The Best Indoor Plants (Even You Can't Kill)

Now that many of us are staying home more, we have a lot more free time on our hands! For some, that means binging the latest Netflix series or working on jigsaw puzzles until you have bought all of the puzzles at the store.

If this sounds like you, maybe it's time to discover that green thumb you never knew you had and give one of these easy-to-maintain plants a happy life in your home!

The pothos has perhaps the best reward-to-effort ratio in the flora game. It is basically indestructible. Even if your home rarely gets sunlight, it will do just fine. The plant’s vines reach and twist outward quickly, so put this guy on a bookshelf and make your space look extra lush.

Not only does a snake plant look like a suitable stand-in for the fire emoji, but it’s also one of the easiest plants to take care of. If that isn't enough to convince you, well, it's also a NASA-approved air purifier. 

While all plants are adept at soaking up carbon dioxide, NASA found that some plants go the extra mile by absorbing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene through their leaves and roots. We'd like to see any other home decoration naturally purify the air of formaldehyde.

This is an exotic-looking plant even an arachnophobe can love. The spider plant is particularly easy to take care of, just keep it out of direct sun and prune the yellowing and browning bits. 

The most diligent owners will be rewarded with spiderettes, long spindly vines that explode like fireworks at the tips, that dangle from the mother plant. Like the snake plant, the spider plant will also purify the air in your home.

Fine, the Zs in this plant’s name technically stand for “Zamioculcas zamiifolia”, but we like to think they’re here to remind you that you could literally take care of this plant in your sleep. It’s that easy. Some people even call it unkillable!

ZZ plants can grow in low light and you only need to water them every three to four weeks. Doesn’t get much more low maintenance than that.

Succulents are the cats of the plant world. They’re independent and generally happier being left alone to waste the day lazing away on a sun-drenched perch. There are endless varieties of succulents to match your own personal style and all require little more than a spot in the sun. 

Secret tip when watering: when you lift the plant and it's feeling light, fill a bowl of water, plop the plant in, and let its roots drink for about half an hour.

Ponytail palms always look a bit disheveled, but in a cool Robert Pattinson–in-quarantine kind of way. It’s technically a succulent, which means it’ll thrive in conditions with bright or medium light.

Stick your ponytail palm in a sunny spot and you can leave it alone for up to three weeks between waterings.

You've probably seen this plant all over your Instagram feed. While this tree is probably the trickiest on the list to take care of, it simply can't be left out. One consistent trait of the ficus species is large leaves, which have the power to give any room a jungle vibe. 

Water at least once a week to keep your fiddle-leaf happy and hydrated.

This guy has earned a reputation for being basically indestructible, so it’s perfect if you think you might be the type to unintentionally neglect your plant. It’s not small enough to fit on a shelf, but it’ll add a ton of style to any corner or floor stand.

Living in Arizona, of course the cactus had to make an appearance. Designed to make your life easier, these thick, fleshy plants retain water better than other species, so even the most forgetful and water-withholding among us are able to keep them alive.

In the best conditions, a saguaro cactus can live for hundreds of years. If you do this right, you’ll be able to pass your pet cactus down to your grandchildren.

You may know the Monstera as the “swiss cheese plant”. Monsteras are famous for their natural leaf holes, hence the nickname. Adaptable to almost all light conditions, and somewhat drought tolerant, the Monstera is a low maintenance, stunning tropical plant perfect for that dull corner in your home that needs a pop of color.

In general, the best places to shop for plants are the nurseries and independent shops closest to you. Shopping at one of these stores gives you a chance to inspect the plant before you buy it, to make sure it’s healthy and to get some in-person advice on plant care. And in this time of social distancing, many local nurseries are doing remote orders and deliveries. 

But if your local shop is closed or doesn’t have what you’re looking for, consider purchasing from an online plant-delivery service.