There’s no easier way to liven up an indoor space than by adding actual life to it—i.e., plant life. Welcoming a few well-chosen houseplants into your home can add colour and depth to any room, and improve air quality.

And due to a boom in popularity in apartment decorating trends (just search #plantsagram on Instagram to see what we’re talking about), affordable, quality houseplants are easier to buy than ever before.

The best part is you don’t necessarily need a green thumb to benefit from the room-changing magic of plants. There are plenty of varieties out there that actually prefer to be left alone, or at the very least, an erratic water scheduling. They don’t need a special touch, or a specific amount of sunlight, or even a fancy mister.

They won’t complain if you’re out of town for a couple of days. In fact, they might prefer it.

Here’s our five recommendations for houseplants that will spruce up your apartment without requiring a ton of effort.

5 low maintenance houseplants

1. Jade plant

You’ve probably seen a jade plant before and thought to yourself, “That plant is adorable, but it looks super hard to look after.” And while it’s true that most beautiful things don’t exist without some sort of effort, it’s definitely not true for the jade plant.

You only have to water this plant every 2-3 weeks. It prefers dry conditions with lots of direct sunlight. So make sure you place it by a window.

2. Philodendrons

Philodendrons are perfect for beginner indoor gardeners because they can adapt to almost any environment. They thrive in indirect sunlight (near-ish to a window), but will survive darker spaces too.

You know to water you philodendron when the soil surface gets dry. It won’t mind if you forget to water it every so often, but just make sure not to over water it or else the roots will rot.

3. Snake plant

Snake plants are famous air purifiers that only require watering every two weeks. Their sunlight needs are not extreme; they thrive in medium to bright indirect light, but will adapt to darker conditions.

4. Succulents

We haven’t listed out each type of succulent here because there’s too many to name. But know that whichever one (or three you choose), these famous desert plants are experts at conserving water. You could leave them alone for months and, though they might look a little worse for wear, they probably wouldn’t be dead yet.

That said, place your succulents in as direct sunlight as possible and water them only when you can feel that the soil is really dry.

The time length between waterings will depend on the succulent. Don’t be afraid to test different cadences to see what works.

5. Christmas cactus

This stunning hanging plant typically blooms during the holiday season (hence its name). But don’t be fooled by the word “cactus”. This houseplant actually prefers humid environments.

Water it whenever the top inch of soil gets dry and keep it in bright, indirect sunlight. If you want to encourage blooming, make sure it’s getting some time in the dark before the holidays.

Where to buy houseplants in Vancouver

You can always stop by Ikea or Home Depot for your houseplant needs in a pinch. But these local, independent options will get you started on the right path and help you get to know the neighbourhood.

Figaro’s Garden

This East Vancouver plant shop sells both indoor and outdoor plants that have been cultivated with “environmentally sound horticulture.” It’s a fixture in the neighbourhood and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Bloom Room Botanical Gallery

Located in Mount Pleasant, Bloom Room is more than just a plant shop. It’s an experience. The plants here are treated like the artistic design pieces they are. Prepare to be inspired.

Flower Factory

Another Mount Pleasant mainstay, this shop is mostly known for its floral designs. But it also sells a variety of succulents at good prices.

Plant Therapy

This downtown plant shop is known for its large selection of houseplants and pots and knowledgeable staff. Affordable prices will make all your Pinterest dreams come true.

Hunter’s Garden Centre

A mainstay of plant shopping in Kitsilano, this garden centre does it all, including indoor and outdoor plants, and even seedlings (if you want to grow your own from scratch). They also have a Surrey location.