Family Encyclopedia >> Home & Garden

Top 10 Easy to Keep Houseplants

Don't have green fingers, but do you want some greenery in your home? Then this top 10 easy to keep house plants is a must read for you. Especially for people who don't have green fingers or who simply find it easy to have plants that make few demands on the care.

10. Hole plant (Monstera deliciosa)

The hole plant is a liana from Panama and southern Mexico, where the plant creeps up to twenty meters into the trees. The leaves of a young plant are heart-shaped. When the liana is grown in a light, not too dry place, the new leaves have deeply incised leaf margins. Under ideal conditions, the leaf becomes even larger, with oval holes in it (hence the name hole plant).

Monstera is an easy houseplant that also grows in partial shade and can tolerate dry air quite well. Dull leaves will shine again after they have been removed with a cloth soaked in some buttermilk.

A light, moist place to grow out of the sun is ideal for this easy houseplant. Water generously in summer with lukewarm water, less water in winter. It is not a problem that the plant is simply forgotten now and then, the plant is not so easy to kill.

Please note:all parts of the hole plant (Monstera deliciosa) are poisonous!

9. Christmas Cactus / Lid Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus or Schlumbergera)

A cactus that blooms in winter and is very popular in many households, especially in December, because the plant has a lot of color and brightens up the dark month. The Christmas cactus naturally comes from the area of ​​Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the plant grows in trees. In the Netherlands, the plant is soaked in pots or hanging baskets, which can be placed/hanged in front of the window (out of the bright sun).

The plant requires a light spot, out of bright sun and just like with most cacti, it also applies to the Christmas cacti that you would rather water too little than too much. As a rule, watering once a week is sufficient, even when the plant is in bloom. If you adhere to the aforementioned rules, you will be able to grow the plant throughout the year, so that the Christmas cactus will be in full bloom again in December.

8. Money tree/bamboo (Crassula ovata)

This species is not to be confused with the true baobab tree, the baobab with its huge trunk. The approximately 300-year-old Crassula species are also called thick-leaf because of the full-bodied leaves, which sometimes completely conceal the stems. They almost all grow in southern Africa.

The Crassula ovata is one of the easiest houseplants. She tolerates dry air, poor potting soil, full sun, but also partial shade and irregular watering. She just can't stand a foot bath (too much pouring). The succulent plant grows unstoppably, with the round trunks branching profusely, creating a shrub shape of tens of centimeters high. It can bloom with whitish star-shaped flowers in small umbels, but this rarely happens in the living room.

If the plant becomes too large, it is very easy to rejuvenate. You simply break the older leaves from the trunk and put them back into the soil at the base of them. Young plants will naturally grow from this. Also an ideal way to surprise others with a nice plant that you have grown yourself, even if you don't have green fingers! Also nice for a plant corner at home.

7. Chinese evergreen plant (Aglaonema commutatum)

Aglaonemas grow in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the species commutatum in the Philippines and northeast Sulawesi. The approximately twenty centimeters long leaf is naturally mottled along the veins. Breeders have gratefully made use of this to cultivate deviating patterns.

The plant should not be placed in a foot bath, but in the summer it may be poured with a generous hand. Be moderate with moisture in winter. The plant needs little light to stay alive, although it grows better in a light spot.

Many plant enthusiasts mistakenly assume that this plant is poisonous, which is not true:the plant is not poisonous and therefore safe for people who have small children. Often confusion arises with the poisonous dieffenbachia.

6. Croton/ miracle shrub (Codiaeum variegatum)

It is one of the most popular leaf ornamental plants, which was sold very much, especially a few years ago.

The plant should be placed in a place where the mercury does not fall below 15˚C. Furthermore, the croton requires a fairly high humidity, so that this houseplant benefits from being allowed to give more water again. The potting soil should be mildly moist. Keep the plant in a light spot, out of direct sunlight.

5. Grass lily (Chlorophytum comosum)

Also one of the easiest houseplants to grow for those who don't have a green thumb. The grass-green blades grow in sun and shade, in warm and cool rooms (minimum temperature should be 5˚C), whether or not moist, but if you forget to water the plant once, this is no problem. The thick roots of this South African plant contain a water reserve.

The grass lily, which is also called 'chloro', develops best in a very light, possibly sunny spot. There you will be able to enjoy the white flowers that the plant produces under the most ideal growing conditions. Later on, numerous new leaf tufts are formed on the flowering stems, which can be cut off and potted, in order to grow new plants. This plant is beautiful as a hanging plant, just like these 10 nice indoor hanging plants.

4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Not only an easy houseplant, but also a healthy houseplant that purifies the air. The 36 known species of Spathiphyllum grow in the moist soil of tropical forests in Central and South America, but also in Southeast Asia. The plant may be placed in a dark place, although you will mainly be able to enjoy beautiful dark green leaves. If you like to have a flowering houseplant at home, it is best to place the spoon plant in a light place (out of the sun). In the sun, the leaf will burn (the leaf will then begin to curl backwards and gradually turn yellow).

The plant may be put under the shower every now and then. Watering twice a week is sufficient for the spoon plant.

In 2007 the spoon plant was named desk plant of the year for its purifying effect. In 2017, the plant is completely trendy and popular again.

3. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Dutch name is unknown. A very easy to keep houseplant, which would rather be forgotten than over-watered. The plant likes a light position, but not in direct sun, it is also allowed in partial shade. Keep the plant's potting soil on the dry side, too much water will destroy the plant.

The plant is native to East Africa. This characteristic plant is made up of a number of 'feathers' (stems), which grow from underground rhizomes. The plant stores reserve water in these springs, especially in the thickened base. The plant naturally has beautiful shiny leaves.

2. Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy used to be one of the most popular plants, both outdoors and in the home. After being 'out' for a while, the ivy has been rediscovered again and offers protection to outer walls, provides breeding and shelter for birds and can be called a true energy saver due to its insulating value (the insulation value increases by 30% if ivy planted along the walls).

As a houseplant, the ivy can be called extremely easy:the plant still grows ideally in the shade, in fact, a place in the sun is not recommended.

Ivy roots superficially and can be kept in a shallow pot . This has the advantage that the soil of the plant dries quickly after pouring. The plant only needs new water if the soil feels really dry. Then it is best to immerse the plant and then let it drain well. Then just leave it to the left. There are different types of ivy for sale, each of which has a slightly different appearance.

Reading tip:This is an easy hanging plant

1. Cape Violet (Saintpaulia)

An ideal houseplant for anyone who does not have a green thumb, but still wants to enjoy a flowering houseplant. Cape violets are gratefully flowering houseplants that can withstand heat and dry air very well and can bloom for months on end.

The location should be light, but out of the sun. Never spray! Only pour when the soil has almost dried out, but even when watering, the following applies:little water is sufficient (in principle, watering once a week is sufficient for this plant, which originates from Africa.)

If you still don't know how to care for your houseplant? Then read 10 tips for caring for houseplants