The #1 Best Houseplant for Beginners

You’re walking down the sidewalk and see beautiful plants inside a store window. You flip through HGTV magazine and notice luscious greens on almost every page. Your home seems like it’s missing something, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. I’ll let you in on a secret…(it’s plants!).

Okay, so you are ready to purchase a plant, but what in the world is the best houseplant for beginners? I know this is scary, and you really don’t want your plant baby to die. I am here to help you out! 

This post will guide you to the BEST houseplant for beginners.

One of the questions I am frequently asked is “what plant should I get to put here” (on this shelf, by this window, in the bedroom, in my entryway, etc.) Or, “should I get ________ plant?” often followed by a cute but temperamental plant that will look good for about 6 days until it shows its stress level by wilting, dropping leaves, and leaving us frustrated.

After a few years of taking care of 100+ houseplants, I feel confident in naming the SNAKE PLANT the #1 Best Houseplant for Beginners! 

Snake plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Saint George’s Sword, or Sansevieria were reclassified into the Dracaena genus several years ago. If you are interested in reading more about the history of the plant and the reclassification, you can read all about it here. If you are just here to find out what plant to buy and how to care for it, read on.

Snake plants are typically easy to find, and relatively inexpensive. 

While there are over 70 types of snake plants, you will most often see Dracaena trifasciata and Dracaena trifasciata “Laurentii” for sale at plant shops. Don’t worry about these scientific names, I’ll show you what they look like and how to make them a stunning addition to your home.

One of the many reasons that snake plants are awesome is that they come in just about every size you could ever want! Miniature, tall and slender, large and striking, the snake plant is extremely versatile. No matter where you would like to display your snake plant, you should be able to find one that is appropriately sized.

How much sunlight does my snake plant require?

Snake plants are often advertised as “low light” plants. While it is true that a snake plant will be just fine in low light, they actually LOVE bright light and can even handle direct sun! There are very few plants that will live happily in both low-light and high-light environments. This fact is another reason why the snake plant is the best houseplant for beginners!

I have tested snake plants in all different types of lighting environments. Everything from almost no sun at all to outside in the summer with direct sunlight. They are happy with any amount of sun. What’s not to love about a plant this versatile?!?

Our upstairs bathroom (see above picture) has a small, north-facing window, which does not allow much light in the room. I put a small snake plant in the corner of the vanity to add some green and life to the room, and it has done amazingly well! Some of the leaves have gotten so tall I am going to have to move the plant or cut them off so they don’t hit the light. These little snake plants can be found at big box stores, grocery stores, or greenhouses for just a few dollars.

Check out our bathroom remodel project here! 

If you are looking to order a snake plant online, there are so many options! Depending on the variety and size you are looking for, the options are basically endless. For under $20, you can buy a decent-sized snake plant that will grow to around 4 feet tall when mature! This adorable trio of snake plants or individual specimens in a decorative pot would make such cute gifts. And they will last a lot longer than cut flowers! Etsy is a great place to buy plants too. This variety is on my wish list! Just make sure to read the reviews. Additionally, be aware of your climate during shipping, as you may need to add on a heating pad.

How much should I water my snake plant?

Additionally, it is hard to believe there could be any more perks to owning a snake plant, but there are!! Besides being extremely forgiving about the amount of light required, snake plants are also not picky about water. They are drought tolerant, so if you forget to water your snake baby for a few weeks, it will likely be just fine. I recommend watering snake plants when the soil is dried out from the previous watering. This translates to watering anywhere from every one to four weeks, depending on your environment. The best way to check if your snake plant needs water is to feel the top section of soil, and only water if you do not feel any moisture. You can use your finger to do this, or a moisture meter can be helpful as well.

While it is difficult to kill a snake plant, consistent overwatering may be too much for your snake plant to handle. When in doubt, err on the side of underwatering your snake plant!

Snake plant inspiration

I love seeing how others use plants as decor in their homes.

Mandi @happyhappyhouseplant has the coolest sea of snake plants under their stairs. They make such an impact in a large group!

Sometimes we want a large plant, but can’t find one or it is ridiculously expensive. An easy way to make a big impact is to use several plants together in one group. Mandi used LOTS of snake plants together and wow, what a cool space! Also, check out her living wall!!

If you aren’t in the market for an entire sea of snake plants, but still want a striking plant specimen, you can try a smaller grouping. I love how Brooke @nestingwithgrace used three snake plants in one large basket. It looks like one huge plant! She has beautiful examples of how to decorate your home with plants.

If you are looking for a plant that tolerates any amount of light, thrives when neglected, requires little water, and makes a bold statement in your home, then a snake plant is your answer.

They truly are the BEST houseplant for beginners!