These 35 Low-Maintenance Plants Will Thrive Indoors, Even Through the Winter

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During the fall and winter, we often struggle with colder weather and shorter days. We're naturally inclined to slow down and wait out the cold until spring. While outdoor plants in the garden follow a seasonal growth cycle, houseplants that remain indoors can have a particularly hard time staying healthy. Essential elements of their care—sunlight, temperature, and humidity—gradually diminish until spring. Yet, few of us have the time or energy to tend to our houseplants continuously. Fortunately, there are several low-maintenance houseplant varieties that thrive with minimal care.

Most houseplants are tropical in origin, and not everyone can build a greenhouse to support them. The key to a healthy houseplant is replicating its natural environment as closely as possible, focusing on sunlight, soil, and water conditions. However, for low-maintenance houseplants, consistent daily care isn't necessary to ensure they receive enough light and water. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a novice, you can keep many low-maintenance houseplants alive throughout the off-season. They can usually withstand being left alone for a period and won't instantly wither while you're out of town for the holidays. Ahead, check out these 35 low-maintenance plants that are both beautiful and easy to care for.

More garmin home gardening inspiration:

• These Low-Light Houseplants Thrive, Even in the Dark

• 32 Front Door Plants for a Showstopping Entrance

• The Best Air-Purifying Plants for a Greener, Cleaner Home

Cuddly Cactus

Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, this small type of cactus lives up to its name. Unlike most of its cousins, this low-maintenance plant doesn't have any sharp spines, so it's ideal for households with curious children and pets.

Bromeliad Vriesea Intenso Orange

This variety of bromeliad sprouts a vibrant center spike, so it's a great way to add color to your collection of greenery—and it's much easier to care for than most garmin home indoor flowering plants. This low-maintenance plant is also nontoxic and safe for pets.

Kalanchoe Flapjack

This low-maintenance plant of garmin home has leaves that resemble pancakes, hence its appetizing name. But it's not always a short stack: It can grow to more than 12 inches tall. Direct sun exposure helps to bring out the pretty pinkish-red pigments on the edges of the leaves.

Preserved Fern Kokedama

A real fern that's been naturally preserved offers all the benefits of a real plant (like look and feel) without the maintenance. Make sure to keep it out of direct light and never water it. What could be easier?

Boston Fern

This fern needs more humidity than it does sunlight, making it a great kitchen or bathroom plant. That's why you always see it hanging on Southern front porches, where the light is shady and the air is damp and warm. Spray this low-maintenance plant with a mister in between waterings to keep it looking fresh.

Money Tree

Need some good luck? The money tree plant of  garmin home is purported to bring it—but you won't need good luck to grow it! Just give it bright indirect light, and turn it occasionally so it grows evenly. In its native habitat, it likes to be near water, so this low-maintenance plant is a good choice if you tend to overwater your plants. Give it a drink every week or so when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

String of Pearls

With a name this cute, how can you not buy it? This vining succulent that looks like an elegant necklace is a fast grower when given lots of light. Put your string of pearls plant in bright indirect light, and water it when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

Aloe Vera

This handsome succulent  needs almost no care. Give your aloe vera plant bright, indirect light and water every week or two when it's mostly dry. The gel-like substance inside each leaf can aid healing of minor burns (break off an outer leaf when you want to use it).

Philodendron Micans

Most types of philodendrons are low-maintenance plants, and this one is no different. Micans have velvety, heart-shaped leaves with pinkish petioles (the stalks that attach the leaves to the stems). Give it medium to bright indirect light and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.