6 Easy, Non-Poisonous Houseplants You Can Grow

I’ve organized every closet, cleaned out every cabinet, so I’ve moved onto the next logical stage of quarantine. Adding family friendly (and pet friendly) house plants!

I’ve done my research, and these 6 low-maintenance houseplants will add lushness and color to any home without needing much from you other than an occasional watering.

#1 Snake Plant

This easy succulent plant seems almost indestructible. Snake plants tolerate low light and little water while still maintaining its good looks. You can find several different varieties with different leaf shapes and patterns like the ones shown here.

Why We Love It: It adds unbeatable texture and strong vertical lines with its sword-shaped leaves.

Name: Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'

Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60-85°F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 4 feet tall and wide

#2 Spider Plant

Spider plants have been popular houseplants for decades and it's easy to see why. These undemanding beauties send out straplike, arching leaves that give it a jaunty, spidery look. Once the plants get big enough, they start producing baby plants on the ends of long stems that are a cinch to root in pots of their own. Some have plain green leaves while other varieties are variegated with cream or white stripes.

Why We Love It: It offers tons of old-fashioned appeal without tons of work.

Name: Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum'

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-75°F; keep the soil evenly moist

Size: To 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide

#3 Hoya

Wax plant is a species of hoya that has trailing, slender stems lined with small, waxy green leaves. It also will bloom occasionally, producing small clusters of fragrant pink flowers. Golden wax plant (pictured) adds creamy variegation to the plant's appeal.

Why We Love It: It's one of the most powerfully fragrant indoor bloomers we know, plus it needs very little water.

Name: Hoya carnosa

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 55-75°F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: Can climb or trail to 4 feet or more

#4 Rubber Tree

An old-fashioned classic, rubber tree gets its name from the sticky, milky sap it exudes from cuts. It can eventually grow into a large tree, but you can easily keep it shorter by pruning back long stems, causing it to branch into a multi-stemmed shrub.

Why We Love It: Its large, dark green, shiny leaves definitely make a dramatic statement, especially on a good-sized plant.

Name: Ficus elastica

Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light; 60-80°F; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Note: The milky white sap may cause irritation to people with sensitive skin.

#5 Cast-Iron Plant

Cast-iron plant earned its name by withstanding neglect and tolerating low light, low humidity, and a wide range of temperatures. Look for a plant that's large enough for the space you want it to fill, because this easy-care houseplant grows slowly. You can also find some varieties that have white or yellow variegation on their leaves.

Why We Love It: This plant really lives up to its name: it seems to take just about anything you can dish out.

Name: Aspidistra elatior

Growing Conditions: Low light; 45-85°F; keep evenly moist during active growth, barely moist in fall and winter

Size: To 2 feet tall and wide

#6 Calathea

Calathea or prayer plant will draw attention no matter where you place it, thanks to its boldly striped leaves. There are plenty of varieties to choose from, some with rose, white, or yellow leaves. Each one also has a unique leaf pattern of colorful spots or blotches.

Why We Love It: This plant seems to light up even the dimmest corner with its patterned foliage.

Name: Calathea concinna

Growing Conditions: Low light; water every two to seven days; 65-75°F; avoid direct sunlight.

Size: 6-24 inches tall