5 Common House Plant Types: photos and care guides

A Guide to Common Houseplant Types with Pictures

Whether you’re looking to add some greenery to your home or want to try your hand at plant care, houseplants are a great option. But with so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. In this article, I’ll break down 15 of the most popular houseplant types and share pictures so you can see what each one looks like. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of which plants might work best for your space and lifestyle.

Pothos

Pothos, or devil’s ivy, is one of the hardiest and lowest maintenance houseplants you can own. From my experience, it’s practically impossible to kill! As a trailing vine, pothos likes to climb or be trained upwards on a moss pole or trellis. Its heart-shaped leaves come in various colors like yellow, white, or variegated. Pothos is perfect for areas with low to medium light.

Snake Plant

Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, are famed for being incredibly tough. I’ve had mine for over 5 years with basically no care other than watering every few months. Its tall, upright leaves with white stripes are unique and modern looking. Snake plants thrive in very low light and may even remove toxins from your air. They’re one of the best choices for low-maintenance plant parents.

ZZ Plant

Another nearly unkillable option is the ZZ plant. With its thick, waxy leaves that come in shades of green with white variegation, it stores water very efficiently so you can forget about it for weeks. ZZ plants prefer medium to low indirect light. While they don’t flower often, their white blooms look like wishbones when they appear. The ZZ was basically made for neglectful plant owners!

Peace Lily

Peace lilies put on a great show with their large white blooms that rise above dark green leaves. However, they don’t tolerate poor drainage or drying out fully between waterings. From my experience, as long as you keep the soil moist, these flowers will reward you all year in medium to low light areas indoors. While seemingly temperamental, peace lilies aren’t hard to please once you learn their needs.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are one of the best for filtering toxins like formaldehyde from your home’s air. One plant will produce several pups, or plantlets, on short stems that you can remove to multiply your collection. Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light and enjoy having their soil stay lightly moist. They’re a great starter pick for beginning plant parents who want to branch out into propagation.

1. English Ivy

English ivy puts out beautiful vines covered in rounded, dark green leaves. It’s one tough customer that does well in low to medium light areas or as a trailing plant hanging in a bright window. English ivy tolerates less-than-ideal conditions and may need only occasional watering once established. Be warned that it can be invasive if planted outdoors where it isn’t welcome. For taming or training on a pole or backing, it’s a stylish choice.

2. Dracaena

Dracaena comes in a variety of sub-species and cultivars with striped, spotted, or solid green leaves. These plants make lovely accents and air-purifying additions to medium light rooms. While some types can scale several feet tall, others stay compact. Just don’t overwater dracaenas and make sure they have good drainage. Give them some fertilizer in spring and summer to keep leaves plump and attractive.

3. Chinese Evergreen

Like its cousin dracaena, chinese evergreen comes in an array of leaf colors and patterns from solid green to white stripes. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight to bring out its vibrant hues. Keep the soil lightly moist and mist foliage to up humidity levels. Chinese evergreens bloom tiny flowers occasionally too! They do well in bathrooms or other areas with high humidity.

4. Dieffenbachia

Commonly called dumb cane, dieffenbachia has thick, tropical-looking leaves in shades of cream, green and yellow that attractively pattern markings. These plants present a bold statement indoors in medium to bright locations. Just be cautious of the sap, which can irritate skin and mucous membranes if eaten or contacted. Give dieffenbachia plenty of fertilizer in spring and summer to feed its flashy leaves.



5. Monstera

Also known as Swiss cheese plant or honeycomb plant, monstera has huge, intricately split leaves that are totally unique. It’s definitely a statement plant that’s all the rage on Instagram these days! Monsteras want very bright, indirect light and tolerate low moisture between waterings once established. Provide a mossy pole for younger monsteras to climb as they mature. They produce aerial roots and may flower or fruit indoors too with the proper conditions.

Philodendron

Within the expansive philodendron family you’ll find dozens of varieties suited to various light levels from low to bright. Classics include heartleaf philodendron with its namesake leaves, Brazilian philodendron bearing small leaflets along long vines perfect for trailing, and pink princess or lemon lime with peach or yellow variegation. Philodendrons tidy up nicely by pruning off any straggly growth.

Chinchilla Plant

Also called dust plant or felted creeper, chinchilla plant bears soft, fuzzy gray-green leaves on trailing vines perfect for baskets or hanging pots. This little charmer thrives in medium to low light and tolerates dry conditions between waterings. Give it something to climb and it will spread out, filling space nicely without fuss. Chinchilla plant presents an adorable fuzzy texture if you want tactile appeal in your greenery.

Chinese Money Plant

With its odd, coin-shaped leaves spiraling up skinny stems, chinese money plant always looks like it should be growing in a magical enchanted forest rather than your living room. It prefers medium to low indirect sunlight along with consistent moisture. Fertilize lightly in spring and summer. The flowers bursting from stems like miniature white fireworks are a real treat! Money plant makes for a seriously unique foliage accent. Plus, it’s said to attract wealth and abundance according to folklore.

In summary, hopefully this guide gave you a good sense of 15 very popular houseplant types along with pictures so you can visualize them in your space. Consider your light levels, care needs, and design goals when choosing plants. With any luck, you’ll find the perfect green companions to brighten your home and offer some tranquility. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Houseplant Care Tips

FAQ

1. What types of house plants are common?
2. What light conditions do different house plants need?
3. How often should house plants be watered?
4. How can I know if a house plant needs more or less water?
5. Can house plants improve indoor air quality?
6. Are some house plants toxic to pets?
7. What are some low maintenance house plants?
8. Do plants grow differently indoors than outdoors?

What types of house plants are common?

Popular house plant types basically include peace lilies, pothos, snake plants, Chinese evergreen, bamboo palm and spider plants. Those kind of plants seem to do well for many homeowners. Furthermore, succulents and cacti are enjoying an amazing growth in popularity. They can add a stunning accent to any home.

What light conditions do different house plants need?

Light situations very greatly depending on the plant. For instance, snake plants and pothos are quite tolerant of low light. However, peace lilies prefer medium light. Meanwhile, some plants like Chinese evergreens require bright indirect sunlight. It can be tough to meet the demands of plants used to direct sun when indoors. But with a little plant research, there be many options for any light conditions.

How often should house plants be watered?

The frequency of watering depends more on soil moisture than a set schedule. Feel the soil with your fingers to determine if it’s dry before watering. As a general rule, most houseplants need water every 7-14 days during the warmer months. In the winter, cut back to every 2-3 weeks when growth slows. Underwatering is safer than overwatering, which causes root rot. However, succulents should be allowed to dry out almost completely between waterings.

How can I know if a house plant needs more or less water?

There are a few signs that can indicate if a plant is getting too much or too little water. Wilted or droopy leaves may mean it’s thirsty. Yellowing lower leaves could mean overwatering caused root rot. You can also check the soil. If it’s dry 1-2 inches deep, it’s time to water. Or if soggy soil stays after draining, scale back the watering. Using a moisture meter is helpful for staying on top of their needs.

Can house plants improve indoor air quality?

Believe it or not, some studies show that plants can appreciably boost indoor air quality by absorbing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. The NASA Clean Air Study proved certain plants were quite excellent at removing common volatile organic compounds in “smog-free” experiments. Peace lilies, bamboo palms, spider plants and English ivy were among the superstars. So by keeping plants, you might breathe easier! Who knew your green friends could be so useful?

Are some house plants toxic to pets?

shockingly, many popular houseplants pose potential health risks to cats and dogs if ingested. For instance, lilies, hydrangeas, tulips, orchids and aloe are very bad for pets. Others like philodendron and pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth irritation and swelling when chewed. Always keep pets away from all plants and potting soil, which can contain fertilizers and fungi dangerous to animals. It may not seem fair, but some plants are better displayed high out of reach from curious paws and noses.

What are some low maintenance house plants?

For lazy plant parents, snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos and philodendron are famously tough as they seem to survive almost any neglect. Those kinds of plants can basically be ignored for a week or two between waterings. Spider plants and peace lilies are quite forgiving too. Somehow, they just keep bouncing back. Sansevierias like whale fins and hahnii are almost impossible to kill without serious abuse or lack of light. Succulents and cacti demand even less attention once established. So if you forget plants easily, start with those ultra low-needs beauties.

Do plants grow differently indoors than outdoors?

Plants do behave a bit differently indoors due to changed conditions. For instance, there may be less direct sun, lower humidity, constant temperatures, reduced air flow and odd growing locations like tables versus soil. These factors could result in leggier growth, fewer blooms or leaves shaped unlike their outdoor cousins. You may also struggle with pests more. However, with trial and error plus research, it’s amazing what can thrive inside too. Many indoor gardeners have discovered creative solutions for these challenges using grow lights, pebble trays or miniature ecosystems. So it just takes observing their needs to keep them healthy long-term.