The 13 easiest houseplants you can buy online, according to an urban farmer

When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

The Sill offers a set of beginner, pet-friendly plants for $90.The Sill

• If your thumb is a little less than green, it doesn't mean you can't look after houseplants — it just means you need to choose plants that are forgiving.
• Here are 13 houseplants that are hard to kill and look great in any space, according to urban farmer Nick Cutsumpas.
• Read more: Plant delivery startup The Sill makes it easy to learn about which plants are right for your home — here's how it works

Nothing quite matches the natural beauty and peaceful vibe of a houseplant. But the benefits of plant ownership go far beyond just looking pretty. Houseplants can have many positive effects on you and your home environment, including helping boost oxygen levels, making us more productive, and even helping us heal faster.

Growing houseplants, however, can a challenge for many people. Watering can be a mystery — too much water will kill your plant just as easily as too little. And what about light? Are there any plants you can grow in your dim bathroom or bedroom?

We consulted urban farmer and plant expert Nick Cutsumpas to learn more about what makes a good houseplant and how to pick the right one for your space.

Before you buy a plant, it's imperative that you take inventory of your space. "Most people fail to keep their plants alive because they choose plants that weren't capable of surviving in their homes in the first place," Cutsumpas says.

To make a more informed decision, he suggests you assess the following:

• Lighting and exposure: Do you have an abundance of natural light or is your space rather dim? If you don't have a lot of natural light, there are plenty of beautiful low-light plants that will thrive in your space. But you don't have to give up on the plant of your dreams either. Cutsumpas suggests investing in a grow light to supplement low-light situations.
• Heat and humidity: Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. If you live in a very dry climate, you may need to compensate with a humidifier if you're looking into a high-humidity plant. Be cognizant of where you are placing your plants as well. A high-humidity plant won't do well next to a radiator blasting dry air, for example.
• Lifestyle: Be realistic about how much time you have to commit taking care of your plants. Do you travel frequently? Will you likely forget to water your plants on schedule? If you lead a busy lifestyle or don't have the patience to keep up with a high-maintenance plant, go for an easier-to-care-for starter plant, like the ones we've listed below.

After you've taken stock of your space and your lifestyle, you'll have a sense of what plants will do best in your environment. Next, it's the fun part — finding a plant you love.

With the help of Cutsumpas, we've assembled this guide of 13 houseplants that are fairly easy to look after — even for those with a black thumb.

Click each link to learn about the specific plant, or keep reading for a look at all of them.

• Pothos
• Monstera
• Snake plant
• Chinese evergreen
• Spider plant
• Dracaena
• Dieffenbachia
• ZZ plant
• Arrowhead vine
• Bird of paradise
• Cast iron plant
• Goldfish plant
• Ponytail palm

Updated on 5/18/20 by Remi Rosmarin: Prices and links are accurate as on 5/18/20, and we interviewed urban farmer Nick Cutsumpas.