If every plant you’ve ever owned has mysteriously died… you’re not alone.
Most people assume they’re “bad at plants” — but the truth is, it’s usually not you.
It’s the plant.
Some plants are just dramatic. Others? Practically impossible to kill.
And the good news is: a lot of the easy ones are actually edible.
So if you’ve ever wanted to grow your own food — but don’t trust yourself to keep anything alive — start here.
🌱 Before You Start (This Matters More Than the Plant)
Quick truth: most plants don’t fail because they’re “difficult” — they fail because of setup.
If you get these basics right, everything becomes easier:
- A pot with proper drainage
- A bright spot (not necessarily direct sun)
- Soil that doesn’t stay soggy
👉 If you’ve struggled before, even one of these can make a huge difference:
- Self-watering pots (great if you forget to water)
- Simple LED grow lights (especially in UK winters)
- A basic moisture meter (takes the guesswork out)
You don’t need all of these — but they can turn a failing plant into a thriving one.
🪴 1. Mint (Almost Impossible to Kill)
If you manage to kill mint, it’s genuinely impressive.
Mint grows fast, forgives missed watering, and bounces back even when it looks a bit sad.
How to grow it:
- Keep it in a pot (it spreads everywhere otherwise)
- Water when the soil feels dry
- Pop it on a windowsill or outside
Why it’s beginner-proof:
It grows aggressively — which means even mistakes won’t stop it.
👉 If you enjoyed this, you’ll love my full guide to herbs:
“Best Herbs You Can Grow at Home (Even Without a Garden)”
🌿 2. Chives (Low Effort, High Reward)
Chives are one of those plants you can almost ignore — and they’ll still grow.
They’re also perfect if you want that “I grow my own food” feeling with minimal effort.
How to grow it:
- Give them light (windowsill is perfect)
- Water occasionally
- Snip regularly to encourage regrowth
Why it’s beginner-proof:
Cut them down and they just… grow back.
🥬 3. Lettuce (Fast + Forgiving)
If you want quick wins, lettuce is it.
You can start harvesting in just a few weeks — and it keeps coming back.
How to grow it:
- Use a shallow pot or tray
- Keep soil slightly moist
- Harvest outer leaves first
Why it’s beginner-proof:
Even if you forget about it for a bit, it usually recovers.
👉 I go into more detail here:
🌱 4. Spring Onions (Regrow From Shop-Bought)
This is the ultimate low-effort hack.
Buy spring onions once — and you can regrow them again and again.
How to grow it:
- Place the white ends in water
- Leave on a windowsill
- Watch them regrow in days
Why it’s beginner-proof:
You don’t even need soil to start.
🌿 5. Basil (Easier Than You Think)
Basil has a reputation for being tricky — but that’s mostly because supermarket plants are overcrowded.
Give it a bit of space, and it’s surprisingly easy.
How to grow it:
- Split supermarket plants into multiple pots
- Keep in a warm, bright spot
- Water regularly (but don’t soak)
Why it’s beginner-proof:
Once established, it grows quickly and responds well to pruning.
👉 If your basil always dies, this setup is usually the reason.
🌱 6. Radishes (Fastest Grower on This List)
Radishes are perfect if you want instant gratification.
They grow ridiculously fast — sometimes ready in under a month.
How to grow it:
- Sow directly into soil
- Keep watered
- Give them light
Why it’s beginner-proof:
They’re quick, resilient, and don’t need much attention.
🥬 7. Spinach (Grows Almost Anywhere)
Spinach is one of the easiest leafy greens you can grow.
It doesn’t need perfect conditions — just a bit of light and water.
How to grow it:
- Sow in pots or beds
- Water regularly
- Harvest young leaves
Why it’s beginner-proof:
It tolerates less-than-perfect light and still produces.
🌱 Final Thought: Start Small (Seriously)
You don’t need to grow everything at once.
Pick one or two plants from this list and start there.
Because once you get your first success — even something as simple as regrowing spring onions — everything clicks into place.
And suddenly, you’re not “bad at plants” anymore.