For those who can no longer be full-time plantitos and plantitas but still wish to keep living, breathing greenery around, here are 5 of the best low-maintenance plants for your household.
Is it just me, or is it the time when the whole Interweb turned into plantparents a long time ago? Now that we’re completely done with the strict lockdowns, and most of us are – lamentably – back to our offices full-time, how are your plants?
I do hope they’re alive and thriving. Since we were in grade school, we have learned of the impressive benefits of plants. Most importantly, they produce oxygen – which we helpless humans need to live, but they can also improve air and soil quality and help regulate the water cycle. And if that’s not enough, being around plants has been found to boost our mood, refresh our brains, and improve our mental and physical health.
Read more: 10 Best Houseplants for the Plantita or Plantito’s Home Breathing
Aloe Vera
Full disclosure: I made this article with the knowledge of my mother-in-law since yours truly has a reverse Midas Touch when it comes to the kingdom plantae. The first of the small number of plants I managed to keep alive is aloe vera – and that’s everything you need to know about how foolproof this natural sunburn remedy is.
Aloe vera doesn’t need a lot of TLC. It’s a tropical plant, so you can leave it alone in the sun, directly or near a window, until it needs watering. Since it will hibernate anyway, you don’t have to water it in the rainy season.
One thing to note is that if you forget it for too long, your pot will soon be overflowing with offshoots. But don’t worry too much because you can separate these little “pups” from your main plant and replant them for your friends.
Snake Plant
Yellow snake plants lined every house in our small town, so growing up, it’s nothing special. Imagine my confusion when they started popping up in aesthetic Instagram feeds. Suddenly, these lowly plants my friends and I used as swords began selling for hundreds of pesos and adorning YouTube videos.
And for a good reason, too. They are stunning but pretty undemanding. The snake plant – also sansevieria – comes in different variations, but they all thrive in dry environments with adequate sunlight, so they will forgive you even if you forget them for a few weeks.
ZZ Plant
We shouldn’t be giving plants away indiscriminately, like dogs and cats, but the ZZ plant could be an exception. If there’s one plant that you can push to the extremes, it’s definitely this—no wonder our bosses can confidently give it as a gift.
The famous ZZ is an indoor plant that is almost impossible to unalive, so it’s perfect for beginners and forgetful busy indoor gardeners.
It’s attractive and luscious, but it can survive in any light condition (except under direct light) and go without water for long periods. There are even very obvious giveaways when it needs some TLC. Overwatering will turn your ZZ’s leaves yellow. Its leaves will fall off if under-watered.
Plus, it’s known to be a slow grower, so it doesn’t have to be pruned or repotted often.
Rubber Plant
The rubber plant is still a sight to behold even outdoors, exposed to extreme weather conditions and unkempt. We maintained a burgundy rubber plant in our office garden before, and there was always a long waiting list for everyone who wanted a cutting. As an indoor plant, it’s even more stunning.
The rubber plant thrives in a bright room under indirect sunlight so you can leave it by the window. Because the rubber plant originated in Southeast Asia, it will live well in a hot climate like the Philippines.
When it comes to watering, you only need to water it when the top of the soil is dry. Consider putting pebbles on the catch plate so the excess water evaporates and creates a humid environment, which the rubber plant loves. In fact, don’t water it too much because it’s prone to root rot.
Cactus
Last but never least, cacti is the ultimate pick for those who are always on a business trip or have lots of paid VLs. Why? Because it’s virtually a no-maintenance plant!
You can leave your cactus somewhere sunny – your window sill or the terrace – because it loves basking in the sun.
Cacti originated from hot and arid environments like deserts and are quite drought-resistant. Honestly, you’d be better off leaving it alone, as it demands drought to survive. It can be easy to overwater and kill a cactus, so wait for the soil to completely dry out. Then, you’d only have to water it once a month (for indoor cacti) or every two weeks (for outdoor cacti).
3 Tips for Caring for Low-Maintenance Plants
- When picking your plant, choose flora that are already found in your locale. These plants are already adapted to your light, water, and humidity conditions, so they have a higher chance of survival. No matter how pretty they are, trust me, it’s best to avoid plants in Baguio if you live in, say, Central Luzon.
- When in doubt, underwater. It’s easier to salvage than an overwatered plant with rotting roots.
- Even if they will remain beautiful without constant tending, wipe the leaves of your undemanding plants occasionally. This will keep their sheen. You can also inspect them for yellowing or pests.
Good luck!
In conclusion, taking care of low-maintenance plants can be a rewarding and stress-free experience for busy individuals. Whether you opt for the resilient Aloe Vera, the forgiving Snake Plant, the versatile ZZ Plant, the stunning Rubber Plant, or the resilient Cactus, these plants require minimal attention and can thrive in various environmental conditions.
By choosing plants that are suited to your local climate, practicing proper watering techniques, and occasionally cleaning the leaves, you can ensure the longevity and beauty of your low-maintenance greenery. So, even as our schedules become busier, we can still enjoy the benefits of nature and keep our homes alive with thriving plants.
