If I had my way, I would have multiple houseplants in every room of my house. Not only are they nice to look at, many of them are also great at purifying the air in your home. The more the better, right? A word of caution; not all plants are created equal. Some need only certain amounts of sunlight each day, a consistent watering schedule or require a specific fertilizer. I have had bad luck in the past with keeping some of my plants alive and thriving because I didn't have the time or proper knowledge to care for them correctly and didn't do my research before selecting which plant I took home with me. I realized that my dreams of being a plant parent were limited to low-maintenance plants that would do well under my (slightly forgetful) care. Luckily, there are plenty of options still to choose from. Here are eight great choices of houseplants for those of us whose thumbs may tend to be more black than green.
1. Aloe Vera
This member of the succulent family is well known for its cooling effect on harsh sunburns and other skin rashes. Proper drainage is important for aloe, as it cannot tolerate standing water. Make sure that the soil is completely dry before watering again and your aloe plant could grow to be quite large. To access the aloe gel inside, simply cut one of the leaves from the plant and scrape it out. Don't worry, it will grow back!
2. Lucky Bamboo 
This plant is super easy to grow indoors, and can make a great addition to any room. One interesting aspect of this plant is that it can be planted in either water or soil. If you choose water you will need to include pebbles in the vase to support the bamboo stalk and refill the water when it gets too low to cover the roots. If you choose soil, you only need to water it enough to make the top layer of dirt moist. Keep it in a bright area, but be sure to avoid direct sunlight.
3. Cacti 
Cacti are well known for the hardiness and drought resistance. The key to keeping thriving cacti is being sure to have an adequate drainage system in place and taking care not to over-water. Full sun with some partial shade is ideal for ensuring your cactus plant is happy.
4. Golden Pothos 
This houseplant is very easy to take care of. I have had my own pothos plant for over a year now and I haven't had any issues. It grows well in bright, indirect light as well as low light so it doesn't matter where you choose to place it. It only needs to be watered once a week at least, so its no big deal if watering it slips your mind once in awhile. This plant is toxic to pets and children so make sure to keep it out of reach if you have either.
5. Jade Plant 
With this plant, it is important to make sure that its soil never dries out completely. Test the top layer of the soil every so often and water when it feels dry to the touch. They require full sunlight, so an empty windowsill would be the perfect place to display your new jade plant.
6. Snake Plant 
The Snake Plant, also referred to as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is especially useful at purifying your indoor air quality. They require little watering and would be a great plant to place in your bathroom, as it thrives under low light and humidity. Interestingly, the Snake Plant absorbs Carbon Dioxide and expels Oxygen at night instead of during the day, so adding one to your bedroom could give you an oxygen boost while you get your beauty sleep.
7. String of Pearls 
This one-of-a-kind plant with its odd, pea-like foliage makes an interesting conversation piece. It grows well in bright sunlight and requires very little watering; once every two weeks in the warm months and only once a month in the winter! It can easily be shared as a gift for friends and family members as cuttings will easily take root in a pot of their own. This plant can be toxic to pets and children, so be make sure it is out of arm's reach.
8. Succulents 
These tiny plants seem to be everywhere lately. I've seen them being given away as wedding favors, for sale at outdoor markets, even in bridal bouquets! They are extremely easy to take care of, as they require watering only once a week and love bright indirect sunlight. Make sure that there are holes in the bottom of your planter, or a layer of gravel under the soil to supply the proper drainage. You can use just about anything as a planter for succulents; tea cups, mason jars, even a piece of carved-out driftwood. Get creative and make it your own. Happy plant-parenting!
