Having plants in your home can be a great way to add a touch of nature to your living space. Not only are house plants a thing of beauty and decorative appeal; they can also serve a functional purpose by helping to improve air quality and even your mood!
Whether you’re just starting out on your houseplant adventure or you’re looking to add to your current collection, we’ve compiled a list of five house plants (in no particular order) that are easy to love and care for.
While it was hard to choose just five, we currently have all five of these plant types in our own living space and can attest to their durability, beauty and laid-back attitudes. They’re also affordable and easy to source from your local nursery.
1. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Originating in rainforests in western and central Africa, these lush plants have beautiful large leaves which are impressive in any indoor space. Relatively easy to care for, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is a great choice for living spaces small or large.
Light: Fiddle Leaf Figs need lots of natural light and will thrive if placed beside a window. Be careful to avoid direct sunlight though as their leaves will burn easily and eventually be shed by the plant.
Water: Water thoroughly once a week and make sure the soil has the chance to completely dry out in between waterings.
We think the Fiddle Leaf Fig is an excellent choice and with the right care, this beautiful plant can happily cohabit with you for many years.
2. Zanzibar Gem
Possibly the easiest house plant to care for, the exotic Zanzibar Gem (or ZZ plant as it’s also known) is great for those just starting out with their house plant collection. It’s most loved for its glossy, green foliage, low maintenance and durability.
Light: While moderate to bright light is its preference, the Zanzibar Gem can also survive in relatively low light. It's the perfect plant to bring life to those darker areas of your home that other house plants won’t tolerate!
Water: In their natural environment, these plants are tough enough to survive periods of drought, however watering every 3 – 4 weeks is preferable for your Zanzibar to thrive.
If you are looking for a beautiful, exotic houseplant that is low maintenance and sure to make a statement, the Zanzibar Gem is the perfect choice.
3. Monstera
Monstera (also known as a Swiss Cheese Plant) is a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. This evergreen plant is actually a tropical vine, native to central American rainforests. It's known for its large, glossy leaves that are often perforated in a distinctive, unique pattern.
Light: In its natural environment, the Monstera lives in the dappled light of the rainforest and therefore will be happiest in your home with filtered, indirect light.
Water: This is a plant that likes to be kept moist, but not wet. Ensure soil has a chance to dry out in between waterings, usually once a week is sufficient for a happy Monstera to thrive.
Tip: Your Monstera will need support in the way of a coir garden stake (or similar) to help it grow. Naturally these plants climb trees, so supporting them in your home environment is essential (and super easy to do!)
4. Pothos
Pothos is one of the most popular house plants due to its hardiness, attractive foliage, and ease of care. This fast-growing plant loves to climb, so supporting it with a plant stake is ideal. Pothos requires little effort to maintain, making it an ideal choice for beginner indoor gardeners.
Light: Pothos love bright, indirect sunlight but are also tolerant of medium and low light conditions. Expect faster growth in bright light and slower growth if placed in lower light conditions.
Water: A good water every 1 - 2 weeks is ideal for the Pothos, allowing soil to dry out in between. Those plants in brighter light will require more water than those in lower light conditions.
Did you know that Pothos can also grow healthily and happily as water plants? Placing them in a vessel such as our proppi propagation stand will create a decorative feature piece of your plant. (Stay tuned - we’ll explore more about water plants in a future blog post).
5. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants (or rubber trees as they are also called) are a great choice if you’re looking to add colour and life to your indoor space. With their variety of beautiful, waxy foliage colours, these plants will live happily in a pot in your home, under the right conditions.
Light: Once again this is a plant that will thrive in bright indirect light, however it can also tolerate being placed in areas of lower light.
Water: Watering your rubber plant every 1 - 2 weeks will keep it happy. Ensure the soil has dried out in between watering as this variety won’t tolerate wet feet.
As a low maintenance and highly adaptable species, it’s no wonder the rubber plant is a popular house plant choice. These plants can grow quite large, so make sure to increase your pot size as it grows to accommodate its need for space.
While we've discussed light and water requirements of our top five house plant picks, it is also important they receive regular nutrients from a high quality plant food. Natural, organic fertilisers such as The Plant Runner's Indoor Plant Food or the Grow Plant Food & Tonic from We The Wild will provide all round nutrient support for your house plants.
For more detailed, expert information on how to grow these five house plants and many others, check out our range of amazing plant books!