If you are new to plants, start with ones that forgive mistakes. These seven indoor plants cope with hot summers, dry rooms and the odd missed watering, and they grow well in most Pakistani homes and offices.
1. ZZ plant
The ZZ plant has glossy dark green leaves and an upright shape. It copes with low light and needs water only when the soil is completely dry, roughly every two to three weeks. It is one of the most forgiving plants you can buy.
2. Snake plant
Upright, sword-shaped leaves make the snake plant a classic. It grows in low to bright indirect light and likes to dry out between waterings. It also comes in a yellow-edged form and a variegated form.
3. Money plant (pothos)
The money plant is a trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves. It grows on a shelf, in a hanging pot or even in a bottle of water. The golden pothos has golden patches on its leaves. Both grow in low to bright indirect light.
4. Spider plant
The spider plant has long, arching green leaves and looks cheerful in a hanging pot. It likes bright indirect light and water when the top of the soil is dry.
5. Peace lily
The peace lily has dark glossy leaves and white flowers. It tells you when it is thirsty, because the leaves droop and then stand up again after watering. It likes low to medium indirect light and soil that stays evenly moist.
6. Aglaonema
Aglaonema has leaves with soft pink and green colours and does well in low to medium indirect light. Water it when the top of the soil is dry.
7. Rubber fig
The rubber fig has big, shiny leaves and makes a strong feature plant for a bright room. Give it bright indirect light and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then.
How to choose
- Look at the light in your room first. A plant in the wrong light struggles, however well you care for it.
- Choose a pot with a drainage hole and a saucer.
- Start with one or two plants and learn how they behave before you buy more.
- Read our guide on how often to water indoor plants.
A note on pets and children
Several of these plants can upset the stomach of a pet or a child if they are chewed. Keep them out of reach, and read our guide to pet-safe and child-safe plants before you buy.
Which plant for which room
- Bedroom: the snake plant or the ZZ plant, which are calm, upright and need little care.
- Living room: a rubber fig or the aglaonema near a bright window.
- Kitchen window: the spider plant and herbs such as mint if there is sun.
- Bathroom with a window: the golden pothos enjoys humid air.
- Study or office: a lucky bamboo, a ZZ plant or a snake plant.
A quick cheat sheet
- ZZ plant: low to bright indirect light, water every two to three weeks.
- Snake plant: low to bright light, water when dry all the way down.
- Money plant: low to bright indirect light, water when the top soil is dry.
- Spider plant: bright indirect light, water when the top soil is dry.
- Peace lily: low to medium light, keep the soil evenly moist.
- Aglaonema: low to medium light, water when the top soil is dry.
- Rubber fig: bright indirect light, water when the top soil is dry.
Eight beginner mistakes
- Watering too often. When in doubt, wait a day.
- Using a pot without a drainage hole.
- Putting a plant in the wrong light.
- Moving the plant to a new spot every week.
- Choosing a pot that is much too big.
- Buying too many plants at once.
- Feeding too much or too often.
- Ignoring the plant for weeks. A quick look every few days helps.
Questions people ask
How many plants should I start with?
Two or three is plenty. Learn how they behave, then add more.
My new plant dropped a few leaves. Is that normal?
Yes. Plants often drop a few leaves when they move to a new place. Keep the care steady and be patient.
Where can I buy these plants?
You can find all of them in our indoor plants section, with a care guide on each product page.
You can see all of our indoor plants in the shop. If you would like help choosing, call or WhatsApp us on 03128018787.