Easy Plants for the Beginners that started as Plant Killers

As a beginner, you’ll want plants that are easy to care for, forgiving of mistakes, and don’t require specialized conditions. I learned this the hard way when I started with flowers and two bonsai trees! After being so discouraged by that, I started afresh with succulent plants and forgot to water them often--which actually allowed them to thrive. From there I learned that I like simple and easy to care for plants because of the joy of watching them grow. 

 Here are some of the best options:

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) - Tough as nails, it thrives on neglect. It can handle low light, infrequent watering (every 2-4 weeks), and still looks sharp with its long, upright leaves.
2. Pothos - A trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves, it’s nearly indestructible. It does well in low to bright indirect light and only needs water when the soil dries out. Plus, it’s great for air purification.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) - Another low-maintenance champ. It tolerates low light and sparse watering (once a month is often enough). Its glossy, dark green leaves add a sleek vibe.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - Easy to grow, with arching leaves and little plantlets that dangle. It likes bright, indirect light but adapts to less, and watering once a week or so keeps it happy.
5. Succulents (e.g., Echeveria, Haworthia) - These are perfect if you like small, quirky plants. They need bright light and minimal water—let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the main rookie mistake to avoid.

Even if you start as a beginner that's a plant killer, the biggest part of plants is learning to slow down and pay attention. Anything plant that is low maintenance just needs a little bit of attention help it thrive and grow.