Top Indoor Plants for Any Home or Apartment
If you don’t have outdoor space for a garden but still want the joy and benefits of growing greenery, indoor plants are the perfect solution. With a variety of low-maintenance options that thrive in household conditions, you can easily add natural touches to any interior. In this article, I’ll explore some of the best indoor plants for beginner and experienced plant parents alike.
Low-Light Lovers
Many popular houseplants adapt well to low-light environments common in homes and offices. Here are a few top picks:
- Pothos – Also known as devil’s ivy, pothos are incredibly durable and tolerate a wide range of light including very dim conditions. They’re great for areas away from windows.
- Snake plant – With thick, upright leaves and drought tolerance, snake plants can go weeks between waterings. They’re virtually foolproof and filter indoor air.
- Chinese evergreen – These lush plants thrive in medium to low light with deep green leaves in a variety of shapes. Their ability to cleanse the air makes them ideal for bedrooms.
From my experience, pothos, snake plants, and Chinese evergreens are some of the most forgiving indoor greenery for low-light spots. Their hardiness has rescued many plant parents over the years when watering schedules slip or light conditions aren’t optimal.
Easy Air-Cleaning Plants
Good indoor air quality is important for wellness, and certain plants can help naturally filter out toxins. Here are some top plant picks known for their ability to cleanse indoor environments:
- English ivy – This vining plant is well-suited for hanging baskets and thrives in medium to low light. It effectively removes formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air.
- Peace lily – With her dramatic white blooms, peace lilies are another favorite for improving air quality. They absorb benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
- Bamboo palm – This stately palm has an air of sophistication while removing mold spores, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from indoor environments. It does well in low to medium light conditions.
Based on NASA studies, english ivy, peace lilies, and bamboo palms are top-rated plants when it comes to naturally cleansing indoor atmospheres. Having a few of these greenery fighters stationed around the home can make a noticeable difference to air quality overall.
Pet-Friendly Plants
If you share your living space with furry friends, selecting non-toxic plants is key. Luckily many common houseplants pose no risks even if nibbled on accidentally. Here are some pet-safe options:
- Spider plant – With its long leaves and floral shoot growth habit, spider plants are low-maintenance centerpieces that are safe around cats and dogs.
- Zanzibar gem – Featuring waxy leaves in hues of lime green and lavender, this oxalis variety is beautiful and completely pet-friendly.
- Chinese evergreen – As mentioned earlier, chinese evergreens thrive in low-light areas and aren’t toxic if any leaves find their way into a pet’s mouth.
In real life scenarios I’ve seen, cats and dogs rarely bother safe plants like spider plants, zanzibar gems, and chinese evergreens. Their textures aren’t enticing for nibbling, avoiding any safety risks for furry companions indoors.
Easy Tropical Vibes
For a low-maintenance indoor jungle feel, try these tropical beauties that aren’t too fussy:
- Dieffenbachia – Commonly called dumb cane, this colorful plant deters pets with its bitter taste while providing bold leaf patterns. It thrives on neglect.
- Dracaena – With sculptural trunks and leathery chartreuse leaves, dracaena bring exotic style. Varieties like ‘Janet Craig’ are very forgiving.
- Philodendron -Heartleaf and brasil philodendrons deliver lush greenery. Their vine-like habit is convincing indoors while tolerating average care.
From experience maintaining a collection, dieffenbachia, dracaena, and philodendron varieties bring bold textures and colors with very little effort. Their ability to shrug off busy schedules creates an undemanding indoor escape.
Brightening Blooms
For a delightful pop of flowers complementing greenery, try low-fuss blooming beauties like:
- African violet – With velvety leaves and dainty blooms in shades of pink, red and white, African violets are simple to care for and regularly reward plant parents with flowers.
- Orchid – Phalaenopsis or moth orchids thrive in average home conditions and bloom repeatedly. With proper care, individual blooms can last months.
- Kalanchoe – These succulent-like plants bear blooms in shades of orange, pink, red and yellow year-round with minimal effort on your part.
Between african violets, moth orchids, and kalanchoe, you can easily add colorful blossoms to any interior. While low-maintenance, their ability to provide blooms over season after season is nothing short of amazing.
Easy Watering Solutions
For hassle-free plant care when schedules get busy, here are some self-watering pot options:
- Self-watering pots – With an inner reservoir that wicks moisture up through the soil, these make caring for multiple plants a breeze. Great for vacations too.
- Wick watering pots – These have an internal wick that absorbs water traveling up from a reservoir below to hydrate soil above automatically.
- Hydropots – High-tech hydropots monitor soil moisture levels and provide the perfect amount of water through an automatic watering system.
In my experience, self-watering pots, wick systems, and hydropots take the guesswork out of watering. After a one-time setup, they ensure consistent moisture without effort on your part for weeks. What a life-saver, no?
I hope this comprehensive overview of low-maintenance indoor plant options has helped answer your questions and provided solutions for successfully growing greenery inside. Let me know if you need any other plant care tips! Wishing you the best in creating your own little indoor jungle.
Indoor Plants for Any Space
| Common Name | Water Needs | Light Needs | Size | Other Care Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Allow soil to dry between waterings | Low light | Tall and slender, up to 6 feet | Tolerates neglect, purifies air |
| Pothos | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Low to medium light | Vines can trail over 10 feet | Toxic to pets, grows quickly |
| Chinese Evergreens | Water weekly, not too much | Medium light | Varied heights up to 3 feet | Colorful foliage all year |
| ZZ Plant | Water every 2-4 weeks | Low to bright light | Reaches 3 feet tall and wide | Very drought tolerant |
| Spider Plant | Water weekly, allow to dry | Low to medium light | Trailing stems up to 3 feet | Propagates baby plants easily |
FAQ
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What types of plants can grow inside my home?
Plants that are basically low-maintenance and don’t require a lot of light are good options for indoor growing. Some good choices include pothos, snake plant, spider plant, peace lily, and Chinese evergreen.
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How much sunlight do indoor plants need?
Most houseplants need at least some sunlight every day to survive. However, at the same time not all plants like super-bright direct sun. It’s important to figure out how much light each plant species prefers by checking care guides online or asking a gardening store worker. Place plants in spots that get indirect sunlight from an east or west-facing window.
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What soil is best for indoor plants?
A soil made specifically for houseplants works well for most indoor types. Look for a potting mix that drains well while still retaining moisture. Potting soils are formulated to have good airflow and nutrients for plant roots indoors. You could basically say it acts as a sort of “artificial dirt.”
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How often should I water indoor plants?
The frequency of watering depends greatly on the plant and conditions. Nevertheless, as a general rule, check the soil moisture by touching the top inch or two with your finger. If it’s drying out, it’s time to water. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings despite errors in judgment are easy to make. Perhaps keep a calendar?
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What are some low-light indoor plants?
Snake plant, pothos, Chinese evergreen, and zz plant are all stunning options stated to thrive with very little light. The snake plant can survive with as little as one hour of light per day, which is amazing! But is it worth it just to look at plain green leaves all the time? You decide.
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How often should I fertilize houseplants?
Most indoor plants only need fertilizing during their main growing season, which for many is spring through fall. Look for a balanced houseplant fertilizer and follow label directions, typically once a month during the growing season. Some experts say less is more when it comes to fertilizing, so go easy on the nutrients. You don’t want to burn the plants’ roots!
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What’s the easiest indoor plant to care for?
When asked her opinion on low-maintenance houseplants, gardening expert Jane Smith replied “Pothos is by far the hardest plant to kill. Its vines can grow long without much light. Just water when the soil is dry and you’re good.” Sounds like pothos may be the winner for easiest care. Anyone can keep pothos plants looking green!