Bringing the Outdoors In: Our Green-Thumb Favorites
As someone who loves being surrounded by nature, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect plants to bring a little life into my home. And when it comes to easy-care greenery, the team here at ABC Home & Garden in Aberdeen has some real winners up their sleeves. Allow me to introduce you to our staff’s top picks for low-maintenance indoor plants!
Monstera Deliciosa: The Swiss Cheese Star
One of our all-time favorites has got to be the Monstera Deliciosa, affectionately known as the Swiss Cheese plant. As our horticulture specialist Jennifer told me, “This fast-growing and easy-care plant makes a big impact in the space! The cuttings also make perfect gifts for friends and family.” With its dramatic, fenestrated leaves and trailing vines, the Monstera is a true showstopper that requires surprisingly little effort to maintain. Just give it bright, indirect light and water when the soil is slightly dry, and you’ll be on your way to creating your own little jungle oasis.
Succulents: Lowdown on the Low-Maintenance
If you’re after a plant that’s as unfussy as they come, you can’t go wrong with succulents. As our customer service manager Sarah shared, “Succulents remind me of my mom and the walks we take in the Arizona deserts. They’re easy to take care of and keep a crisp look over time with no trimming or maintenance needed!” From the adorable rosettes of echeveria to the quirky shapes of string of pearls, there’s a succulent out there to suit every style. Just be sure to give them plenty of bright light and minimal water, and they’ll reward you with their resilience.
Citrus Trees: Bringing the Sunshine Indoors
Speaking of low-maintenance, have you ever considered bringing a citrus tree into your home? As our customer relations manager Jennifer raved, “In the off-season, they make wonderful houseplants, living in a sunny west-facing window. When they are in bloom, the entire house has a wonderful citrus flower fragrance. The fruit they produce is juicy and delicious – I make my favorite birthday cake with the lemons and enjoy the limes in my drinks.” Whether you opt for a dwarf Meyer lemon or a Bearrs seedless lime, these compact, potted trees are not only easy to care for, but they’ll fill your space with a delightful aroma and a bounty of fresh fruit. Just be sure to give them plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil.
Bird of Paradise: Tropical Vibes, Minimal Fuss
If you’re after a plant that makes a real statement, look no further than the Bird of Paradise. As our assistant plant buyer Nina explained, “The big leaves and bold foliage on the Bird of Paradise complements home decor. Its tree-like height makes a statement and adds presence to a room. Easy to care for, this plant will last a long time.” And did you know that the leaves can even help purify the air in your home? With its exotic, almost prehistoric-looking blooms, the Bird of Paradise is sure to turn heads while remaining remarkably low-maintenance.
Peace Lily: The Classy Choice
For a plant that combines elegance and simplicity, you can’t beat the Peace Lily. As our landscape designer Alice shared, “The Peace Lily is an incredibly classy plant in my opinion. I’m a fan of the dark green leaves and how it occasionally flowers. It’s a natural air purifier, and incredibly low maintenance.” Not only do Peace Lilies offer beautiful, sculptural blooms, but they’re also renowned for their ability to filter out harmful toxins from the air. Plus, they’ll let you know when they need water by wilting dramatically – just give them a drink and watch them perk right back up!
Schefflera: The Office Survivor
If you’re looking for a plant that can truly withstand the test of time, let me introduce you to the trusty Schefflera. As our assistant plant buyer Diana shared, “I’ve had this Schefflera plant for about 25 years; I bought him when I got my first office at a previous job. He’s been on the brink of death a couple of times but always pulls through.” With its distinctive, umbrella-like foliage, the Schefflera is a classic choice that can thrive in a variety of light conditions. And if it ever starts to look a little worse for wear, don’t be afraid to give it a trim – it’ll bounce back better than ever.
Monstera Family: Tropical Treasures
Speaking of the Monstera, this entire plant family is a true staff favorite here at ABC Home & Garden. As our business technology manager Lawson explained, “It’s such an underrated family because of the commonality of the Swiss Cheese plant, but there are so many varieties out there. Monsteras are one of the first plants you see in the wild in tropical regions. Love having these jungle plants in my home, they make me feel like I am in Hawaii again. So far from my experience, Monsteras are easy-care plants that grow rapidly. So if you are a person who likes to see growth in a short period of time, the Monstera family is for you.” From the classic Monstera deliciosa to the trailing Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, these lush, tropical beauties are sure to add a dose of the outdoors to any indoor space.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma: The Vine with a Mind of Its Own
Speaking of the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, our customer care manager Des is particularly enamored with this unique plant. As he explained, “I love the way it grows. It’s as if it has a mind of its own. It grows in a vine-like way in all directions, across the table down the legs and even wrapping itself strategically around wires, other plants, photo frames and more. It’s very resourceful as it finds the light it needs to thrive in most settings I put it in. Its leaves are similar to the popular monstera in that it has fenestrations which are basically holes in the sides of the leaves. Monsteras usually have to mature for a few years before seeing this, whereas ‘RT’ have them early on.” With its dynamic, trailing habit and captivating foliage, the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a true conversation piece that’s a breeze to care for.
Tropical Delights: Parlor Palms and Hibiscus
If you’re after a plant that evokes visions of tropical getaways, our content producer Stephanie swears by Parlor Palms and Hibiscus. As she shared, “These tropical plants remind me of all the times I went to visit my grandparents in Florida as a child!” With their lush, emerald fronds and vibrant, showy blooms, these plants are sure to transport you to a far-flung oasis – no passport required. Just be sure to give them plenty of bright light and consistent moisture, and they’ll thrive indoors year-round.
Philodendrons: Big Leaves, Low Maintenance
For a plant that packs a punch with minimal effort, the Selloum Philodendron (or Tree Philodendron) is a staff favorite. As our facilitator Margaret explained, “This large leafed philodendron is similar to the Monstera in care, but grows like a tree instead of a vine. Much easier to maintain long term, but still takes up a lot of space!” With its bold, architectural foliage and easygoing nature, the Selloum Philodendron is a true low-maintenance superstar.
Kalanchoe: A Pop of Color
For a plant that adds a burst of vibrant hue to any space, our marketing director Michi can’t get enough of Kalanchoe. As she shared, “I love Kalanchoe because it’s a bright spot of color in the middle of winter and it’s fun!” These succulent beauties come in a rainbow of shades, from fiery orange to deep red, and they’re incredibly resilient to boot. Just give them plenty of sun and infrequent watering, and they’ll reward you with months of eye-catching blooms.
Piper Crocatum: Velvet Elegance
If you’re after a plant that combines timeless elegance with modern flair, our signature designer Paige is smitten with the Piper Crocatum. As she raved, “I fell in love with this plant as soon as I saw it; its silver undertones and red veins evoke a classic, yet modern vibe. The velvet feel of the leaves is the icing on the cake.” With its rich, velvety foliage and striking color palette, the Piper Crocatum is a true stunner that’s sure to elevate any space.
Earth Star Bromeliad: Unique and Unfussy
For a plant that’s as visually captivating as it is low-maintenance, our landscape production specialist Debbie swears by the Earth Star Bromeliad. As she explained, “It is so unique. It’s full of color, it’s got an awesome texture. It is even a little serrated, so it’s a little spiky. Also, it is super low-maintenance; it doesn’t like high light, making it a low-light plant. It doesn’t want a lot of water. You can just leave it alone and it stays beautiful!” With its vibrant, asymmetrical rosettes and easygoing nature, the Earth Star Bromeliad is a true work of art that requires minimal effort to keep thriving.
Snake Plant: Serenity in Simplicity
Last but not least, our team can’t get enough of the humble-yet-stunning Snake Plant. As our customer care manager Des raved, “It is absolutely stunning and easy to care for. It grows in bright, indirect light, so it’s perfect for windowsills, offices, tables, and coffee tables. If you spin the Snake Plant a little as it grows, it gives it the effect of seaweed and that fish could be going through there. I recommend the Snake Plant!” With its architectural, sword-like leaves and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, the Snake Plant is a true low-maintenance MVP that adds a touch of serene elegance to any space.
So there you have it – the ABC Home & Garden team’s top picks for easy-to-care-for indoor plants. Whether you’re after a dramatic, jungle-inspired statement piece or a simple, fuss-free succulent, there’s sure to be a green-thumb favorite that speaks to you. And with ABC Home & Garden right here in Aberdeen, Scotland, you can easily bring home any of these lovely low-maintenance plants to spruce up your space. Happy planting!
