11 Best Houseplants for Beginners

Indoor plants can make a wonderful addition to any home. If you’re searching for ways to spruce up your home interiors, indoor plants may provide just the solution you’re looking for. Along with adding color to your home interiors, plants are able to reduce stress levels, improve your mood, and provide a range of additional health benefits.

While there are some houseplants that come with complicated sunlight and water requirements, most houseplants are easy to manage and grow even if you’re just starting a collection. Even though you can purchase dozens of different types of plants for your home, some of the more commonly known indoor plants to consider include cacti, orchids, aloe Vera, peace lilies, and prayer-plants.

Once you’ve placed some houseplants in your home, you should immediately notice that your home’s atmosphere and aesthetic have improved substantially. In fact, having the right plants can make your home more inviting and welcoming to guests.

Houseplants can cost anywhere from $5-$100 depending on the plant type and size you purchase. Keep in mind that indoor plants are considerably easier to manage than outdoor plants. If you’re thinking about purchasing your first houseplants, the following guide takes a closer look at 11 houseplants that are perfect for beginners.

1. Snake Plant

Snake plants are highly popular because of how easy they are to manage. The plant is a part of the Asparagaceae family and can cost you around $5-$75. Snake plants are great because of the unique visual impact they can have on your home. The leaves on these plants point upwards in an angular position. They also grow slowly, which means that you don’t need to repot them for an extended period of time.

While you shouldn’t place snake plants in full shade or direct sunlight, there are no strict lighting requirements. Make sure that you water these plants regularly. However, the soil should always be dry before the plants are watered again. You should use rich soil for the best results. Keep in mind that snake plants are toxic to all cats and dogs.

2. Succulents and Cacti

Cacti are part of the Cactaceae family. However, it’s possible for succulents to be from many other plant families. You’ll find that cacti usually cost around $25-$175 depending on the size of the plant. There are many different varieties of desert cacti and succulents that can be found in grocery stores and garden centers. If you’re searching for a succulent plant, these plants are known to have thick and fleshy leaves.

As for cacti, they are comprised of spines as well as different leaf structures, which can include columns, barrels, and paddles. Once you purchase a cacti or succulent, you’ll notice that these plants grow very slowly. They are at their healthiest in bright light and should be placed in well-drained pots. A top benefit of selecting a cacti or succulent is that very little water is required for the plant to grow.

3. Dracaena Species

The Dracaena plant is part of the Asparagaceae family and can cost you anywhere from $30-$150. This is considered to be a plant species, which means that there are dozens of different types of Dracaena plants that you can purchase for your home. If you would like to purchase plants that are easy to maintain and will provide your home with a more natural and beautiful appearance, the draco and marginata plants are particular favorites.

These plants are known to have arching leaves and a woody stem. The leaves on a Dracaena plant can be green, yellow, or tri-colored. Make sure that you place these plants in medium or bright sunlight for the best growing conditions. However, it’s possible for Dracaena plants to survive in relatively low-light conditions. As for watering, Dracaena plants should be watered on a regular basis during the summer but should be kept almost dry during the cold winter months.

4. Spider Plant

The spider plant is part of the Asparagaceae family and can cost you around $5-$30. Spider plants are perfect for beginners because they actually tell you when they require water. If these plants haven’t received enough water recently, the tips of the leaves will begin to turn brown. When the plants have been watered too much, the lengthy leaves will flop and appear to be waterlogged.

A strip on a spider plant leaf is notable for having a lighter green shade than the rest of the leaf. When the plant receives an ample amount of sun, the lighter strip on the leaf will become wider. If the plant remains in shade, the strip will fade almost entirely. Make sure that these plants receive regular watering.

5. Golden Pothos

The golden pothos plant is from the Araceae family and can range from $8-$30 in price. This plant is a hanging plant that can grow extremely quickly once you place it in your home. If you don’t properly maintain the plant, it can grow out of a trailing basket or pot in a short period of time. When you place this plant in a small glass of water, it will start to root almost instantly.

If you take care of the plant, large and mottled leaves may eventually develop. These plants require bright light throughout most of the year if you want them to survive. You should water a pothos once per week during warmer months and once every 14-15 days in colder months.

6. Orchids

Orchids are part of the Orchidaceae family and can cost you anywhere from $10-$50. While many homeowners believe that orchids are difficult to maintain, the truth is that modern orchids hold up well over time and don’t have any special maintenance requirements. Orchids can come in a variety of different colors and are commonly found in home goods stores and grocery stores.

Most orchids thrive in partial sun as well as moist environments, which means that you should place them in kitchens or bathrooms. You should only light water an orchid around once per week. While orchids should get a couple hours of indirect sunlight each day, you’ll want to keep them in the shade most of the time.

7. Money Plant

The money plant is part of the Araceae family and usually costs around $20-$120. Money plants have small, oval leaves and require very little maintenance. If you purchase a money plant, make sure that it’s placed in a low-light or medium-light environment. These plants should be watered once every 1-2 weeks. Make sure that the soil dries out completely between each watering. Keep in mind that offshoots sprout directly from the base of the stem, which essentially provides you with new money plants that can be placed directly in soil.

8. Prayer Plant

The prayer plant is part of the Marantaceae family and typically costs around $10-$75 depending on the size. Prayer plants have a distinct and beautiful appearance that can instantly enhance your home interiors. These plants require very little light and are known to thrive in relatively humid environments. A prayer plant should be watered at least once per week if you want it to survive. While prayer plants aren’t difficult to maintain, they do require a very specific environment.

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is part of the Asphodelaceae and usually costs around $5-$35. This is a wonderful plant for beginners that also allows you to benefit from the liquid that the leaves extract. Aloe Vera requires direct sunlight for 4-6 hours every day. It’s possible to cut off a stalk from the plant, which can then be used to treat burns or moisturize your skin. During the warmer spring and summer months, and aloe Vera plant should be watered every 2-3 weeks. The plant doesn’t need to be watered as much once the temperatures start to drop in the late fall and winter months.

10. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are part of the Araceae family and tend to cost around $20-$150. A peace lily is a great plant for beginners. Like the spider plant, peace lilies are able to communicate their needs. If a peace lily is watered too much, its leaves will become floppy. In the event that you haven’t watered the peace lily enough, the edges will begin to brown and curl.

You should water peace lilies whenever the top inch of soil has become dry, which means that a weekly watering will likely be needed. These plants should be placed in medium light that’s indirect. Make sure that you use a well-draining soil, which can be something like a sand and peat moss blend.

11. Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is part of the Araceae family and can be priced at anywhere from $5-$200. Commonly referred to as the Swiss cheese plant, monstera deliciosa plants contain large leaves and are easy to take care of. These plants only require a moderate amount of indirect sunlight. While the plant should be watered on a weekly basis, the soil should be dry before you water it again. This type of plant grows rather quickly and should eventually be attached to a piece of furniture or trellis. Keep in mind that the monstera deliciosa plant is toxic to many animals, which include cats and dogs.

The plants listed in this guide are highly varied but can all be properly maintained without requiring special attention. If you’re new to houseplants and have yet to take care of one, selecting one of these houseplants will help you learn how to manage a plant without needing to worry about becoming overwhelmed with the responsibility.