10 easy-to-grow indoor plants to spruce up your home

The pothos plant, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is near-impossible to kill. Not only can it tolerate low levels of light, but it’s also especially effective for cleaning the air of toxins, especially formaldehyde and benzene fumes commonly found in freshly painted or refurbished rooms.

There are quite a few varieties of the pothos, so just remember if your plant is variegated with white, yellow, or pale green, and the light is too low, they may turn completely green to compensate for the lack of light. Keep your pothos somewhere with bright, but not direct, light, and be sure to not overwater. You’ll know your pothos is thirsty when the leaves start drooping. We recommend growing your pothos in a hanging container so that its tendrils, that sometimes grow up to 10 feet long, can create a beautiful cascade.

Remember to re-pot your pothos to an upsized container if the roots have consumed the pot, as it means the plant cannot breathe. You’ll know this has happened when the leaves droop no matter how much or often you water them. Lastly, keep your pothos away from children and animals, as it is poisonous (not fatal) if ingested and can be irritant to the skin if touched.

The spider plant is, without a doubt, one of the easiest plants to take care of. Even if you’re lacking a green thumb, you’ll be able to keep your spider plant alive. Despite its name, spider plants are completely non-toxic, so your kids and pets can play safely around them.

It’ll look best if taken care of perfectly, but since they’re hardy and forgiving, they’ll survive in artificial light, low light, and even full shade despite their preference for direct, scorching sunlight. They don’t mind if you forget to water them occasionally, but try to keep them in well-drained soil if you’re watering regularly and liberally, and maintain temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius.

The only common problem spider plants have are browning leaf tips, which is caused by fluoride build-up in the soil. Simply give them a thorough watering to flush out the excess salts and the browning will go away. The spider plant produces beautiful leg-like leaves that can range from pale to emerald green, making it a great choice for hanging decoration. Spider plants were uber-popular in the 1970s, so if you’re trying to create a retro vibe, pot one in a macrame hanger in those bland or hard-to-reach corners in your home.

When all of your attempts at keeping a plant alive let you down, the only place to go is up. With the ability to survive in the toughest of environments, snake plants tend to grow upwards, with sword-shaped leaves that are edged with a yellow lining. Some people also reckon the sharp points on the leaves make them look like a “mother-in-law’s tongue”!

Along with the peace lily, it is also included in NASA’s study for plants that can be used for air purification and to combat “sick-building syndrome.” It’s also demonstrated an ability to remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Snake plants are probably the most indestructible houseplant… ever. They’ll not only survive, but thrive in any lighting condition and they’re also highly drought-resistant. They actually do the best when you leave them alone in a sturdy container with free-draining soil mix, an indirectly lit environment, and be sure to err on the side of underwatering. They also look badass in a cluster, as window-side décor or lining your bedframe like in the picture. Seriously, even the most green-challenged of us couldn’t kill a snake plant.

No, we don’t mean a fake rubber plant (although they are easy to take care of)—we’re talking about the underrated houseplant variety of the magnificent rubber tree, the ficus elastica. We know a lot of us don’t have the luxury of space, but we promise you can still have a statement indoor tree as the rubber fig’s growth is limited by its light reception and growing container.

If you’re patient enough to grow your own, plants that start out younger when you buy them adapt better to indoor living than starting with a more mature plant. They can grow to impressive heights within a few years, especially if you put the plants outside during the summer. Keeping the plants in small pots will restrict their growth if you want to keep them smaller.

Bright but indirect sunlight is the rubber fig’s favourite, so this plant may not be the best for any low light homes. During the plant’s dormant season (winter), it may only require watering once or twice per month, but during its growing season (summer), the plant should be watered frequently in order to keep the soil moist. Even a couple spritzes as you’re getting ready for the day would work! Best of all, rubber plants can help absorb and remove any formaldehyde in the air, a potentially harmful gas that is found in many household and pressed-wood products.

Another tough-as-nails, dang-near-unkillable houseplant is the ZZ plant. You may have seen this sturdy plant as a staple in the houseplant social media communities, and you can turn your #inspo into reality easily. The ZZ plant, with dark green leaves, strong stems, and wide branch growth, makes for a great addition to any home or office. It tolerates neglect, drought, and lack of light.

ZZ grows quite slowly and you won’t have to re-pot often, and it only reaches a height and width of up to two to three feet. Just remember not to leave the tropical-native ZZ near any cold drafts, and try to place it somewhere near sunlight so it can keep look glossy and strong. ZZ plant is another air purifying plant mentioned in the aforementioned NASA study for its adeptness at removing copious amounts of toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air.