Looking to add a little green into your home? We’ve found the best indoor house plants that are hard, if not impossible, to kill…
A plant is a great addition to any home or garden. Not only do they look pretty, but to a small extent can help to purify and filter the air of nasty indoor air pollutants like dust and cleaning chemicals by absorbing them through their leaves or roots. Plus, the colour green is also very therapeutic, especially when you’re trying to find a little peace of mind.
But we get it. It can be a little tricky to take care of another living thing besides the fam. We may have neglected one or two houseplants in our time, but plants can be surprisingly hardy if you pick the right one! And some are even able to survive for long periods of time without a lot of water, care and sunlight. In fact, the less care you give them, the more they thrive! We found some of the best houseplants in Singapore that require very little TLC…
The best and easiest indoor plants to grow in Singapore
1. Succulents
Succulents are the ultimate in un-killable, indoor plants. They’re fairly happy growing in pots of any size, which makes them good desk plants. They store water in their stems, roots and leaves, so don’t require a lot of water (they’ve got loads) and hardly any sun. As long as you don’t get a little overzealous with the watering, these guys are super easy to grow and will thrive on their own. They can grow from just a little cutting and some soil. You can choose to grow any one of its variations, including jade plant and flowering cacti. Just stay away from the prickly ones if you have small kids and pets.
2. Snake plant
Topping the list of some of the toughest houseplants on the planet is the snake plant. Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (no comment), these plants are known for their sharp leaves and stubborn resilience. This plant isn’t too picky, unlike its namesake, and it likes plenty of light but can handle little to none as well.
3. Spider plant
For those with furbabies in their homes, the option for indoor plants is limited. Some plants can be hazardous for them, while most of them end up getting bitten off! The spider plant is both indoor and pet-friendly, making it a suitable inclusion for your home. It retains water pretty well and can continue growing even in darker conditions. Its low-maintenance care makes the spider plant a great pick for new plant parents.
4. Aloe vera
If you’ve been considering an indoor plant for your home, then the humble aloe vera is one of your best bets. It is aesthetically pleasing – you can put an aloe vera anywhere in the house, and it’ll brighten the space – and thrives on minimal care, AKA it requires very little maintenance. Most importantly, this amazing plant can be used for treatment remedies and as a topping in your desserts. Aloe vera also keeps the air you breathe fresh and clean by getting rid of formaldehyde.
5. Air plants
Also known as tillandsia, these spidery plants don’t need any soil to thrive (you can put those away!). Just keep them somewhere that’s airy and not too bright, like hanging them in midair, propping them on a shelf, or putting them in a decorative glass vase. Plus, watering them is a breeze – dunk them in water for about two to three hours every 10 days or so, or mist them daily. You’ll find small buds growing from its base as these indoor plants grow. Let the pups grow slightly bigger, pluck them, and let them continue growing!
6. Palms
Cruising down the streets in a taxi, bus or car, you’re sure to spot the endless rows of palms lining the roads. Palms are a main staple of Singapore’s jungles and add a tropical feel to any garden or home. One of the most popular indoor palms is the Yellow Palm, which is a multi-stemmed plant with feather-shaped fronds and naturally golden-yellow leaves. These palms are very hardy and will thrive whether in sun or shade, as well as purifies the air. However, some pruning is needed due to its clustering growth pattern to give it space to grow.
7. Ficus: Rubber plants and fiddle leaf fig plants
This family of plants make popular indoor houseplants. Fiddle Leaf Figs, in particular, are one of the most well-known variations, and you can grow them any way you like, whether as a tree or a small pot plant. It’ll happily sit on a windowsill or in a corner of the room. Water it once a week, just enough to make the soil wet; keep it sheltered with some light, and it’ll do the rest.
8. Ferns
Ferns are some of the best indoor plants, especially in a climate like Singapore. Most ferns grow best in indirect sunlight in humid airs, which makes them great for keeping in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen as well as a hanging plant. The Boston Fern is a popular choice. Although ferns like moist soil, be sure that the soil is dry to the touch before watering your fern.
9. Money plants
Also known as Devil’s Ivy because of how impossible it is to kill, this plant stays green even when kept in the dark. If you’ve got furkids, especially young ones, be sure to hang this one up high because it is toxic to cats and dogs.
10. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants (also known as the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) are popular for their low maintenance – in fact, they actually like being neglected! This is one plant that can survive in low-light conditions with hardly any water, so feel free to put one in the corner of your bathroom or a shaded part of your room. Water every two to three weeks. If you start seeing yellowish leaves, you’re watering too much!
11. Monstera
Also sometimes called the Swiss Cheese Plant, Monstera Deliciosa are synonymous with tropical climates. Taking care of these indoor plants is relatively easy. Just top up the soil every time it feels dry, and don’t subject it to direct sunlight. You can even grow a cutting in water with no soil. Winning! One of the best plants to grow indoors in Singapore, we say!
12. Herbs
Indoor plants don’t just look good; they taste good, too! Here in Singapore, we’re a little tight on space, and many crop plants require a lot of space and care. So while starting a veggie garden on your balcony is totally doable thanks to urban gardening, there are smaller plants you can keep in pots in the kitchen that are easy to care for and make great garnishing. Mint and basil are both herbs that thrive in mild light as long as you keep them watered. The curry leaf is also difficult to kill, but it’s not resistant to bugs. Indian borage or Mexican mint can also be used as garnishing or as a home remedy to treat coughs and sore throats. You can chew the leaves or pop them in boiling water to drink.
Gardening quick tips
- For an easy fertiliser, pour about a teaspoon of cold un-drunk plain black coffee (you can get dregs from the espresso machine) or black tea into your plant pots every couple of weeks.
- Prune your plants every couple of weeks and remove dead foliage.
- Skip chemical pesticides: if you spot an insect on your plant, just use a dry cloth to wipe it off or use horticultural oils. Homemade sprays like garlic and onion or chrysanthemum tea also do the trick.
- Despite what we might think, not every plant likes direct sunlight, especially houseplants. You can move the plant until you find a spot where it responds well to the environment and then just leave it there.
- Check online for gardening workshops to brush up on your skills. We love a visit to HortPark!
- Remember: the less you fuss, the better!
Good luck, plant parents!
This article was originally written by Sheralyn Loh in 2019 and updated by Syazana Hishamuddin in 2024.
