OBOXMA > Lifestyle

The 7 best houseplants for easy care – and the 7 hardest to keep alive

Text Broker

2026-04-27 16:54:03

<strong>The 7 best houseplants for easy care - and the 7 hardest to keep alive</strong> — Crédit: anca Gabriela Zosin on Unsplash

Taking care of a plant is not always easy. Before jumping headlong into buying a houseplant, it's essential to study its natural environment. That way, you'll be able to respect its vital needs and maintain it more easily. Every variety is different. But if you take into account the amount of watering, exposure, light and location, you'll soon realize that your plant companion needs very little care. On the other hand, some specimens are more complex to maintain. For example, some plants love the sun, others not so much. In this guide, you'll discover the seven easiest houseplants to care for and the seven most complicated to keep alive.

1. Zamioculcas.

An ornamental plant that only needs to be watered once a fortnight, zamioculcas lives in the shade or in a light environment without direct sunlight, at a temperature of around 20°C. It is important to wait until the substrate is dry before watering. Zamioculcas particularly appreciates organic fertilizer.

2. Sansevieria.

<strong>2.</strong> <strong>Sansevieria.</strong> — Crédit: kate Amors on Pexels

One of the most hardy plants is sansevieria. Decorative, its foliage is singularly pointed and straight. Its elegance makes it a popular choice for structuring spaces. It's best to place it in a dimly lit spot, water it sparingly and make sure the water doesn't stagnate in the saucer.

3. Ficus elastica.

This pretty plant requires little care. It is, however, important to keep it well hydrated. Water once a week. In winter, when the plant is dormant, it should be watered 3 times a month. Place your ficus elastica in a semi-shaded room and avoid over-watering.

4. Yucca.

<strong>4.</strong> <strong>Yucca.</strong> — Crédit: anca Gabriela Zosin on Unsplash

Yucca loves light. With its handsome, pointed leaves and massive trunk, it thrives in sunlight. As for watering, it's not really fond of it. Just wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. Reduce the frequency when winter arrives.

5. The cactus.

The cactus is the true champion of houseplants in terms of resistance. It originated in the desert environment and is particularly fond of sunshine. Its need for water is almost non-existent, perfect for people who tend to forget to water or who live in apartments.

6. The pilea.

A verdant tropical plant, pilea likes bright areas sheltered from the sun's rays. It thrives in small spaces and keeps its foliage compact. We recommend watering twice a week in summer, and moistening the leaves with a water sprayer. Consider repotting your pilea in spring.

7. The Pothos.

<strong>7. The</strong> <strong>Pothos.</strong> — Crédit: tim Samuel on Pexels

Pothos is a favorite among home gardeners because it's easy to care for. With its heart-shaped leaves, pothos likes temperatures between 15°C and 22°C. Moderate watering and bright exposure do the trick, but be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings.

8. The Habenaria rhodocheila orchid.

The American Orchid Society has declared the Habenaria rhodocheila orchid to be the most difficult plant to grow. The key to successful care? A thorough knowledge of the plant's natural environment. The problem? This orchid is very used to monsoons. When the first shoots appear, it's in your interest to water it abundantly.

9. The Monstera.

The monstera is temperamental: it doesn't like stagnant water in the soil, nor exposure to direct sunlight. It will do best in a semi-shaded room. Watering should not exceed once a week. Poor maintenance will have harmful consequences for the monstera, such as an overall drooping appearance.

10. Alocasia.

Elephant ear plants all face the same problem: they take an inordinately long time to adapt to a new environment, which makes cultivation complicated. Alocasia goes through a phase where the leaves continually turn yellow and fall off. It is sensitive to excess water and drought, and is ideal prey for red spiders.

11. Ficus lyrata.

According to a survey carried out by a furniture store in England, almost 60% of people who own a lyre fig tree have accidentally caused its death. Ficus lyrata has an immense hatred of change. Likewise, it hates places where there's a lot of light. A word of advice: water it sparingly and don't move it under any circumstances!

12. The Kentia.

A member of the palm family, kentia is one of the few plants that tolerates shady areas. Choose a slightly dark or bright room, away from fans and heaters. Watering once or twice a week in spring and summer is ideal. Decrease the frequency as winter approaches.

13. Boston fern.

This elegant plant with its many wavy fronds is the talk of the town. In fact, it presents a number of contradictions. It loves humidity, but if you thought you'd make it happy by placing it near your bathroom window, you'd be wrong! It loves light, but it can't stand temperatures above 20°C!

14. Dracaena.

The dracaena hates draughts above all else. It thrives best in full sunlight. It needs regular watering, once a week in summer. This exotic plant is renowned for its low toxicity. We recommend keeping it away from children and pets.