8 Easy Houseplants for Beginners That Are Hard to Kill

The best way to build a green thumb is to start with plants that forgive mistakes. These eight houseplants tolerate a range of light conditions, bounce back from missed waterings and don't need special equipment. That makes them perfect for beginners, busy people and dim apartments.

Pet owners: several plants on this list are toxic to cats and dogs. We've noted which ones, and you can see our list of pet-safe houseplants for alternatives.

1. Pothos

With trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, pothos is perhaps the ultimate beginner plant. It tolerates low to bright indirect light and tells you when it's thirsty by drooping slightly. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Toxic to pets.

2. Snake plant

Upright, architectural and extremely drought-tolerant, the snake plant thrives on neglect. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings, which may mean every few weeks. The main way to kill it is overwatering. Toxic to pets.

3. ZZ plant

Glossy leaves and underground rhizomes that store water make the ZZ plant ideal for forgetful waterers and offices with fluorescent light. Water sparingly. Toxic to pets.

4. Spider plant

Fast-growing and cheerful, spider plants produce baby plantlets you can root and share. They like bright indirect light but tolerate less. Brown tips can come from fluoride in tap water or dry air. Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).

5. Peace lily

A peace lily dramatically wilts when thirsty and perks up within hours of watering, which makes it a built-in reminder system. It produces white blooms in medium light. Despite the name, it isn't a true lily, but it's still toxic to pets.

6. Cast iron plant

True to its name, the cast iron plant tolerates deep shade, temperature swings and irregular watering. It grows slowly but lives for years. Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).

7. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)

Available in green, silver, pink and red varieties, Chinese evergreens are among the best plants for low light. Keep them away from cold drafts. Toxic to pets.

8. Heartleaf philodendron

Similar to pothos but with softer, more heart-shaped leaves, the heartleaf philodendron trails beautifully from shelves and grows quickly in medium light. Toxic to pets.

Beginner tips for success

• Match the plant to your light before you buy. Check which way your windows face.
• Use pots with drainage holes and a quality indoor potting mix.
• Water when the soil is dry, not on a schedule. See our guide to watering houseplants.
• Don't repot right away. Let a new plant adjust to your home for a few weeks first.
• Start small. Master two or three plants before building a collection.