Easy Care Houseplants for Busy Moms

Jessica Daniel
1 day ago
3 min read

My Journey to Plant Mom

I read somewhere when you turn 40, you are sorted into your "mature adult category," such as birds, pickleball, plants, sourdough, or weightlifting. Lucky for me, I LOVE plants and got a head start in my 30s! I'll share with you my journey to the #houseplantlife, and my recommendations for easy care houseplants that will help bring life to your rooms.

I got my first houseplants about 20 years ago as a 20-something single lady who was moving here and there across the country figuring myself out. I am now a full time working mom of two boys in the preschool and elementary school age range, so time for my own interests and hobbies is zero to limited at best. I currently have ~24 established houseplants, and a bunch of propagations and baby plants from the established ones. I've done my fair share of trial and error over the years, and am in a good place with my current array of greenery.

Why Houseplants?

Houseplants are not only a beautiful addition to your existing decor, but they also provide real benefits to your home.

- Improved air quality, which is essential for a healthy home environment.

- Boosted mood and productivity that can help manage stress.

- Aesthetic appeal that brightens up any room and creates a warm atmosphere.

My Top Easy Care Houseplants

These are my personal favorites that I have in my own home, and highly recommend to busy moms that need easy care, beautiful plants.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Thrives on neglect and can survive in low light.
Perfect for improving indoor air quality.
Water every 7-10 days.

2. Pothos

Grows easily in various lighting conditions and needs minimal watering (every 7-10 days).
Known for its trailing vines, which add a beautiful touch to any space.
I love adding a plant support/trellis to these to give them some shape.
Fun Fact: My oldest pothos is 30 years old and was my mom's at our house in the 90s!

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Very drought-tolerant and requires watering only when the soil is completely dry.
I water mine once a month.
An eye-catching plant that can thrive in low to bright indirect light.

4. Peace Lily

Blooms beautifully with minimal care and can thrive in low light.
Known for its filter qualities, making it a functional decor piece.
I water mine every 7-10 days.
This was my first houseplant that survived longer than a year. My parents sent it to me when I lived in Nashville in the early 2000s after I had knee surgery, and it is thriving today!
5. Jade Plant
They are popular houseplants due to their low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.
Jade plants are believed to bring good luck and prosperity, making them a common gift in many cultures.
Water once a month.
I recently trimmed my plants and now have 6 baby jade plants that will make great Christmas gifts this year!

Tips for Plant Care

These plants require very simple strategies to maintain.

Watering Schedule

Establishing a routine that fits your busy lifestyle.
Using self-watering pots for even less hassle, or using plant saucers that you can overfill with an inch or so of water. The plants like to drink from their roots too.

Ideal Placement

Finding the right spot for each plant that aligns with its light needs.
Utilizing shelves or tables to elevate plants where kids can't reach.
I also use small plant lights in a few of mine that don't get quite enough light.

Plants For The Win!

I love having a touch of natural beauty in my house, and plants just make me feel good in a space. The right plants make it a wonderful experience that isn't daunting or overwhelming. They are not only a beautiful part of the overall aesthetic, but they help make your house a healthier place to live by filtering the air, and providing a mood boost.

I hope you are ready to take the leap and add some houseplants to your home if you haven't already. If you have, what are some of your plant care tips, and favorite plants? I'd love to hear from you!