Low Maintenance Indoor Plants - Easy Care Houseplants

Lavender ‘Margaret Roberts’ is one of South Africa’s most beloved lavender varieties, celebrated for its fragrance, resilience, and iconic purple blooms. Hardy, evergreen, and naturally waterwise, it thrives in the Western Cape’s sunny climate and keeps gardens looking beautiful year-round.

From spring into summer, tall silver-green stems produce masses of purple flower spikes, filling the air with scent and attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, and trim after flowering to maintain shape and enjoy repeat flushes of flowers.

While Lavenders can thrive in pots, ensure you use high-quality, well-draining potting soil. For optimal growth, consider fertilizing Lavender 'Margaret Roberts' from spring to autumn with products like Atlantic Bio Ocean or Vigorosa 5:1:5.

Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum sinensis) is one of Cape Town’s most reliable and fast-growing hedging plants, valued for its glossy evergreen leaves and dense, year-round growth.

Perfect for creating privacy screens or windbreaks, it thrives in Western Cape gardens, adapting easily to both clay and sandy soils.

Plant in full sun to semi-shade and water well during establishment. Regular trimming will keep it lush and compact. This versatile shrub can be shaped into an evergreen hedge, trained as a small tree, or used in large containers.

Clivia – Indigenous Spring Bloomer for Shade or Under Trees

The Clivia,also known as 'St. John's Lily'' is a beloved South African classic, ideal for planting beneath trees or in shaded spots where few other plants thrive. With vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms in spring and bold, strap-like leaves year-round, it makes a striking feature plant for any garden.

Once established,'Clivia' is low maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for Cape Town’s waterwise gardeners.

• Indigenous and shade-loving
• Spring-flowering with bold blooms
• Excellent in mass plantings or containers
• Grows well with minimal care
• Ideal for Western Cape’s winter rainfall gardens

Tulbaghia violacea, commonly known as Wild Garlic or Wildeknoffel, is a tough, clump-forming perennial that delivers colour and fragrance from midsummer to autumn. Its narrow leaves and tall stems carry clusters of violet flowers, creating a striking display when mass-planted in borders, pathways, or rockeries.

Beyond its beauty, Wild Garlic is edible — the leaves can be used as a mild substitute for garlic or chives in cooking. Plant in full sun or semi-shade in well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-resistant, low-maintenance, and easy to grow, making it one of the most reliable indigenous perennials for Western Cape gardens.

 The Bird of Paradise is an unmistakable South African icon, admired for its bold, tropical foliage and brilliant orange-and-blue flowers. A focal plant in any landscape, it provides year-round greenery and dramatic colour when in bloom mainly during May to December.

Best grown in full sun to light shade, Strelitzia reginae is hardy, low-maintenance, and waterwise once established. Its architectural leaves make it equally striking in modern gardens, containers, or as a feature near a pool or patio.

This indigenous beauty is a wind-resistant plant and  suitable for coastal gardens.

Provided with lots of bright light with some direct sun, they can be successfully grown indoors.

Feed with compost in early spring before new growth begins and then fertilize during the growing season.

 The Water Pear is a hardy, indigenous evergreen that thrives in the Western Cape’s varied conditions — from urban gardens to larger landscapes. With its dense, glossy foliage and quick growth, it forms a lush, year-round screen that delivers privacy, shade, and natural noise reduction.

From August to December, it delights with clusters of creamy-white, sweetly scented flowers that attract bees and bring seasonal interest. Plant in full sun with moist, well-drained soil, and water regularly during the first year. Once established, it becomes low-maintenance and waterwise, making it a favourite for sustainable, long-term planting.

The large-lobed, evergreen leaves of Philodendron'Hope',also known as 'Tree Philodendron', add a tropical flair to any space. This versatile beauty can be used as a solitary specimen, in lobbies, on patios or in the garden. An easy-care plant that filters toxins from the air when used indoors. Great in containers -indoors or outdoors. Plant Philodendron 'Hope' in well drained soil to ensure optimal growth.

Portulacaria Afra, also known as 'Spekboom', is an easy-to-grow indigenous plant typically reaching heights of 2 meters in garden settings. Its small, non-invasive root system makes it perfect for poolside or boundary planting. With its compact structure, it's an excellent choice for accent planting, bonsai enthusiasts and landscapers. Creates perfect hedges and garden borders and readily accepts regular pruning. Spekboom is a truly 'green' succulent playing a vital role in combating air pollution by acting as a carbon sponge, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Australian Brush-Cherry (also known as Eugenia myrtifolia) is a popular plant for topiaries, hedging and screening. It makes a strong trimmed hedge and is a fast grower. Untrimmed it forms an excellent boundary wind break.  Small fluffy white flowers early summer are  followed by small, dark pink to red edible berries that will attract birds to the garden. Can grow in narrow areas between buildings due to its ability to adapt to light changing conditions.  Has a shallow root system. 

This plant thrives in full sun to semi-shade and responds well to pruning, making it perfect for formal hedges or sculpted shapes. It is suited to a range of soil types, provided they are well-draining, and benefits from regular watering, especially when young. Once established, it becomes moderately waterwise.

 Well adapted to coastal areas and windy conditions, the brush-cherry is a favourite among Cape gardeners for its neat appearance, easy maintenance, and all-season appeal.

Dietes grandiflora, also known as the 'Fairy Iris' or' Wild Iris' , is a standout choice, especially when planted in mass groupings. Its orchid-like flowers create a spectacular display throughout spring and summer, making it a garden favorite. For an even more stunning summer showcase, consider mixing it with blue Agapanthus for colour contrast.

Plant in well-drained soil with sun exposure, water regularly, and deadhead spent flowers for continuous blooming. The Fairy iris is a low-maintenance garden favorite.

A popular dark-green, clump forming ornamental grass that requires little care once established. It is a perfect groundcover and is commonly used to fill the gaps between stepping stones and pavers.

Agapanthus 'Wilgenhof Blue',also known as 'African Lily', is a hardy agapanthus variety boasting medium-sized, strap-like leaves and stunning umbels of sky-blue flowers. These blossoms grace long stalks and bloom from December to April, making them perfect for cut flower arrangements.

They thrive in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Ensure regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming, and consider dividing the plant every few years to maintain its vigor. Agapanthus'Wilgenhof Blue' is a versatile beauty requiring minimal maintenance.

The Wild Banana,also known as 'Giant White Bird of Paradise, is an attention-grabbing evergreen that effortlessly brings a lush tropical ambiance to your garden. Notably, while its appearance is captivating, its aggressive root system requires mindful placement away from paths and structures. The Wild Banana produces spectacular,large blue and white flowers throughout the year,but their peak flowering season start in Spring and Summer.    Additionally,Strelitzia Reginae is a versatile choice as it can thrive both outdoors and as an indoor plant. Indigenous and well-suited for coastal environments, the Wild Banana offers a touch of paradise to any garden.

The 'Tree Aloe' is Africa's tallest Aloe and forms branches with orange spikes as flowers, creating an excellent focal point in any garden. Widely used for its architectural shape, this evergreen giant is perfect as a dramatic feature plant in large gardens and coastal properties. Often used in office parks and commercial sites,'Aloe bainesii' offers year-round structure and beauty.                                                                                                                          Young trees do well in pots, but ensure the pot is sturdy and wide. 'Tree Aloe' is proudly indigenous and thrives in full sun and dry conditions, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens in the Western Cape.

 Philodendron Selloum (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) is a bold foliage plant with large, glossy, deeply cut leaves.

In Western Cape gardens, it thrives in shade to semi-shade, adding a tropical feel to borders or patios. Indoors, it brings lush greenery to living spaces.

Water deeply but allow soil to drain well, and protect from frost in winter. A long-lived, statement plant for both gardens and large containers.

'Snake Plants', sometimes referred to as' Mother-in-law's-tongue', are some of the toughest plants you can find. They are one of the best air-purifier plants, especially for people with allergies. Whether indoors, in your garden or on your balcony, these spiky beauties create striking contrast when being grouped with other plants.The 'Snake Plant' is ideal for beginner gardeners,apartments or offices; remaining a timeless favourite in Western Cape homes.

Evolvulus 'Blue my mind'(also known as Dwarf Morning Glory) has tiny blue blossoms covering these silvery-leaved plants for extended periods.  An ideal choice for ground covers in gardens or containers, creating a mound of vivid blue blooms. These resilient plants thrive in heat and drought conditions, making them excellent ground covers and companions for mixed baskets and pots. They thrive in scorching temperatures and shine in full sun. Furthermore, once established, 'Blue my Mind' requires minimal watering due to their drought tolerance.

A best-seller. Popular due to its attractive foliage, drought tolerance and pest free nature this plant looks fantastic in hanging baskets or containers. Widely used as a quick spreading ground cover for outdoor garden landscaping. The variegated leaves brighten up a shady area. This favourite prefers partial shade, especially in hot climates.  The plant produces long, slender stems which carry white flowers and plantlets at the tip of the flowers.  A single plant with its stems soon become a mother plant surrounded by its 'babies' and therefore the name 'hen and chickens' Water regularly during the growing season but sparingly in winter when the plant is dormant. They prefer being watered from the bottom and not from above. Indigenous. 

The Honey-Bell Bush is a beautiful, tall growing indigenous shrub with slender, rather loosely spreading branches that flowers profusely. This fast-growing, waterwise shrub benefits by regular pruning to encourage bushy growth. Flowers mainly in Spring. The Honey-Bell Bush can also be used to create a hedge and does equally well in patio pots.

This proudly indigenous plant is also commonly known as the 'Natal Plum' or 'Large Num-Num'. An extremely easy-to-grow, thorny shrub often used for hedges. It produces glossy, deep green leaves and highly fragrant,snowy white flowers in summer. The ornamental plump, round, crimson fruit appears in summer and autumn at the same time as the blooms.  A popular indigenous, evergreen choice for coastal gardens.                                                      Plant 1m apart for an impenetrable hedge.'Natal Plum' is easy to grow and low maintenance.                                                                                     

Agapanthus 'Mount Superior',also known as 'African Lily', is the brilliant pure white we recommend for your garden. A hardy and resilient choice that also does well in pots and  containers. A semi-evergreen shrub with a compact habit and white trumpet-shaped blooms in summer to early autumn.  Plant this elegant white Agapanthus in well-drained soil.

Elegant evergreen plant for Cape Town gardens or indoors. Cycas revoluta adds structure and texture with its distinctive palm-like fronds. Prefers bright, indirect light indoors or partial shade outdoors. Water when soil surface feels dry - avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot. Feed monthly during growing season with balanced fertilizer. Remove only completely brown fronds by cutting close to trunk. Growth is naturally slow, so be patient. Great in pots or planted in beds for dramatic architectural impact.

Reaching a height of 5m+ with a non-aggressive root system, the' Kei Apple' is an extremely versatile all-rounder that lends itself to many applications .It can be planted on its own, in a garden border or as a screening plant. It can be pruned to create a neat ,compact shape, which makes it ideal for use as container plant or bonsai. The dense, evergreen foliage and thorny branches of 'Dovyalis caffra' make it suitable for security hedging.

Various bird species,especially louries and black-eyed bulbuls, love the unusual golden fruit of the 'Kei Apple'.

An elegant and decorative palm, ideal for pool areas and small gardens. A slender medium-sized palm with a single stem that is topped with a crown of leaves that can each be up to 2.5 m long. Attractive when planted  along a driveway. Flowers in summer followed by red berry fruit. Fabulous in pots.

The Jade Plant'Sunset' is a popular and award-winning succulent shrub with glossy, rounded, fleshy green leaves adorned with golden yellow tips and red edges. Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers bloom from Autumn to Spring. As it ages, the stout grey trunk and limbs become massive and thick.The Jade Plant is versatile and easy to grow and perfect for succulent gardens,rockeries and indoor pot plants.

This evergreen beauty showcases glossy, oval leaves in a chic palette of dark green with stylish hints of pink and cream. Ruby loves medium indirect light but thrives with a touch of brightness to keep her variegated leaves on point.

Not just a style icon, she's also an air-purifying superstar, filtering toxins to keep your space fresh and clean. And for that extra shine, treat her to a leafy spa day with a gentle wipe using buttermilk or leaf gloss.

Neat compactly clustered foliage on arched fonds resembling a cat's tail. Looks great when planted in groups under trees. A hardy, evergreen, perennial. Tiny white, fragrant flowers in summer, followed by showy red berries from March that are attractive to birds. Easy to grow and indigenous. Can be grown as an indoor plant. It tolerates plenty of water but can handle drying out now and then.

Snake plants, sometimes referred to as mother-in-law's-tongue, are some of the toughest plants you can find. Whether indoors, in your garden or on your balcony, these spiky beauties with green and silver leaves can put up with almost anything. .

Hope is a soft succulent with light green, round foliage that is slightly thicker than most other peperomia varieties. These easy to care for beauties are ideal to bring a modern dash of colour to your interior space.

The Conebush 'Burgundy Sunset' (Leucadendron salignum x laureolum) features unusual dark burgundy foliage that provides year-round color in the garden. This beautiful hybrid creates stunning contrast with its rich, deep tones and adds dramatic interest to water-wise landscapes.

Growing Tips: Plant in well-draining soil in full sun for best color intensity. Very drought-tolerant once established and ideal for low maintenance, low water use gardens. Thrives in poor soils without fertilizer. Prune lightly to maintain compact shape and encourage dense growth.

The dense growth of 'Dune Crowberry' ensures that they make excellent wind breakers and large screening shrubs. They create beautiful clipped hedges and can be shaped to use in  containers and pots. Great for bonsai enthusiasts,due to its pruning adaptability.The 'Alex' variety has slightly larger leaves than other Searsia (Rhus) Crenata .'Dune Crowberry' is  indigenous and drought-and wind-resistant and does extremely well in coastal areas.

A very popular flowering houseplant, with glossy oval leaves that emerge from the ground. With enough light, your Peace lily will produce striking white flowers starting in the early summer, blooming throughout the year in the right conditions. Can withstand darker growing conditions but will not flower.

Does not want its roots wet and enjoys water at room temperature and not cold water. A good air purifier.

The Yellow Spekboom is an indigenous plant with bright yellow-green, rounded succulent leaves and a reddish stem. For gardening purposes the plant is grown for its striking leaf colour and water-wise attributes. The leaves are edible and the plant has marvelous air-purifying qualities. It helps fight air pollution in that it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting like a carbon sponge. Easy to grow and low-maintenance. It works well in hot, dry rockeries or grouped with other succulents in drought-prone areas.Yellow Spekboom happily provides bright evergreen leaf colour amongst plants receiving regular watering.

This versatile, low maintenance cultivar makes an excellent house plant, and is also ideal for hanging baskets or as a ground cover in the garden. In summer tiny white flowers are followed by attractive, bright red berries. Indigenous.  Can be grown as an indoor plant. It tolerates plenty of water but can handle drying out now and then.

A succulent perennial with erect, fleshy , bluish-green pencil-like stems. They are adorned with purple-green patterns and lined with soft spines along the sides. Brilliant red to orange thistle like flowers appear in summer. Easy to grow, the pickle plant is great for containers and can be used as a houseplant. Slightly cascading when mature,it is also perfect for hanging baskets.Also excellent for rock gardens and succulent gardens to add colour contrast and interest.

Chlorophytum comosum vittata stands out with its green-edged leaves, a deviation from the typical yellow variegation.

This indoor favorite excels in air purification and adapts beautifully to hanging baskets, containers, or as a ground cover in outdoor gardens, especially in partial shade.

Its slender stems produce delicate white flowers and 'babies,' earning it the endearing name 'hen and chickens.' Keep the soil consistently moist, avoiding waterlogged conditions, and water from the bottom. As an indigenous plant, it effortlessly blends into its environment

A succulent, evergreen trailing vine with dainty heart-shaped leaves, marbled with shades of silver and green on the top, and green to purple on the undersides. Bears small pinkish flowers and aerial tubers, which forms at the nodes along the delicate pink stems. Allow the soil to almost dry out before watering. In winter, water very sparingly. 

This quirky and fun trailing succulent with leaves that look like little dolphins will bring instant joy to your surroundings. Easy to grow, waterwise and can be grown indoors or outdoors.

The famous 'wonder plant' succulent with healing gel properties. Perfect for Cape Town's water-wise gardens, thriving in sunny spots with well-draining soil. Excellent in containers, borders, or as a striking indoor plant. For a contemporary look, remove soil from roots and display in a glass vase with water - creates a beautiful modern houseplant. Produces striking  flower spikes in winter.

This unique succulent has furry, grayish-green leaves with brown spotted tips. Opal-shaped leaves are covered in tiny hairs that gives the plant a velvety look and feel. Once mature they look fantastic placed in hanging baskets or displayed near windows and on shelves. Does best in bright light and indirect sunlight. An essential addition to any indoor succulent plant collection.

An ornamental shrub-like succulent with v-shaped oblong leaves growing from wine red stems.  The succulent leaves are a transparent green on top and red underneath.  Ruby Glow bears tiny yellow-white flowers on long stems that resembles a mouse tail.

The Jade Plant,also known as the 'Money Plant', is a well-known native succulent shrub with a compact growth habit. Ovata has glossy, grey-green,oval succulent leaves with a red margin and bears masses of pink flowers from Winter to Spring. The Jade plant's vibrant green leaves and tree-like structure make it a favourite for pots,windowsills,rockeries and succulent gardens.

The foliage of this stunning fern looks like emerald green flames.  An easy to care for houseplant, but do water regularly.  Ideal for a window sill with filtered light or a humid spot in the house or office.

This attractive shrub will form a dense mat, making it ideal as a groundcover or a climber in rocky gardens. It has small dark green leaves on red-brown stems with small yellow-white flowers from late spring.

These popular houseplants will be of major value to your living room. Its eye-catching, waxy heart-shaped spates, breathes an exotic and tropical atmoshere. The Anthurium blossoms constantly, so that you always have a flowering plant. Popular with florists the world over. Place them in a light but not too sunny spot. Water often but not too much.

The golden barrel cactus is armed with golden yellow spines. In its native Mexico, plants can eventually grow to around 90cm wide. It makes an easy to care for plant - feed plants once a month during the growing season, and it does not matter if it dries out from time to time. Be extremely careful not to over water - especially during winter. It makes a real statement when planted one per single contemporary planter. Or, if you have space, to place a set of these in a row in a bed with excellent drainage.

When used as an indoor plant, place the plant by a sunny window. 

Fan Aloe (Aloe Plicatilis) showcases architectural, fan-shaped foliage that stands up beautifully in Cape Town and George gardens. Ornamental, water-wise, and low-maintenance, this aloe is ideal for coastal wind exposure, dramatic rock garden accents, or container planting with minimal fuss.

An easy to care for climbing and trailing indoor plant, with thick lance-shaped leaves, speckled with silver. At first the leaves are purple and will turn green with maturity. May produce dusty pink-purple, star shaped flowers with a sweet scent.

* In plastic hanging basket

The Geraldton Wax 'Nina's Delight' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) floods your garden with purple blooms from mid-August onwards and makes a superb long-lasting cut flower. Tough, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, it's tailor-made for Cape Town's hot, dry summers and thrives in both coastal and inland settings.

Growing Tips: Prefers free-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Very drought-tolerant once established with minimal water requirements. Avoid heavy clay soils and over-watering. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage more blooms for next season.

Bring a touch of the exotic to your garden with the stunning Adenium obesum (Desert Rose). Known for its vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, red, and white, this striking succulent is a true showstopper. Its unique swollen trunk adds character, making it a perfect feature in pots or rock gardens. Drought-tolerant and easy to care for, the Impala Lily thrives in sunny spots, rewarding you with bursts of colour through the warmer months. Add this bold beauty to your collection and enjoy effortless elegance year-round!

These popular garden and container plants resemble miniature aloes. Their charm is in their small size, ease of growth, and the almost infinite variation of their delightful leaves.