Five of the Best Indoor Plants to Keep You Company

I’ve never thought of myself as someone with a natural talent for gardening, yet somehow my home is filled with a small jungle of plants. Having all these green companions around me gives me a strong feeling of staying connected to nature, even while living behind apartment walls. And during times when taking care of our mental well-being at home becomes especially important, my plants have offered me a small but meaningful source of comfort.

There is something remarkable about nature. It instinctively knows how to take in what it needs to survive, flourish, and remain healthy. Life can be unpredictable and constantly changing, but nature continues its quiet cycle of growing, resting, renewing, and beginning again. As the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we experienced everyday life, watching nature demonstrate patience, consistency, and renewal could also remind us of our own ability to adapt and recover.

These five plants are some of my favorite examples of resilience. Take your time, remain patient, and begin growing at your own pace.

1. Snake Plant

The snake plant is an excellent choice for anyone who wants something easy to maintain. It does not need much sunlight or frequent watering, and you can often wait as long as two weeks before watering it again. Its leaves can collect dust over time, though, so gently cleaning them every so often will help keep the plant looking fresh and healthy.

2. Succulent

Succulents are delicate-looking plants that prefer receiving some indirect or partial sunlight. They can benefit from a light misting every three or four days, along with a thorough watering approximately once a week. With the right balance of light and moisture, these charming plants can make a lovely addition to an indoor space.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera thrives when it receives plenty of sunshine and does not need to be watered frequently. For an indoor plant, watering once every two to three weeks is generally sufficient. Since Aloe Vera does not enjoy constantly wet roots, make sure it has good drainage and return it to a bright, sunny location after watering.

4. Air Plant

Air plants are wonderfully adaptable because they do not need traditional soil to grow. They can rest in a decorative bowl or live inside a terrarium. Give them a gentle mist approximately every three days, then once a week place them in a bowl of water and allow them to soak for around 30 minutes to an hour.

5. ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are particularly suitable for people who sometimes forget to take care of their plants. They are highly tolerant and can handle low-light conditions as well as irregular watering. They can even grow successfully under fluorescent lighting, which makes them a popular choice for offices and other indoor workspaces. Like other plants that tolerate low light, ZZ plants benefit from having dust removed from their leaves. A quick wipe with a damp cloth can keep the foliage clean, shiny, and attractive.

Let Plant Care Inspire Self-Care

I encourage everyone to bring a houseplant into their home, whether you consider yourself a gardener or not. Begin your morning by caring for another living thing. Take a moment to notice how your plant is doing today. Is it growing? Does it need more light, water, or attention? Once you have spent a little time caring for your plant, use that same kindness and awareness to care for yourself.

Let’s use the simple practice of caring for plants as a reminder to look after ourselves, our families, and our communities. Through every period of growth and change, may we give ourselves and others nourishment, patience, thoughtful attention, and the space needed to flourish.