considered pest-free, except for mealybugs and occasionally scale insects. The Aglaonema plant prefers medium amounts of sunlight, which means you should place it in an area with bright but indirect light.
It also prefers moist soil, so the best way to water it is by soaking it in a bucket of water overnight then allowing the excess to drain away entirely before placing it back on its saucer.
Rubber Plant
In their native Asia, the rubber plant can measure more than 100 feet tall. However, creative pruning will keep this low-maintenance plant in check.
Rubber plants do well in slightly shaded spots, either indoors or outdoors. It requires irregular watering – only when the soil has drained out completely.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is the king of indestructible. It’ll grow in just about any condition, including low-light, dry soil, and low humidity.
It’s an ideal plant for beginning gardeners because even if you forget to water it, it’ll survive and keep growing.
This low-effort plant is also incredibly unique and beautiful, the perfect piece to wow your guests.
Succulents
Succulents are popular low maintenance plants and a hit on social media because of their simplistic beauty, and they are actually some of the best plants for beginners.
They require minimal care. In fact, most succulents die because of either too much water or too little light. Therefore, only water them when the soil has dried up completely, maybe once or twice a month.
Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
The Zebra Plant {also known as Zebra Cactus} is relatively easy to care for and can withstand a fair amount of neglect from its owner.
This low maintenance plant grows in a bush formation, with striped green and white leaves. The beauty of the plant lies mainly in its foliage, so it’s best to place it somewhere where it can be seen easily.
To accommodate this plant, you need lots of sunlight. It thrives in bright but indirect lighting and will scorch in direct sunlight.
The soil should be kept slightly moist but not soaking wet. Over-watering can cause root rot and fungal diseases, while under-watering can cause leaves to fall off and slow overall growth.
You should fertilize this plant monthly during the growing season.
The Zebra Plant is a member of the Crassula family, containing over 200 species. This particular plant grows quickly and can reach up to six feet in height, making it a good choice for a taller space, such as a corner or atrium.
Summary
Low-maintenance plants are an excellent alternative for people who do not have the time or patience to take care of high-maintenance plants.
Growing these plants requires fewer resources, attention, and time. They also serve as great ornamental pieces breathing new life to your home decor.
