House plants: 5 hard-to-kill plants for those who don't know where to start

Areca palms have large fan-like leaves and look stunning in any home. Keep them away from direct sunlight, and water only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to your touch (Image: Canva)

If you are new to plant parenting, these plants can be your first step into the green world. These hard-to-kill plants are perfect for beginners as they require almost no effort. Remember, all plants need at least some kind of light and fertiliser to thrive.

Here are five of the easiest plants to care for:

Snake Plant

Snake plants are hardy plants and great for those who forget to water. You can essentially stick them in the corner and forget about them. Water them every 2-3 weeks and keep in indirect sunlight. Snake plants can also tolerate low light. Watering them too frequently will lead to root rot.

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ZZ Plant

These have structured glossy leaves and are drought-tolerant. Again, for those who don’t consider themselves plant people, ZZs can be a great first choice. They are perfect for low-light spaces, although every plant needs some light to thrive and grow. ZZs do best in low to bright light. Water them once every 2-3 weeks, and avoid watering too frequently or fussing over them.

Pothos or Indian Money Plant

There are various kinds of pothos to choose from—golden, marble and neon pothos are the ones most commonly available in India. Pothos also do well in low to bright indirect light. Water them when the top inch of the soil feels dry. They grow both in soil and water. Just remember, if you plan to grow them in water, they still need the same light conditions, but are easier to care for. Fertilise them with a few drops of diluted liquid fertiliser when you see new growth.

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Jade Plant

With their small shiny leaves, the jade plant is an excellent choice for those looking for easy-going plants. Jades need bright indirect light, and can also tolerate some direct sunlight. Water them every 2-4 weeks and allow the soil to dry completely before watering. Jades can also be propagated very easily. Just stick tiny cuttings back into the soil and stick to the same watering schedule, you should have another plant growing in no time.

Areca Palm

Areca palms have large fan-like leaves and look stunning in any home. Keep them away from direct sunlight, and water only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to your touch. Areca palms do well in in well-draining, slightly acidic soil or a special palm potting mix. Yellowing leaves are a sign that your areca palm plant is not receiving enough water. Increase your watering frequency if you notice that your plant is turning yellow.