Plants brighten our day and living space, and the accomplishment you feel when your plant grows a new leaf is unmatched. However, growing houseplants is not always easy and for students, who have a limited amount of time, keeping a plant alive can seem impossible. But I'm here to say that it is not.
Below I have chosen the top 10 easiest plants to care for, as well as some simple instructions as to how best to look after your new leafy friend. Happy reading!
1. Plastic plant
Ideal for beginners, the plastic plant requires no water and no sunlight. You don't have to worry about re-potting it, as it is unlikely to outgrow its pot. Fantastic for kitchens, bedrooms or anywhere you please. If you can't keep plants alive, I recommend this one— its survival is guaranteed.
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2. Zz plant
The Zz plant is one of the hardiest I have ever come across. Also known as the Zanzibar gem, this plant is indestructible. It can go for months at a time without water, and can cope with both intense sunlight and lots of shade.
While it prefers bright, indirect light, this plant can also survive in rooms with minimal light, if any at all, such as bathrooms or windowless offices. If you forget to water it for a few months, it will probably be fine. But it does best when watered occasionally, once every month. This is an attractive looking plant that is self-sufficient and perfect for beginners.
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3. Jade Plant
Also known as the money plant, the jade plant is a long-living succulent that is perfect for beginners. When it receives adequate care (occasional watering and lots of light), it can grow chunky and strong, quickly outgrowing its pot. This is another plant that is easy to propagate, and will make the most of its conditions.
Watering when the soil is completely dry and fertilizing twice a year will enable this little one to grow splendidly. I have nothing negative to say about this one!
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4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is one of the most commonly-kept houseplants as it is perfect for small spaces; desks, shelves, there is nowhere this plant doesn't look good. Depending on the positioning of the plant, it only needs to be watered once every 2 to 6 weeks, making it ideal for busy students. However, due to the flat surface of its leaves, the snake plant can gather dust quite quickly. The snake plant is one of the most commonly-kept houseplants because it is perfect for small spaces such as desks and shelves; there is nowhere this plant doesn't look good.
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5. Dracaena
The appearance of the dracena can vary depending on the individual plant, but all of these plants share some common features: long, wispy leaves and a long, thin stem. Most subspecies of dracena prefer indirect light in order to avoid sunburning the leaves, but some prefer more light than others, so it is important to do your own research on your specific plant. The dracena prefers most of its soil to dry out before it is watered again, so if you would prefer a plant that needs less frequent watering, this one may be for you!
It is a slow grower, and one must be observant of the state of the leaves. The dracena can be sensitive to minerals found in tap water, and this can curl and discolor the leaves. It is always best to water plants using distilled water that is bottled or boiled, then cooled. This is a unique looking plant, and when it reaches a large enough size it looks amazing placed amongst furniture.
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6. Rubber plant
Like the Pothos, there are multiple species of rubber plant. The two most common are the baby rubber plant and the Indian rubber plant. I have both, and can easily say that the baby rubber plant is better for beginners.
This water-loving flora has tear-drop-shaped, shiny leaves and is compact and stubby. Incredibly fast growing, pieces can be snipped off at the stem, made to grow roots in water and then placed back in the pot to encourage fullness. There is nothing this plant loves more than a heavy mist, and the bathroom (with a source of light) makes a perfect location.
Speaking of light, this plant prefers to be out of direct sunlight but won't mind some strong rays for an hour or two a day. It does not appreciate total shade. I would recommend this plant to beginners who are generally motivated to have a good go at keeping it alive. When it is content, you won't be disappointed.
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7. Pothos (devil's Ivy)
There are 15 species of pothos: marbel, golden, neon and satin, to name a few. Much like the ivy, this glorious plant adds a natural sense to bedrooms, kitchens, living spaces and even bathrooms. Its large leaves are attractive and extremely fast growing.
This plant also prefers a shaded space, and watering when the top layer of the soil dries out. After watering, it is common for the pothos to drip from the tips of its leaves. This plant is resilient, but don't take its patience for granted.
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8. Glacial Ivy
Favourited for it's aesthetic looks, the glacial ivy makes for beautiful bedroom decor. When content, this plant can drop past 6 ft long, and can be gently pinned to walls and ceilings to improve the overall appearance of your living space. But don't worry; being a climber, the ivy prefers being provided with a form of structure to aid in its growth, so it will hang from plant-safe pins gladly.
This plant prefers a shaded area, out of direct sunlight. It is common for it to—when it reaches a certain length—drop the occasional leaf. Due to its length and fast growth, this plant enjoys a substantial amount of water, and loves to be misted regularly. If you want a plant that takes up little surface space, then this one may be for you.
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9. Dieffenbachia
The dieffanbachia has an unpleasant history. Commonly known as dumb cane or leopard Lilly, the dieffenbachia holds toxic properties that were exploited by slave-traders and used to punish slaves. Ingestion of the plant can cause swelling and irritation of the mouth, rendering an individual temporarily speechless.
Despite this, the dieffenbachia is one of my favorite house-plants to care for. Easy to propagate, this plant looks lovely on desks or tables. It enjoys a decent amount of indirect sunlight and must be rotated regularly to avoid uneven growth.
Watering should occur when the top layer of the soil is dry. This plant comes in at ninth place, just ahead of the asparagus fern, due to its dramatic nature when overwatered (leaves soften and discolor).
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10. Asparagus Fern
Coming in at number 10, we have the asparagus fern. This furry plant requires a substantial amount of water (every 2-3 days), and prefers to be settled outside of direct sunshine. When cared for properly, the asparagus fern can reach out with long aerial-type leaves and will grow thick and luscious from the base up.
When unhappy, it is quick to turn yellow/brown and will drop its delicate needles in vengeance. Due to the frequent watering, owners must be conscious to avoid encouraging root rot by providing proper drainage. This can come in the form of using a drip-tray when watering, or placing gravel at the bottom of the pot. While I would not recommend this plant for first time growers, it is an easy enough plant to care for once you get to know the basics of keeping houseplants alive.
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How can houseplants benefit you?
There are many benefits to keeping houseplants, both physical and psychological. Here are just a few:
- Improves mood
- Reduces stress levels
- Improves productivity
- Increases pain tolerance
- Can reduce blood pressure
- Some studies show that they can reduce fatigue and headaches
- Improves air quality, aiding in respiration
(Disclaimer: fake plants are unlikely to provide physical benefits)
And so I conclude that houseplants are a must for not just students, but everyone. They hold so many benefits, and can truly brighten your day. It is important to remember that if you do kill your plants, that it is JUST a plant.
You can always get a new one. With every plant you own, you will learn from both new growth as well as death.
I hope that this list of recommendations has been helpful to you, and I wish you luck in plant-parenthood.
