10 Hardy & Low-Maintenance Plants For Your Home
Having plants indoors can make the air fresh, detoxify the surroundings, and impart liveliness to an otherwise lifeless environment. Their sight is a nourishment for both the eyes and the soul, however, some are deterred by the dedication and effort that plant keeping demands. To address this issue, I have listed 10 easy to care plants that you can keep indoors with minimal or no effort at all.
#1) Chinese Evergreens
The Chinese Evergreens, mostly represented by the genus Aglaonema, are beautiful and hardy plants. These herbs are mostly honed for the intricate patterns made by multiple shades on their broad leaves. The leaves are shaded with green, silver, gray, and cream colors to name a few.
These plants can tolerate all seasons with great resilience and do not lose their appeal even during unfavorable times. They require minimal care and can go for some days without water, however, waterlogging can be a serious threat.
#2) Moth Orchids
Moth Orchids are quite easy to maintain in pristine condition. They are elegant, and their flowers, which re-bloom when the night temperatures begin to fall, are a sight worth waiting for. The flowers are adorned with shades of either white, pink, or yellow, or a combination of these colors.
You don’t have to dedicate much time to this plant’s care. Avoid frequent watering, just ensure that the soil remains evenly moist. Place it in a well-lit area, but don’t fret about the temperature as it can thrive in a variety of conditions.
#3) Snake Plant a.k.a Mother-in-Law’s Tounge
The snake plant is perhaps the toughest of all plants mentioned on this list. This plant has sword-like leaves, colored with various shades of green, forming intricate patterns, tapering at the end, and ending with a thorn.
The plant can also detoxify the interior of your home, and does well in almost all conditions, even when placed in a shady corner. As for the care, no matter how negligent you tend to be, the plant will thrive nevertheless, and you will practically have to strive for killing it.
#4) Ponytail Palm
This palm is honed for its long, slender leaves which emerge from the tip of its trunk, bend downwards, and reach its base. The way these dark green leaves are arranged is the reason why the plant is named as such.
Since the trunk stores an ample amount of water, the ponytail palm does not mind dry soils. The species is highly resilient to a variety of weather conditions and temperatures, although it should be shielded from the overwhelming cold.
#5) Ferns
Ferns are seedless and flowerless plants, they are among the pioneers to have evolved a vascular system in the plant kingdom. Despite their primitive form, they possess an alluring charm in their symmetrical compound leaves, equipped with multiple leaflets.
These plants naturally grow on the forest floor, where the overhead dense canopy only allows humble vestiges of sunlight to penetrate. This means that you should keep them in a shady, although not completely dark, area. Make sure that the soil never dries out and misting the leaves every day will lighten them up.
#6) Jade Plant
The Jade Plant appears like a miniature tree, and it will be a refreshing sight of greenery in your household, especially in the winters when the outside appears lifeless and dull. It is in reality a succulent variety and highly resistant to the vicissitudes of the environment.
They can do well in dry soils since they store excess water in their succulent organs. However, if the soil is maintained as moderately moist, the plant will thrive, but avoid flooding the soil. Overall, the plant does not demand much from you.
#7) Cacti
Cacti are desert-dwelling plants that lack leaves, instead, they boast an array of thorns arranged symmetrically. Some cacti (singular: cactus) are also adorned with beautiful flowers, which blossom in certain seasons. However, the unique form itself makes them a decent addition to anyone’s collection.
Since they possess succulent stems, cacti don’t require constant watering, however, they do demand exposure to direct sunlight. Cacti need a sandy potting mix so that excess water can drain out easily because waterlogged soil can be detrimental to them.
#8) Philodendrons
Philodendrons have a unique form, adorned with split-leaf signs, they resemble the much larger Monstera species, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant. These species can easily be kept indoors, and as they are drought-resistant, they are ideal for the indoor environment.
They should be given exposure to direct sunlight for optimal growth. You don’t have to water them daily as they don’t do well in high moisture levels, on the contrary, they are not bothered by dry soils.
#9) Aloe vera
Aloe vera is renowned for its medicinal properties, but it is also an elegant-looking plant. The leaves are fleshy and the most prominent part of the plant. Being succulent species, they don’t require constant watering, however, if the soil remains dry for a long time, the leaves will lose their pristine look.
As with all succulents, Aloe vera requires direct sunlight to remain healthy. The soil should not be overwatered, as the plant stores excess moisture in its leaves. Sandy soil can be helpful here as it will allow water to drain easily and hence avoid waterlogging.
#10) Ficus
The genus Ficus hosts some of the most famous figs, including the weeping fig, rubber tree, banyan tree, and the famous Ficus carica, or the common fig. These plants are highly resilient and versatile, being able to grow even under unfavorable conditions, and can detoxify the atmosphere.
Ficus species require minimal care, these plants can survive overwatering (although it is not recommended) or dried soils. However, moderately moist soil and exposure to direct sunlight for some hours would be enough to help them grow optimally.
Originally published at https://pk.mashable.com on September 7, 2020.
This version has been slightly edited, as appropriate.
