Bring nature indoors with these fool proof house plants that require minimal care and effort.
Growing indoor plants can be beneficial in many ways, from creating a serene environment to lowering stress levels and purifying the air. If you don’t have a green thumb or the time to keep up with all the pruning and watering, here’s a list of the 10 easiest low maintenance plants, from succulents to leafy greens, that won’t die on you:
SNAKE PLANT
Otherwise known as sansevieria trifasciata, or mother-in-law’s tongue, this one’s super easy to look after, and only needs one spray of water a week. It prefers bright light, but is also tolerant of warm shady spots. Group with other plants.
ORCHID
Aside from having some of the most glamorous flowers around, orchids are easy to grow and need only two to three tablespoons of water every two weeks. Avoid placing in direct sunlight, as the leaves might burn.
PEACE LILY
Spathiphyllum likes to be kept in a well-lit spot out of direct sunlight. Give it a weekly watering, plus a spritz in between to maintain a higher humidity level. You can also place a tray of wet pebbles underneath for more moisture.
DRACAENA
This is probably one of the easiest plants to care for. Just ensure soil dries out completely between waterings, and choose a position in bright filtered light. However, they might be toxic to dogs and cats, so be careful if you’re a pet owner.
TILLANDSIA
These hardy air plants don’t require soil to grow and can thrive under artificial light, making them great for offices too. It’s okay to snip off dried ends, and it’s recommended to mist them with water once a week, or soak them in water once a month.
Grow Your Own Herb Garden
We asked experts from Edible Garden City and Little Green Dot for their top tips
THE EASIEST HERBS TO GROW IN SINGAPORE ARE…
“Those that are native to Singapore and a tropical climate, ” says Militza Maury, founder of eco-lifestyle blog Little Green Dot. “Lemongrass and mint are good examples.” Head of Gardens at Citizen Farm by Edible Garden City, Sandy Chen, also recommends mint, as well as basil, Indian borage, aloe vera and mustard greens.
SOME HERBS ARE DIFFICULT TO GROW BECAUSE…
“They’re just not suited to Singapore’s climate,” Sandy says. Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme are more susceptible to stem and root rot, she explains. “Rosemary requires more care in the tropics, preferring well-drained soil and lots of sunlight.”. Militza advises: “Prune your herbs regularly, especially those like mint which grow quickly and can look a bit straggly”.
HERBS SHOULD BE WATERED…
“Regularly, but whether it’s every day or every other day depends on the type of soil you use and how much sun your herbs get. If the soil is dry, water it; if it’s wet, wait until tomorrow. Make sure to water the soil and not the leaves, as wet leaves promote fungal disease and rot,” Sandy advises.
THE BEST PART OF THE HOME TO GROW HERBS IS…
“In an area that gets direct or indirect sun for four to six hours a day, such as your balcony, by the corridor or by a window,” Sandy says. Militza suggests starting with one herb at a time: “Bring it home, get to know it and slowly build up your herb garden”.
GUZMANIA BROMELIAD
This auspicious plant, whose Hokkien name is “Pineapple Flower”, is known to symbolise prosperity and wealth and is super low-maintenance. Keep it in a shady spot and water it once a week. Too easy!
MAIDENHAIR FERN
These ferns, also known as adiantum, provide a softer indoor look than most other low-maintenance plants. Just give them a bit of water every day to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
SWISS CHEESE PLANT
If you prefer big, lush leaves, this evergreen plant is a great option as it can grow virtually anywhere indoors, even in more shady spots of your home. Also known as the monstera adonsonii, it just needs watering once a week!
MONEY PLANT
Also commonly called golden pothos or devil’s ivy, these plants thrive in partial sunlight and symbolise prosperity, wealth and happiness as they grow quickly even without much care. Water every seven to 10 days.
ZANZIBAR GEM
These plants with their shiny waxy leaves are called gems for a reason – they’re practically indestructible! They’re also known as ZZ plants or welcome plants. Be careful of giving them too much water – once a fortnight is enough.
TEXT: BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU / ADDITIONAL REPORTING: ELIZABETH LIEW / PHOTOS: LIVING4MEDIA, 123RF.COM
