For the uninitiated, the best plants for beginners aren’t necessarily the ones you first suspect. Indeed, there are other options besides the ubiquitous rose-shaped succulent out there—from aloe vera and spider plants to rubber plants and peperomia. ZZ plantThe ZZ plant is nearly as easy to care for as a faux plant. The ZZ plant loves dryer soil and bright, indirect light, but can survive lower light as well. “If your place doesn’t get great light, then I suggest a ZZ plant,” says Paul Thompson, a plant consultant, stylist, and chemistry teacher.