There’s no better way to bring nature into your household than with a potted plant. There are numerous health benefits to having plants in your home and they are beautiful decor in every type of space. If you’re afraid of the commitment involved, then choose a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow variety to start with. Then, continue to add more hardy type plants to turn your brown thumb green. Below is a list of great plants for beginners that can survive a missed watering or two.

Forgiving and Easy to Grow Plants

Heartleaf Philodendrons

Also known as the Sweetheart Plant, this is a trailing plant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves that have a natural high shine to them. There are also varieties with leaves that have a beautiful yellow and green variegated pattern. Adaptable to most lighting conditions, this plant is easy to grow and is a great starter plant. For optimum growth, place in an area with a moderate amount of indirect light and let the soil dry out between waterings. Being mildly toxic, make sure to keep pets and kids away.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

The beautiful “Moth Orchid” is actually a very easy orchid variety to grow indoors. Their stunning, beautiful blooms can last up to four months and can bloom as often as twice a year. This is a pretty forgiving plant and can last up to 10 years. Place in a an area with low light, no full sun, and water once a week when in bloom. Once the bloom is off, you only need to water it every two weeks.

Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)

As its name implies, this is one tough plant. It can withstand neglect, low light, low humidity, and spotty watering. The large, pointed dark green leaves grow directly from the stem underground which gives this plant a very full and lush appearance. A slow-growing plant, it won’t outgrow its location for a while and can live up to 50 years. Best conditions for this plant to thrive are indirect moderate light and waterings once soil has dried out.

Peperomia

A striking little plant that comes with beautiful, ornamental leaves. There are numerous species of this plant that have thick, waxy leaves with solid, variegated, marbled red, green, or purple shades. This is plant that gets noticed. Adaptable to a variety of environments, this little beauty makes a great desk plant and will flourish even under flourescents. Water once soil has become completely dry and place in moderate to low indirect light.

Bromeliad

A member of the pineapple family, Bromeliads are striking plants that thrive indoors. They are tough, forgiving, and last a long time. Different varieties have different colored leaves which could add a wonderful pop of color to your home. They thrive in bright, indirect light and when their soil remains moist (do not let soild dry out).

Rubber Plant

With large, oval-shaped leaves that are thick and glossy, this is a plant that makes a statement. They are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and are fairly hardy. For optimum growth, place in a well lit, indirect light area and keep the soil moist. The Rubber Plant is a great air purifying plant but may be toxic to pets.