Top 10 low maintenance indoor plants and how to care for them

Apart from adding to the beauty of your home décor, indoor plants are beneficial in boosting your overall wellness and improving the overall air quality. Recently, more and more people have turned to indoor gardening.

“The Coronavirus pandemic also brought anxiety and uncertainty with it. Many people have turned to gardening, as a coping mechanism. Tending to plants keeps one calm, grounded and joyful. The feel-good factor is also supplemented by the fact that plants give out oxygen during the day. There are several house plants that keep the air pure,” says Anu Ganpathy, founder, Its Thyme to Garden, Bengaluru.

“With a little bit of planning and creativity, even a small indoor space can be spruced up with greenery. To begin with, opt for plants that are easier to tend for. With some basic knowledge (whether the plant is shade or sun-loving), one can nurture a variety of house plants,” she adds.

List of 10 low maintenance plants for beginners

1. Snake plant: This plant adapts itself well to indoor or outdoor environments, bright light or a dark corner, over watering or complete dryness for long periods of time. “It gives out oxygen even at night. Like other indoor succulents, it helps to filter the air and reduce air pollution. It can be easily found, has great benefits and requires minimum attention,” says Ganapathy.

2. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): “One can forget to water ZZ plants for long periods and it will still survive and look vibrant. Shiny leaves give them a unique feathered look. It looks great indoors or outdoors and helps to purify the air. It thrives in medium to low, indirect light.

3. Spider lily: Pleasing to the eye, these plants have long green leaves and pretty white flowers that look like spiders and smell divine. Belonging to the Amaryllis family, they also keep the air pure and can dispel the gloomy look of any space. They need plenty of water and filtered sunlight.

See also: How to design an indoor garden

4. Ficus: It is a beginner-friendly plant which grows quite tall and has lush green leaves. Ficus foliage can enliven any corner of your home. They need a bright room but not direct sunlight. Watering regularly is important.

5. Aloe vera: Aloe vera is an air-purifying plant, which removes toxins from the air, emits oxygen at night and has medicinal value. It thrives in part shade, needs little maintenance and watering it once a month is enough. Make sure not to over water or else its roots will rot.

6. Money plant: Money plant (pothos) one of the most well-known house plants, can be grown in water as well as soil. This evergreen creeper can add to the beauty of your home and needs indirect sunlight to grow. Apart from bringing good luck, money plants absorb the chemical toxins from the air and release fresh oxygen to breathe.

See also: How to grow indoor plants in water

“I have a small balcony and one of the walls has a vertical lush green look, as the money plant covers it. The entrance of my living room has a money plant kept on a high stool in a huge vase and it trails beautifully down. They can be styled in hanging pots, wooden frames in vertical gardens or kept with a moss stick. It can even adorn any corner in a glass container with water,” says Meera Sachdeva, a Mumbaikar, who is into indoor gardening.

7. Chinese evergreen: Aglaonema or Chinese evergreen come in different colours and are quite hardy. They require watering just once or twice a week and are great to keep air pollutants away, as well. It is easy to maintain and can be kept indoors or outdoors.

8. Peace lilies / spathiphyllum: A beautiful, low-maintenance tropical evergreen plant, peace lilies keep the air pure. It has the ability to break down and neutralise toxic gases and the moisture given off can boost a room’s humidity. It requires minimal care and instantly perks up the space.

9. Bamboo: The lucky bamboo plant, or the Dracaena is a versatile, low-maintenance plant available in different sizes. It thrives in water easily and can be grown in soil, too. This popular air purification plant attracts positive energy and adds ornamental value, with its twisted stalks. If it is kept in water, change the water of the container twice a week, to replenish the oxygen in the water. Avoid keeping the plant under direct sunlight.

10. Succulents: There are quite a few varieties here in terms of colour, shape, size and hardness. These hassle-free indoor plants can grow in partial or indirect light. Mini-sized exotic cacti are ideal for desks and are easy to maintain for those who forget to water plants. These dry terrain plants are easy to care for and come in a range of wonderful textures.

“One needs to know if the succulent that one has, needs sunlight or shade and maintain it accordingly. Go for flower-bearing cacti to enliven your home décor,” suggests Ganpathy.

See also: Easy plants to grow

Tips for taking care of the indoor plants

• If you are choosing plants for the first time, start with a few plants and learn the basics of plant care for each plant.
• If space is a constraint, create a green area vertically by using ladders and shelves or use a window sill. Hanging baskets add visual appeal to the windows.
• The soil that one prepares for a new plant should be mixed with sufficient amounts of compost and manure.
• A good compost is important for healthy plants. Compost comprises nitrogen and carbon, which act as food for microbes in the soil.
• Use organic fertilisers.
• Ensure that the planters have small holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out when keeping the plants indoor and keep a tray underneath the pot.
• Opt for decorative pots of different materials and sizes for a refreshing look.
• One must be observant about pest attacks.

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