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6 Easy Houseplants to Take Care Of—No Green Thumb Needed

Meet these easy houseplants to take care of and learn exactly how to help them thrive.

Written by
Kaitlyn Zavesky
Published

There are so many benefits to having plants in your house. They boost your mood, reduce stress levels, and even boost productivity. The only problem? Many varieties require a serious green thumb to keep alive. Luckily, there are plenty of easy houseplants to take care of—no special skills required.

While every plant is different when it comes to proper care, there is one universal tip to keep in mind: Don't overwater your plant. Because with too much love, even the most low-maintenance houseplants will die. It’s always easier to bring a plant back if it's slightly underwatered than overwatered—trust us.

The next time you head to your local greenhouse (or are shopping for plants from sustainable companies online!), here are six easy houseplants to take care of and all the tips you'll need to keep them thriving.

6 Easy Houseplants to Take Care Of

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera isn't just appealing to the eye. Aloe vera gel—which you can squeeze out of the leaf—has been used to heal minor skin ailments (like cuts and sunburns) for centuries. It's also one of the easiest plants to take care of. The succulent simply requires a little water and plenty of sunlight.

Care Instructions: Your plant should be placed in a room with a lot of indirect sunlight, but not direct sunlight. Water it every 2 to 3 weeks, less often in the winter. Before you water it, be sure that the soil is dry.

2. Pothos

The pothos has vines that can grow over 10 feet long, making it a great option for a hanging basket. You can also drape the vines over shelves. It does well in all lighting conditions (indirect/bright/low), making it an easy plant for nearly every home.

Care Instructions: While your pothos will do well in most lighting conditions, don't ever put it in direct sunlight. It's far too harsh on its leaves. Water it when the soil feels dry, every 1 to 2 weeks.

3. Jade Plant

Jade plants have full, thick leaves, making them a great decorative plant. They're also said to bring good luck and positive energy, and who wouldn't want a little more of that?

Care Instructions: The jade plant thrives in full sun, so make sure to keep it in bright direct light. At least four hours a day is needed. Because it's a succulent, you'll only need to water it every 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure the top couple inches of soil is dry before watering.

4. Snake Plant

The snake plant is a prime beginner-friendly option. There are only a couple of things you'll need to remember to keep it happy: Don't overwater it, and allow the soil to mostly dry out before your next watering.

Care Instructions: The snake plant does best in bright, indirect light, but it still does well in low-light areas; it just grows more slowly. It also only needs to be watered every 2 to 6 weeks. Doing so more frequently could cause root rot.

5. Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus isn't like other cacti. It's native to tropical rainforests in Brazil, so desert conditions don’t apply. Instead, it prefers bright indirect sunlight and a humid environment, making a sunny bathroom or kitchen a perfect spot.

Care Instructions: Water your plant every 2 to 3 weeks, making sure to check the soil beforehand. If it's dry, water is needed. If it's still damp, you can hold off. When you take good care of it, you'll be rewarded with its pretty pink blooms that show up once a year during the fall months.

6. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are incredibly common houseplants. Not just for the striking flowers, but also because it's easy to care for. The plant thrives in low-light spaces, making it perfect for a corner in your home.

Care Instructions: Water your peace lily about once a week. When you don't water it enough, it starts to look droopy—aka a message to you that it's thirsty. Also, be sure it's able to drain properly and dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. While it does great in low-light areas, placing it in moderate to bright indirect light will result in more growth.