If you’re new to the world of indoor gardening, choosing the right plants to start with can make all the difference. Luckily, there are plenty of houseplants that are not only beautiful but also incredibly easy to care for. Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and a Professor in the Horticulture Apprenticeship program at Humber College, has handpicked 8 houseplants perfect for beginners. Whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or simply want to add a touch of greenery to your space, these plants are an ideal choice.
Check out our YouTube video on ‘Houseplants 101: Easy Picks for New Gardeners’ (6 minute watch) or scroll to continue reading.
If you’re looking for a unique, low-maintenance houseplant, the Hoya Lisa, also known as the “Curly Leaf Hoya,” is a stunning choice. With its glossy, curled leaves and trailing habit, it adds texture and elegance to any space. This adaptable plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to dry out between waterings, making it perfect for beginners. It’s also tolerant of lower humidity and occasional drought, so you don’t have to worry if you forget to water it now and then.
While Hoya Lisa doesn’t bloom as often as some Hoyas, when it does, its small, fragrant star-shaped flowers are a delightful reward. Whether cascading from a hanging pot or climbing a trellis, this resilient beauty is an effortless addition to any indoor plant collection. If you’re looking for an easy-care plant with a touch of charm, Hoya Lisa is a must-have!
The Hoya Rosita is a compact and charming houseplant with thick, waxy leaves that boast a rich green colour and a subtle reddish tint along the edges. Its slow-growing, low-maintenance nature makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. Thriving in bright, indirect light and preferring to dry out between waterings, this resilient Hoya can handle a bit of neglect—perfect for those with a busy lifestyle.
While its striking foliage is the main attraction, Hoya Rosita can occasionally surprise you with clusters of small, fragrant flowers, adding an extra touch of beauty. Whether trailing from a hanging basket or sitting gracefully on a shelf, this adaptable plant brings effortless charm to any indoor space. If you’re looking for a hardy, visually appealing addition to your plant collection, Hoya Rosita is a must-have!
The Spider Plant Bonnie is a charming and unique variety of the classic Spider Plant, known for its cascading, curly, variegated leaves. With its graceful, arching foliage, Bonnie adds a soft, lush touch to any room. This easy-to-care-for plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate lower light, making it a versatile addition to a variety of indoor spaces.
Like other spider plants, Bonnie is incredibly resilient and bounces back from occasional neglect. It’s also pet-friendly and requires little maintenance—just the occasional watering and light trimming to keep it looking its best. Bonnie even rewards you with small white flowers and baby plantlets that dangle from long stems, adding a playful and delightful touch to its already charming presence.
The Pothos Neon is a vibrant, eye-catching variety of the popular Pothos plant, known for its striking chartreuse-yellow leaves that instantly brighten up any space. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in a variety of lighting conditions, from bright, indirect light to lower light areas, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned plant owners.
Incredibly resilient, the Pothos Neon can handle occasional neglect and only needs watering when the soil is dry. Its trailing vines grow quickly, creating a lush, cascading effect that’s perfect for shelves, hanging baskets, or plant stands. Whether you’re looking to add a splash of color or texture to your home, the Pothos Neon is as hardy as it is stunning.
The Snake Plant, or Sansevieria, is a versatile and hardy houseplant that comes in a variety of forms, each with its own unique appeal. From the tall, upright leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata to the compact, variegated varieties like Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’ and Sansevieria ‘Zeylanica’, there’s a Snake Plant to suit every style and space.
Known for its striking, sword-like leaves that range in colour from deep green to vibrant yellow or silver, the Snake Plant is incredibly low-maintenance. It thrives in various lighting conditions and requires only occasional watering, making it a perfect choice for both beginner gardeners and experienced plant lovers.
The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a popular, low-maintenance houseplant known for its glossy, dark green leaves and remarkable ability to thrive in various conditions. One standout variety is the ZZ Black Queen, which features striking, almost black, glossy leaves that bring a bold, dramatic flair to any room. Like the traditional ZZ, the Black Queen is incredibly resilient, making it perfect for both beginners and busy plant owners.
Able to tolerate low light, dry air, and infrequent watering—thanks to its ability to store water in its thick, fleshy stems—the ZZ plant is truly a hardy beauty. Whether placed in a bright spot or a low-light corner, both the ZZ plant and its stunning Black Queen variety offer sleek, modern style with minimal care required.
Dracaena plants are a diverse and popular family of houseplants known for their striking foliage and ease of care. With a variety of species to choose from, there’s a Dracaena to suit any home or office style. A standout variety is Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’, featuring lush, dark green leaves that create a dense, bushy look. Other varieties, such as Dracaena fragrans with its long, narrow leaves, or Dracaena ‘Lemon Lime’ with its vibrant, variegated foliage, bring a wide range of colors and textures to complement your space.
Known for their tolerance to low light and minimal watering needs, Dracaenas are ideal for beginners or anyone with a busy lifestyle. Whether you opt for the elegant Janet Craig or another variety, Dracaenas effortlessly add a touch of tropical beauty to any indoor space.
Succulents are a diverse group of plants known for their thick, fleshy leaves that store water, allowing them to thrive in dry conditions. With an array of shapes, sizes, and colors, succulents are perfect for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers. From the rosette-shaped Echeveria to the spiky Aloe Vera and trailing String of Pearls, succulents effortlessly fit into any décor, adding texture and vibrant color to your home.
These hardy plants require minimal care—thriving in bright, indirect light and only needing occasional watering—making them ideal for busy plant owners or those who may not have the perfect plant care routine. Whether in a pot, terrarium, or hanging basket, succulents are a stunning, low-maintenance addition to any indoor space.
We carry all these varieties and more at Royal City Nursery this season (Spring 2025). Whether you’re adding an easy-care houseplant to your collection or searching for the perfect gift for a housewarming, we have exactly what you need. Our team of experts are available in-store to help you select the ideal plant for your home.
About Tanya Olsen:
Tanya is a third-generation garden centre owner and landscape designer.
Teaches Horticulture Apprenticeship at Humber College in Ontario, Canada.
Has a weekly segment on CTV news.
Has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
YWCA Woman of Distinction.
About Royal City Nursery:
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
