My Best Behaved Houseplants – No Drama – or Not Much

Houseplants are a great way to bring a touch of nature into your home, and they also offer a variety of benefits, such as purifying the air and improving your mood. However, not all houseplants are created equal, and some can be quite finicky and require a lot of attention.

Rule of thumb to me: The more expensive the plant is, the more likely it is to die as you bring it in the door. For myself, I would rather have something easy and less expensive to care for.

If you’re looking for easy-to-care-for houseplants that are well-behaved, here are some great options to consider:

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is one of the hardiest and most adaptable houseplants out there. It can tolerate low light and infrequent watering, and it’s a great choice for beginners.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is another low-maintenance houseplant that can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. It’s also very forgiving when it comes to watering, so even if you forget to water it for a while, it should bounce back quickly. In fact, grow it in water if you like!

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The ZZ plant is a great choice if you’re looking for a houseplant that can tolerate low light and infrequent watering. It has glossy, dark green leaves that are very attractive, and it’s also very easy to propagate.

Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) : This vining plant is not really an ivy, but grows such shiny and glossy green leaves that it is truly beautiful. A hanging pot (it cascades so prettily) in bright light is beautiful and it likes to have moisture but only after drying out. It can also produces small, white flowers that are very pretty.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.): Chinese evergreens are another great choice for low-light environments, and they’re also very tolerant of inconsistent watering. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can choose one that fits your decor.

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.): Philodendrons are a family of houseplants that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re very easy to care for and can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, but they prefer bright, indirect light.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that’s very easy to care for. It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering ( I neglect mine awfully), and it also has the added benefit of producing a gel that can be used to soothe sunburns and other skin irritations.

Overall, there are many houseplants that are easy to care for and well-behaved, making them a great choice for beginners or anyone who wants to add some greenery to their home without a lot of hassle. Whether you choose a snake plant, a pothos, a ZZ plant, or any of the other plants on this list, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits of having living greenery in your house.

Honorable Mention

Pilea glauca: Also known as the silver sparkle or grey artillery plant, Pilea glauca is a low-maintenance houseplant with delicate, silvery-blue foliage that adds a touch of elegance to any space. It can tolerate low to medium light and infrequent watering, making it a great choice for those who want a unique and easy-to-care-for plant.

I have mine just starting in a hypertufa pot and that planter helps to keep it moist but not over-watered. There in the back you can see a real sprout of Baby’s Tears which is a much smaller plant. Love them both.

Abutilon, also known as flowering maple, is a beautiful plant that produces trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange, pink, yellow, and red. While it can be grown as a houseplant, it’s does drop leaves sometimes and that is hard to watch.

This plant requires bright, indirect light and consistent moisture, and it can be prone to pests and diseases if not cared for properly. Therefore, it’s not typically recommended as one of the best behaved houseplants, but I find it to be so beautiful, I will take extra care.

If you have experience caring for plants and are willing to put in the effort, abutilon can be a stunning addition flowering all year inside your home.

So those are some of my favorites that I have right now. I am sure they are watching me as I write and will wilt just to show me who’s boss. But I will love them anyway!