12 Houseplants We’re Positive You Can Grow

Live plants are a guaranteed way to infuse a sense of freshness and vitality into your home. 

They also provide a foundation to flex your DIY abilities. From decorating your own flowerpots to creating indoor planter boxes and window gardens, customization in terms of showing off these lush live-decor items stretches as far as your imagination can go. 

But we get it. Not everyone has a green thumb. Many would claim to have quite the opposite. So we’ve put together a list of 12 houseplants that anyone can grow, from the seasoned gardening veteran to the not-so-savvy first-time plant parent. 

Perhaps you’ve used aloe before to treat that nasty sunburn. Or maybe you’ve noticed it as an ingredient in many of your choice toiletries. But this versatile succulent also looks wonderful in the home. What’s even better, it’s low maintenance and can last for years. Now that’s our kind of plant!

If you’re a chronic forget-to-waterer, you’re in luck, as aloe doesn’t need to be watered all that often. It prefers the sun (don’t we all), and its only diva-esque quality is that it likes that sunlight to be indirect, especially in cooler climates.

So place your aloe plant in a place that doesn’t regularly compete with sun-loving cats. This will allow it to bask in the sun on a part-time basis while also giving it a chance to cool down after a day of looking gorgeous. Ah, the price of being beautiful.

The name says it all. This plant is as hardy as cast iron, and for some of us, we need that level of assurance.

The cast iron plant earned its name by surviving in the harshest conditions, even maintaining its composure outdoors in deep shade. Just think of how it will thrive in your living room!

It prefers low light and will occasionally treat you by flowering indoors. It comes in a variegated version with white-striped leaves, or you can get cosmic with the Milky Way variety.

Evergreen is exactly what this plant will do. Stay green, aka, stay alive. 

Its dating profile characterizes it as immensely forgiving and adaptable, a plant that understands that we all make mistakes and is willing to grow with you. 

Just keep in mind that Chinese evergreen doesn’t much care for drafts and temperatures below 60F, which means it’s a perfect plant companion to have inside your home.

It likes low or indirect sunlight, appreciates when its soil dries out for a few days before re-watering, and enjoys listening to your rants without judgment.

Most varieties have variegated leaf patterns, so you can get to know them as much as they know you.

We assure you, this plant looks great all year round but truly becomes the life of the party during the holiday season. Even though it’s considered a “trailing” member of the cactus family, it certainly doesn’t fall behind in terms of style.

Producing beautiful deep pink or red flowers in early winter, it can provide that pop of color you’re looking for. 

And while its stunning flowers would suggest otherwise, this plant does its best when ignored. Perfect for those of us who forget to water or aren’t home all the time. Just a little pruning after blooming will keep the plant looking its fullest. 

Unfortunately named, yes. A wonderfully lush plant to add some greenery into your home, also yes. 

There is a reason behind the name, though: It can leave you, well, dumb. That’s right. Dumb cane gets its name from its milky sap, which can be both a skin irritant and, when ingested, can cause a temporary inability to speak! Best to keep this away from pets and young children. Talkative siblings, on the other hand… No, no, don’t do that.

This mute-button of a plant likes the warmer side of things, so keep it away from cold windows and chilly drafts.

Bring a piece of paradise to you. The jade plant is one of the most popular indoor plants, and for a good reason. Its thick, glossy leaves emanate a tropical, rainforesty vibe, all without having to leave your home.

Contrary to its verdant demeanor, this plant doesn’t require a lot of watering and prefers to lounge in the sun. However, when this houseplant is thirsty, it really needs a drink to take the edge off. 

Allow the soil to completely dry out before re-watering, but don’t leave it high and dry for too long!

We’re not going to claim that lucky bamboo will help you win the lottery, but we’re positive it won’t hurt your chances. Actually, the ability to grow this houseplant has nothing to do with luck at all. It’s just easy.

These hardy and simple-to-maintain bamboo plants technically aren’t considered bamboo at all. Yet, that doesn’t stop them from looking like bamboo and growing like bamboo. Why aren’t they actually bamboo again? No matter.

Lucky bamboo stems can be trained to bend or spiral and are topped with narrow leaves with purple margins. They enjoy bright light but will tolerate low light, too.

Forgot to water it for a couple of days? No worries! Even if allowed to wilt, lucky bamboo will spring back to life.

Honestly, what’s left to say here. The joke has already been made in the name.

Perfect for individuals who have some repressed anger toward their mother-in-law and those who have some repressed anger towards their mother-in-law who also appreciate an attractive house plant when they see one.

This plant gets its name from its sharp, pointed comments — I mean leaves, and because they seemingly last forever. 

Treat mother-in-law’s tongue to just a little water, lower levels of light, and a compulsory level of tolerance. 

We could all use a little extra peace and tranquility in our lives, so why not start in the home. 

Known for their striking flowers composed of a long, thin white pinnacle surrounded by a white leaf called a spathe, the peace lily adds a luxurious touch to any space.

Accessible luxury, that is. So long as you keep this house plant in warmer areas, it will flower in all its glory without too much fuss, making you look like a plant expert and upgrading your decor. 

It will definitely give you peace of mind knowing that it sort of takes care of itself, so you can just look after you.

As one of the easiest houseplants to grow, pothos is the choice option for those who seem to have an affinity for accidentally killing their plants.

These trailing plants are a great option to add height to your space. Growing up to 10 feet or more, simply allow their luscious locks of leafy green to trail over a hanging basket, like Rapunzel's hair, or weave their way down a trellis.

These hardened houseplants are no princess, though. They are very tolerant of all types of lighting conditions and can even gather the nutrients they need from artificial lighting. 

Step aside, Bon Jovi. Now this is a prayer we can live on! This gorgeous houseplant will continue to grow with ease with no actual prayers required, ensuring it doesn’t end up like that last plant you owned that you’d prefer not to talk about. 

Not only that, but the prayer plant boasts some of the most vibrant and colorful leaves you could ask for, with reds, purples, and pinks contrasted by beautifully patterned dark and light green.

They prefer sunny areas with warmer temperatures. And, if you really feel like pampering them, wash the leaves to keep them hydrated and happy. 

Spider plant, spider plant, does whatever a spider plant can! And in this case, it can survive even the most inexperienced of plant parents. And not only survive, but thrive.

Grown often in pots or hanging baskets, these houseplants love to multiply, so your lone spider plant hanging basket may give birth to other spider plants to fill your home through the years.

You can also give the offspring as housewarming gifts, saving you time and, well, effort. It’s the thought that counts, right?

Disclaimer: Spider plants and actual spiders sold separately. Don’t worry. There are no real spiders involved with this classic houseplant!