The houseplant trend of the 70s has made a huge comeback in the last few years. The trend skyrocketed during 2020 as people looked for ways to stay busy with new hobbies.
Millennials contributed the most to the resurgence of houseplants. We even coined a few labels for ourselves as plant moms & plant dads. If you’re really obsessed you may be a crazy plant lady (guilty). Statistics show that 7 in 10 millennials call themselves a plant parent. But the question is, why are we so obsessed with cultivating a green thumb?
According to this article from HC based on a 2019 study, the resurgence of houseplants with millennials is very reminiscent of the 70s and 80s plant trend. Health and wellness is very important to millennials, making us naturally drawn to plants and their wellness benefits. The generation is also choosing to marry and have children much later than previous generations. Houseplants and pets are a way for millennials to feel a connection to caring for and nurturing something.
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Health Benefits of Houseplants
Having a couple of plants in each room can greatly improve the health of your home or office. Multiple studies, including one conducted at NASA, have shown that indoor plants can help remove up to 85% of airborne toxins in a space.
Indoor plants have also shown to have psychological benefits like improving productivity and reducing stress. For a full list of benefits check out this Healthline article 7 Science Backed Benefits of Indoor Plants.
Caring for Houseplants
Taking care of houseplants can be a very fulfilling hobby, but it doesn’t have to take up too much time when choosing low maintenance varieties. Low maintenance houseplants are not as finicky when it comes to their environment, and are generally more forgiving if you forget to water them for a week. You can usually look at them or feel the soil to check if they need watering. If that’s the extent of care your looking for in an indoor plant then great, but you could also spend more time with them by cleaning off their leaves and propagating them if you choose to eventually extend your hobby further.
If you’re not into checking the soil or remembering to water or fertilize plants on your own, you can download a free app called Planta. The Planta app allows you to upload the type of plant you have and sends notification reminders when it’s time to water. If your plant starts looking a little sick you can also snap a pic and Planta will help to diagnose possible issues. Seriously, anyone can become a plant parent with this app.
When you adopt houseplants as a hobby you tend to fall into two categories. Full-time plant parent or part time plant admirer. A word of warning though, most start out as admirers to their low maintenance plants and move on to complete plant obsessed parents. You’ve been warned.
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Low Maintenance Plants That Vine
Vines are some of my favorites because they tend to grow faster than other varieties of houseplants. You can place them on shelves to add a little drama to your bookcase, or draping down from the top of the refrigerator. Vining plants are also a favorite for macramé hangers if you’re looking to incorporate a 70s vibe into your space.
Pothos
Pothos make wonderful starter plants. In fact, they are one of the most popular plants purchases for first time plant parents. Pothos varieties are pretty inexpensive and easy to find at your local nursery. There are over a dozen different types of pothos, but the most common you’ll find is the Golden variety.
These plants grow pretty fast and are extremely forgiving when it comes to forgetting about watering. Most pothos varieties are very hard to kill making them the perfect houseplant for a beginner or someone with a busy schedule.
Monstera Adansonii
If you’re looking for a super unique/ boho looking houseplant the Monstera Adansonii is for you. There are mixed feelings from the plant community about it being a low maintenance houseplant, but I agree with it being a great beginner plant. I’ve killed my fair share of houseplant (lookin’ at you String of Pearls) and have never had any problems with my Monstera Adansonii.
This plant prefers bright indirect light, but can survive in lower light settings as well. Though it’s important to note that lower light will create slower growth for this plant. Never place in direct sunlight though as it can burn the leaves. Watering is pretty moderate. When the soil is dry water her- just make sure she doesn’t sit in soggy soil for extended periods.
Certain Philodendron Varieties
Philodendrons can look a little similar to the Pothos plant. They are also a relatively fast growing variety and very easy to propagate from clippings when you want to expand your plant collection without spending any money.
My two personal favorite low maintenance Philodendron plants are the Heart Leaf and Brasil. You’ll want to place these two in a brighter room and keep the soil moist but not soggy. They are pretty forgiving if you forget to water them for a time or two.
Both the philodendron Brasil and Heartleaf grow to be very full with long vining stems when healthy. I love mine because I kinda tend to forget about them sometimes but they still look so incredibly healthy.
Low Maintenance Pink Plants
When I first started my plant hobby I had the misconception that uniquely shaped or exotic colored houseplants we’re harder to care for. I’m not sure where I cultivated this idea, but I was wrong. Low maintenance beginner plants can be of the wild and bold variety- like these pink beauties.
Syngonium Neon Robusta
The Syngonium is also referred to as an arrowhead plant for it’s arrow shaped leaves. The Neon Robusta variety has a beautiful pale pink hue on the top of it’s leaves with a green undercoat.
This Syngonium is suitable for indirect bright light or lower light spaces. Like many pink plants it’s colors are more vibrant in higher light settings, but it’s not required for thriving. While Syngoniums do like to be watered more frequently than other low maintenance plants, they will let you know when they need water by slightly drooping. Don’t worry though, they’ll perk right back up once hydrated.
Pink Prayer Plant
The Maranta, commonly referred to as a prayer plant, gets it’s name from the inward and outward movement of the leaves. The leaves will close up clasping together like praying hands before opening back up.
The prayer plant is relatively low maintenance needing semi moist yet well draining soil. They prefer bright indirect light, as direct sunlight will burn the leaves.
Pink Nanouk Tradescantia
Technically the Tradescantia is a vining plant, but this specific variety has the most delicate pink hue. So, for the sake of aesthetics this beauty is in our low maintenance pink catagory.
There are several types of Tradescantia, including varieties with various shades of purple. The Pink Nanouk isn’t picky with soil types and loves moisture. The stems of the Tradescantia are similar to succulent stems with the ability to hold more water than most plants. Basically, you shouldn’t have a problem if you over water her once or twice. Pink Nanouk love bright light, but keep direct sun out of reach to avoid leaf burn.
Large Low Maintenance Plants
Large houseplants are the perfect way to add a little a little character to any room. Larger plants don’t necessarily mean high maintenance. Though I’d disagree with this if we were talking about certain indoor plams. Word to the wise, don’t buy those large beautiful Majesty Palms you see at every grocery store. They may look like a good deal, but they are nearly impossible to keep in a thriving state.
Monstera Deliciosa
Also known as the swiss cheese plant, and a relative of the Monstera Adansonii we talking about earlier in this post. If you have a large empty corner in your room this plant is for you. These easy to care for babies demand attention in the room growing to enormous widths.
Like most houseplants, they enjoy bright indirect lighting. They also love a good soaking once a week, but never let them sit in soggy water for long periods of time. The Monstera Deliciosa is a very forgiving plant if you forget to water occasionally.
Corn Plant
One of the best plants on our list for removing indoor toxins from the air! The Corn Plant, also known as the Dracaena, is an African evergreen tree. These beautiful plants are perfect for smaller corners, and any room where you’d like to add some height to your decor. A mature indoor Corn Plant can reach up to six feet tall.
The Dracaena will tolerate both bright and low light spaces, but never direct sunlight. Try to keep the soil relatively moist, by letting the top two inches of soil dry out before watering again.
Peace Lily
Ironically the Peace Lily isn’t a true Lily at all. It is however extremely low maintenance and forgiving. Speculations surrounding the name point to Rest in Peace, because this plant is often given during times of condolences. Don’t let that scare you away though. It’s not a bad omen.
The Peace Lily can survive in both low and brighter light settings. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. This plant is so forgiving when is come to forgetting to water making it a perfect choice for beginner plant parents. Generally the leaves will begin to droop when she’s thirsty.
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-law’s tongue is probably one of our most popular low maintenance plants on the list. Snake Plants are known for their hardiness. They’re also another wonderful air purifier. This plant is particularly perfect for the bedroom as they produce the most oxygen at night- aiding in better sleep.
Snake Plants are the perfect houseplant for our most forgetful plant parents. They actually seem to thrive when you forget about them. Brighter and lower light settings work well for her. Let the soil dry out almost completely before watering. Most Snake Plants only need watering once every few weeks/ once a month. Can’t get much more low maintenance than that!
Growing indoors plants is a truly rewarding hobby. Houseplants provide clean air and mental health benefits for everyone in your home. After you’ve cultivated a green thumb and learned to propagate you can share the gift of plants with your friends and family.
Starting a plant hobby comes with trial and error. What might be a hard plant for others to maintain might be easy for you. The low maintenance houseplant varieties on this list are a good place to start, but if you’re seeking to expand your knowledge The Houseplant Guide for Beginners & Plant Lovers is a great resource.
