7 Easy to Care for House Plants

If you’re new to caring for houseplants or you simply don’t have the time to spend hours looking after your greenery, there are many species that can almost take care of themselves with very little human intervention except for occasional watering. We look at seven of the most easy-to-care-for houseplants that will create a fantastic display with minimum fuss. 

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)

Also known as pothos or golden pothos, devil’s ivy grows fast but requires very little attention. It’s happy to be placed in any area in the house but particularly suits hanging planters. Their waxy, heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of colours ranging from bright light greenish yellow through to a mottled white and green depending on the cultivar. Devil’s ivy won’t complain too much if you forget to water it but it’s best to water once a week during the warmer months and once every other week when the temperatures drop. 

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

This instantly recognisable plant with its lush green leaves punctuated with distinctive holes is extremely popular, especially as it’s so easy to care for. Not only will it make a stunning statement in your home, but it needs minimal care except for regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust. Simply water it when the soil is dry and feed monthly in spring and summer. 

Mass Cane (Dracaena Massangeana) 

A popular plant in offices due to its hardy nature, the Mass Cane is ideal for beginners. Its tall stems and long green leaves can reach up to 1.8 metres tall and make it ideal as a floor standing plant and it only needs to be watered once a week. However, it’s toxic to dogs and cats, so give it a wide berth if you have pets. 

Bromeliad

Although it looks extremely exotic, the Bromeliad is actually very easy to care for. It gets its striking good looks from its coloured rosettes and does best in medium to bright light conditions. Simply water by filling the central ‘cup’ of the plant once a week during warm weather and less often as the temperatures drop and be sure to flush it regularly to ensure that water is not stagnating in the cup. 

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria) 

Also known as the Snake Plant, the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue has sharply pointed leaves and originates from Southern Africa and Asia. An extremely hardy plant, it can grow up to two metres tall and likes to be placed in bright light, preferably in a spot that receives direct sun for a few hours each day. Keep the soil slightly damp during the summer months and allow it to dry out during the winter months to avoid rot. Although it’s extremely hard to kill, it does prefer to be too dry than too damp so don’t be tempted to give it too much water. 

Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) 

An extremely popular plant right now, the Rubber Plant has large shiny foliage in various shades of dark green and burgundy. The beauty of this plant, apart from being easy to care for, is that you can keep it as a small specimen or let it spread its leaves and grow into a tree. It all depends on the size of pot you keep it in. Whether it’s big or small it prefers bright light and will be happy to be watered once a week in warmer seasons and just once every 2-4 weeks in the colder months. 

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) 

A beautiful, elegant houseplant with glossy, dark green foliage and stunning white flowers, the Peace Lily is a popular addition to many homes. It’s best placed in bright, indirect light and may not bloom in low light areas. They hate wet soil so only water when the soil dries out and keep the foliage bright and glossy by wiping it with a soft cloth. One proviso – it’s toxic so it must be kept away from children and pets. 

At Jacob & Roy, we have a wide selection of beautiful plants that require little maintenance, combining a minimum need for care with maximum impact. Plus, all our plants come with comprehensive care instructions too.