Ten maintenance-free houseplants

Article for :Beginner and plant killer

Watering, potting, misting, fertilizing... Inviting nature into your decor requires a bit of work and knowledge. Unless you adopt one of these maintenance-free houseplants. These varieties are ideal for serial plant killers, beginners and plant addicts who don't always have someone to look after their mini jungle in their absence.

#1 The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Incredible and easy to care for, the ZZ plant is perfect for the home or office - Photo by Jukka Heinonen

Its name evokes a superhero capable of resisting forgotten watering and lack of light. Plant ZZ doesn't need much maintenance. It only needs watering once a month in winter and once a week the rest of the year. Robust, it won't mind if you forget it for a couple of weeks while you're on vacation.

While Zamioculcas zamiifolia appreciates a little fertilizer and misting, it does very well without. And best of all, ZZ plants only need to be repotted every two or three years.

#2 Aspidistra elatior

For greater effect, choose a variegated variety - Photo by Rrei 320

My grandmother's favorite houseplant. Not for the beauty of its leaves, but because she didn't have to worry about them. All she had to do was water her Aspidistra eliator every two weeks in winter and every ten days in summer, and its upright foliage would brighten up the house.

High Aspidistre is content with little: a half-shade or even full-shade exposure and repotting every two years. For the laziest, put it outside in fine weather. The rain will take care of the watering chore!

#3 Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

You don't need a green thumb to have a beautiful Chlorophytum - Photo by Maja Dumat

Have you ever wondered why Chlorophytum can be found in every waiting room and office? It's because the phalanx survives without much care. Catherine and Liliane can leave on vacation in August, and the plant won't be dead when they return.

In theory, chlorophytum comosum needs watering every ten days. In practice, it can last longer without water. Chlorophytum comosum will thrive even in rooms with little light. With a little patience, you'll be able to make cuttings to give to your novice or awkward gardener friends.

#4 Chain of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

The most romantic will climb their Ceropegia woodi on a heart-shaped support - Photo by Maja Dumat

With its heart-shaped leaves and drooping habit, Ceropegia woodii is the star of social networks. The good news is that you too can adopt a heart chain, even if you don't have much time to devote to it.

Chain of Hearts is one of the few varieties of houseplant that can withstand direct sunlight and high light levels. To prevent it from dying, you'll still need to water it every ten days.

#5 Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Sansevieria trifasciata is rarely attacked by insects - Photo by Jalexalis

Mother-in-law mother-in-law's tongues only requirement? Stay dry. You can install your plant in a room with little light, forget about it for weeks in its little pot, and it won't die.

Ideally, the different varieties of sansevières like to be watered every week in warm weather. They also appreciate having the dust that collects on their foliage removed, and being repotted every two or three years. A well-drained potting soil for cacti and succulents, for example, will do the trick.

#6 Schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricola)

Variegated varieties require more light - Photo by Citizen 59

This little shrub will look great in your living room, and you'll (almost) never have to look after it. Schefflera arboricola needs watering only when the soil is dry. You'll need to get out the watering can no more than once a week in summer, during hot spells.

This green plant requires less maintenance than a ficus or palm tree. All you need is a bright spot without direct sunlight, repotting every two years and annual fertilization.

#7 La Misère (Tradescantia)

Misery - Photo by LucaLuca

Who said puncture-proof plants were ugly? The 70 or so species of Tradescantia prove us wrong. With their multicolored variegated foliage, they're no match for Monsteras, Calatheas and Alocasias.

However, Tradescantia are no divas. They need watering once a week in summer. In winter, if the air in your home is not too dry, you can even reduce the frequency. If you forget to water despite the notifications we send you, your Misery will survive. As for exposure, choose a spot with good light, but no direct sunlight.

#8 Haworthia

In summer, put your Haworthia on your windowsill - Photo by Maja Dumat

Indoors, succulents and cacti are a good option for bringing a little nature into your decor without becoming a slave to your watering can. Haworthia grows in the desert. It loves heat and sun and tolerates drought very well.

If you notice that the leaves of haworthiopsis fasciata are thinning or becoming hollow, give it something to drink. The best thing is to water it copiously once every 20 days, or even once a month. Repotting after purchase and every two years is always welcome.

#9 Aloe vera

Water only when the soil has dried thoroughly

Another fat plant that likes to be left alone: Aloe vera. It needs watering only when the potting soil is dry. Count on watering once a month in winter and once a fortnight in summer.

Aloe vera requires very little maintenance. There's no need to prune, mist or fertilize it. Just place it in the sun and repot it every two years.

# 10 Euphorbia lactea

Euphorbia lactea by Mokkie

Contrary to appearances, euphorbia lactea is not a cactus. The plant has no spines, which places it in the succulent family. It builds up water reserves, so doesn't need frequent watering. A true camel, it needs watering once every two months in winter and once every three weeks in summer.

The plant is no more fussy about the rest: a sunny or semi-shady exposure and repotting every four years will keep it happy.

#11 the jade tree (Crassula ovata)

To make matters worse, the jade tree brings good luck - Photo by Julia Winsch

Crassula ovata also deserves its place in this top 10 list of the easiest houseplants to live with. Crassula ovata stores water in its fleshy leaves and is content with monthly watering.

Although it looks like a Pilea, Crassula ovata requires much less maintenance. It requires neither misting nor fertilizing. It will nevertheless be grateful if you repot it when its pot becomes really too small, i.e. Every three or four years.

These plants are easy to care for, but not immortal. If you're worried about killing one through carelessness, download the Monstera App. Thanks to our detailed advice and personalized reminders, your houseplants should have a life of their own.

By Servane Nemetz
on 17-08-2022 at 08h10