11 of the Best Indoor Plants for Any Skill Level

Being stuck inside your home for weeks on end will make you crave the outdoors, and there's no better way to bring the outside in than with a few indoor plants. Every indoor plant parent has their go-to recommendations they swear by, and each one has their difficult plant-child they can't keep alive. Make sure you don't jump headfirst into plant parenthood without reading the fine print on the best indoor plants you're thinking about adopting.

Difficulty: Beginner

No, spider plants aren't known for being hidey holes for real spiders. They're beautiful green potted plants whose striped leaves cascade over the pot like a spider's legs. If you're just starting out with curating an indoor plant garden, spider plants are the way to go.

They're pretty low maintenance, like sunlight, and can handle a few forgotten waterings. Yet, the one thing to stay away from is too much direct sunlight, as they don't love it.

Difficulty: Beginner

Much like spider plants, snake plants get their name for the winding way their stiff vertical leaves resemble a slithering snake. These deep green and striated plants are great for indoor use because of the way they purify the air naturally.

If you want to watch your plant babies grow before your eyes, these snake plants are awesome because they grow much faster than other indoor plants. Also, like the spider plant, snake plants don't like too much sunlight or getting their leaves wet. So long as you keep them in light sunshine and water them from their base, and they'll thrive.

Difficulty: Beginner

Monsteras are appropriately named because they're an indoor vine with monster-sized leaves. If you're looking to make a statement and take up a lot of space in your house, then the monstera is the way to go. They're easy to look after, so long as you don't overload them with water.

Similarly, because they have so many leaves, they'll collect dust and debris, so you'll want to wipe them down every few weeks. Also, be sure to check their leaves for any bug infestations since they're large enough to hide under.

Difficulty: Beginner

Pothos plants are always recommended to newbies because they're low-maintenance and hardy. You have to work hard to kill these vines with their big, glossy leaves. As long as you consistently water it and keep it in moderate light, it'll thrive, and it won't wilt on a dime if you forget a watering or two.

Since they're a fast-growing vine, pothos plants should be planted in a hanging planter or in an area that supports a lot of overgrowth. You'll find their vines stretching out for feet in some cases, and the ends will start to naturally wither, but all you have to do is prune them.

Difficulty: Intermediate

In the 2010s, succulents were everywhere. You could even buy them at clothing stores. And there's a reason for that - succulents are adorable plants.

But, they're not nearly as easy to keep healthy as their reputation insists. Yes, they're made for drier climates, but they do require more consistent watering than you think.

Additionally, they need a ton of sunlight, and if you don't have any window sills facing the sun and/or don't live somewhere where you get a lot of sun, then they're not for you. They're a bit persnickety too; some succulents will thrive even if you forget to water them, and others will shrivel up for seemingly no reason.

Because of this, it takes someone with some houseplant skills under their belt to care for a succulent straight away.

Difficulty: Intermediate

People just love naming plants after the shape of their leaves. Alocaisa is called elephant ear because its big leaves vaguely resemble the shape of an elephant's droopy ear. These tall plants sprout their huge leaves into the air, and they can be quite striking.

However, this plant's simple appearance hides the amount of maintenance needed to keep it alive. Because alocasias are tropical plants, they need a lot of humidity, more than most houses are equipped to give. On top of that, they need to be dusted regularly, checked for bugs, and consistently watered. Because of this, you shouldn't take this plant on as your first.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Aloe vera is best known for being a top-notch natural burn cream. If you didn't know, the inside of an aloe vera plant's leaves is where the soothing balm comes from. If you live in a warm climate with a lot of sunlight, these plants are a must have in your house.

But they're not the simplest succulent to take care of. They love sunlight and only need to be watered about every 2-3 weeks. But, they thrive best in dry cactus soil, and that, combined with the needed sunlight, makes them a plant that beginners shouldn't choose.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Begonias are a flowering plant, which almost automatically makes it an indoor plant beginners shouldn't tackle straight away. But their lush leaves and pretty flower displays make them well worth the effort.

And there will be some effort involved. Let's just say there's a reason most of the easiest indoor plants to keep alive don't have flowers. You might have heard of deadheading roses, but the same thing applies to begonias, and it needs to be done regularly.

On top of that, they don't like too much sunlight, too much water, or too much cold. They're a regular old Goldilocks, and because of that, it's better to tackle these indoor plants if you have some experience with indoor gardening under your belt.

Difficulty: Advanced

Venus fly traps are undoubtedly one plant that fascinates people the most. They're one of the only carnivorous plants well-suited for indoor life, and they are ridiculously cool. Yet, they're not for the faint of heart.

In the right conditions, these plants can thrive. Unlike some plants, they can handle direct sunlight, but they need to be watered every day to survive. They also go dormant in the winter, so you only get to benefit from their presence for a few months out of the year. And, once they go dormant, you have to put them in a really cool place, so that they keep.

Additionally, if you have any kids in your life, these plants are mesmerizing and will tempt them more than a candy bar left out on the countertop ever will. They'll want to stick their fingers inside the mouths to watch them close, but this isn't great for the plant. So, families with young children should wait to add these to their indoor garden.

Difficulty: Advanced

Despite being a tree, you can keep the olive tree indoors. Unlike the ones planted outside where their roots can stretch, potted olive trees will only grow to be about 5-6' tall. In the best of times, they can be beautiful additions to your home. At the worst of times, they can be as fussy as a newborn.

Olive trees are particular about how much water they want, and if you get the hint of a leaf dropping, then you know you haven't hit the right amount yet. They also have to be able to drain well, because they hate their roots being too wet.

Because they're Mediterranean plants, they don't handle cold temperatures well. So, you can do your best to keep them warm during the winter, but there's no guarantee if you live in bitter climates that your efforts will work. Still, their incredible beauty makes them a lovely indoor plant.

Due to its general neediness, olive trees aren't a responsibility you should take on unless you have a lot of experience with raising indoor plants of all different types.

Difficulty: Advanced

The infamous fiddle-leaf fig's reputation precedes it. For so many indoor plant parents, the fiddle-leaf fig is their white whale. But when you can make it work, their glossy, violin-shaped leaves are a sight to behold.

They're sensitive to just about everything: temperature changes, drafts, the precise amount of indirect light. On top of that, they need a good amount of humidity, which homes aren't always great at keeping. And, like the stubborn plants they are, they'll choose to stunt their growth if they feel like they're not getting what they want.

If you manage to keep your fiddle-leaf fig tree alive and thriving, you're doing something right…or you've got magic. You'll never know.

There are indoor plants for people at every level in their plant caring career. Whether you're picking out the first plant for your indoor garden or you're filling in that one spot you have left in your living room's oasis, you can find a potted plant that meets your needs. As long as you shop sensibly and follow their care instructions, you should see your indoor plants thrive.