Plants add freshness, colour and zest to any home. Not only do they enhance indoor air quality, but they are also one of the most inexpensive ways to pretty up your home decor. Besides, gardening can be therapeutic.

Do you, like me, worry about not having a green thumb? I always wished for a green balcony garden. I imagined myself sitting with a cup of coffee and a book while little birds kept me company from time to time. Alas, I soon realized that before I grow plants, I had to develop a green thumb.

Yes, I have, over the past years, routinely killed even the hardiest plants, but I didn't give up. The good news? I have surprised myself this year by keeping most of my plants alive. So, that gives me bragging rights and the knowledge to share the list of easy, simple, fuss-free plants to grow. If I can grow them, anyone can.

Top seven household plants that will bring your home alive:

Spider plant
This can grow well in indirect light conditions. Place it near a bright window sill or the French door of a living room. The soil needs to be moist but not soggy. Watering it once a week is sufficient. Let the top soil dry out before you water next time.

Pothos
Also known as the money plant variety, this is one of the simplest plants to keep in your home. It grows well in soil and can be propagated in water. It can tolerate low light too. Hence, make for great indoor plants. It does not require full sunlight. So, keep away from the harsh afternoon sun.

Syngonium
With arrow-shaped leaves, these plants look pretty on a table or near the kitchen window. They are indoor plants as they love bright indirect sunlight. Water them thoroughly till the water drains out completely. The topsoil should be dry when you water next time.

Song of India
This is a hardy plant, and I say this from my experience. Three years now, and it's thriving with minimal support from my side. It tends to attract mealy bugs, so you need to watch out for white bugs or white powdery residue on the leaves. If you spot these, use a mixture of water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and spray on the infected areas. You can wipe the leaves off the bugs and residue if it's in the beginning stage. I had to chop off an entire branch because they had spread far too much. However, the plant recovered and began to grow again.

Wandering Jew or the Inch plant
This is a fast-growing vine with lovely purple-coloured leaves that adds beauty to any space. Placed in hanging pots, these are easy to grow without much care. They prefer moist soil (but not soggy) at all times. They can grow well in partial shade.

Paan
Paan or betel leaf plant loves hot and humid climates but does well even in cooler (but not frosty) climes. Although it loves water, be sure you don't overwater. Else their roots would start to rot. It's a creeper. So, you support it using a moss stick or place them in hanging baskets. It's a pleasure to see them thrive for the added benefit of getting your vettalai on demand.

Chinese Fan Palm
They grow slowly but are tough-to-kill plants. The leaves open like an umbrella adding a majestic presence to your garden space. They can tolerate low water (very forgiving if you forget to water!) and indirect sunlight.

All of the above need well-draining soil to ensure no water-logging. Apart from a little peek every day to check their water requirements and see how they are doing these don't require any special caretaking.

So, go ahead. Get these beauties to adorn your home, and let us know how they fare.