Easy-to-Maintain Houseplants for Laidback Gardening
STORAGEWORKS - July 17, 2024
Easy-to-Maintain Houseplants for Laidback Gardening
You dream of having a lush garden or some indoor greenery to liven things up. But you totally don't have the time or energy for fussy, high-maintenance plants. Am I right?
Well, I've got good news for you. There are tons of plants out there that are like natural survivors - they need barely any attention to grow and thrive!
I call them laidback plants.
In this post, I'll highlight 10 fuss-free plants that practically tend themselves. Keep reading!
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Terrestrial Plants That Thrive on Their Own
First up are some chill land-loving plants that couldn't be easier to grow indoors or out. These carefree creatures can handle neglect like a champ and keep on thriving.
ZZ Plant
With its waxy, oval-shaped leaves on thick upright stems, the ZZ plant has an exotic vibe but needs very little TLC. ZZ thrives in almost any light conditions - from bright sun to full shade, it survives.
Overwatering is its only weakness. Just let the soil dry out completely before giving it a drink. Slow growth means you can basically ignore ZZ for weeks! Now that's a tenacious plant with attitude.
Pothos
Because of its trailing stems and satiny heart-shaped leaves, the pothos vine is a classic indoor favorite for good reason. It grows quickly in any light and tells you it's thirsty by drooping slightly. But pothos bounces back fast after a watering.
Use its climbing skills to dress up bookshelves, curtains, walls - you name it. No matter how you show it off, pothos is one agreeable, unfussy plant.
Snake Plant
Since it has upright, stiff, sword-like leaves, the snake plant has a distinct vibe. Originating in Africa, snake tolerates warm and dry conditions like a warrior.
Let the soil go bone dry between weekly waterings and mist occasionally for humidity. Snake purifies air by releasing oxygen at night - perfect for bedrooms! Slow-growing but nearly indestructible, what's not to love?
Dracaena
With slender stems and rosette leaf clusters, dracaena has a tropical flavor. It lives nicely in low-medium light and average room temps with weekly watering.
Let the soil partially dry before a deep soak. Wipe dust from the wide, ribbon-like leaves to keep it looking fresh. Dracaena handles occasional neglect just fine and comes in tons of varieties like the popular corn plant.
Succulents
Succulents like aloe, echeveria, and jade store water in their plump leaves and stems. Most thrive in bright sun with infrequent soakings.
Let that soil go bone dry! Pluck off dead leaves and flowers to keep them tidy. Succulents grow slowly and stay compact - perfect for windowsills and dish gardens. Set it and forget it!
Aquatic Plants That Practically Care for Themselves
Now let's take the plunge into easy aquatic plants that thrive underwater. They create fab gardens in tanks and bowls with almost zero maintenance.
Anacharis
Anacharis looks lush floating or submerged. It has whorls of slim leaves up slender stems. It rockets upwards in any light with little care beyond trimming its wild growth.
Just plop anacharis stems in water and watch them flourish! Hardy, fast-growing, and easy to propagate - anacharis is the answer for easy aquarium plants.
Java Fern
Java fern's hardy wide fronds add organic appeal without taking over your tank. Attach its roots to driftwood or rocks instead of planting in the substrate.
Java fern tolerates a range of lighting and neglected water conditions like a champ. Slow but steady growth makes trimming optional. Java fern reproduces by forming plantlets on its leaves that can be snipped off and replanted.
Understated yet nearly indestructible - Java fern is a stress-free aquatic choice.
Amazon Sword
As a staple aquarium plant, the Amazon sword boasts long green leaves with reddish veins that highlight underwater landscapes.
Plant its roots in the substrate with the crown above the surface. Bright light keeps growth vibrant but all lighting conditions are tolerated.
Let runners spread or trim them to contain size. With minimal fertilization, Amazon sword provides a lush ambiance and filters tank water like nobody's business.
Marimo Moss Balls
Marimo moss balls enchant aquariums and bowls with their spherical shape and soft green fuzz. These living algae balls grow via photosynthesis and need only indirect light and weekly water changes.
Gently squeeze and rotate moss balls during water changes to encourage growth. Split them in half periodically as they enlarge. As natural water purifiers, marimo brings zen-garden simplicity and magic to underwater plantscapes.
Anubias
Anubias' thick waxy leaves on stout stems add rich texture emersed from tank water or attached to hardscape. Slow but steady growers, anubias thrive in low to moderate light with little intervention beyond occasional trimming.
Just tie anubias roots to decors instead of planting in the substrate. Broad-leafed varieties like Anubias barteri make sensational aquatic greenery. Unfussy anubias lend relaxed vibes to leisurely underwater gardening.
FAQs
Do these easygoing plants really exist or is that just marketing hype?
I feel you, some "low maintenance" tags are totally misleading! But the laidback plants I shared are the real deal. These plants can handle neglect and still look gorgeous! Try out an air plant, succulent, pothos, or marimo ball and see for yourself.
If I forget to water my succulents or snake plants for a month, will they croak?
Have no fear, those hardy warriors can go weeks without a drink in the right conditions. Their fleshy leaves and stems store moisture. Just soak thoroughly when you remember. A few leaves might shrivel but they'll bounce right back.
What's the best lighting for a low-maintenance indoor plant?
Most tolerate low to medium indirect light. But succulents and aquarium plants need bright direct sun to really thrive. Do a teeny bit of research to match the plant to your lighting conditions.
Do I need to repot my pothos or philodendron?
Let them get nice and rootbound in their pot. They love it. Repotting encourages fast growth which means more watering and care. Just trim trailing stems to control the size.
Can marimo moss balls live forever if I care for them properly?
Yes, some marimo are reportedly over 100 years old! They grow super slowly. Just give them indirect light and weekly water changes. Gently squeeze and roll them to promote growth. It's wild!
Why are ZZ plants and snake plants recommended for bedrooms?
They release oxygen at night, unlike most plants that give off CO2. So they can boost your sleep! Plus they tolerate low light levels and occasional watering - perfect for dark bedrooms.
What's the best way to fertilize low-maintenance plants?
They thrive without much fertilizing. Just use a diluted liquid houseplant food 2-4 times a year during active growth. And flush soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup.
Can I grow succulents and cacti indoors year-round?
Provide as much bright light from a sunny window as possible. Let the soil dry out between waterings and give them a winter rest period with reduced water. They'll thrive!
Do I need fancy aquarium gear to grow aquatic plants?
Nope, the easy aquatics handle low-tech setups beautifully! Just use gravel or sand substrate, decent lighting, and a simple filter. No CO2 or fancy fertilizers are needed!
What's the best way to decorate with these low-key plants?
That's the fun part - get creative!
Use trailing pothos or philodendron as greenery garlands. Let succulents and snake plants accent shelves and tables. Float or attach anubias and ferns to aquarium wood and rocks. The options are endless.
Final Thoughts
Make your indoor and outdoor spaces bloom without becoming a full-time gardener. Low-maintenance plants like pothos, succulents, java fern, and more thrive with minimal effort on your part. Water and feed them occasionally, give them adequate sunlight, and enjoy their easygoing beauty. Plants that practically care for themselves let you relax and appreciate nature’s gifts without laborious upkeep. Happy gardening the laidback way!