20 Best Low-Maintenance Houseplants

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

Succulents are generally quite hardy, which makes them great low-maintenance plants. This one is just what its name indicates, with adorable round green "pearls" on a string. It looks especially pretty cascading over the edge of a pot and can grow to be between 2 and 3 feet long. It even has little white flowers in the spring.

The string of pearls needs full sun and more regular watering than succulents with thicker leaves, but once a week is still plenty.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

A common desert dweller, the aloe plant does need a fair amount of light and prefers soil on the dryer side — once-a-week watering is enough. Aloes tend to grow fairly fast, so taking regular cuttings from them to access the aloe gel within leaves won't harm the plant.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is incredibly hardy — so much so that outdoors, even in tough climates, it thrives enough to be an invasive plant species in many countries. But those traits make this a great indoor plant, with pretty leaves that fall gracefully over the edge of a hanging basket or will reach across a doorway. It likes lower-light conditions, which can be helpful if you live in a home without a lot of sunny windows. While it needs to be watered regularly, it can take some dry spells and rarely needs to be fertilized.

Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

The ghost plant is a singularly pretty addition to a small succulent garden or collection. This plant has silvery-lavender leaves instead of the traditional green leaves of other succulents — while being just as easy to keep alive.

It needs full sun, but if it gets less sunlight it will just get leggy and less compact. Water requirements are minimal, but be sure not to let any liquid collect in its leaves.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

This one is often used in public atriums, offices, and doctor's offices for a reason: It's nearly impossible to kill. While it prefers regular indirect light, golden pothos can take low light and even fluorescent lighting, and it can adapt to warm or cool temperatures. Over time, it will trail out of a hanging pot or flow over the edges of one sitting on the floor.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

If you are looking for a plant that doesn't need to be watered often, the ZZ Plant is ideal. It's able to store water, and it also can survive in light conditions ranging from low light to medium-bright light, though hours of direct sun aren't ideal. The ZZ Plant can be grown or purchased as a large plant, so if you are interested in a big low-care companion, this one is a great choice.

Pink Moonstone (Pachyphytum oviferum)

This pretty succulent has pinky-peach colored foliage and is coated with a slight silver film, called farina, which protects the plant in its natural environment. It has a small rosette that will grow lengthwise rather than horizontally. Lots of sun and regular but not heavy watering is all this one needs.

Hindu Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa compacta)

This plant's ropy vines and shiny leaves give it a distinctive look. But just wait until it flowers with pink, star-shaped blooms; it's just lovely. The Hindu rope does need to be kept out of direct sun — a few hours of indirect light a day is plenty. It will need to be fertilized to get it to bloom. Beware of overwatering and opt for less water than you think it needs (those leaves are good at water retention).

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

Christmas cactus doesn't just bloom at Christmas (though some do) and isn't really a cactus (they're native to the rainforests in Brazil). They tend to bloom in the late autumn months and sometimes will bloom in the spring, too. They are very hardy, easy-care plants that can live for decades and only need transplanting a few times, since they will tolerate squished roots. Some light and regular watering (but not too much) and this plant will keep going for years.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants, in their native habitat, grow to be 100 feet tall, but you can trim yours to the size you like — or let it get big and take over a corner of the room. It needs medium light, but can even do well in a darker spot. They don't require much attention beyond regular watering (weekly is fine) and an occasional wipe of their leaves.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

This plant is a relative of the agave plant and is also originally from Mexico, where they can live to be hundreds of years old. It's very drought-tolerant, so this is another one on this list that can go weeks without water. It prefers a fair amount of light; it can deal with lower light conditions but won't grow as quickly or as well.

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

This Dracaena needs regular watering and filtered sun, but it's considered low-care because if it dries, it can easily bounce back with a little TLC.

Umbrella Plant (Schefflera)

The umbrella plant just needs some bright, indirect light (a few hours a day is plenty) and regular watering, and it can grow up to 10 feet tall. You know this plant is hardy because it's a favorite in office buildings, where plants get neglected over holidays and just keep going.

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Often described as a nearly indestructible plant, the cast iron is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an easy plant. It is quite tolerant of low-light conditions and can even handle dryer home environments. Overwatering is the only problem you might encounter with this plant.

Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis fasciata)

This dramatic-looking plant has a lot going on — upward spiking limbs, variegation, and deep color. As a succulent, it will need bright light, but don't put it in full sun or it will lose its darker, more interesting colors and turn pastel.

Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

The purple variety of the Oxalis plant makes quite a dramatic impression and contrasts beautifully with other plants. It's actually edible, but most people grow it for its lovely color and tiny pink flowers. As a perennial, it is fairly adaptable to different conditions. And if it gets too dry and dies, its bulbs will regrow plants as soon as it's watered regularly again.

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)

The flamingo flower plant is well-known for its thick, glossy leaves and bright red flower (which is actually a modified leaf). Although it's quite hardy, the plant needs to be kept out of direct sunlight because it will burn. It also needs moisture, but you can just set it on a pebble-filled tray with water to keep the air around the plant moist. If the leaves lose their glossy look, that means they are too dry.

Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)

Part of the succulent family, jade plants require very little care if they are placed in a relatively bright spot in your home. They're very unique because they can grow into small tree-like forms. They also grow very fast, so you'll want to cut them back every year or so to keep them from getting too wide. Other than that, they just need a bit of water — monthly during winter and more frequently during the warmer months — and they'll be perfectly content.

Spineless Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)

The spineless yucca has been a popular outdoor plant for some time now, but has more recently been brought indoors. It's a drought-tolerant plant and needs lots of bright sun, which makes it ideal for the low-maintenance plant parent with a sunny window.

Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummulariifolia)

A ground cover plant native to the Caribbean, creeping Charlie can be invasive outdoors, so be careful if you need to dispose of it. Though it likes regular watering (once or twice a week), it shouldn't sit in damp soil for too long and should be planted in a well-drained soil/pot combination. As it grows, it will flow over the sides of your pot and bloom with broom-like tiny white flowers.