Plant Care Guides

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African Violet

Saintpaulia

African Violets are compact flowering houseplants that bloom almost continuously when given the right conditions: bright indirect light, consistent warmth, and careful watering that keeps water off the leaves. Their fuzzy, rounded leaves and clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers make them one of the most popular flowering houseplants in the world. They are small enough for windowsills and shelves, and a well-cared-for plant will bloom year-round for many years.

Bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Moderate

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Aglaonema

Aglaonema commutatum

Aglaonema, or Chinese Evergreen, is one of the most adaptable and forgiving tropical houseplants available. With varieties ranging from dark green to silver, red, pink, and cream, it offers dramatic color without demanding much care. Native to the tropical forests of Asia, it tolerates low light, average humidity, and inconsistent watering better than almost any other decorative foliage plant, earning it a reputation as nearly indestructible.

Low to medium indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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Air Plant

Tillandsia

Air plants (Tillandsia) are epiphytes that grow without soil, absorbing water and nutrients through their leaves. They are some of the most flexible houseplants available: they mount on driftwood, rest in shells, hang in glass globes, or sit on a shelf with no pot required. With a weekly soak and bright indirect light, most species thrive for years and produce pups that expand into clusters.

Bright indirect Soak weekly Easy

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Alocasia

Alocasia amazonica

Alocasia, often called the Elephant Ear or African Mask Plant, is one of the most dramatic statement plants for indoor spaces. Its enormous, arrow-shaped leaves with prominent contrasting veins create an instant tropical focal point. Native to tropical Asia, alocasia demands high humidity, bright indirect light, and attentive watering; it is rewarding for experienced plant owners and a compelling challenge for enthusiastic beginners.

Bright indirect Weekly Intermediate

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Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis miller

Aloe Vera is a succulent famous for its soothing, medicinal gel used for burns, skincare, and natural remedies. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, it's been cultivated for thousands of years. Beyond its healing properties, Aloe Vera is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and produces offsets (pups) you can share with friends; making it both practical and rewarding to grow.

Bright indirect to direct Every 2-3 weeks Easy

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Anthurium

Anthurium andraeanum

Anthurium is the tropical houseplant that blooms almost year-round, producing waxy, heart-shaped spathes in shades of red, pink, white, and coral. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, it thrives in bright indirect light and high humidity. With the right conditions, anthurium is surprisingly easy to care for and one of the longest-blooming houseplants available.

Bright indirect Weekly Easy

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Bamboo

Bambusoideae subfamily (true bamboo); Dracaena sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo)

Bamboo as an indoor plant almost always means one of two very different plants: true bamboo (subfamily Bambusoideae, a giant grass) or lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana, not bamboo at all). Each has completely different care needs. True bamboo is rarely grown indoors due to its size; lucky bamboo is one of the easiest and most forgiving indoor plants available.

Bright indirect (Lucky Bamboo) | Full sun to partial shade (True Bamboo) Keep moist (True Bamboo) | Change water weekly or water every 1–2 weeks in soil (Lucky Bamboo) Easy (Lucky Bamboo) | Challenging (True Bamboo indoors)

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Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Basil is the herb most people grow first, and the one most likely to collapse on them the moment the weather turns. It is a tender annual that loves heat, hates cold, and can blacken after a single night below 50°F (10°C). Given full sun, steady water and regular pinching, one plant keeps a kitchen supplied all summer. Left to flower, it turns more bitter and soon slows down. Most of growing it well is knowing which of those two things is happening.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 2-3 days in summer Easy

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Begonia

Begonia rex / Begonia semperflorens

Begonias are one of the most diverse groups of houseplants, ranging from compact wax begonias that flower almost year-round to dramatic rex begonias grown for their swirling, jewel-toned foliage. With thousands of varieties, there is a begonia for nearly every indoor environment. Most begonias prefer bright indirect light, moderate humidity, and careful watering; they reward attention with color and blooms that few other houseplants can match.

Bright indirect Weekly Easy to Intermediate

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Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae (common Bird of Paradise) / Strelitzia nicolai (White/Giant Bird of Paradise)

Bird of paradise plants are dramatic statement houseplants with large, paddle-shaped leaves that thrive in bright light. Strelitzia reginae is the classic orange-flowering species; Strelitzia nicolai is the giant variety with white flowers, grown primarily for its bold foliage indoors. Both need maximum light, infrequent watering, and patience; they're slow to establish but can live for decades.

Bright direct to bright indirect (4+ hours direct preferred) Every 1–2 weeks; allow top 2 inches of soil to dry Easy-Medium

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Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'

The Boston Fern is one of the most iconic and enduringly popular indoor ferns, prized for its arching, feathery fronds that spill dramatically from hanging baskets and elevated pots. Native to humid tropical and subtropical regions from Florida to Central and South America, it has been grown as a houseplant since the Victorian era. Beyond its classic beauty, Boston Ferns are celebrated for their air-purifying properties and the fractal geometry of their fronds; a repeating pattern of pinnate leaflets that scientists link to focus restoration and stress reduction through Attention Restoration Theory. If you can provide consistent humidity and moisture, the Boston Fern rewards with lush, cascading growth year-round.

Bright indirect Keep consistently moist Moderate

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Cactus

Various genera (Cactaceae family)

Cacti are among the most resilient houseplants you can grow. They thrive on neglect, need minimal watering, and tolerate bright sunny spots that would scorch most other plants. Understanding the key differences between types; columnar, globular, and pad-forming; helps you match each cactus to the right care routine.

Full sun to bright indirect Every 2–4 weeks (growing season), every 4–8 weeks (winter) Easy

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Calathea

Calathea spp. (now reclassified as Goeppertia)

Calatheas are stunning tropical foliage plants known for their intricately patterned, colorfully painted leaves. Native to the rainforest floors of Central and South America, they belong to the prayer plant family (Marantaceae) and share the characteristic habit of folding their leaves upward at night; a phenomenon called nyctinasty. While calatheas have a reputation for being finicky, understanding their need for humidity, consistent moisture, and indirect light makes them very manageable.

Medium indirect When top inch dry Moderate

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Carrot

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Carrots are simple to grow once they are up, and most of the difficulty comes before that. The seed is tiny and slow, and it will not sprout through a dry crust, so the first two or three weeks are about keeping the surface moist. After that, carrots need loose, deep, stone-free soil to grow straight, even watering to avoid cracking, and very little fertilizer. A light frost makes them sweeter, so fall carrots are often the best of the year.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 3-4 days Easy to Intermediate

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Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

The Cast Iron Plant earns its name: it tolerates low light, drought, temperature swings, dust, and neglect that would kill most houseplants. Its dark, glossy strap-shaped leaves grow slowly and methodically, making it the ideal choice for dim hallways, offices with no windows, or anyone who wants a genuinely forgiving plant. It does not ask for much, but rewards patience with long-lived, handsome foliage.

Low to medium indirect Every 2-3 weeks Easy

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Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides

The Chinese Money Plant has become one of the most sought-after houseplants thanks to its distinctive round, coin-shaped leaves on delicate stems. Originally from Yunnan province in southern China, it was spread through European plant communities by cuttings long before it became commercially available. Pilea peperomioides is a generous producer of baby plants (pups), making it easy to share; which earned it the nickname 'friendship plant.'

Bright indirect Every 7-10 days Easy

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Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Chives are about as close to a carefree herb as it gets. They are a hardy perennial, one of the first green things up in spring, and a single clump keeps producing for years. Cut them often, divide the clump every few years, and remove the flower heads before they drop seed if you do not want chives all over the garden. They do well in a pot, though like all onions they are toxic to cats and dogs.

Full sun to part shade Every 3-5 days in summer Very Easy

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Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera

Christmas Cactus is a popular holiday plant that produces cascading tubular flowers in red, pink, white, orange, or purple, typically in late November and December. Unlike desert cacti, it is a forest epiphyte from the Brazilian rainforest and prefers consistent moisture, humidity, and bright indirect light. With minimal care it lives for decades, growing larger and more floriferous each year. The secret to reliable blooming is a period of cool nights and long darkness in fall.

Bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum

Cilantro is a cool-season annual, and nearly every complaint about it comes down to one thing: it bolts. Warm weather and long days push it to flower and set seed within weeks, and the leaves turn sparse and bitter as it does. The fix is timing rather than care. Grow it in spring and fall, sow a little every few weeks, and harvest early and often. Let a few plants flower and you get coriander seed, and often next year's cilantro, for free.

Full sun to part shade Every 2-4 days Easy to Intermediate

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Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Purple coneflower is a native prairie perennial, and that explains nearly everything about growing it: full sun, lean soil that drains, and very little water once it is established. It blooms for weeks in midsummer, draws bees and butterflies, and if you leave the seed heads standing, goldfinches pick them over in fall. The straight species is long-lived and tough; many of the newer brightly colored hybrids are prettier and shorter-lived.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 7-10 days the first season Very Easy

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Croton

Codiaeum variegatum

Croton is one of the most vibrantly colored houseplants available, with leaves that can display red, orange, yellow, green, and purple simultaneously on a single plant. Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, it demands bright light and consistent conditions. Croton rewards attentive care with a spectacular show that rivals any flowering plant.

Bright direct Weekly Intermediate

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Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Cucumbers are fast, generous and thirsty. A healthy vine can produce for two months from a single sowing, and once picking starts it rarely lets up. They want warm soil, full sun, deep and steady water, and something to climb, and most need bees to carry pollen between flowers. Most cucumber trouble traces back to one of those: bitter fruit from uneven water, misshapen fruit from poor pollination, or a vine that collapses within days from a disease spread by beetles.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 1-2 days in summer Easy to Intermediate

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Daffodil

Narcissus spp.

Daffodils are the most reliable spring bulb there is. Planted once in fall, they come back and multiply for decades, and deer, squirrels and voles leave them alone because every part of the plant is toxic. They need sun while growing, soil that drains, and their leaves left in place for about six weeks after flowering. Clumps that stop flowering after many years usually just need dividing.

Full sun to part shade Every 7-10 days in spring growth Very Easy

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Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia seguine

Dieffenbachia, commonly called Dumb Cane, is a bold tropical foliage plant with large, dramatically patterned leaves in shades of green, cream, and white. Native to Central and South America, it is one of the most tolerant large houseplants available, adapting well to low light, average humidity, and inconsistent watering. Its striking upright form and fast growth make it a popular choice for offices and living rooms.

Medium indirect Weekly Easy

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Dracaena

Dracaena spp.

Dracaenas are one of the most forgiving houseplants you can own. With their bold, strap-like leaves in deep green, yellow-edged, or tri-color combinations, they bring a tropical, architectural quality to any room. Native to tropical Africa, Madagascar, and parts of southern Asia, dracaenas tolerate low light, infrequent watering, and dry indoor air; making them a top pick for offices, beginners, and anyone who travels.

Low to bright indirect Every 2–3 weeks Easy

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English Ivy

Hedera helix

English Ivy is a classic trailing and climbing vine with distinctive lobed leaves that come in solid green, variegated, or miniature forms. Indoors it thrives in cool, bright conditions with consistent moisture and good humidity. Ivy is more demanding than many houseplants: it needs regular watering, dislikes dry air, and attracts spider mites when stressed. But in the right conditions it grows vigorously, trails beautifully from shelves, and is one of the most recognizable and elegant houseplants available.

Medium to bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Moderate

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Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a showstopping statement plant with large, violin-shaped leaves that can grow up to 15 inches long. Native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa, it's more demanding than some houseplants; but its dramatic architectural foliage has made it one of the most sought-after indoor trees. With consistent care and the right conditions, a Fiddle Leaf Fig rewards you with stunning growth.

Bright indirect Weekly Moderate

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Fittonia

Fittonia albivenis

Fittonia, commonly called the Nerve Plant, is a low-growing tropical ground cover with striking mosaic-like leaf venation in white, red, or pink on a deep green background. Native to the tropical rainforests of Peru, it demands high humidity and consistent moisture but stays compact enough for terrariums, small pots, and dish gardens. Its dramatic wilting when thirsty and equally dramatic recovery after watering has earned it the nickname 'drama plant.'

Low to medium indirect Every 3-5 days Intermediate

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Green Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

Green beans are one of the easiest and most productive vegetables to grow from seed. They are sown straight into warm soil, need little fertilizer because they make much of their own nitrogen, and start bearing in about two months. Bush beans give a big crop over a few weeks; pole beans climb and keep producing for much longer. The two rules that matter most are waiting for warm soil and picking often.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 3-4 days in summer Easy

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Hosta

Hosta spp.

Hostas are the backbone of the shade garden: long-lived perennials grown for their leaves, in every shade from blue-green to gold, and in sizes from a few inches to several feet across. Given shade, steady moisture and rich soil, a clump gets bigger and better for decades. Their real enemies are slugs and deer, which can reduce a plant to stems overnight. Hostas need a cold winter to rest and are toxic to cats and dogs.

Part shade to full shade Every 4-7 days in summer Easy

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Hoya

Hoya carnosa

Hoya, also called the Wax Plant, is a beloved trailing succulent-like vine prized for its waxy leaves and fragrant clusters of star-shaped flowers. Native to South and Southeast Asia, hoyas are slow-growing but exceptionally long-lived, often becoming family heirlooms. They are remarkably tolerant of neglect, low humidity, and inconsistent watering, making them an ideal plant for beginners and collectors alike.

Bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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Hydrangea

Hydrangea spp.

Hydrangeas are thirsty, generous shrubs, and the single most important thing to know about yours is which kind it is. Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas flower on last year's stems, so pruning them in fall or spring cuts off this summer's flowers. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on new growth and can be cut back hard in late winter. Get that right, give them steady water and the right amount of sun, and they bloom for months. On bigleaf types, soil acidity also decides whether the flowers are blue or pink.

Morning sun, afternoon shade Every 2-4 days in summer Easy to Intermediate

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Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

The Jade Plant is one of the most beloved succulents in the world, prized for its thick, glossy leaves and tree-like silhouette. Native to South Africa, it can live for decades with minimal care, making it a favorite heirloom plant. Its ability to tolerate neglect, low humidity, and infrequent watering makes it ideal for beginners and busy plant owners alike.

Bright direct/indirect Every 2-3 weeks Easy

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Lavender

Lavandula spp.

Lavender is a sun-loving Mediterranean herb with fragrant purple flowers and silver-green foliage. It's rewarding to grow but has specific requirements: maximum sunlight, excellent drainage, and a lean soil. Meeting those three conditions almost guarantees success; ignoring any one of them is the most common reason lavender dies indoors.

Full sun (6+ hours direct) Every 1–2 weeks, when top 2 inches of soil are dry Medium

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Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Lettuce is the easiest salad crop to grow and one of the fastest, ready to pick about a month after sowing for baby leaves. It is a cool-season plant with shallow roots, so it wants steady moisture and mild weather. Heat and long days make it bolt and turn bitter, which is why the best lettuce comes in spring and fall. Other salad greens such as spinach and arugula grow in much the same way and bolt for the same reasons.

Full sun to part shade Every 2-3 days Easy

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Marigold

Tagetes spp.

Marigolds are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed: they sprout in days, bloom within two months, and keep flowering in heat that stops many other annuals. They want full sun, soil that drains, and less water and fertilizer than most people give them. Deadhead them and they flower until frost. They are also a good companion in the vegetable garden, mainly because they bring in pollinators and pest-eating insects.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 3-5 days in summer Very Easy

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Mint

Mentha spp.

Mint is the one herb that is hard to kill and hard to contain. It is a hardy perennial that comes back every spring in most of the US, grows in sun or part shade, and spreads by underground runners that will take over a bed within a season or two. Grow it in a pot, keep it moist, cut it often, and it supplies leaves from spring to frost. Most mint problems are the plant doing too well rather than too badly.

Full sun to part shade Every 2-4 days in summer Very Easy

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Money Tree

Pachira aquatica

A tropical tree prized for its braided trunk and lush green palmate leaves, the money tree thrives in bright indirect light and needs infrequent watering.

Bright Indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa

The Swiss Cheese Plant is beloved for its dramatic, fenestrated leaves. Native to the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico and Central America, Monstera deliciosa is an easy-care climbing aroid that thrives indoors. Its iconic split leaves have made it one of the most popular houseplants worldwide.

Bright indirect Weekly Easy

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Orchid

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)

Phalaenopsis orchids are the most popular houseplant orchid, prized for their long-lasting blooms that can persist for 2–3 months. Despite their exotic reputation, moth orchids are surprisingly adaptable to typical home conditions. The key to success is understanding that they're epiphytes; in nature they grow on tree branches, not in soil; which changes everything about how you water, pot, and feed them.

Bright indirect Every 7-10 days Moderate

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Oxalis

Oxalis triangularis

Oxalis triangularis, or Purple Shamrock, is a charming indoor plant with dramatic triangular leaves in deep purple or burgundy that fold downward at night and reopen in the morning. It produces delicate pink or white flowers nearly year-round in good light. Native to Brazil, it grows from small bulb-like corms, goes dormant periodically, and bounces back reliably. Its easy care, low space requirements, and photonastic leaf movements make it a favorite for plant lovers of all levels.

Bright indirect Weekly Easy

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Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

Peace Lilies are elegant flowering plants that thrive in low light; a rare combination in the houseplant world. Their graceful white spathes (often mistaken for petals) and glossy dark green foliage make them popular for homes and offices alike. As one of NASA's top air-purifying plants, they remove common indoor toxins while adding a touch of tropical elegance to any room.

Low to medium indirect Weekly Easy

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Peperomia

Peperomia spp.

Peperomias are a diverse genus of over 1,000 species; compact, low-maintenance houseplants that come in a striking range of leaf shapes, textures, and colors. From the waxy, coin-shaped leaves of Peperomia obtusifolia to the deeply textured, watermelon-striped leaves of P. argyreia, there's a peperomia for every taste and space. They're ideal for beginners, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants a beautiful collection without a demanding care routine.

Medium to bright indirect Every 1–2 weeks Easy

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Petunia

Petunia × atkinsiana

Petunias are the workhorse flower of hanging baskets and window boxes, blooming from late spring until frost if they get three things: full sun, steady water and regular food. Most petunia problems come from running short of one of them. They also get leggy by midsummer, and a hard cutback then is what keeps them full and flowering into fall. The slightly sticky feel of the leaves and stems is normal.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 1-3 days in summer Easy

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Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are a diverse genus of over 400 tropical species, ranging from compact vining heartleaf types to dramatic self-heading varieties with massive split leaves. Native to Central and South American rainforests, they're among the easiest tropical plants to grow indoors; fast-growing, forgiving, and available in an incredible range of leaf shapes and colors.

Medium to bright indirect Weekly Easy

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Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Often called Devil's Ivy for its near-indestructible nature, Pothos is one of the most forgiving houseplants available. Its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves make it perfect for beginners and experienced plant parents alike. With dozens of stunning varieties and a tolerance for neglect, it's the plant that started many a houseplant obsession.

Low to bright indirect Weekly Very Easy

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Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura

The prayer plant folds its leaves upward at night like hands in prayer and thrives in medium indirect light with consistent moisture and high humidity.

Medium Indirect Every 5-7 days Moderate

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Rose

Rosa spp.

Roses have a reputation for being demanding, and some are. Modern shrub roses are not: planted in full sun with good drainage, watered deeply, and pruned once a year, they bloom in flushes from late spring to frost with little fuss. Most rose trouble is disease, black spot above all, and the best defense is choosing a disease-resistant variety, keeping the leaves dry and clearing fallen leaves.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 3-7 days in summer Easy to Intermediate

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Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen herb native to the dry, sun-drenched coastal hills of the Mediterranean. Unlike the tropical houseplants in most indoor collections, it evolved in rocky, nutrient-poor soil with full sun and minimal rainfall; which translates to a houseplant with fundamentally different needs: maximum light, very little water, and dry air. Growing rosemary indoors successfully is mostly about resisting the urge to overwater and finding your sunniest window. Reward yourself with the culinary treasure growing on your windowsill, and enjoy the focus-enhancing aromatherapy benefits that research has linked to improved alertness and memory.

Full sun When soil is dry Easy-Moderate

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Rubber Plant

Ficus elastica

Rubber Plants are bold statement plants with thick, glossy leaves in deep green or dramatic burgundy. A close relative of the Fiddle Leaf Fig but significantly easier to care for, they offer the same impressive, tree-like presence without the fussy temperament. Available in several stunning color varieties, Rubber Plants can grow into impressive 6-8 foot indoor trees with proper care.

Bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Snake Plants are nearly indestructible. Their architectural, upright leaves add bold structure to any space while requiring minimal care. Recently reclassified from Sansevieria to Dracaena, these succulents are among the hardiest houseplants you can own; perfect for beginners, frequent travelers, or anyone who wants greenery without the fuss.

Low to bright indirect Every 2-3 weeks Very Easy

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Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum

Spider Plants are classic houseplants known for producing adorable baby plantlets that dangle from long arching stems like spiders on a web. They're incredibly resilient, non-toxic to cats and dogs, and perfect for beginners. Few plants are as satisfying to propagate; a single mature spider plant can produce dozens of babies each year that you can root and share.

Bright indirect Weekly Very Easy

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String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii

String of Hearts is a trailing succulent-like vine from southern Africa with delicate heart-shaped leaves patterned in silver, green, and purple. Its thin cascading stems can reach several feet long, making it one of the most striking plants for hanging baskets and high shelves. It stores water in its leaves and tuberous roots, giving it excellent drought tolerance. The combination of beauty and forgiveness makes it a favorite among collectors and beginners alike.

Bright indirect Every 1-2 weeks Easy

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String of Pearls

Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)

String of Pearls is a striking trailing succulent native to the dry regions of southwest Africa. Its cascading stems of perfectly round, pea-shaped leaves can grow several feet long, making it a dramatic choice for hanging baskets, high shelves, or trailing over the edge of a pot. Each bead-like leaf has a translucent 'window' that lets light penetrate deep into the leaf for photosynthesis; an adaptation to its arid homeland. While it has a reputation as a tricky plant, success comes down to bright light, sparse watering, and well-draining soil.

Bright indirect to direct Every 1-2 weeks Moderate

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Succulents

Various genera (Echeveria, Sempervivum, Sedum, Haworthia, etc.)

Succulents are drought-tolerant plants with thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Found on every continent except Antarctica, they range from tiny rosettes to towering columns. Their low-maintenance reputation makes them favorites for beginners, but understanding their specific needs; especially around watering and light; is the key to keeping them thriving rather than just surviving.

Bright direct to indirect Every 1-3 weeks Easy

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Sweet Pepper

Capsicum annuum

Sweet peppers are slower and fussier than tomatoes, and more rewarding once you know why. They need real heat to grow, but drop their flowers when nights turn cool or days turn scorching, so most of the season's crop sets in a window between the two. Water them evenly to avoid blossom-end rot, give them full sun, and be patient: a green pepper is simply an unripe one, and leaving it on the plant for a few more weeks turns it red, yellow or orange and noticeably sweeter.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 2-4 days in summer Easy to Intermediate

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Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Thyme is a small, woody perennial herb from dry Mediterranean hillsides, and it grows best when treated that way. It wants full sun, sharp drainage, lean soil and very little water once established. More thyme is killed by wet soil than by cold or neglect. Trim it after flowering to keep it bushy, and expect to replace it every few years as the center turns woody.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 7-10 days when established Easy

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Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

The tomato is usually the first plant people grow once they move from windowsills to a garden bed, and it repays attention more than almost anything else you can plant. It is a tender perennial grown as an annual: productive from midsummer until the first frost kills it outright. It asks for more direct sun than any houseplant, water that reaches the roots rather than the leaves, and something sturdy to climb. Get those three right and a single plant will out-produce a supermarket shelf.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 1-3 days in summer Easy to Intermediate

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Tradescantia

Tradescantia zebrina

Tradescantia, commonly called Spiderwort or Wandering Dude, is one of the fastest-growing and most colorful trailing houseplants available. Its striking leaves come in combinations of purple, silver, green, and pink depending on the variety. Native to Mexico and Central America, it is an extremely forgiving plant that thrives in a wide range of conditions. Tradescantia grows so fast it practically propagates itself.

Bright indirect Weekly Easy

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Tulip

Tulipa spp.

Tulips are planted in fall and flower in spring, and almost everything about growing them follows from that: the bulbs need a long winter chill, well-drained soil, and to be left alone to store energy after they bloom. Many garden hybrids flower brilliantly in their first spring and less each year after, so many gardeners treat them as annuals and replant. Squirrels and deer like them as much as people do, and the whole plant, especially the bulb, is toxic to cats and dogs.

Full sun, 6 or more hours Every 7-10 days in spring growth Easy

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Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Zinnias are the easiest cut flower to grow from seed and one of the most rewarding. Sow them in warm soil and they bloom in about two months, then keep producing all summer: the more you cut, the more they flower. They love heat and full sun and are a favorite of butterflies. Their one weak point is powdery mildew, which is why watering at the base, giving them space, and choosing resistant varieties matter.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 3-5 days in summer Very Easy

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Zucchini and Summer Squash

Cucurbita pepo

Zucchini and the other summer squashes are famously productive: one or two healthy plants feed a household, and a fruit missed for three days becomes a club. They need warm soil, full sun, room to spread, steady water and bees. The things that end a squash season early are mostly insects rather than weather, so knowing what squash vine borers and squash bugs look like is as important as watering. Pick small and often, and the plants keep going until the borers, mildew or frost catch up.

Full sun, 6 to 8 hours Every 2-3 days in summer Easy

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ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

The ZZ Plant is virtually indestructible, with waxy, dark green leaves that stay glossy even through weeks of neglect. Native to eastern Africa, it stores water in thick underground rhizomes that allow it to survive drought conditions other houseplants couldn't handle. Perfect for forgetful waterers, dim offices, and anyone who wants a polished look with zero fuss.

Low to bright indirect Every 2-3 weeks Very Easy