5 easy houseplants for beginners

Photo by Shelby Miller on Unsplash

Green houseplants sit around a typewriter.

Elena Gibbons, Staff Writer

With school online and most people no longer working at the office, many people are spending more time at home. If you’re bored and have nothing to do, caring for plants is a great way to pass the time. Houseplants can also make a room feel more cheerful and cozy! If you’re new to houseplants, here’s a list of five houseplants that are great for beginners.

1. Snake plant/mother in law’s tongue These plants are practically indestructible. You could put it in a dark room and not water it for months, and it will still bounce back easily! Plus, these come in a wide variety of sizes and need very little light, so they’re perfect for any room.

Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash
A snake plant sits in a white room.

2. Spider plant These adorable plants love to grow. In time, they will even produce baby spider plants that you can cut off and plant in another pot! Make sure to water them a couple times a week though, otherwise they may shrivel up.

Photo by Lucian Alexe on Unsplash
A spider plant sitting on a gray table.

3. Jade plant This sturdy succulent is used to living in very dry climates, so it needs very little water to survive. When it needs water, it’ll let you know by shriveled leaves. Though jade plants are not the fastest growers, they can be a nice size for a desk or coffee table.

Photo by Jeff Ebner on Flickr.
A close-up images of the leaves on a jade plant.

4. Pothos Pothos love to trail so you can best appreciate the full when it is sitting in a high up location. The plants are often compared to the much more difficult to care for, English ivy. Although English ivy is pretty, a pothos gives the same effect while also being less picky about water and lighting.

Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash
Leaves of a pothos plant hang in front of a white wall.

5. Aloe plant If you often purchase aloe gel from the store, growing your own can be a great way to save money and also learn about the process of growing and harvesting the plant. These plants can also be a nice addition to a bright room. Be careful to not overwater them, because like the jade plant they prefer drier soil.

Photo by pisauikan on Unsplash
A close-up photo of aloe vera leaves.