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You could argue that not everyone has a natural gift for gardening, but it’s a skill that anyone can learn – you just have to give it a go. Set yourself up for success by starting with plants that are a breeze to look after, even for absolute beginners. Bringing home a high-needs plant when you know you’re away a lot or not great with routines is a recipe for disappointment. Luckily, Mother Nature has your back – some of the best-looking indoor plants are also appealingly low-maintenance.
You don’t have to be a green thumb to keep an indoor jungle alive, but you do need to understand the basics of what each plant needs to survive. The good news is there’s an indoor plant out there for everyone, including keen-as-a-bean newbies and more absent plant parents. It’s best to start with a few easy varieties and build up to a bigger collection when you’re feeling more confident. Here are our top picks for first-time gardeners – and speaking of gifts, they’re great for a birthday or housewarming too.
Sure, it can look a little prickly, but aloe vera is actually pretty chilled out and will forgive you if you forget to water it. You’ll only need to do that once a month – as a succulent, its soil needs to dry out completely between waterings. Aloe vera makes a natural addition to your first-aid kit, as the flesh inside the leaves can help relieve minor burns. Keep it somewhere with bright indirect light and away from pets, as it’s potentially toxic.
If you’d rather be catching zzzs than gardening, you need Zamioculcas zamiifolia in your life. Also known as Zanzibar gem, it can cruise through in low light and with little attention besides watering once a month – even if you forget, it will probably be fine. With waxy leaves zig-zagging along the stem, it’s a beauty in any space – for a modern design twist, look for the black variety. Be aware that it’s slow to grow and potentially toxic to people as well as pets.
As essential as the cast-iron pot in your kitchen – and, thankfully, a lot easier to look after – the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is a champion survivor among indoor plants. This easy-going, non-toxic plant can thrive in low-light conditions and only needs to be watered when the soil is almost dry – aim for once a week, but don’t stress if you end up leaving it for longer.
The stiff, sword-like leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata – known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue – can store water for later. That means you can cut back on watering to once a month, making sure the soil is completely dry first. Unfussy with light – low, medium or high is fine, just avoid direct sun – snake plants can be kept in a dim, humid bathroom or dry air-conditioned office without complaints. Like their venomous namesake, they’re potentially toxic so keep away from pets.
As the name implies, this tough starter plant is happiest hanging in front of a window, but it’s adaptable to a range of positions and conditions. Aim to give it bright, indirect light, weekly watering and the occasional spray with a mist bottle. It prefers the soil to be moist, but you’re better off letting it dry out a bit than overwatering, which can rot the roots. Nothing to fear here – this classic is non-toxic.
Your trendy new succulent belongs to a big family of plants of varying colours, shapes, textures and characteristics. While they’re generally easy to care for, a lack of light or too much water will eventually kill these desert-friendly favourites. Go for bright indirect light and water sparingly once a month, letting the soil dry completely before watering again. Non-toxic picks include plush plant, tree cactus or prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) and wax rosette (Echeveria agavoides).
Treat your cactus friends the same way as your succulents – whatever you do, don’t overwater them. Take care with kids and pets around the spines – keep a paintbrush handy for cleaning and dusting furry and prickly plants.
Give the devil's ivy its due – even the blackest thumb can’t cause it too much grief. The legendary death-and-gravity-defying pothos (Epipremnum aureum) comes in an array of colours and patterns. Look out for neon (bright yellow-green), marble queen (green and white patterned), and golden (yellow and green patterned) varieties. Bright indirect light is best, but it can handle low light and only needs watering once a week or every other week. Be careful as it’s potentially toxic to pets and people and can irritate your skin and eyes.
Resembling pothos in looks, philodendrons tend to be a little more delicate than devil’s ivy but they’re still one of the easiest and most versatile indoor plant varieties. Give them bright indirect light, water them once a week, and be aware that they’re potentially toxic to pets and people.
If you’d prefer not to deal with potting mix then you are indeed in luck with Dracaena sanderiana, nicknamed lucky bamboo. With this fuss-free cane-shaped plant, you can skip the soil altogether and just stick it straight into a pot of water. That’s it – position in bright indirect light and change the water every couple of months. Luck only goes so far though – remember this plant may be toxic to pets and people.
The tasty-sounding Monstera deliciosa or monstera for short is only monstrous when it comes to growth, given the right conditions. It copes well in lower light too, so if you want it to grow more slowly, move it to a darker spot. It’s also potentially toxic to people and pets. Aim to water it weekly and mist the leaves occasionally to give it some tropical TLC.
Grab some quality potting mix and prepare to nourish your plants with liquid food and plant food spray, or try controlled release fertiliser for a fuss-free solution. A self-watering device also comes in handy for steady hydration of your new indoor plant.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
