The health benefits of gardening have been long touted – gardening is a great activity for your physical and emotional health. Physically, avid home gardeners benefit from all the standing, bending, kneeling and digging. Gardening has also been shown to have a positive impact on mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression. Some people may shy away from planting due to concerns that gardens are just too much effort. But not all gardens need a lot of work. A low-maintenance garden can offer some of the same health benefits as higher maintenance ones.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is possibly one of the only plants that actually benefits from being forgotten about. If you can’t remember the last time you watered your plants, aloe is perfect for you.
Care tips:
Light: bright, indirect light
Water: monthly (let dry out completely between watering)
Toxicity: toxic to pets
Succulents (Multiple Families)
Succulents have become all the range, with some featuring their own social media accounts. Widely available at most shops, we're including them because they’re truly some of the best plants for beginners. If they’re dying, it’s likely due to too little light or too much water.
Care tips:
Light: bright, indirect light
Water: monthly (let dry completely between watering)
Toxicity: most (but not all) are nontoxic. Plush Plant, Tree Cactus, and Wax Rosette are safe bets
Cactus (Cactaceae)
Cacti are in the succulent family and can basically be treated in the same exact way. If you’re an over-waterer, which is likely not the case if you forget about your plants, then avoid cacti for now. These plants like it dry.
Care tips:
Light: bright, indirect light
Water: monthly (let dry completely between watering)
Toxicity: most (but not all) are nontoxic. Try Zebra Haworthia, Blue Echeveria, and Sempervivum “Ruby Heart”
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)
Have limited lighting? Snake Plants are great for windowless bathrooms and also grow fine in bright, indirect light. These aesthetically pleasing houseplants can go weeks without even a speck of moisture, making them perfect if you don't remember to water plants regularly.
Care tips:
Light: low or medium light
Water: monthly (let dry completely between watering)
Toxicity: toxic to pets
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