5 of the best indoor plants and how to look after them

January 13, 2021 | Laura Whittle

Not only do houseplants add a dose of greenery to our homes and make them look fantastic, but they also offer all kinds of benefits – from purifying the air we breathe to helping lift our mood.

So, in honour of Houseplant Week UK 2021, we have put together a list of our favourite houseplants that are all super easy to care for and come in a variety of sizes.

No matter how much of a nature novice you are, read on to find the perfect plant for your new home.

1. Snake plant

If you have never taken a care of a plant before and want an easy start, snake plants require very little attention, making them the ideal starter house plant.

These plants are easy to grow and almost indestructible; they thrive in either very bright light or even some of the darkest corners of your home. An ideal plant for displaying on a table-top or even on the floor grouped with other plants.

2. Succulent

Succulents are a great addition to any home. So if you are looking for something unique and low maintenance, look no further!

Succulents love light, so make sure you put them in a space that is bright and well-lit, but not in direct sunlight (this will burn the leaves).

They also only need a small amount of water. Water them when the soil is completely dry and let excess water drain away.

3. Peace lily

Peace lilies are a popular choice for homes and when it comes to indoor plants, they are very easy to take care of.

While looking after this type of plant is relatively hassle-free, you should take note on how to correctly care for them.

One of the most common mistakes people make with looking after their peace lily is overwatering. These plants are far more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering, so you should never water peace lily plants on a schedule. Instead, it is best to check them once a week to see if they need to be watered.

4. Spider plant

The spider plant is considered one of the most adaptable of indoor plants and easiest to grow. These plants do however prefer cooler temperatures and to be kept in bright to moderate indirect sunlight.

This plant can however suffer from a few problems, including brown tips (this is very common and will not harm the plant) due to fluoride found in water, and root rot if watered too often.

As daylight increases in spring months, spider plants usually begin producing flowers. These eventually develop into spiderettes, which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web.

5. Swiss cheese plant

The Swiss cheese plant (which also goes by the name of Monstera deliciosa) displays the most interesting looking leaves and is easy to care for.

These plants thrive in bright to medium indirect light and should be watered every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. You might find you will need to water this plant more often if it is kept in brighter light, and less often in lower light.

If you are feeling inspired and decide to fill your new home with houseplants, we would love to see them! Tag us in your photos on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!