The 11 best indoor plants for beginners, according to experts
Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
Indoor plants are the best way to add a little green to your living space. Plenty of indoor plants are easy to take care of, so even if you’ve never owned a plant before or think you have a black thumb, there’s still hope.
We know it can be a little intimidating choosing what to buy, especially if you’re inexperienced, which is why we reached out to plant experts for advice on the easiest plants to take care of.
“Indoor plants are an easy way to add color, texture, and dimension to a space,” says Erin Marino, director of brand marketing at The Sill. Plus, studies have shown how indoor plants can be beneficial to your overall health and reduce stress. “Checking in on my houseplants is my form of weekly meditation,” Marino says. “It feels great to disconnect from a screen, be it my computer, phone or TV — and reconnect with nature.”
If you’re looking to add a new plant or two to your home, there are a few things you should check before you buy. Beginner-level indoor plants can survive with natural light from a window and infrequent watering, but you’ll want to make sure you find the right plant for your space. “Indoor plants are generally sized by the diameter of their nursery grow pot,” Marino says. “A ‘4-inch snake plant’ isn’t a snake plant that’s 4 inches tall, but a snake plant that comes in a 4-inch-wide grow pot.”
Summer Rayne Oakes, author of “How to Make a Plant Love You” and host of YouTube channel “Plant One On Me,” also stresses the importance of finding the perfectly sized plant. “If you’re just buying plants because they ‘look good’ then they are less likely to survive,” she says. If you have pets, you should also check the ASPCA site to see if a given plant is pet-friendly.
Once you have your space figured out, Oakes recommends starting with plants like Chinese evergreen, ZZ plant, golden pothos, satin pothos or philodendron, because they don’t have intense lighting and watering regimes.
If you’re ready to make some new leafy friends and test out your green thumb, take a look at our list below of the best indoor plants. We even threw in some of our favorite planters and plant stands to elevate your greenery.
Best indoor plants for beginners
The Sill ZZ Plant
Editor's pick
“I love the lush vertical growth of the ZZ plant with its thick stems and waxy leaves,” Marino says. “It’s maybe not a plant you’d typically consider a succulent, but you’ll spot large potato-like rhizomes under the surface of its potting mix, which — having evolved in dry conditions in Africa — store water to help the plant survive drought in its native habitat. It does best in bright indirect to medium indirect light (but can tolerate low light), watered once every three to four weeks when potting mix is dry.”
Bloomscape Mini Money Tree
Best for pet owners
This pet-friendly plant is simple and easy to care for, plus it purifies air that’s polluted with synthetic chemicals commonly found in cleaning products.
Plants.com Aloe Vera Plant
Best for bright spaces
If you have plenty of sunlight, this aloe plant is forgiving and beautiful. It doesn’t need much water, and its sap can even be used to soothe burns and skin irritations.
The Sill Monstera Deliciosa
Best for humid spaces
This show-stopping plant loves humidity and low to bright indirect light. It removes formaldehyde from the air and stands 26 to 32 inches tall.
From $48 at The Sill
Bloomscape Whale Fin Sansevieria
Best for dry spaces
The Whale Fin Sansevieria is a unique broad single-leaf plant. This plant is native to drought-tolerant environments, so it’s great for those who tend to forget their watering schedule.
The Sill Pothos NJoy
Best trailing plant
This low-maintenance plant needs medium to low, indirect light and water every one to two weeks. This makes it perfect for your home office or living room. “I can’t say enough good things about the pothos plant,” Marino says. “There’s a reason you see it just about everywhere, from malls to doctors’ offices to your friend’s living room — it’ll tolerate just about any environment. This quick-growing trailing plant does best in bright indirect to medium indirect light (but can tolerate low light), watered once every one to two weeks when potting mix is dry.”
Bloomscape Tough Stuff Collection
Most forgiving
These three tough plants are perfect for a beginning gardener. With a green hoya, a sansevieria and a ZZ plant, you’ll be fully stocked with plants that are easy to care for.
The Sill Succulent Assortment
Best for windowsills
“Succulents are great low-maintenance plant picks if your space receives bright light,” Marino says. “One of my favorites with drought-surviving adaptations is the rosette-shaped Echeveria. It does best in bright direct to bright indirect light, watered once every three to four weeks when potting mix is dry.”
Bloomscape Peperomia Watermelon
Best for bright, indirect light
This leafy plant can survive in low light, but does best in bright, indirect light. It’s small, pretty and even pet-friendly, making it the perfect plant for any small space.
Rooted Baby Cactus Box
Best cacti
Cacti are also easy to take care of if you have enough sunlight. They don’t need much water and can turn your room into your own little desert.
Bloomscape Sansevieria
Best large plant
This large species of snake plant is sturdy and can deal with low light and little water, but does best in indirect light, watered when soil is dry every few weeks.
Indoor plant stands and planters
KansoDesigns Harmony Mini Planters
This set of three tiny planters are made from materials such as bamboo fiber, wheat husk and coffee bean husk.
CeramicSense Hanging Planter Ema
Is there a cuter way to pot a plant? Yeah, we didn’t think so either. Handmade with speckled stoneware clay sheets, it’s the perfect home for your new plant.
The Sill Upcycled Planter
Made from agricultural by-products and natural fibers, this upcycled planter comes in three sizes.
JohnnyCreate People Planter
These little guys are a cute way to pot your plants. They’re positioned in different sitting and lounging positions.
Etta Avenue Flaner Metal Planters
If you prefer your plants to sit higher off the ground, this set of two planters and stands is a great option. Available in a sleek black and gold duo, these will look great flanking an entryway or window.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
