Collection
Easy Houseplants That Forgive Mistakes
Forgive missed waterings, low light and neglect: where beginners should start.
The easiest houseplants are ones that tolerate a wide range of light, cope with soil drying out between waterings, look fine in dry indoor air and don't need special feeding: pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant, spider plant, heartleaf philodendron, peperomia and cast iron plant top most expert lists. Put one within a few feet of a window, water only when the top inch of soil is dry, and it will put up with a lot.
What these plants have in common
- Tolerates low to bright indirect light
- Survives soil drying out between waterings
- Looks good in dry winter air
- No special fertilizer, pruning or humidity needs
- Rarely bothered by pests
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis)- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days
- Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea
Bromeliad
Bromeliaceae (Guzmania, Vriesea, Neoregelia, Aechmea, Ananas)- Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine
- Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks)
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia)
Chinese money plant
Pilea peperomioides- Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window
- When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer
- Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA)
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera × buckleyi- Bright indirect light; morning sun OK; no hot afternoon sun
- When the top 1 in. is dry; evenly moist during bud and bloom; drier for 4–6 weeks after flowering
- ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses
Dracaena
Dracaena (D. marginata, D. fragrans, D. reflexa, D. deremensis)- Bright indirect; 3–6 ft from a south window or near an east/west one; green types tolerate medium light, variegated need more
- When the top 1.5–2 in are dry: every 5–7 days in summer, 12–18 days in winter; rain, distilled or RO water
- Toxic to cats and dogs: saponins (ASPCA)
Echeveria
Echeveria spp.- 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter
- Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim
- Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans)
Hoya
Hoya carnosa and other Hoya species- Bright indirect; near an east, west or shaded south window; some gentle direct sun OK
- Soak, then let the mix dry almost completely: about every 7-14 days in summer, every 2-4 weeks in winter
- Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, wax plant)
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata- 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window
- Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter
- ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination)
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana- Full sun is best (Clemson HGIC); the sunniest south or west window you have
- Let the soil dry most of the way, then soak; much less often in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): bufadienolides; vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm (rare)
Lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana- Bright indirect; east or north window; no direct sun
- In a vase: roots plus about 1 in. of stalk covered, changed weekly. In soil: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Dracaena spp.: saponins)
Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia (and other Peperomia species)- Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window
- When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant)
Philodendron
Philodendron spp. (heartleaf P. hederaceum and others)- Bright indirect; heartleaf tolerates low light
- When the top 1-2 inches are dry; about every 7-10 days in summer
- Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA)
Polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya- Bright filtered light; some morning sun; leaves lose color in low light
- Evenly moist: water when the top 1/2 inch is dry; never let it wilt repeatedly
- Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA); may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum- Bright indirect; east or west window, south behind a sheer; tolerates medium light, variegated types fade in shade
- When the top 1–2 in. are dry: about every 5–8 days in summer, every 10–14 days in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalates; sap can irritate skin
Rubber plant
Ficus elastica- Bright indirect, best at an east window; green types tolerate medium light
- When the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7–10 days in summer, every 12–18 days in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Indian rubber plant/Ficus); milky sap irritates skin and stomach
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata (syn. Sansevieria trifasciata)- Low to bright indirect; tolerates some direct sun
- When soil is fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–8 weeks winter
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum- Bright indirect; tolerates medium light
- When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
String of hearts
Ceropegia woodii (syn. Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)- Bright light: right at an east window, or 1–3 ft from a south or west window; some direct sun is fine
- When the soil is dry all the way through: about every 7–14 days in summer, 3–4 weeks in winter
- Not listed by ASPCA; generally regarded as non-toxic, not formally classified
Succulents
Crassulaceae, Asphodelaceae, Cactaceae and others- 4–6 hours of direct sun; south, southeast or southwest window
- Soak, then dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–6 weeks in winter
- Depends on the plant: jade, aloe, kalanchoe, desert rose and euphorbias are toxic (ASPCA); haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic
Umbrella plant
Schefflera arboricola, Schefflera actinophylla (now Heptapleurum)- Medium to bright indirect; 3-6 ft from a south window, or at an east or west window
- Soak, then let the top 1/2-1 in. dry; in winter let the top third of the pot dry
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): oral irritation, drooling, vomiting; sap is a skin allergen
Wandering Dude (Tradescantia)
Tradescantia zebrina, T. fluminensis, T. pallida- Bright light with 2–3 hours of morning or filtered sun; east window ideal
- When the top 1 inch is dry: every 3–5 days in summer, 8–12 days in winter
- ASPCA: Tradescantia fluminensis is toxic to cats, dogs and horses (dermatitis)
Yucca
Yucca gigantea (syn. Yucca elephantipes)- Full sun to very bright light; south window in winter, east or west window or light shade from hot summer sun
- Soak, then water when the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7-12 days in summer, every 3-8 weeks in winter
- Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Yucca spp.): vomiting
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia- Low to bright indirect; no hot direct sun
- When fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–6 weeks winter
- Toxic if eaten (calcium oxalates); not pet-safe
Comparison: which one fits your conditions
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window; acclimate over 10–14 days | Soak, then dry completely: every 10–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea |
| Bromeliad | Bright indirect; an east window or 3–5 ft from a south/west window; some direct morning sun is fine | Keep 1/2–1 in of soft water in the cup, flush every 1–2 weeks; water the mix only when the top inch is dry (every 1–2 weeks) | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Neoregelia) |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun is fine. East or west window | When the top quarter of the soil is dry, roughly every 7-14 days; never leave it standing in a saucer | Easy | Not on ASPCA's list by name; NC State Extension lists it as safe for pets and children (related Pilea cadierei is non-toxic per ASPCA) |
| Christmas cactus | Bright indirect light; morning sun OK; no hot afternoon sun | When the top 1 in. is dry; evenly moist during bud and bloom; drier for 4–6 weeks after flowering | Easy | ASPCA: non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses |
| Dracaena | Bright indirect; 3–6 ft from a south window or near an east/west one; green types tolerate medium light, variegated need more | When the top 1.5–2 in are dry: every 5–7 days in summer, 12–18 days in winter; rain, distilled or RO water | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs: saponins (ASPCA) |
| Echeveria | 4–6 hours of direct sun: south, west or southeast window; brightest spot in winter | Soak and dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–5 weeks in a cool winter, at the rim | Easy | Non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA, Echeveria elegans) |
| Hoya | Bright indirect; near an east, west or shaded south window; some gentle direct sun OK | Soak, then let the mix dry almost completely: about every 7-14 days in summer, every 2-4 weeks in winter | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, wax plant) |
| Jade Plant | 4+ hours of direct sun; south or west window | Soak, then let dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 4–6 weeks in a cool winter | Easy | ASPCA: toxic to cats, dogs and horses (vomiting, depression, incoordination) |
| Kalanchoe | Full sun is best (Clemson HGIC); the sunniest south or west window you have | Let the soil dry most of the way, then soak; much less often in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): bufadienolides; vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm (rare) |
| Lucky bamboo | Bright indirect; east or north window; no direct sun | In a vase: roots plus about 1 in. of stalk covered, changed weekly. In soil: water when the top 1/2 in. is dry | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, Dracaena spp.: saponins) |
| Peperomia | Bright indirect; tolerates a large north window | When the top half of the mix is dry; roughly every 7-14 days | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA, baby rubber plant) |
| Philodendron | Bright indirect; heartleaf tolerates low light | When the top 1-2 inches are dry; about every 7-10 days in summer | Easy | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
| Polka dot plant | Bright filtered light; some morning sun; leaves lose color in low light | Evenly moist: water when the top 1/2 inch is dry; never let it wilt repeatedly | Easy | Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA); may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea |
| Pothos | Bright indirect; east or west window, south behind a sheer; tolerates medium light, variegated types fade in shade | When the top 1–2 in. are dry: about every 5–8 days in summer, every 10–14 days in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalates; sap can irritate skin |
| Rubber plant | Bright indirect, best at an east window; green types tolerate medium light | When the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7–10 days in summer, every 12–18 days in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Indian rubber plant/Ficus); milky sap irritates skin and stomach |
| Snake plant | Low to bright indirect; tolerates some direct sun | When soil is fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–8 weeks winter | Easy | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA): saponins |
| Spider plant | Bright indirect; tolerates medium light | When top 1 inch is dry: ~weekly summer, every 10–14 days winter | Easy | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) |
| String of hearts | Bright light: right at an east window, or 1–3 ft from a south or west window; some direct sun is fine | When the soil is dry all the way through: about every 7–14 days in summer, 3–4 weeks in winter | Easy | Not listed by ASPCA; generally regarded as non-toxic, not formally classified |
| Succulents | 4–6 hours of direct sun; south, southeast or southwest window | Soak, then dry completely: every 7–14 days in summer, every 3–6 weeks in winter | Easy | Depends on the plant: jade, aloe, kalanchoe, desert rose and euphorbias are toxic (ASPCA); haworthia and echeveria are non-toxic |
| Umbrella plant | Medium to bright indirect; 3-6 ft from a south window, or at an east or west window | Soak, then let the top 1/2-1 in. dry; in winter let the top third of the pot dry | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): oral irritation, drooling, vomiting; sap is a skin allergen |
| Wandering Dude (Tradescantia) | Bright light with 2–3 hours of morning or filtered sun; east window ideal | When the top 1 inch is dry: every 3–5 days in summer, 8–12 days in winter | Easy | ASPCA: Tradescantia fluminensis is toxic to cats, dogs and horses (dermatitis) |
| Yucca | Full sun to very bright light; south window in winter, east or west window or light shade from hot summer sun | Soak, then water when the top 2 in. are dry: about every 7-12 days in summer, every 3-8 weeks in winter | Easy | Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA, Yucca spp.): vomiting |
| ZZ plant | Low to bright indirect; no hot direct sun | When fully dry: every 2–3 weeks summer, 4–6 weeks winter | Easy | Toxic if eaten (calcium oxalates); not pet-safe |
Easy houseplants are not magic, they are simply forgiving. Iowa State University Extension built its list of easy, low-maintenance houseplants on four criteria: tolerance of a wide range of light, especially low light; the ability to thrive despite inconsistent watering, including dry soil; tolerance of low humidity; and staying attractive with minimal care. Those same criteria define this collection.
The best easy houseplants
- Pothos: the most forgiving trailing plant. Grows in low to moderate light, tells you when it is thirsty by drooping slightly, and roots from cuttings in a glass of water.
- Snake plant: upright, architectural and nearly indestructible. Iowa State's verdict: the only way to kill it is to overwater it.
- ZZ plant: stores water in thick underground rhizomes and can go weeks without watering.
- Spider plant: fast, cheerful and non-toxic to pets; prone to brown tips in very dry air or with fluoridated water.
- Philodendron: heartleaf philodendron is as easy as pothos.
- Peperomia: compact, semi-succulent leaves, happy on a desk, non-toxic.
- Cast iron plant: earns its name in dim corners.
- Chinese evergreen and dracaena: tolerant foliage plants for medium light.
How to keep an easy plant alive
- Put it within a few feet of a window. "Tolerates low light" means survives; every plant here grows better in bright, indirect light.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and a standard indoor potting mix.
- Water only when the top inch or two of soil is dry, then water until it drains and empty the saucer.
- Feed lightly in spring and summer at half strength, or not at all for slow growers like ZZ plant and snake plant.
- Wipe dust off the leaves every month or two so they can use the light they get.
The most common way beginners kill easy plants is with kindness: watering on a fixed schedule, every few days. Our care basics explain how to check the soil instead.
Easy and pet-safe are different lists
Several of the easiest plants are toxic to pets. The ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list classifies pothos, philodendron, snake plant and dracaena as toxic to cats and dogs, while spider plant, peperomia, parlor palm and cast iron plant are non-toxic. If you share your home with a cat or dog, start with the pet-safe plants collection, and see toxic houseplants for how to place the rest safely.
Matching the plant to your room
| Your space | Good easy picks |
|---|---|
| North window or dim corner | ZZ plant, snake plant, cast iron plant, pothos |
| Bright east or west window | Spider plant, peperomia, philodendron, dracaena |
| Desk under office lights | ZZ plant, pothos, snake plant |
| Hanging basket | Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant |
More ideas for dim rooms are in low-light plants and for workspaces in office plants.
Often mislabeled: plants that don't belong here
| Plant | Why it doesn't really fit |
|---|---|
| Calathea | Often sold as easy, but it browns at the edges in dry air and reacts badly to hard tap water and uneven watering. |
| Fiddle-leaf fig | Drops leaves after moves, drafts or a change in light; it needs a bright, steady spot. |
| Orchid | Easy once you learn the soak-and-dry routine for bark, but it does not forgive the usual mistakes. |
| Succulents on a dim shelf | Drought-tolerant, yes, but they stretch and rot without strong light. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest houseplant to keep alive?
Snake plant and ZZ plant are the hardest to kill: both store water, tolerate low light and only die reliably from overwatering. Pothos is the easiest trailing plant and shows when it is thirsty by drooping slightly.
What easy houseplants are safe for cats?
Spider plant, peperomia, parlor palm, cast iron plant and Christmas cactus are non-toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA. See our pet-safe plants collection for more.
How often should I water easy houseplants?
Only when the top inch or two of soil is dry. For snake plant and ZZ plant that may be every two to four weeks; for pothos and spider plant roughly weekly in summer. In winter, water about half as often.
Can easy houseplants live in a room without windows?
Not on room light alone for long. ZZ plant, snake plant and pothos can manage under bright office lighting or an LED grow light on for 10 to 12 hours a day.
What is the best easy houseplant for a beginner who travels?
ZZ plant or snake plant: both can go three to four weeks without water in average conditions.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these publications. Links open in a new tab.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List www.aspca.org
- Iowa State University Extension yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu