Indoor and outdoor greenery adds life to any space, but many people hesitate to keep plants because they require care and attention. Low maintenance plants solve this problem by thriving with minimal effort while still improving air quality, enhancing decor, and providing mental wellness benefits.
This guide covers the best low maintenance plants suitable for homes, apartments, and office spaces worldwide. It also explains basic care tips and common mistakes to avoid.
What Makes a Plant Low Maintenance?
Low maintenance plants are naturally resilient and easy to grow. They typically have the following characteristics:
Tolerant to a variety of light conditions
Moderate or low water requirements
Adaptable to indoor or container environments
Resistant to common pests
Slow-growing or easy to prune
These qualities make them ideal for busy people, apartment dwellers, and office environments.
Top Low Maintenance Indoor Plants
These indoor plants are popular worldwide because they are forgiving and visually appealing.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants are known for their durability and architectural appearance.
Care tips:
Requires indirect light but tolerates low light
Water only when soil is dry
Resistant to dry indoor air
Ideal locations: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ plants are highly adaptable and almost impossible to kill.
Care tips:
Survives in low light
Water sparingly, every 3–4 weeks
Prefers well-draining soil
Benefits: Glossy leaves, professional look, suitable for offices and hotels
Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow globally.
Care tips:
Tolerates low to bright light
Requires minimal watering
Can grow in soil or water
Benefits: Trailing vines make it suitable for shelves, hanging planters, and modern interiors
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are elegant and forgiving.
Care tips:
Water when leaves start to droop
Prefers indirect sunlight
Keep soil lightly moist
Benefits: White flowers, air-purifying properties, perfect for offices or living rooms
Spider Plant
Spider plants are versatile and easy to propagate.
Care tips:
Can grow in varying light conditions
Water when soil is dry
Produces offshoots for easy propagation
Benefits: Ideal for shelves, desks, and hanging baskets
Top Low Maintenance Outdoor Plants
For balconies, terraces, or gardens, these plants perform well globally.
Succulents
Succulents store water in their leaves and are extremely drought-tolerant.
Care tips:
Require minimal watering
Thrive in sunny conditions
Use well-draining soil
Benefits: Decorative, low effort, perfect for small outdoor spaces
Lavender
Lavender is aromatic, hardy, and requires little care.
Care tips:
Prefers full sun
Minimal watering once established
Prune lightly once a year
Benefits: Pest-resistant, fragrant, visually appealing
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses add texture and greenery without much attention.
Care tips:
Plant in well-drained soil
Cut back annually
Tolerant of various climates
Benefits: Low maintenance, long-lasting, works in landscapes and pots
Watering Low Maintenance Plants Correctly
Overwatering is the most common cause of failure.
Guidelines:
Water only when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry
Use pots with drainage holes
Less frequent watering is better than too much
Best Soil for Low Maintenance Plants
The right soil makes plant care easier.
Use well-draining potting mix
Avoid dense garden soil
Add sand or perlite for improved aeration
Proper soil prevents root rot and reduces maintenance effort.
Light Requirements
Most low maintenance plants prefer indirect light, but tolerances vary.
Bright indirect light: near windows without direct sun
Low light: rooms away from windows
Direct sunlight: only for sun-tolerant plants
Correct placement ensures plant health with minimal care.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overwatering or underwatering
Using containers without drainage
Placing plants in unsuitable light
Frequent relocation
Over-fertilizing
Consistency is more important than frequent attention.
Low Maintenance Plant Tips for Apartments and Offices
Group plants with similar light and water needs
Use decorative containers with drainage
Rotate plants occasionally for even growth
Monitor soil moisture regularly
These small habits keep plants thriving effortlessly.
Final Thoughts
Low maintenance plants are ideal for modern living. They bring beauty, health benefits, and greenery to homes, apartments, and offices around the world. By selecting resilient plants and following basic care guidelines, anyone can enjoy the advantages of indoor and outdoor greenery without stress.