The thing I love about house plants is it’s the gift that keeps on giving! If you take good care of your plant, it can provide you enjoyment for many years to come. And during that time, it can produce many baby plants that you can share with family and friends.
Let’s not forget about the air purification properties of house plants as well. There are have been many studies that show how well house plants clean and purify the air in your home. Not only that, but plants of all kinds have been shown to improve mental health and lift your spirits. There is something about having nature around you that really helps to ground you and improve focus and clarity.
I hope this list inspires you to start a new house plant collection. If you already grow plants indoors, let me know in the comments, how many of these do you have? Are there any you think we’ve missed?
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Description: Snake plants have tall, upright leaves with green and yellow stripes.
Care:
- Light: Low to bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
- Propagation: Divide rhizomes or take leaf cuttings. Allow cuttings to dry for a day before planting in soil.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Description: Peace lilies have glossy, dark green leaves and white, lily-like flowers.
Care:
- Light: Low to medium, indirect light.
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering.
- Propagation: Divide mature plants during repotting, ensuring each division has roots.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Description: Spider plants have long, arching green leaves with white stripes.
Care:
- Light: Indirect, bright light.
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Propagation: Remove and plant “spiderettes” that form on long stems.
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Description: Pothos feature heart-shaped, variegated leaves in various shades of green.
Care:
- Light: Low to medium, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings with at least one node and place in water until roots develop, then transfer to soil.
5. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Description: ZZ plants have glossy, dark green, and waxy leaves with a distinctive arching growth pattern.
Care:
- Light: Low to bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
- Propagation: Divide the rhizomes during repotting.
6. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Description: Rubber plants have large, glossy, and deep green leaves.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings and root them in water or directly in soil.
7. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Description: Aloe vera plants have thick, fleshy green leaves with serrated edges.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Propagation: Separate offsets (pups) from the main plant and replant them.
8. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Description: Jade plants have thick, succulent leaves and a tree-like growth habit.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Water sparingly when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Propagation: Take stem or leaf cuttings and let them callus before planting in well-draining soil.
9. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Description: Monstera plants have large, split leaves with distinctive holes.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings with a node and aerial root and plant in soil or water.
10. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Description: Fiddle leaf figs have large, violin-shaped leaves with a glossy finish.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings and root them in water or directly in soil.
11. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Description: Boston ferns have feathery, green fronds that give them a delicate appearance.
Care:
- Light: Indirect, bright light.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Propagation: Divide mature plants or collect spores to start new plants.
12. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
Description: African violets have fuzzy, soft leaves and come in various colors.
Care:
- Light: Indirect, bright light.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid wetting the leaves.
- Propagation: Take leaf cuttings and plant them in a soilless mix.
13. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Description: String of pearls have cascading vines with spherical leaves resembling pearls.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings and allow them to callus before planting in well-draining soil.
14. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.)
Description: Christmas cacti have segmented stems with colorful, pendulous flowers.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially when in bloom.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings and plant them in a well-draining mix.
15. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Description: Chinese money plants have round, coin-shaped leaves on slender stems.
Care:
- Light: Indirect, bright light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Propagation: Remove offsets (pups) and replant them in soil.
16. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Description: Croton plants have colorful, variegated leaves in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Care:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings with several leaves and root them in water or soil.
17. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Description: Heartleaf philodendrons have heart-shaped, trailing leaves.
Care:
- Light: Low to medium, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Propagation: Take stem cuttings and root them in water or soil.
Remember that each plant has its unique requirements, and success depends on providing the right conditions. Regularly monitor your plants, adjust care as needed, and enjoy the benefits of having a lush and vibrant indoor garden.
This is not an all inclusive list of course. However, I did extensive research to put this list together for you. According to the internet, these are the 17 most popular houseplants at the time of this article. Although, I’m very surprised Bromeliads were not listed. That was the very first houseplant I ever bought myself, after all.
I have been adding to my houseplant collection all year. There are still several on this list that I still need to get. Can you guess how many of these I don’t have? Bonus points if you can correctly name the ones I’m missing in my collection. Comment below with your guesses. We might give away a prize if someone can name them correctly!
Also let me know what plants you think need to be added to the list. Do you have any of the plants listed? I can’t wait to talk houseplants with you!
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