Three houseplants that forgive almost anything: a ZZ plant, a snake plant and a spider plant, the ideal set for a first-time plant owner.

The ZZ plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, has glossy dark green leaflets on thick upright stems and stores water in fat rhizomes, so it shrugs off neglect. The snake plant, Dracaena trifasciata, still widely sold as Sansevieria, holds stiff upright sword-shaped leaves with green banding and is one of the toughest houseplants there is. The spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, makes a fountain of arching green and white striped leaves and produces dangling plantlets that can be potted up to make more. All three cope with the low light of a bedroom corner, a bathroom or an office, though they grow more strongly in brighter indirect light.

The one way to lose these plants is to water them too much. Let the compost dry out between waterings; the ZZ and snake plant need a drink only every two to four weeks, the spider plant about weekly in summer and less in winter. Use a free-draining houseplant compost and make sure the pots drain. Normal room temperatures suit them, above 10C and away from cold draughts. Feed once a month in spring and summer. Average household humidity is fine, though the spider plant enjoys an occasional mist.

Supplied as three plants in 1 litre root balls, ready to pot into your own containers. The ZZ plant and the snake plant are harmful if eaten and the ZZ plant's sap can irritate skin and eyes, so keep them away from children, cats and dogs.

Cultural Information

Common Name: ZZ plant, snake plant and spider plant

Fully Grown Height and Spread: ZZ plant 45 to 60cm, snake plant 30 to 120cm, spider plant 30 to 45cm

Growth Habit: Upright clump, upright rosette, and arching with trailing plantlets

Perfect For: Bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and low-light rooms

Foliage: Glossy dark green leaflets, stiff banded sword-shaped leaves, and green and white striped leaves

Flowering Time: Grown for foliage

Planting Position: Bright, medium or low light indoors

Soil Type: Free-draining, peat-free houseplant compost

Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 10C

Maintenance: Low; let the compost dry out between waterings

Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage

Type: Houseplant collection of three plants