Are you all thumbs when it comes to indoor gardening? So was I when I bought my first unfortunate plants. However, my thumb has begun to look a little green lately. Mostly because I have found plants that can survive me – by the process of elimination, though.
Having houseplants has been scientifically proven to have health benefits, both physical and mental. According to Psychology Today, having houseplants around you helps in de-stressing and boosting our mood – even so much that we might get along with other people better if there are plants in the room! The physical benefits are also numerous, most noteworthy – clearing the air in a room from toxic agents such as formaldehyde by the process of filtering. NASA has even done a study where they tested which plant filtered the air the best way, so it’s no joke.
In addition, houseplants are aesthetically pleasing, and they can make your house look cozier. They finish up the home decor when the room feels a bit lifeless. Just find pots that fit your furnishings or place them into hanging baskets next to your windows to maximize the coolness of your plant decor.
If you’re interested in the plants that are as low-maintenance as possible and can survive the harsh conditions of not being watered or of having little to no light at all in your room, then here’re my suggestions.
The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, pictured above) is one of the easiest houseplants you can own because it survives and even thrives in dimmer conditions. In other words, you can place it in the back of the room without negative effects. This vine needs water only when the soil feels dry, so no intense watering required.
If the Golden Pothos is easy to own, the ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas, presented above) is even easier. The only way you can kill it, is by over-watering. So just leave it be and do nothing. Okay, maybe set a notification to water it once every two weeks to keep it from drying up completely, but otherwise, just let it be. The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum, displayed above) can also survive dim conditions, but needs lots of water. The soil is best to keep a little moist constantly. Though, you can easily notice when it needs water as its leaves start to droop, so no panic. The Peace Lily is not exactly a lily, but it still grows nice white flowers sometimes.
The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum, pictured above), like all of the plants above, survives in poor light conditions, though it needs more frequent watering. The soil should get only a little dry between waterings. Still, once a week suffices. This plant also flowers.
And so it happens, all of these plants have air-clearing qualities according to NASA! You get fresher air with little to no trouble. Win-win.
Note: Be careful if you have pets, as some plants can be toxic to them (if they’re munchies and you can’t trust them when you’re away). You can choose to get non-toxic plants or just hang them high enough so that your animal friends are safe.
Photos taken by the author