An indoor houseplant can make even the bleakest apartment feel more like home, but there are so many plants to choose from! If you want to start with the best houseplants, you’ll want to keep these 13 popular plants in mind. Whether you prefer low-maintenance plants that require very little light or would rather choose something colorful and tropical, there’s sure to be an indoor houseplant here for you!
1. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
If you’re looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow houseplant, then look no further than a Chinese Evergreen. This popular houseplant has lush, glossy leaves and comes in a variety of sizes and shapes.
How to care: Be sure to avoid overwatering; if you do it can rot or turn brown. Also keep in mind that they don’t like direct sunlight. Keep them out of hot spots such as windowsills or by heating vents. They prefer medium light levels and should be kept about 1 foot away from any source of heat (like lamps). When watering, make sure that water gets into all areas between the leaves—the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely.
2. Ficus
The Ficus tree, or weeper fig, is a beautiful and hardy plant that grows well in medium- to low-light conditions. Suitable for desks or countertops, ficus trees have large green leaves and thick branches from which clusters of fruit grow.
How to care: Ficus trees are easy to maintain—they only need watering about once every seven days, and require pruning about once every six months.
3. Snake Plant
Snake plants (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue) are among one the most popular indoor houseplants because they are so easy to grow.The plant can withstand a wide range of moisture, soil, and light levels. Variegated varieties are available, and the plants look wonderful in metal or concrete containers for an industrial appearance.
How to care: They don’t need a lot of sunlight, they’re very tolerant of other indoor house plants, and there is even a way to propagate them just by clipping off some leaves and letting them dry out. It’s hard to go wrong with these beauties.
4. Peace Lily
These exotic plants add a beautiful, elegant look to any home and are one of the prettiest plants you can grow indoors. They’re easy to take care of as well.peace lilies are also known for their air-purifying properties
How to care: Peace lilies like indirect sunlight, so they don’t require a lot of special care. Set them on your kitchen windowsill where they’ll get plenty of light throughout the day but not be too hot. Keep them at room temperature or just above (65-75 degrees F). Wait until new growth appears before watering again. Watch out for spider mites and scale insects on older plants or if infested, treat with insecticidal soap.
5. Golden Pothos
This plant produces beautiful heart-shaped leaves that make it one of the most beautiful plants for your home. Use it as a hanging plant, or keep it sitting in a large pot on a stand in front of a nice window. Not only does pothos make your space look pretty, but also is good at removing excess formaldehyde from indoor environments (source: NASA), which makes it one of the prettiest houseplants you can add to your home.
How to care: Pothos is super easy to care for and will grow quickly, so don’t be afraid to use several stems to fill up a larger container! They are ideal if you have pets or small children running around your home because they are non-toxic and safe.
6. String of Beads (Pearls Plants)
String of Beads gets its name from its delicate and pendulous flowers, which resemble a string of beads. It is an easy to grow, flowering houseplant that requires minimal care.
How to care: There are no specific requirements for growing String of Beads indoors as long as they have well-drained soil. They are considered somewhat drought tolerant and won’t need a lot of attention when it comes to watering them or feeding them in order to keep them looking their best.
7. Philodendron
This is one of the prettiest houseplants you can have in your home or office. Although they tend to look a bit untidy, they will never die on you. They are known as the plant that doesn’t need water. You just keep it there and it’s fine! It’s also great for purifying air around it. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. So if you’re having trouble sleeping, keep one by your bedside.
How to care: These plants don’t require much care; they grow well in low light conditions and do not require regular watering. If you want to keep them healthy and beautiful, be sure to place them where they get plenty of indirect sunlight. However, too much direct sunlight may burn their leaves. Also, be sure not to overwater these plants; otherwise their roots may rot away.
8. Cast Iron Plant
It’s easy to see why so many people keep a cast iron plant in their homes; they’re hardy, versatile, and beautiful. If you’re looking for a simple houseplant that requires minimal maintenance to keep it healthy, give a cast-iron plant a try! Just be sure to watch out for pests like spider mites, which can occasionally plague these indoor beauties.
How to care: These plants are relatively low-maintenance, thriving with good sunlight and water at least once per week leaves of your cast iron plant will grow upward and then droop downward as they mature. When its leaves are young, it may have a thin stem and grow close to the soil; however, as it ages, its stem will become thicker and taller until it is standing upright on its own.
9. ZZ Plant (ZZ Euphorbia)
Originally from Africa, ZZ plants (also known as Mother-in-law’s tongue) are attractive indoor plants that are highly adaptable. In fact, they can do very well in either indirect or direct sunlight.
How to care: These air purifying houseplants prefer humid environments and require consistently moist soil to survive over a long period of time. They will rot if their soil is allowed to dry out, so it’s important to keep them watered frequently.
10. Rubber Tree Plant Section (Parlor Palm)
If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant, pothos is your best bet. It grows well in hanging baskets indoors as well as on decks and patios outside. In fact, it’s one of those plants that seem to thrive on neglect—the less you do for it, the better it does for itself! Pothos can grow to be quite large if left untrimmed; pruning will keep it from becoming leggy and bushy.
How to care: Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, is a great indoor plant that requires low light and almost no watering.
11. African Violet
The Saintpaulia genus encompasses about 20 species and many more hybrids to bring delicate blooms to your home or office, despite being referred to as a single specimen.
How to care: To encourage good air circulation, use a soil-free mix and water moderately at the soil level to avoid spotting on the leaves.
12. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is a popular gift plant that, with proper care, can be a long-lasting addition to your home or office decor. It’s a living work of art because the bamboo-like stems are often twisted into fun shapes like swirls, hearts, and weaves.
How to care: Lucky bamboo doesn’t require much light and is perfectly content if its vase is kept filled with water.
13. Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomiodes is at ease in modern and minimalist settings. In average soil and indirect light, the circular leaves grow in abundance. Hanging baskets look great with mature Chinese money plants because they have a slightly cascading habit.
How to care: The light must indirect. Watering should be done on a regular basis.
