No-Care House Plants
A no-care houseplant doesn't actually exist, but you can find plants that come close. All houseplants need water and fertilizer to stay healthy and beautiful. Most novice houseplant gardeners over water their plants in the beginning, which results in dead plants. You can avoid this problem by learning how often your plants need watering and fertilizing and writing it on the calendar. Pair that with easy-care houseplants, and you almost have no-care houseplants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pothos
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Although a tropical plant, Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), can survive through a little neglect, dry air, cold drafts and drought. If you notice it drooping, just water it evenly, and it will perk up as happy as ever. Pothos' vining habit makes it ideal for climbing supports or hanging baskets. Its leaves are heart-shaped and variegated. Pothos thrives in lots of indirect light, but does okay in low light. The only thing this tough plant doesn't like is sitting in water. After pothos has gone completely dry, water it thoroughly, and provide it with a place to drain completely. If you keep a dish under the plant, empty the water after all the water has drained.
Snake Plant
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Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), sometimes called mother-in-law's tongue, comes closest to being a no-care plant. This member of the century plant family requires little water and can tolerate all levels of light. You can go on a two- or three-week vacation and come back to find your snake plant looking just as it did when you left. Snake plant displays upright sword-like leaves with gray cross-bands. It makes the ideal plant for the home with little natural light. Water it evenly and let it dry out between waterings. Snake plant reaches 2 to 3 feet tall.
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Japanese Aralia
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If too much low light is a problem in your house, you'll appreciate Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica). It thrives in low light and grows slowly under such conditions. When placed in medium light, it grows much faster and outgrows its pot quickly. This tropical houseplant reaches 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Japanese aralia grows in the form of a round shrub. It tolerates temperature extremes and thrives in drafty spots. It requires low to average humidity. If growing it in low light, let the soil dry out between waterings. In medium light, keep the soil evenly moist. Over-feeding Japanese aralia results in it growing out of bounds. Feed it with a foliage houseplant fertilizer just three times in summer.
Jade Plant
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Jade (Crassula ovata argentea) is a succulent plant that grows in all temperatures and thrives in high light with low humidity. It displays thick, water-storing stems with oval leaves. Let the soil dry out between waterings and then soak thoroughly. This drought-tolerant plant propagates easily with stem cuttings and seldom needs repotting. It reaches 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
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