New to houseplants? These 17 plants are a great place to start. They’re easy to care for, adapt well to indoor spaces, and won’t give you a hard time if you forget to water them now and then. Pick one (or a few), follow some simple care tips, and enjoy your growing indoor garden.
Further reading: Beginner house plant care tips.
What Makes a Houseplant Good for Beginners?
The best beginner-friendly plants are tough, adaptable, and don’t need constant attention. Here’s what to look for:
- Low maintenance – These plants grow well without much fuss.
- Light flexibility – They can handle a range of light conditions, even lower light.
- Resilient watering needs – They won’t die instantly if you overwater or forget to water.
- No high humidity required – They thrive in typical indoor air.
- Easy to find & affordable – Readily available at nurseries, garden centers, or online retailers.
Bonus points if they’re safe for pets!
Beginner Houseplants
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Tough, low-maintenance survivors. Many different types can all grow in low light, don’t need frequent watering, and even improve air quality. Propagating Snake plants takes time (and patience!), but it’s easy.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
A great starter plant that grows quickly and produces baby plants (pups) you can propagate. It does well in indirect light, needs only occasional watering, and is safe for pets. Spider plants have air-purifying qualities, combating pollutants like formaldehyde.
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
A trailing plant that grows well in various light conditions, including low light. It’s fast-growing, handles inconsistent watering, and helps clean indoor air.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
One of the easiest plants to care for. It thrives in almost any light, tolerates neglect, and prefers its soil to dry out between waterings.
Pothos Plant (Epipremnum Aureum)
A fast-growing vine that thrives in a variety of light conditions. It’s forgiving with watering, easy to propagate, and can grow as a hanging plant or climb a moss pole.
beautiful hanging plant.
Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs (Hippeastrum)
No soil, no mess—just a bulb that blooms into large, beautiful flowers. The waxed bulb holds all the nutrients it needs, and after blooming, you can remove the wax and plant it in soil for future growth.
Dragon Tree Plant (Dracaena marginata)
A striking plant with tall, spiky leaves. It grows well in moderate to bright indirect light, can handle occasional neglect, and helps purify indoor air.
Echeveria Succulent
A classic rosette-shaped succulent that stores water in its leaves, meaning it doesn’t need frequent watering. It grows well in bright, indirect light and can be propagated from a single leaf.
Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum Anguliger)
This pet-friendly cactus has unique, zig-zag stems that make it stand out. It prefers bright, indirect light and is tolerant of occasional missed waterings.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia)
A small, slow-growing succulent that’s easy to care for and pet friendly. It needs bright, indirect light, infrequent watering, and produces baby plants that you can separate and replant.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
This hardy plant adapts to different light conditions and doesn’t need much watering. It’s often considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Known for its round, pancake-like leaves, this plant grows quickly and produces baby plants that you can easily propagate. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is safe for pets.
Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus)
A fun plant that grows a tiny pineapple when mature! It needs bright, indirect light and adds a tropical touch to any space.h
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
This plant stores water in its thick base, so it rarely needs watering. It grows in bright, indirect light and is safe for pets.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
A trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves that grows well in bright, indirect light. It’s pet-friendly and can handle some neglect.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Another trailing plant, this plant grows round, pearl-like leaves. It enjoys bright, indirect light and doesn’t need frequent watering.
Air Plants (Tillandsia)
No soil required! These plants absorb nutrients through their leaves and grow in a variety of light conditions. They’re non-toxic and fun to display in creative ways.