10 Easy Houseplants I’ve Grown for Years
Published: October 29, 2025 | Updated: September 10, 2026
If you’ve ever watched a supposedly “easy” houseplant slowly decline, you’re not alone. The truth is that no indoor plant is easy in every home.
The best houseplant for a beginner is one that matches the available light, your watering habits, and the amount of attention you realistically want to give it.
I’m obsessed with plants, indoors and out! When I started working in a plant shop, it was like pouring fuel on a fire. Suddenly, I had access to every gorgeous plant imaginable, and my collection swelled to more than 70 houseplants.
Through plenty of trial and error, including a few casualties, I learned which plants were genuinely forgiving and which ones only sounded easy on paper.
The ten beginner-friendly houseplants on this list have all been growing in my home for at least three years, and every photograph shows one of my very own plants. Several have been with me for six, seven, or ten years, and my oldest jade plant has been in my family for more than 30.
How do I know exactly how long I’ve owned each one? I keep a notebook with a photograph, purchase date, and care notes for every new plant. Yes, I’m that person 😜 and I have the plant records to prove it.
Throwback! My kangaroo paw fern's journal entry from 2019 when it was just a little guy. Image © Plant and Bloom Design Studio
Whether you have a sunny window, a lower-light room, pets, or a habit of forgetting to water, this list can help you find an easy houseplant that fits your space.
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1. Pothos: Best Overall for Beginners
Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
Pothos is one of the best houseplants for beginners because it is remarkably forgiving of imperfect conditions. Low humidity? Forgot to water? Less-than-perfect light? Pothos handles it all like a champ, which is why it remains one of the most popular easy indoor plants.
And there are so many fun varieties to choose from! ‘Lemon Meringue’ has lemony yellow and green leaves, ‘Neon’ is bright chartreuse, and ‘Pearls and Jade’ is streaked with white and cream. My plant is a ‘Global Green’ pothos, and I’ve been growing it for four years. It lives on a high shelf in a bright room, safely out of my cat’s reach, with its vines trailing naturally.
Pothos and scindapsus (#3 on this list) living their best lives on cat-proof shelves. Image © Plant and Bloom Design Studio
Pothos is a plant stylist’s dream. Let it cascade from a shelf or hanging planter, train it up a special pole, or guide the vines around a window using clear plant clips. It also tells you when it needs water because the leaves begin to curl and droop.
I’ve grown mine for: 4 years
Light: Bright indirect light; tolerates medium to lower light
Water: When the top 2 inches of soil feel dry or the leaves begin to droop
Soil: Well-draining tropical potting mix with added perlite
Pet safe: No
One thing to know: Pothos can survive in lower light, but it won’t grow as vigorously and colorful leaf patterns may fade.
Learn more about Lemon Meringue pothos in my dedicated growing guide.
2. Snake Plant: Best for Forgetful Waterers
Botanical name: Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake plants are the ultimate low-maintenance houseplant. They’re architectural, stylish, and adaptable enough to fit almost anywhere. They tolerate lower light and infrequent watering, although brighter light produces stronger growth and brings out their best coloring.
There are plenty of fun varieties to choose from, including the tall, striped ‘Laurentii,’ the small, curly ‘Twisted Sister,’ and the starfish-shaped ‘Boncel.’ Mine is the silvery-green ‘Moonshine’ variety, and I’ve been growing it for more than five years.
I keep it in bright light, which helps maintain its beautiful silver coloring, and water it about every 3-4 weeks after the soil has dried. Once a year in spring, I take it to the sink for a thorough watering and rinse the dust from all its leaves. And that’s it!
The greatest danger is giving a snake plant too much attention. Constantly wet soil can cause the roots and leaves to rot, so always let it dry thoroughly before watering again.
I’ve grown mine for: More than 5 years
Light: Bright indirect light to lower light
Water: When the soil has dried thoroughly
Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix
Pet safe: No
One thing to know: Snake plants tolerate lower light, but they grow more slowly and their coloring may become less distinctive.
3. Scindapsus: Best Unusual Trailing Plant
Botanical name: Scindapsus species
Often confused with pothos, scindapsus is a close relative with its own charm. It’s commonly sold as satin pothos, silver pothos, or silver satin pothos, but scientifically it belongs to a separate group of plants. Its thick green leaves have silvery, reflective markings that shimmer when they catch the light.
Scindapsus tells you when it needs water (Yes, I’m now claiming my plants talk to me. But when you own enough of them, this feels perfectly normal. 😉) Its leaves begin to curl slightly, giving you a clear warning before the plant becomes seriously wilted.
There are some gorgeous varieties to choose from, including ‘Mount Salak,’ with silver-speckled green leaves, and ‘Platinum Java,’ with nearly solid silvery-green foliage.
My plant is the classic silver pothos variety, and I’ve been growing it for six years. It looks a little small in the photograph because I divided it into two plants when it was time to repot. It is still filling in, but that’s part of the beauty of this plant. It keeps on giving!
I’ve grown mine for: 6 years
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: When the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feel dry or the leaves begin to curl
Soil: Well-draining tropical potting mix with added perlite
Pet safe: No
One thing to know: It tolerates some variation in light, but its silver markings look best in bright indirect light.
4. Jade Plant: Best for a Sunny Window
Botanical name: Crassula ovata
Jade plants are easy houseplants for beginners who have plenty of light and are more likely to forget watering than overdo it. Their thick, fleshy leaves store water, so they prefer to dry out between drinks. They can live for decades and gradually develop thick, woody stems that make them look like miniature trees.
My jade plant is the crown jewel of my houseplant collection. It belonged to my mother and is more than 30 years old. I have taken cuttings for each of my children, who now have flourishing jade plants of their own. It’s become a treasured family heirloom and proof of just how long-lived this incredible plant can be.
Don’t mistake red or purple leaf edges for sunburn. On jade plants, this coloring is often a normal response to bright light, and it can be quite beautiful. Actual sunburn is more likely when a plant is moved suddenly from lower light into intense direct sun, so introduce it gradually. My plant receives 3-4 hours of direct sun on its leaves and bright indirect light for the rest of the day.
If your home doesn’t have a sunny enough window, a quality grow light can help provide the bright light a jade plant needs indoors.
I water mine approximately every two to three weeks, but I always check the soil first. In late winter or early spring, it often sheds a few older lower leaves. I have learned that this small amount of seasonal leaf loss is normal for my plant and not a reason to panic.
I’ve grown mine for: More than 30 years
Light: Several hours of direct sun or very bright indirect light
Water: When the soil has dried thoroughly
Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix
Pet safe: No
One thing to know: Insufficient light can cause weak, stretched growth, while constantly wet soil can lead to root rot.
5. Kangaroo Paw Fern: Best Fern for Beginners
Botanical name: Lecanopteris pustulata, often sold as Microsorum diversifolium
If you’ve been burned by ferns before, I understand. You bring home a beautiful, lush plant only to watch its fronds turn brown and crispy within days. I’m looking at you, maidenhair fern! Fortunately, the kangaroo paw fern is far more forgiving.
This adaptable plant has glossy, irregularly shaped fronds that resemble kangaroo paws. As it matures, fuzzy rhizomes creep across the soil and over the edges of the pot, giving the plant even more character.
My kangaroo paw fern has been growing in my home for almost six years. It started as a tiny plant in a 4-inch pot and now fills a 10-inch bowl-shaped planter after several repottings. It currently lives on top of my refrigerator, where it adds a cheerful pop of green to the kitchen.
This fern likes regular watering, about once a week for mine. I water it thoroughly in the sink until the excess drains out and keep the foliage dry to prevent brown spots.
I’ve grown mine for: Almost 6 years
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: When the top inch of soil feels dry or the fronds begin to wilt slightly
Soil: Well-draining tropical potting mix
Pet safe: Yes
One thing to know: It needs more consistent moisture than many beginner houseplants, but it is much more forgiving than many other ferns.
As a kangaroo paw fern matures, its fuzzy rhizomes creep across the soil and eventually grow over the edge of the pot. Image © Plant and Bloom Design Studio
6. Holiday Cactus: Best Pet-Safe Flowering Plant
Botanical names: Schlumbergera truncata, Schlumbergera × buckleyi, and Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
When I say “holiday cactus,” I’m referring to three different plants: Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. They differ slightly in appearance and bloom time, but all three are easy, long-lived houseplants known for their colorful flowers.
They also look attractive year-round, even when they aren’t blooming. Don’t be fooled by the word “cactus,” though. These are tropical plants that prefer more moisture than desert cacti. I water mine when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry, which is usually about once a week in my home.
My plant shown above is a seven-year-old Thanksgiving cactus. I combined two small plants with different flower colors in one pot, so it produces both fuchsia pink and yellow blooms. It sits happily on my dining room table, flowers every year with very little intervention from me, and is one of my favorite plants.
Holiday cacti can live for decades and become treasured family plants. I have two that belonged to my mother-in-law, along with Easter and Christmas cacti in several colors. I told you I have a lot of plants!
I’ve grown mine for: 7 years
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: When the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry
Soil: Well-draining tropical potting mix
Pet safe: Yes
One thing to know: Holiday cacti need more moisture than desert cacti, but their soil should never remain soggy.
For more growing advice, see my complete guides to caring for a Thanksgiving cactus and a Christmas cactus.
My Easter cactus showing off its beautiful pink blooms. Image © Plant and Bloom Design Studio
7. Staghorn Fern: Best Unusual Houseplant
Botanical name: Platycerium bifurcatum
A staghorn fern might seem like an unexpected choice for a beginner houseplant. It is an epiphyte, which means that it naturally grows attached to trees and other surfaces rather than rooted in the ground. You’ve probably seen one mounted on a wooden plaque with moss, but mounting isn’t required to grow a healthy staghorn fern indoors.
My staghorn fern has been growing happily in a regular pot for seven years. I’ve kept it in the same black plastic nursery container, tucked inside a ceramic pot, and it continues to produce beautiful green fronds. Keeping it potted also makes watering much easier than soaking a mounted plant.
My routine? I water it once a week, making sure to wet both the root ball and the shield fronds (those flat, papery leaves at the base). I also spray it twice a month with Miracle Gro Indoor Plant Food Mist for Orchids. And that's it!
One caution: keep it out of direct sunlight. See that brown spot on mine? The sun angle changed in fall, hit my plant directly, and I didn't move it fast enough. Lesson learned!
I’ve grown mine for: 7 years
Light: Very bright indirect light
Water: Approximately once a week during spring through fall and less often in winter
Soil: Equal parts cactus potting mix and orchid bark
Pet safe: Yes
One thing to know: A staghorn fern can thrive in a regular pot, making it much easier for a beginner to water and maintain.
8. Bird’s Nest Fern: Best Easy Tabletop Plant
Botanical name: Asplenium nidus
If other ferns have turned crispy on you, try a bird’s nest fern. Its broad, glossy fronds are sturdier than the delicate foliage of many ferns, and mine has forgiven the occasional late watering.
I’ve grown mine for five years. It started out small and upright, but its fronds have gradually grown longer and wider, developing the crinkled edges I love.
It lives on my dining room table, shaded for most of the day with a little direct light from the setting sun. I water it once a week, soaking the soil until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
I keep it small enough for the dining room table by dividing it every few years. The bonus is another fern to spread around the house or give away (more plants, yay 😀). In fall, its crinkly green leaves look especially pretty surrounded by tiny pumpkins and gourds.
I’ve grown mine for: 5 years
Light: Medium to bright indirect light; mine receives a little direct evening sun
Water: About once a week, when the surface of the soil begins to feel dry
Soil: Well-draining tropical potting mix
Pet safe: Yes
One thing to know: Neat rows of brown marks may appear on the undersides of mature fronds. These are spore clusters, not pests or a sign of disease.
9. Prickly Pear Cactus: Best for a Sunny Window
Botanical name: Opuntia species
The prickly pear cactus is so easy to care for that it stands out even on a list of easy houseplants! Put it in your sunniest window, let the soil dry completely between waterings, and you’re golden.
I’ve been growing mine for six years. I combined two types of ‘Bunny Ears’ prickly pear in one pot. One has reddish-brown dots and the other has white, creating a fun multicolored effect.
Those cute little dots are called glochids, which are clusters of tiny barbed bristles that detach easily and lodge in your skin. Trust me, they are not as soft and fuzzy as they look! Keep this cactus away from busy areas and anywhere children or pets might brush against it. Find it a sunny, out-of-the-way spot and admire it from a respectful distance.
I’ve grown mine for: 6 years
Light: Several hours of direct sunlight
Water: When the soil has dried completely
Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix
Pet safe: Non-toxic, but the glochids can injure skin, eyes, and mouths
One thing to know: The fuzzy-looking dots are actually clusters of tiny barbed bristles, so handle this cactus very carefully.
10. Elephant Cactus: Best Slow-Growing Statement Plant
Botanical name: Pachycereus pringlei
This columnar cactus is known as the tallest cactus species in the world. Don’t worry, though, because growing it in a pot keeps it manageable! Its upright shape provides great contrast when combined with other cacti and succulents.
This is another plant to keep in an out-of-the-way spot because of its spines. I have mine on a sunny windowsill where it receives full direct sun, though it can also tolerate about half a day of direct light. It grows quite slowly; mine is 10 years old and has only grown a couple of inches in that time.
I water it every 3-4 weeks, and that’s it! I love how it adds variety and texture to my windowsill plant arrangement.
Can’t find an elephant cactus? Old man cactus, star cactus, fairy castle cactus, and brain cactus are a few other interesting varieties that grow well indoors with similar care.
I’ve grown mine for: 10 years
Light: Several hours of direct sunlight
Water: When the soil has dried completely
Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix
Pet safe: Keep away from pets because of its sharp spines
One thing to know: It may be the tallest living cactus species, but it grows extremely slowly when kept indoors in a pot.
More Houseplant Guides
Once you’ve chosen the right plant for your home, these guides can help you keep it healthy and avoid a few common problems: