Even if you don’t have an outdoor garden, you can always enjoy some greenery indoors! In his new book Create Your Own Indoor Green, Joe Swift teaches you everything you need to know, from selecting the best houseplants for your space, to looking after them and even propagating them to save money.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 indoor plants that don’t require sunlight and that are easy to care for.
1. Chinese evergreen
This plant is super sturdy and easy to grow in low light levels. There are many varieties to choose from, including dark green plants, speckled, spotted, or striped.
- Light: Bright or shade, but avoid direct sun
- Temperature: Warm, make sure it’s kept at a minimum of 16 degrees in winter
- Watering: Water liberally in spring and summer and reduce for winter
2. Cast-iron plant
This is the perfect beginner plant! Did you know that it was a favourite of the Victorians because it survived their dark, dusty hallways?
- Light: Tolerates most light levels but dislikes direct sun
- Temperature: Average – it can cope with colder winter but keep it frost-free
- Watering: Keep compost lightly moist at all times but do not overwater
3. ZZ plant
A must-have for indoor gardeners, it’s a beautiful plant with dark green arching stems from the base. It’s easy to grow as well!
- Light: Tolerates a wide range of light levels, but it’s happiest in light shade
- Temperature: Average to warm – make sure it’s kept at a minimum of 15 degrees in winter
- Watering: Water liberally between spring and autumn and let the compost dry
4. Monstera
Also called Swiss cheese plant, this is a popular large foliage plant with glossy leaves that start off full and become deeply cut and perforated. It can reach around five metres in height, so make sure you give it plenty of room!
- Light: Light shade or medium light
- Temperature: Grows best in 18 degrees and above
- Watering: Water thoroughly and allow top of compost to dry out between – in winter, reduce but keep just moist
5. Peace lily
A common and easy to look after choice that works well alongside other houseplants. It grows white spathes which can last for months – make sure you snip them off when they fade to green though.
- Light: Semi-shade in summer but ideally somewhere lighter in winter – avoid direct sun
- Temperature: Warm, minimum of 13 degrees in winter
- Watering: Keep compost moist but not waterlogged – water it if it droops!
Indoor plants brighten our homes, connect us with the natural world and improve our physical and mental health. If you want to turn your living space into an Indoor Green haven, expert gardener Joe Swift shows you how with practical, easy-to-follow advice.