Easy plants
Urban life
Living in the city often means: low-light apartments, busy schedules, heaters on, frequent travel… Yet, it is entirely possible to create a true urban jungle at home without spending your evenings watering. Here are 10 robust, decorative, and forgiving plants, ideal for beginner (or busy) city dwellers.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia — The indestructible plant for city dwellers
The Zamioculcas, often called "ZZ Plant," is one of the most resilient indoor plants. It handles dark corners, missed waterings, and apartment heat very well, while keeping a modern look with its fleshy, shiny stems.
- Light: low to medium, avoid direct full sun.
- Watering: very moderate, let the soil dry well between waterings.
- Ideal for: entryway, hallway, low-light office.
- For city dwellers: perfect if you travel often or tend to be forgetful.
🌿 Verdeia tip
The Zamioculcas stores water in its stems. It's better to underwater than overwater!
Sansevieria — Minimalist and indestructible elegance
The Sansevieria, also called "mother-in-law's tongue," is an almost indestructible plant. It tolerates excesses like missed waterings, dry rooms, temperature fluctuations, and low light. Its graphic silhouette makes it a perfect ally for urban interiors.
- Light: from low to bright, very adaptable.
- Watering: infrequent, especially in winter.
- Ideal for: living room, bedroom, office, minimalist corner.
- For city dwellers: one of the best plants to start a collection.
🌿 Verdeia tip
In winter, water only once a month. The Sansevieria enters dormancy.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — The urban vine
The Pothos is a trailing or climbing plant that thrives equally well on a shelf, a piece of furniture, or hanging near a window. It is a very tolerant species that continues to grow even in a bright room without direct sunlight.
- Light: soft to medium, avoid direct sun.
- Watering: regular but not excessive, let the soil surface dry out.
- Ideal for: living room, bedroom, bright bathroom.
- For city dwellers: perfect for creating a jungle vibe on a bookshelf or TV stand.
🌿 Verdeia tip
Pothos lets you know when it’s thirsty: its leaves go limp. Water it and they perk up within hours!
Aglaonema — Decorative foliage for dark places
The Aglaonema is an excellent plant for poorly lit rooms. Its spotted or variegated foliage adds a real decorative touch, even far from windows, without needing constant attention.
- Light: partial shade to low, no direct sun.
- Watering: moderate, soil should stay slightly moist.
- Ideal for: living room, bedroom, slightly dark reading nook.
- For city dwellers: a perfect plant if your apartment lacks direct light.
Aspidistra — The indestructible living room plant
Aspidistra, long nicknamed the "living room plant," is famous for its toughness. It tolerates dark rooms, dry air, dust, and irregular watering while remaining elegant.
- Light: low to medium.
- Watering: moderate, no excess standing water.
- Ideal for: low-light rooms, north-facing living rooms.
- For city dwellers: a perfect ally if you want a plant "you forget but that stays beautiful."
Chlorophytum (Spider plant) — Ideal for the forgetful
The Chlorophytum, or spider plant, is one of the most forgiving plants. It tolerates small mistakes like missed waterings and quickly produces many offshoots that are easy to root.
- Light: good indirect light, tolerates medium light.
- Watering: regular, especially in summer.
- Ideal for: kitchen, bathroom, bright office.
- For city dwellers: perfect if you want a generous plant that multiplies easily.
🌿 Verdeia tip
Chlorophytum offshoots root easily in water. Perfect for giving plants to your friends!
Dracaena — The low-maintenance indoor palm
Dracaena (marginata, fragrans…) is a graphic plant reminiscent of indoor palms. It adapts well to apartments and enjoys soft light, without being too demanding in watering.
- Light: medium to bright, without harsh direct sunlight.
- Watering: moderate, let the soil surface dry out.
- Ideal for: living room corner, near a sheer window.
- For city dwellers: perfect for adding verticality and a “palm” vibe without hassle.
Philodendron scandens — Tender heart and tough
With its heart-shaped leaves, the Philodendron scandens is both warm and very easy to care for. It grows well indoors, even with medium light, and tolerates the dry air of apartments.
- Light: soft to medium.
- Watering: moderate, without leaving the soil soggy.
- Ideal for: shelves, desks, green walls.
- For city dwellers: perfect if you want an elegant and easy trailing plant.
🌿 Verdeia tip
Philodendron is easy to propagate in water. Cut a stem and place it in a vase!
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) — Elegant even in shade
The Spathiphyllum is an indoor plant that uniquely blooms even in light shade. Its large green leaves and white flowers bring an elegant and calming touch.
- Light: soft to medium, ideal without direct sunlight.
- Watering: regular, the soil should remain slightly moist.
- Ideal for: living room, bedroom, bright bathroom.
- For city dwellers: a flowering plant to add a chic touch without needing a garden.
🌿 Verdeia tip
The Spathiphyllum blooms even in shade! Its white flowers last for several weeks.
Crassula tenelli — The delicate yet ultra-easy succulent
The Crassula tenelli is a small, fine, and elegant succulent, perfect for adding a graphic touch to a desk, shelf, or windowsill. It requires very little care and tolerates missed waterings well, making it an ideal ally for busy city dwellers.
- Light: good indirect light, tolerates bright rooms without harsh direct sunlight.
- Watering: very light, let the soil dry out completely.
- Ideal for: office, shelf, bright windowsill.
- For city dwellers: perfect for those who want a small green touch that requires almost no maintenance.
🌿 Verdeia tip
Like all succulents, Crassula prefers well-draining soil. Add sand or perlite!
Summary table
See at a glance the needs of each plant to choose according to your interior.
| Plant | Light | Watering | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zamioculcas | Low to medium | Very light | Very easy |
| Sansevieria | Low to bright | Infrequent | Very easy |
| Pothos | Mild to medium | Moderate regular | Easy |
| Aglaonema | Partial shade to low | Moderate | Easy |
| Aspidistra | Low to medium | Moderate | Very easy |
| Chlorophytum | Good indirect light | Regular | Easy |
| Dracaena | Medium to bright | Moderate | Easy |
| Philodendron | Mild to medium | Moderate | Easy |
| Spathiphyllum | Mild to medium | Regular | Easy |
| Crassula | Good indirect light | Very light | Very easy |
Care tips for city dwellers
Some simple rules to keep your plants healthy without spending hours.
- Always test the soil before watering with the finger test.
- Water deeply then let drain well, never let water stagnate.
- Dust leaves once a month with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Turn pots a quarter turn every 2 weeks for even growth.
- Repot every 2-3 years or when roots come out of the pot.
💡 Time-saving tip
Group your plants by similar needs. You can water them all at once!
Mini-FAQ
What is the easiest plant to start with?
Zamioculcas or Sansevieria. Extremely tolerant of low light and missed waterings. Perfect for stress-free beginners.
How often to water these plants?
Varies by species. Zamioculcas and Sansevieria: once a month. Pothos and Spathiphyllum: once a week. Always test the soil before watering.
Can they survive in a dark apartment?
Yes. Zamioculcas, Sansevieria, Aglaonema, and Aspidistra tolerate low light. Growth will be slower but they remain beautiful.
What to do if I go on vacation?
Water deeply before leaving. Zamioculcas and Sansevieria last 3 weeks. Pothos and Spathiphyllum up to 10 days.
To go further
Discover our selection of easy-care plants, perfect for creating your urban jungle without hassle.
Even in a dark apartment or a busy schedule, these 10 easy-care plants help create a more lively, calming, and greener interior.
