Indoor house plants have been used to decorate homes for ages, but that trend has recently been increasing as people become more environmentally conscious. Having plants of your own helps to bring a bit of the natural world into your home and has great benefits. The presence of plants can help ease anxiety, purify the air in your home and teach you how to nurture living things, and even grow some of your own food. However, as nice as the idea of a home full of plants is, keeping them healthy and alive can be tricky. These five common houseplants are easy to take care of and a great option for people new to having plants, or just for those who do not have a green thumb.

Cacti
Cacti generally require very little maintenance, and come in many sizes and varieties. Desert cacti like bright, direct sunlight and only need watering when their soil has dried out. If your home does not receive much light, forest cacti might be a better option, because they prefer lower light and more regular watering. All cacti need to be planted in well-draining soil. Depending on the species you buy, many cacti also have a growing season, where they need more water, and a dormant season when they need very little to no water.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The wide green and yellow leaves of a snake plant make a great room decoration. Other than appearances, this plant is great to add to your home because it helps purify air and is extremely adaptable. They can thrive in bright or low light, and need little water. Make sure to let the soil dry out before its next watering, because sitting in wet soil consistently will damage the plant.

Spider Plant
Spider plants will need a good amount of space because they can grow very quickly. Under the right conditions, they even grow baby spider plants off of shoots! Like the snake plant, they can thrive in most conditions, but do best in bright but indirect light. Their soil like to dry out between waterings, but will need watering regularly. It is also important to make sure that it is in well-draining soil.

Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are remarkable at purifying the air surrounding them. These plants prefer humid environments, so placing them somewhere in a kitchen or bathroom is a good idea. Wherever they are placed, they need to be in partial shade. Peace Lilies need watering once every one or two weeks, or when their leaves start bending which is their way of telling you they are thirsty.

String of Pearls
This plant is a trailing succulent that stores water in their pearl-shaped leaves. Like cacti, these plants need bright, direct sunlight and warm temperatures. They are excellent at saving water, so they do not need much watering.