10 Best Low Maintenance Indoor Plants
by Carlisle Homes
Read our top 10 guide on the best low maintenance indoor plants to refresh your space.
Fallen for the indoor plant trend in a big way? It’s not hard to see why – these little green beauties bring your interior alive, while purifying the air and boosting your wellbeing. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best, with tips on how to keep them healthy and thriving.
1. Devil's ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Fast-growing and forgiving, this low-maintenance climber thrives on low light and minimal water, making it a popular choice for those of us not blessed with a green thumb. Position in a warm spot with low to moderate light away from draughts, and only water when soil is dry. The leaves are toxic, so keep away from children and pets.
The towering sculptural form of the Monstera deliciosa create a beautiful focal point in the study at Carlisle Montpellier at Berwick Waters Estate
2. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
Chances are you’ve seen this oversized beauty all over Pinterest as it’s one of the most popular indoor plants around. Its gorgeous big, green leaves develop interesting holes and splits, giving your home an instant jungle feel. Position it in a sheltered spot with moderate light and don’t overwater.
Clockwise from left: Rubber plants, Peace lilies and Mother-in-law’s tongue are all low maintenance plants that will add a touch of natural colour to your space.
3. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
New to indoor gardening? This tough plant is the one for you. And with its thick, glossy leaves, it will look great too; use it to fill an empty corner in a room or add a pair either side of the fireplace for double the impact. It needs bright indoor light and you should let the soil dry out between waterings.
4. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
With its dramatic, sculptural leaves, this plant looks sensational in a contemporary setting. It’s also incredibly hardy, making it a good choice for novice indoor gardeners. It likes moderate light, dry, warm air and hates being overwatered (be sure to water the soil, not the leaves, and only when dry).
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
With its delicate, spoon-shaped leaves and candle-like flowers, peace lilies make a serene addition to a bedroom or study. As an added bonus, they’re also said to purify the air. Peace lilies prefer a low-sunlight spot, moist soil and the odd clip to encourage growth. The leaves are poisonous and the sap is an irritant, so avoid around children and pets.
The open plan lounge area at the Carlisle Rothwell Home features an elegant Boston Fern.
6. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)
A hardy fern with long, lacy fronds, the Boston Fern is a popular choice for indoor gardeners. It has quite a formal appearance and looks fabulous hung high in a traditional interior. But be warned – it can be a needy and temperamental creature and has a high mortality rate in the hands of amateurs. It favours filtered light, high humidity (making it ideal for bathrooms) and moist soil.
Clockwise from left: Fiddle Leaf Figs, ZZ Plants, Chinese Money Plant and String of Pearls offer sculptural forms that will add an interesting focal point to your interior.
7. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
While fiddle leaf figs may not be enjoying the same frenzied adulation they did a few years ago, when you couldn’t open Instagram or the pages of a magazine without seeing one, there’s still much to love about them – they create a bold, leafy statement and pair beautifully with smaller plants. They’re simple to care for too; simply pop in a bright spot out of direct sunlight and only water when soil is dry to the touch.
8. String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)
With its tiny, marble-shaped leaves, this intriguing trailing succulent is guaranteed to get noticed. Display it in a hanging basket, on a shelf or anywhere its long stems can cascade in dramatic fashion over the edges. It likes a brightly lit spot and well-drained soil. Don’t overwater.
9. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
The ideal plant for forgetful gardeners, ZZ plants can tolerate low light and a lack of water without losing their looks. Distinguished by their waxy, oval-shaped leaves and feather-like stems, ZZ plants have a sculptural quality that suits contemporary spaces. Grow in moderate to bright light and water moderately when the soil has dried out.
10. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)
A charming little plant with round, pancake-shaped leaves that sits comfortably in just about any home style. Arrange in a cluster on a shelf with plants of other shapes and sizes or pop it solo on a coffee table or by the bed – it will look equally appealing in both. It grows best in bright, indirect light and likes well-drained soil and to dry out between waterings.
The entryway at the Carlisle Canterbury welcomes visitors with a beautiful selection of indoor plants.
Ready to embrace the indoor plant trend? Check out our favourite online plant stores that can deliver quality plants and planters direct to your home.
The Plant Society offers a wide range of indoor plants and designer planters that will have your home looking on trend in no time. They also offer a wide range of accessories, homewares and plant care essentials.
Plants in a Box offers over 700 varieties of indoor and outdoor plants via their dedicated online store. The website is easy to navigate with clearly marked 'indoor' and 'outdoor' sections with more specific sub-categories to help you make the right choice for your space. You will also find accessories such as pots and planters, gardening tools and soil as well as expert care tips to help you choose the ideal plant for your home or garden.
Online Plants Melbourne was launched at The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in March 2014. Their expert team holds over 80 years of combined knowledge in Horticulture and is available via email or phone to answer questions and offer advice on selecting the right plants for your home.
Looking for more interior ideas? Be inspired by the on-trend decorating schemes at our Carlisle Homes Display Homes throughout Melbourne. Book a virtual appointment here.