Three Low-Effort Houseplants to Combat Winter Blues

From Issue Five of Gear Patrol Magazine.
Discounted domestic shipping + 15% off in the GP store for new subscribers.

A good houseplant can purify the air, help relieve stress or simply liven up an empty corner. But choose the wrong species and routine maintenance quickly becomes a chore — especially in the winter, when dark days compound with busy travel schedules. The good news is that not every houseplant requires daily, or even weekly, attention. There are plenty of handsome, low-effort species ready to tackle the long winter ahead — forgetful thumbs be damned.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Eight-Inch Spun Planter by Yield $90

This tropical perennial is well loved for its ability to withstand months of neglect. In fact, the easiest ways to kill one is by overwatering or placing it directly in sunlight.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Mini Cachepot by Prin London $67

Found at nearly every gardening store in the country, pothos is among the most forgiving of all houseplants. It thrives in various light conditions and doesn’t even require soil; its cuttings will survive just fine in a container with water.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Plant Stand and Planter by Andrew Molleur $450

Though happiest in bright, indirect light, the rubber tree is quite resilient for a plant of its size; in the wild, it can grow to heights of 100 feet and live for more than a century. It’s best to occasionally mist a rubber tree if the air is warm and dry from a heater, for example.

Read More in Gear Patrol Magazine

A version of this story appears in Gear Patrol Magazine: Issue Five, 270 pages of guides and reports that put product first. Subscribe Now: $39

Related Topics