30 Indoor Plants We Love to Bring Freshness and Life into Your Home

No interior design trend is better justified than the houseplant boom, and some of the best indoor plants for your home also are easy to care for—win-win. Indoor plant ideas abound on The Spruce, and we're here to take you through some of our favorite options.

You might already have a large collection of tropical palms and furry ferns, or maybe you just started to dip your toe into the world of being a plant parent. Either way, there are a few considerations to think about before you stop by the greenhouse or order some new popular houseplants online.

This list of indoor plant ideas includes 30 additions that are worthy of any home and are low maintenance enough for anyone to care for.

Indoor Plant Care Tips for Beginners

• Take a look at the space that'll be available for your plants. A tiny studio might not be the best home for a large tree, but it's a great space for a succulent terrarium or pot of African violets.

• Think about care requirements and how much time you have to dedicate to your new plants. Some plants have specific needs when it comes to light, soil, and watering.

• If your house is bright and light, you'll have more wiggle room in choosing plant types than a home with few windows or natural light options.
  

Snake Plant

Snake plants—otherwise known as mother-in-law's tongue—are some of the most popular houseplants out there, and for good reason. They add plenty of personality and color to a room but can handle a lot of neglect and aren't too finicky when it comes to care.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil with slightly alkaline or acidic pH

• Size: Around 2 ft. tall

• Helpful Tips: These are pretty drought resistant, so just be conscious of not overwatering them.

Pothos

Indoor plant ideas aren't complete without pothos, which will grow and grow (and grow) without asking for much in return. These easy-to-please plants look lovely in hanging planters or trailing across the top of cabinets. It's a great choice for beginning houseplant parents but equally a fun and low-lift addition for advanced indoor gardeners.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moist soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH

• Size: Up to 40 ft. long

• Helpful Tips: A monthly boost of fertilizer during its growing season (spring through summer) will support your pothos and help it flourish.

Heart-Leaf Philodendron

Similar to pothos, heart-leaf philodendrons have wonderful tendrils that grow very easily and make for great climbing and hanging plant configurations. They're also relatively simple to propagate if you'd like to have a few at home.

• Light: Partial sunlight

• Soil: Well-drained neutral or acidic soil

• Size: 1-3 ft. wide, up to 13 ft. long

• Helpful Tips: Pruning leaves (just pinch them off) occasionally can help keep your plant looking bushy and full.

ZZ Plant

The shiny oblong leaves of the ZZ plant are its hallmark look and it adds a burst of green to any room, whether you place it in a living room or spare bathroom. This is another plant that can go a long time without water, so forgetful plant parents won't have to stress too much.

• Light: Partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained neutral or acidic soil

• Size: Up to 4 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: This is a great plant for low-light zones of your home as it doesn't need a lot of sun to thrive. Same with water—don't overwater it and let it dry out fully.

Aloe Vera

You're likely very familiar with the look and benefits of aloe vera. If you don't yet have one in your own plant collection, it's worth considering. The spiny succulent brings the tropics into your space and its gel-filled leaves are always nice to have on hand.

• Light: Partial to full sunlight

• Soil: Sandy, acidic soil

• Size: Up to 3 ft. tall, and 1 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: Aloe can handle little to no fertilization and is strong enough to deal with poor soil conditions, making it easy to care for in these areas.

Jade Plant

After a houseplant with an ultra-long lifespan? The jade plant is it. These hardy succulents can live up to 70 years, so dedicated plant parents can cherish them for decades.

It's a low-maintenance plant but needs ample light and occasional fertilizing. Its water schedule will differ based on the time of year, but just keep an eye on its soil so that it's not constantly soggy (or dry for too long).

• Light: Full, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Well drained, neutral to acidic soil

• Size: Up to 6 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: Keep these plants away from vents, doors, or any place that experiences major temperature fluctuations.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a fun plant to have around thanks to its vertical stalks. Oftentimes it'll come in unique growing patterns, too. Although it might look like bamboo, it's not and hails from the dracaena family (like snake and corn plants). The number of stalks you have can also represent certain things, such as love, balance, and growth.

• Light: Partial shade

• Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic soil

• Size: 1–5 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: Ensure the water your bamboo sits in is good quality and this plant will live a long life.

Corn Plant

Another low-maintenance dracaena member is the corn plant (which, no, doesn't sprout any ears of corn). Nail down its care requirements and this tropical addition will thrive indoors. It's a great blend of a tree and potted plant as it can grow up to 6 feet tall but also remain relatively short.

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Soil: Moist but well-draining loamy, acidic soil

• Size: Up to 6 ft. tall

• Helpful Tips: Corn plants like humidity. Set up a humidifier near your plant or allow the plant pot to hover above a tray of water and pebbles.

Prayer Plant

Maybe you're searching for a houseplant with a little more pizzazz sans any hefty care requirements. The prayer plant will exceed expectations. The most common variety (red/tri-colored maranta) has dark and light green leaves outlined with pink veins, providing the perfect pop of color.

• Light: Partial sun and shade

• Soil: Moist and well-draining

• Size: 6–12 in. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: Prayer plants take a little patience. Sometimes they struggle to adjust to a new home, but don't fret. Stay on top of its care and remove any dead leaves and it'll warm up to your space in no time.

Monstera Deliciosa

You may know this pick by its nickname, the Swiss cheese plant or by its signature holey leaves. The tropical leafy plant looks fabulous placed in any corner of your home and won't be difficult to take care of. It grows quickly and does best in areas of your space that don't get bright, direct sun.

• Light: Partial

• Soil: Acidic to neutral well-draining soil

• Size: 3 -15 ft. tall, 3-8 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: This plant loves humidity, too, and you can boost its well-being with the occasional spritz of water from a spray bottle.

Cast Iron Plant

The shiny leaves of this mid-sized plant make it a lovely new member for your indoor garden. It's not a fussy houseplant, isn't too picky about the soil you use, and doesn't need a lot of water. It's another fabulous choice for people just starting out and seeking out a low-maintenance and very hardy new green friend.

• Light: Partial sun and shade

• Soil: Acidic to neutral, well-draining soil

• Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: If you're ready to repot your cast iron plant, wait until spring or summer as these are the best seasons for it to adapt and handle a new home.

Spider Plant

This playful plant has leaves that look like the legs of spiders, hence the name. It's another classic that won't give new plant parents too much grief.

• Light: Partial sun and shade

• Soil: Neutral, loamy, and well-draining

• Size: 1–2 ft. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: If you'd like to try to get this plant to bloom, give it extra sunlight and don't repot.

Chinese Money Plant

Aptly nicknamed the pancake plant and UFO plant, it's hard not to love the circular leaves that sprout from these potted pals. They're adaptable and can handle a wide range of light and water conditions.

• Light: Partial

• Soil: Acidic to neutral, well-draining soil

• Size: 12 in. tall, 8–12 in. wide

• Helpful Tips: These are a piece of cake to propagate with their shoots, making it easy to get a full collection going.

Peace Lily

For more flower power in your home, consider getting a peace lily. It's another plant that is easy to have around once you know its requirements. When taken care of, you can expect to see tall white flowers for months at a time.

• Light: Partial

• Soil: Acidic, moist, and well-draining

• Size: 1–4 ft. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: Peace lilies don't do well in the cold, so keep it away from vents and drafty windows.

Rubber Tree

Rubber trees have been popular for a long time, and that's likely due to their gorgeous shiny leaves and how well they fit into any home, whether it's modern or earthy. They're related to the beloved fiddle leaf fig, and although they have specific needs, too, they're more forgiving.

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Well-drained soil mix (perlite, peat moss, or coconut coir are helpful)

• Size: Up to 6 ft., sometimes taller and 3 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: These trees can grow surprisingly tall and wide, so keep that in mind when you're seeking out the best place in your home for it.

Money Tree

The money tree (different from the Chinese money plant) may start out as a relatively small tree that can sit atop counters, cabinets, and other surfaces but it can grow up to 8 feet tall. It's also possible to braid its trunk!

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Soil: Acidic to neutral moist, well-draining soil

• Size: Up to 6-8 ft. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: If you want to keep the tree small and take the best care of it, pruning is essential.

Flapjack Succulent

These laidback succulents don't take a lot of work as long as you don't overwater them. The flat leaves make for an interesting-looking pick for your indoor area. They also grow quickly and are easy to propagate (just be sure to wear gloves).

• Light: Full sun exposure

• Soil: Loamy, sandy, and well-drained soil of any pH

• Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: These plants prefer to be snug and crowded in their pots, do don't place them in overly large containers.

Donkey's Tail

Bushy and bold, the donkey's tail succulent looks fabulous in a potted plant collection or hanging from the ceiling. It's also not toxic for pets or people, making it a great choice for a wide range of households.

• Light: Warm, partial sunlight

• Soil: Neutral to alkaline soil that's loamy and sandy

• Size: 1–4 ft. long and 1–2 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: These succulents need a mix of ample sunlight and partial, shaded light to truly thrive.

String of Pearls

Fun-shaped plants always invigorate an indoor garden. The string of pearls can do just that thanks to the bulbous leaves that hang off its vines. However, the longevity of this little plant and its fun pearl-like leaves comes down to propagation. If you stay on top of this, you can keep it alive for years.

• Light: Mixture of full and partial light

• Soil: Neutral to acidic sandy, well-draining soil

• Size: 1–2 ft. tall and long

• Helpful Tips: String of pearls can either be set up as a trailing plant or hung in a hanging planter.

Silver Sword Philodendron

Another philodendron option for plant lovers is the silver sword variety. This particular pick's leaves have a muted silvery hue, which offers a different aesthetic from their shiny heartleaf counterpart.

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Soil: Acidic, moist, and well-draining

• Size: 10–15 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: These plants like water, but overwatering can be problematic. Wait for the top first inch of soil to dry out, then water away.

Chinese Fan Palm

These trees have an eye-catching array of fan-shaped leaves that splay out from the trunk. They take their time growing but can become exceedingly large outdoors. Inside, they're manageable houseplants that are not too difficult to care for.

• Light: Bright, indirect sun

• Soil: Moist and well-drained soil that's acidic to neutral

• Size: 7-8 ft. tall

• Helpful Tips: Chinese fan palms like having a regular misting to keep humidity levels just right.

Echeveria

This purple-to-green-hued succulent is a popular houseplant. Although it has specific needs (like getting the watering schedule just right), it's built for neglect. Underwatering is usually okay and fertilization is rarely needed. Their small size is perfect for planters on ledges and terrariums.

• Light: Bright, direct sunlight

• Soil: Acidic, well-draining soil

• Size: 2–24 in. tall, 2–12 in. wide

• Helpful Tips: Stay on top of removing dead leaves to prevent diseases and pests from moving in.

Boston Fern

The Boston fern is another houseplant that has remained popular over time thanks to its easygoing nature. It's a very chill plant that won't pine for loads of sunlight or require a ton of fertilization. It does enjoy humidity, like many others on this list, so a humidifier or rock and water tray are good things to have on hand.

• Light: Partial sun

• Soil: Acidic most and well-drained soil

• Size: 2–3 ft. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: There are a few varieties of Boston ferns and people with smaller homes may appreciate the pint-sized Compacta version.

Areca Palm

While we can't always be on vacation, you can at least bring a little bit of the tropics to your home with an areca palm. These trees love sunlight and can grow to be pretty tall, making a great choice for homes that are currently missing out on the benefits of plant life.

• Light: Full to partial

• Soil: Acidic to neutral, moist and well-drained

• Size: 6-7 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: An areca palm is one plant that needs to be fed. From spring to fall, make sure you set a fertilizing schedule to keep it healthy.

African Violets

Flowering houseplants aren't as common, especially not low-maintenance options, and that's what makes the African Violet so special. These petite plants feature flat fuzzy leaves and royal purple flowers, which in turn makes you feel as if you have a perpetual bouquet growing on your table. That's right—they can bloom year-round.

• Light: Partial

• Soil: Moist and well-drained

• Size: 6-9 in. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: When watering, keep it from spilling onto the plant's leaves. Occasional misting around the leaves is okay though.

Haworthia

Because Hawthoria is sensitive to frost and bright, direct sunlight, it makes it a worthy candidate for any indoor garden (or jungle). This small but mighty succulent has been nicknamed mini aloe because of its similar looks and it has an array of small white bands coating its leaves, making it stand out from other plants.

• Light: Partial to full sunlight

• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil

• Size: 3–5 in. tall and wide

• Helpful Tips: This fun succulent is happy with any pot or planter you put it in, just be sure it has drainage so its roots don't rot.

Dragon Tree

You're likely noticing a theme that many plants in the dracaena genus are easy to care for. The dragon tree is no exception and has characteristic spiny leaves that shoot upwards, making it a statement in any room it lives in. It's extremely hardy, you'll have no issues caring for it whether you have a green thumb or a total lack thereof.

• Light: Partial sun and shade

• Soil: Well-drained neutral to acidic loamy soil

• Size: 15–20 ft. tall, 3–10 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: Keep an eye on the size of your plant. They're fine in smaller to mid-size pots, but as they get bigger it's good to accommodate for a larger root system.

Dieffenbachia

The leaves on the dieffenbachia are a lovely mix of bright green and white speckles and its shape is great for homes after a tropical or beachy aesthetic. It does appreciate humidity, so a humidifier or misting of its leaves is always helpful.

• Light: Partial

• Soil: Acidic, well-drained

• Size: 3–10 ft. tall

• Helpful Tips: Dieffenbachia doesn't need a ton of light, but in the winter it'll appreciate being near windows if possible.

Warning

Although it's pretty, dumb cane is toxic if ingested and therefore not recommended for households with pets or kids.

Weeping Fig

This tropical tree is related to the very popular fiddle leaf fig, but it isn't as picky or difficult to manage as a beginner or low-maintenance plant parent. It can live for decades with a little TLC and their shiny, frilly leaves and oftentimes braided trunks make them fantastic decor in their own right.

• Light: Bright sunlight

• Soil: Fast-draining, rich

• Size: 3-6 ft. tall

• Helpful Tips: A consistent watering schedule is important for these small indoor trees, so keep them moist but well drained.

Schefflera

This lovely tree also goes by the name umbrella plant, which is inspired by its clusters of leaves. They can grow pretty tall and bushy, an ideal consideration for any boring or blank corners in your home. Just be aware that this pretty plant is toxic to pets.

• Light: Indirect, bright light

• Soil: Rich and moist

• Size: 4–6 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide

• Helpful Tips: Schefflera plants like sunlight and do well when they get a field trip outdoors during the summer. You can place these potted plants on a patio or balcony, just make sure they don't burn in direct sunlight.

Read the original article on The Spruce.