10 low-maintenance indoor plants to green up your home

If your home's interior is feeling a bit drab and lifeless, adding a handful of houseplants to the mix can make a world of difference. This is especially true during the winter, when a little bit of greenery inside can help you forget about the weather outside.

The benefits don't stop there either, as plants also purify the air and taking care of them can create a comforting sense of routine.

So, what are you waiting for? Here are 10 great indoor plants you should consider adding to your home:

Illustration by Haley Steel

Pothos

If you've never found a plant you couldn't kill, this one might put an end to your streak. Practically indestructible, a pothos will do fine with little or no sunlight – its nickname is "devil's ivy" since it can survive in near-complete darkness. However, it will flourish if placed in a sunny window, with vines that grow and spread quickly. It should be watered whenever the soil is partially dry.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Philodendron

This distinctive-looking plant whose name comes from the Greek words for love (philo) and tree (dendron) is similar to a pothos. It can be propagated from cuttings and is quite easy to root. A philodendron can handle over and under watering, but they prefer to be a bit on the dry side. To achieve this, it should be watered roughly once a week.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Snake Plant

This plant, which would not look out of place in a modern art gallery, earned its moniker from distinctive leaf patterns that looks like snakeskin. Snake plants are very hard to kill, capable of thriving in a variety of light conditions and surviving a month without water. While all plants improve air quality, thanks to their ability to take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, snake plants have also been found to absorb a variety of toxic chemicals. Snake plant owners should let the soil dry completely between each watering.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Spider Plant

This plant with an exotic aesthetic is relatively easy to keep happy – just avoid leaving it in direct sunlight and make sure to prune any yellow or browning spots as they appear. If properly taken care of, it will produce offshoots that can be repotted. It is also a great plant for air purification. Spider plants should be watered when the soil is partially dry, likely about once a week.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Asparagus Fern

This plant might not technically be a fern, but looks like one thanks to its soft, fluffy fronds. It is happiest in partial or full sunlight and its soil should be kept slightly moist. However, it can handle sporadic watering.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Ponytail Palm

This slow-growing plant sports a chaotic mess of thin leaves and creates major tropical vibes. The name is a bit misleading, as the species is not actually a palm – technically, it's a succulent. The plant likes bright or medium light and should be watered only when the soil is dry, about every three weeks.

Illustration by Haley Steel

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant's full name (zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a mouthful, hence the helpful acronym. Native to East Africa, the plant is hearty and fast growing, with tons of small, waxy leaves. ZZ plants do fine in low-light conditions and should be watered when the soil is completely dry.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Aloe

You're probably familiar with the health benefits of aloe, thanks to its inclusion in a variety of skincare and food products. However, it is also quite striking as a houseplant. Aloe is happiest with lots of sunlight and little water. The plant produces small offshoots that can be repotted or gifted to friends. It should be watered only when the soil is completely dry, roughly every week or two.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Meyer Lemon

You can grow a variety of citrus species indoors and many will produce fruit. One such plant is the Meyer lemon, a hybrid citrus with fragrant flowers that is believed to be a cross between a standard lemon and a mandarin orange. Meyer lemon plants need lots of sunlight and will benefit from being moved outside in the summer to take advantage of the heat. If the plant ever abruptly drops its leaves, which is mostly likely to occur in the winter, it means it needs more light. It should be watered weekly, but the plant prefers being a bit on the dry side.

Illustration by Haley Steel

Peace Lily

The peace lily is higher maintenance than the other plants on this list, but if properly taken care of, it will reward you with stunning white flowers. It needs medium or bright light and consistently moist soil, so water it whenever the soil feels dry. The plant will show you if it is not being watered enough with drooping leaves.

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