Houseplants to Make a Brown Thumb Look Like a Plant Guru
Joe Gadbois, September 29, 2024
Whether you are in an apartment or a house of any size, I feel that having at least a few houseplants is essential to not only accent your décor, but to bring the spirit of nature into your living space. It’s an important part of my strategy to combat the winter blues, and many studies have proven the positive effects that houseplants can have on both mental and physical health. If you aren’t confident in your ability to keep houseplants though, you might be discouraged from giving it a try. But fear not: I have some recommendations that will make even the brownest of thumbs look gifted with things that grow when your friends and family come over (and no, you won’t have to keep replacing them and pretending they’ve been there all along!).
Regarding compatibility with pets, of those plants mentioned in this article, only the cast iron plant is considered “pet friendly”. I recommend consulting the ASPCA Toxic Plant Database before purchasing plants you think are in danger of being chewed on by your furry friends.
Anthurium 'Big Red Bird'
Anthuriums are still mostly known for their flashy, waxy flowers, but in recent years types grown for their foliage have come into the spotlight. ‘Big Red Bird’ is one of the foliage types sometimes called “birdsnest anthuriums”, and these are incredibly easy to grow and forgiving. I love this one because the leaves are boldly flushed with deep reddish purple. The flowers, while not as showy as traditional anthuriums, are an interesting accent for the foliage. This is a big plant well-suited for the floor or a short pedestal. It doesn’t need a lot of water and can simply be watered when dry. If you forget to water, no problem (just don’t forget for half a year)! Light-wise, these guys like it bright, but not hot and sunny, so somewhere near, but not directly in, an east, west, or south-facing window is ideal. In lower light, the leaves will not develop the attractive colouration that they should.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The common name of this plant is well-earned, as it is one of the most difficult houseplants to kill! Despite underwatering, low humidity, and low light, cast iron plant will continue to thrive. In fact, it is easily one of the best choices for low light situations. Its dark green foliage works well with modern décor.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
These are a great choice if you are looking for an easy foliage plant with showy colour. On some varieties, such as ‘Red Valentine’, the leaves are such an otherworldly colour they almost look fake. Chinese evergreens have the benefit of being relatively compact if you don’t have a lot of space. They are perfect for people who forget to water, because they like to be on the drier side. Best practice is to water thoroughly, then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. They are also tolerant of lower light, and should not be placed in a hot, sunny location.
Pothos (Epipremnum and Scindapsus spp.)
There is a reason why pothos are so popular. This trailing plant comes in so many foliage colours, from various patterns of white or gold variegation to solid gold, as well as blue-grey and silver. What they all share in common is ease of growth, as long as you are not heavy-handed with the watering can. Tolerant of lower light, the healthiest plants result from bright but indirect light. Water when the soil has almost completely dried out. Like others on this list, they will forgive you if you forget to water. They look great trailing from a hanging basket or a pedestal, or you can train them upright on a pole. If they get too long, you can trim them back and, if desired, root the cuttings to yield more plants.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)
Out of all the plants on this list, this might be the easiest to recommend to beginners. With snake plants, you can choose from dwarfs for a desk or counter to large specimens for the floor or a short pedestal, and many different foliage colours. They are unbelievably forgiving, to the point of only needing water a handful of times per year, and they are one of the best plants for low light and low humidity. You can develop a collection of these and look like a plant guru with almost no effort!
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
This is a very trendy plant that thrives on neglect. The typical form has slightly arching, succulent stems clothed in glossy, deep green leaves. For something really dramatic yet classy, try ‘Raven’, which has black foliage, or ‘Chameleon’, whose new growth is creamy white, gradually turning green as it matures. Whichever form you choose, they do very well with lower light levels, and need only occasional watering when they are bone-dry. Even mature plants are relatively compact.