What Are the Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy Lifestyles?

I’ve been gardening for seven years and have grown many different kinds of plants. I know how hard it can be to keep plants alive when you are busy. It’s easy to forget about even the toughest plants when you have work, family, and other things to do. But some plants naturally don’t need much care and can do well with little. Read on “What Are the Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy Lifestyles?” for more information.

I’ll talk about my favorite low-maintenance houseplants that are great for busy plant parents in this article. These plants can handle not getting enough water, not getting enough light, and even times when you forget to water them. Find out about the best plants for your home or office that you can “set it and forget it” below.

Best Low Maintenance Plants for Busy Lifestyles

Sansevieria, or Snake Plant

The snake plant is one of the most popular and hardy houseplants. Its leaves look like swords and stand upright. From what I’ve seen, snake plants can grow in very little light and only need to be watered every two to three weeks. When the plant is thirsty, the leaves will start to curl inward. Even snake plants that didn’t get any water for months would do fine after a good drink. To places that don’t get a lot of sunlight, like bathrooms and bedrooms, where they will do well.

Venus (Epipremnum aureum) Pothos

Pothos is another great low-maintenance plant. Its leaves are shaped like hearts and it grows in a vine-like fashion. It does well in a range of light conditions, from bright indirect light to some shade. Pothos likes to dry out a bit between waterings, which makes it a great plant for people who tend to water too much. It doesn’t matter if you forget to water it for a week or two. Pothos are the best plant for people who don’t want to take care of their plants.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Black-thumb gardeners love the ZZ plant because it can handle very little water. At least once, I’ve seen ZZ plants look great for months without any water. They can store water for a long time because their leaves are waxy and their roots are tuberous. ZZ plants can also do well in places with little light. Just don’t water them too much, because root rot can happen if the soil stays too wet for too long. ZZ plants are perfect for gardeners who are always on the go or just forget to water them.

Air Plants (Tillandsia species)

There is no better plant than an air plant when it comes to ease of care. Air plants are different from other plants because they don’t need soil. Instead, they use tiny scales on their leaves to take in water and nutrients from the air. Air plants, as their name suggests, can live in the open air as long as they get a mist or soak every once in a while. Growing air plants in glass terrariums or on wood or seashells has worked really well for me. They will do well for years with little care if you just put them in water for 30 minutes every one to two weeks.

Succulents

From echeveria to haworthia, the succulent family includes many different types of plants with fleshy leaves that don’t need much care. Most succulents do best in soil that doesn’t stay soggy and doesn’t get much attention. Every time I water my succulents, I let them dry out completely. This can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on the season. They will rot if they get too much water. Many succulents can handle less light indoors, though they do better in bright, direct light. The way they are shaped and textured makes them look beautiful in dish gardens or mixed planters.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

The ponytail palm is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for houseplant with a swollen base and long, curly leaves. It’s not really a palm, despite its name. It’s a succulent-like plant that grows in eastern Mexico. Ponytail palms can survive in dry conditions and only need to be watered once in a while. During the winter, when growth slows down, I’ve let them go months without watering. They do best in spots with medium to low light, but bright light helps them keep their shape. Ponytail palms are great statement plants for modern homes because of the way they look.

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast iron plant has a well-deserved reputation for being very hard to damage, as its name suggests. This plant can handle a lot of different tough conditions because its dark green leaves look like corn. Cast iron plants do well in low light, and they don’t need to be fed or watered very often. The leathery leaves of this plant keep water well. For years, I’ve kept cast iron plants in dark hallways and shady corners, and they keep growing new leaves without any extra care.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema species)

If you want an easy-to-take-care-for foliage plant that looks good, the Chinese evergreen is it. Its leaves have beautiful patterns and shades of green, silver, pink, and red that change all the time. The Chinese evergreen does well in low light indoors and doesn’t need a lot of water. After you water, let the top inch or two of soil dry out. Use a damp cloth to wipe the leaves every so often to keep them dust-free. With very little care, these plants will keep growing new leaves, giving your home a lush, tropical look.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum, is one of the easiest flowering plants I’ve ever grown. It’s been a favorite of indoor gardeners for a long time. Peace lilies do best in medium to low light and have a continuous display of bright green leaves all year long. Also, they always have fragrant white flowers that show up every once in a while for months. After you water, let the soil dry out a bit. Peace lily leaves will droop when they are thirsty to let you know it’s time to drink. Just keep them from dying all the way down, and they will come back over and over again.

Conclusion

The above examples show that it’s not hard to keep plants alive inside, even if you are very busy. You can have beautiful plants and flowers in your home without having to care for them all the time if you choose hardy, drought-tolerant varieties that have evolved to do well when left alone. The plants I just talked about can handle low light, inconsistent watering, and other problems that plant parents with busy lives often have to deal with.

You might find that you do have a green thumb after all if you give them a try! Have fun reading “What Are the Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy Lives?” Let me know in the comments if you know of any other great plants that don’t need much care.