Are you thinking of beautifying that secluded corner in your living room with a new oxygen-producing plant? Indoor plants are a great way to add more life, color and beauty to your space. However, with the overwhelming number of options offered online and in plant stores, you may be stuck on which species to choose. Don’t worry, we’re here to help: Here are 12 of the best and most popular indoor plants based on their ease of care and aesthetic properties.
Philodendron
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Philodendrons have a reputation for being among the easiest houseplants to grow. “They require very low maintenance and can remain unattended for long periods of time,” advises Brian Schoenfeld, Lowe’s store manager. “These plants have large, dark leaves that look great while removing harmful toxins in the air and also allowing them to absorb the smallest traces of light and water, making them adaptable to different light and water conditions.”
Yucca
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Yucca plants are slow-growing, drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and have the ability to grow in direct and indirect sunlight. “With proper care, you can grow indoor yucca for a few years without replanting or pruning it,” Schoenfeld says. “Because they are easy to propagate, you can share yucca plants with friends and family.”
English Ivy
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A versatile houseplant that can be grown in its own pot, English ivy looks attractive in a hanging basket. “These plants are great for use indoors because they are known to digest dust and reduce the amount of mold in the air, as well as remove many other airborne toxins,” says Schoenfeld. “In an indoor environment, this ivy is contained and usually does not exceed a foot in height.”
Air plants
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As the name suggests, air plants do not need soil at all. Schoenfeld says epiphytes are easily identified by their size, the shape of their leaves, the lack of roots, and the tiny scales on their leaves that absorb water and nutrients from the air. “Air plants are low-maintenance, able to last up to 10 days without water, and unlike most plants, an air plant will only bloom when it signals the end of its lifespan,” says Schoenfeld.
ZZ plants
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The ZZ plant is known as one of the hardiest and lowest maintenance indoor plants. “This houseplant does well in a variety of light conditions, making it great for placing in any well-lit room,” says Schoenfeld. “This plant is great for busy people, as due to its drought-tolerant nature, it only needs to be watered once every three to four weeks.”
fruit garden
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Orchids make great plants for adding color and decorations to the home. Schoenfeld says orchids are known to help people relax and reduce stress as well as increase energy levels. “Orchids require growing conditions close to those already found in the average home, which makes them beautiful indoor flowering plants,” he says.
Pothos
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Pothos plants are fast growing, gentle and easy to care for. “This versatile plant is great for low-light conditions, but will also thrive well in brighter spaces,” says Paris Lalicata, plant education and community engagement partner at The Sill. “Pothos is also suitable for indoor spaces because it is able to filter gaseous toxins such as formaldehyde from the air, making it a great air-purifying houseplant.”
String of pearls
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The String of Pearl plant is prized for its pearl-shaped leaves and dangling vines, and is a wonderful addition to any room with a bookshelf or high place from which it can flow. “It’s an easy-to-care-for, drought-tolerant succulent that doesn’t need the extra 6 hours of full sun like other succulents—in fact, it prefers bright, indirect light to just a few hours of direct sunlight,” Lalicata says.
Money tree
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With a unique braided trunk said to bring good luck and wealth, the money tree is the perfect plant to add to any room in your home to create good feng shui. “They are known for their resilience and ease of growth, and they grow happily indoors as long as they receive bright light in a window,” says Lalicata.
Hearts series
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A beautiful succulent known for its heart-shaped leaves and forgiving nature, Chain of Hearts can surprise you with lovely little tubular flowers in summer and fall. “Chain of Hearts can spread quickly because of its shallow roots and ability to easily grow new tubers and aerial vines, and it is a non-toxic, pet-friendly plant that is safe to keep around pets and children,” Lalicata says.
Spider factory
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Spider plant’s easy-going nature and green-and-white striped foliage make it one of the most popular houseplants. Lallicata says the plant can be easily propagated by dividing the rootstock once it reaches a specific size, or by removing young plantlets from the parent plant when they develop on a successive stem. Spider plants can also tolerate different light levels and do not need frequent watering.
Rubber factory
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Ficus plants, like the rubber plant, are difficult but rewarding plants to grow. “They can be temperamental, but in favorable conditions, they will reward you with beautiful broad leaves,” Lalicata says. “It is an ideal houseplant to try for beginners and experts alike as long as its space can provide bright light and a few hours of direct sunlight in addition to normal room humidity.”