Do you have a green thumb? Or are you like one of my best friends and would kill a plastic plant?
Funny enough, I can grow just about anything outdoors and in my garden. I definitely inherited my mama’s green thumb there. but, I do struggle a bit with indoor plants. Once we adopted cats many years ago, we also had to be very reticent of anything live we placed inside that could harm our fur babies. But, I did a little research, and these are XX Easy to Maintain Houseplants.
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These days, there are so many types and styles of plants to choose from it’s almost hard to decide. I have had my own share of failed attempts at plants, sadly. So, I figured out if I stuck to some ole’stand-by’s they had a better chance of survival. But simply choosing a plant at the garden center and bringing it home isn’t always as easy as it sounds. If you have pets and small children in your home, you have to consider the dangers and toxicity of these plants. Sadly, some of my faves, like ivy, are not pet friendly. Luckily I do have older kitties now who I don’t worry about as much, but still, I would rather be safe. Here are ten easy to care for plants, and I have also included if they are safe or toxic for your pets.
1.) Philodendron
The good ole’ philodendron. My Mama used to say if you can’t grow a philodendron, you need to give up. By far one of the easiest plants to grow indoors, because in many ways this plant “speaks” to you, if you listen. It literally tells you what it needs: yellow leaves, too much light; droopy leaves equals too much water, etc. The downside? This plant is poisonous to both cats and dogs.
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2.) Cast Iron Plant
Also known as Aspidistra elatior, the cast iron plant has Asian roots and is commonly used as a houseplant but can be cultivated outside in certain climates. It is know to be very tolerant of neglect. So if you are the type who often forgets about your houseplants, this may be the plant for you. This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
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3.) Prayer Plant
The prayer plant got its name because often, at dusk, the leaves fold to resemble the look of hands folded in prayer. The variegated leaves can range from pink to dark green. Because it is easy to care for, the Prayer Plant makes it an ideal candidate for indoor usage. The Prayer Plant is not toxic to dogs and cats.
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4.) Snake Plant
The Snake Plant is another very well-known plant, and maybe as popular as the philodendron. This plant is very straight forward when it comes to caring for it. They can be neglected for weeks at a time and still appear fresh. (please don’t neglect it for weeks at a time.) 😀 Not only are they drought tolerant, but can also survive in low light and are almost insect intolerant, too. Please beware as this plant is toxic to dogs and cats.
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5.) Dragon Tree Plant
This exotic plant can surely make a bold statement in your home. The Dragon Tree is easy to care for and tolerates dry, indoor air and low light well. One must just be careful not to overwater it as it does not like soggy water. These can grow as tall as 6′ so keep that in mind when purchasing these. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats.
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6.) Chinese Evergreen Plant
This is one of my favorite houseplants, but unfortunately it is very toxic to dogs and cats so I have had to avoid it. The Chinese Evergreen is so durable it can make even the most novice of gardeners looks like an expert. It may very well be one of the most durable houseplants around in that it can endure low light, drought conditions and dry air. These plants are readily available in most home stores and garden centers.
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7.) Bromeliads
Whenever Summer rolls around and I want some pops of tropical ambiance in my home, I turn to Bromeliads. The assortment available in this plant family is numerous, and I love to combine three or four together in a small basket. One would think they are high maintenance plants, but in fact they are quite easy. Bromeliads do not require deep pots of thick amounts of potting soil. These are not known to be toxic to cats and dogs, although they can make your pot vomit so use with caution.
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8.) Maidenhair Fern
My kitty babies love my Maidenhair Ferns. If I don’t leave a goodly supply of Catnip around, they will sometimes munch away on my maidenhair. No worries, these plants, unlike some ferns, are completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. If you have a lot of low light in your home, this is the plant for you. These ferns prefer well-drained soil. I love to use Maidenhair Ferns at the bottom of an arrangement with other houseplants because of it’s wispy appearance.
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9.) Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
This is an extremely dangerous and toxic plant for cats and dogs, but may be one of the most popular plants in America. If you do not have pets in your home, this is a great “starter plant” as its so undemanding and easy to care for. The Pothos enjoys a wide variety of conditions, which make them so versatile within the home. They prefer low, indirect light for best performance.
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10.) Peace Lily
The final houseplant is the Peace Lily, another easy to care for plant. It requires regular watering, so if you are one who tends to forget about your houseplants this may not be the right choice for you. This Lily produces white flowers in early Summer and continues to bloom throughout the season. This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
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What is your favorite plant? Are you a keeper of the plants or does it mean sure death to anything potted when it comes into your home? 😀
Tell me what is your fave houseplant below.
Here are some ways I used smaller houseplants around The Everyday Home…
An Easy Spring Planter Using Mini Houseplants
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Audrey Stewart says
I went and bought a couple of house plants yesterday. I loved what your mamma said about philodendron.
View CommentDeborah says
Love the white ceramic birds in the plant, I have a couple of silver ones and will incorparate in my peace Lilly plant .thanks. For the. Great idea Deborah
View CommentMARYNA says
Can’t I rahter leave the plants and get the animals? They are so gorgeous.
View CommentPatty says
As soon as I saw houseplants, you had my attention! I LOVE THEM and thank you for the suggestions. Think i NEED a couple more now. Have the best day ever!!!
View CommentBeth says
Thanks for the info! Having live plants in my house just makes me feel better!
View CommentCindy says
Thanks Barb for sharing this list, unfortunately my home has very low light in most of the rooms that I want to put plants in. So now I’m sure of the types of plants that might survive!! LOL On a different note, I wish you the very best outcome for your surgery!!!!! I will pray for you and yours. Just peeking at your life through this page, shows that you are a strong woman of faith and countenance, so in my humble opinion I think you got this ?!!! Let go and let God !!?
View Commentmichele says
I love houseplants and think that they can really add some life in decorating a room….thanks!
View Commentpatty soriano says
Yup, I’m one of those that can grow almost anything. Except African violets. I’m known as The Plant Lady around here. I go to many plant swaps and also have plant sales. I love the asparagus fern and it’s sisters, the ming fern and the foxtail fern. Mine are known as patio plants because I don’t keep plants indoors. My cats would make a mess of them, so they stay outside and go into the greenhouse for the short winters we have. As much as I love plants, I’m paring down my inventory because it’s just too much work to continue. I want a hobby that lets me be indoors when it’s 103 outside. I’m not as young as I used to be and working in the garden is getting harder and harder. But I will always have some plants in my life!
View CommentStephanie F. says
I pinned this one!
View CommentBecky says
Great information. I’ve always loved snake plants. I didn’t realize how easy they are to grow. I also love the spring basket.
View CommentSherry Legan says
Oh this was a great post. I hope to add some house plants soon. I needed this. This was a great post filled with useful info!
View CommentI hope you’ll come over to the new Fabulous Party. We are celebrating Spring and Easter. Your post is perfect to share! The party is over here:
http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2017/02/fabulous-welcome-spring-link-party.html
Enjoy your week!
Terri Freeman says
I love your blog! especially the fixer uppers.
View Commentleanne with divaofdiy.com says
Thanks for the information! I neglect any and all plants I have. (had) Maybe I will try again!
View CommentLynn Spencer says
Barb…I am always looking for guidance on house plants…especially as it relates to their toxicity to my fur babies. Thanks for this thorough rundown.
Lynn
View CommentRICHARD NJIRU NYAGA says
I am a land scaper i like flowers like roses palm trees and i have a very beautifull garden where people come for photo sesons wedding receptions and pay for the maintanance of the Garden . I come from mount kenya valleys i also like grass.mad river sadegrass and pasfarame .EVERYDAY HOME AS ENCOURIGED ME , ALSO IHAVE KNOWN NAMES OF THE COLLECTIONS I HAVE AND DID NOT KNOW THE NAMES CONTINUE WITH THE GOOD ENLIGHTENING PEOPLE
View CommentKenneth Cummings says
My favorite potted plant is scilla Peruviana. It survives outside as our indoor kitty digs and poos in any inside plants. It is also very foul tasting so each one of the many antlered rats (deer) in the area take one small bigte and avoid it. I await the blue flowers.
View CommentLinda Philpott says
Thanks for the good info on plants. I love spring!
View CommentDonna Scarcella says
I love the pothos & don’t have pets ? So it works well in our house.
View CommentAlso love the peace lily. I think I’ll try a maidenhair fern after seeing yours!
Love your blog!
Donna Scarcella
Grammy Dee says
I’m like your friend, I would kill a plastic plant! That’s a good list, may have to give some of them a try. Saw your link at Inspire Me Monday #121. Shared it on social media.
View CommentDonna @ Modern on Monticello says
I have some of these plants in my house and never knew they were poisonous to my dogs. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
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