There’s no better way to bring nature into your household than with a potted plant. There are numerous health benefits to having plants in your home and they are beautiful decor in every type of space. If you’re afraid of the commitment involved, then choose a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow variety to start with. Then, continue to add more hardy type plants to turn your brown thumb green. Below is a list of great plants for beginners that can survive a missed watering or two.

Best Beginner Friendly Plants

Heartleaf Philodendrons

Also known as the Sweetheart Plant, this is a trailing plant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves that have a natural high shine to them. There are also varieties with leaves that have a beautiful yellow and green variegated pattern. Adaptable to most lighting conditions, this plant is easy to grow and is a great starter plant. For optimum growth, place in an area with a moderate amount of indirect light and let the soil dry out between waterings. Being mildly toxic, make sure to keep pets and kids away.

Snake Plant

This striking plant has stiff, lengthy vertical leaves with pointed ends. The leaves are dark green with margins of bright yellow. They also come in green and yellow variegated patterns. The Snake Plant, also called the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is very resilient and hard to kill. It can handle low light or bright light and a spotty watering schedule. The Snake Plant is a great air purifier as it converts CO2 into oxygen during the night.

Peace Lily

Easy to grow indoors, the Peace Lily, is a lush, full plant with curving, rich green leaves. They will surprise you by blooming a beautiful white flower when you least expect it. Exoitc and elegant, the Peace Lily also filters toxins in the air. They enjoy moist soil and bright, indirect light. Keep pets and kids away though as this plant is toxic to them.

Lucky Bamboo

Not actually bamboo but part of the Dracaena genus, Lucky Bamboo is easy to care for and can grow even in indirect light. Keep the soil moist and place in bright, indirect light for it to thrive. Considered to bring wealth and prosperity, Lucky Bamboo is a great starter houseplant and gift for new plant owners.

Peperomia

A striking little plant that comes with beautiful, ornamental leaves. There are numerous species of this plant that have thick, waxy leaves with solid, variegated, marbled red, green, or purple shades. This is plant that gets noticed. Adaptable to a variety of environments, this little beauty makes a great desk plant and will flourish even under flourescents. Water once soil has become completely dry and place in moderate to low indirect light.

Aloe

Most people know Aloe for its medicinal properties in its leaves, primarily to soothe sunburns, but they also make striking houseplants. Their cool, spiky, thick leaves can grow in length up to 20 inches. They require little maintenance and grow much faster than most other succulents. Aloe loves the sun, even direct sunlight. Place in a pot that drained and wat until soil dries out between waterings.

Wandering Jew Plant

A very attractive and colorful plant native to Mexico, this gorgeous plant is considered difficult to kill. Their leaves are a pretty purple and green with purple growth being more new than the green growth. Keep in bright, indirect light or the colorful leaves will fade. Mist frequently as it loves high humidity and keep the soil moist.