The 40 Most Popular House Plants for Your Home

Aloe Vera

This spiky, low-maintenance houseplant was the top-searched plant in nearly a dozen states, according to a recent survey by home furnishings site Joybird. It's no surprise, given its set-it-and-forget-it vibe (sunny window and minimal watering) and the beauty and health benefits you can reap from the gel inside the leaves.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright light
• Soil: Sandy, acidic soil, such as a cactus potting medium
• Water: Allow the plant to dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40%

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Consistently on the list of best sellers on plant sites like Costa Farms and the Sill, the pothos (also called devil's vine and devil's ivy) scores major points with plant parents for being easy to care for and capable of thriving in even low light conditions.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light (though can handle low light)
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%
• Be aware that this plant is highly toxic to pets.

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

This beginner-friendly plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue, devil's tongue, or sansevieria) requires little care to thrive, and it's been a top-searched plant for the past several years. "The Sansevieria is a great plant choice for first-time plant parents," says Lindsay Pangborn, Bloomscape's plant expert. "With a low-maintenance, adaptable nature, this plant is perfect for all sorts of settings, from low light to direct sun."

Fun fact: The snake plant is a popular choice for feng shui—post one near your entryway to help block bad energy.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil, especially a mix made for succulents or cacti
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%
  

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)

Orchids are a fantastic plant choice for people who are looking to add a little color with a blooming houseplant.

While they may have a reputation for being a little tough to care for at home, even beginners can help them thrive and bloom. To help your orchid plant grow, it's probably best to stick with orchid-specific products, such as pots, soil blends, and fertilizers. Place it near (but not in) a window that faces south or east, to give them the bright, indirect light they crave.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil with bark, moss, or peat
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%

Peace Lily

This tropical plant has been a favorite among those who love flowers: It can bloom more than once per year, and the flowers last for weeks. "The peace lily has been an iconic houseplant for decades, and for good reason thanks to its forgiving nature, vibrant glossy leaves, and symbolic white blooms, Pangborn says. "The peace lily is known for symbolizing prosperity, purity, peace, and sympathy."

To help your peace lily thrive, you need to try to recreate that tropical environment, with a warm, humid corner that provides soft light. (In the wild, peace lilies tend to grow under other plants that provide them with some cover.)

Care Tips:

• Light: Indirect light
• Soil: Moist well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%
• Be aware that the peace lily can be toxic to pets.

Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)

If you're growing herbs indoors, basil is likely at the top of your list. (Who doesn't love a little fresh basil to top their pasta or pizza?) Basil prefers sunny conditions and does best in a sunny window if grown indoors.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright sunlight
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Water: Keep the soil moist and mist occasionally.
• Temperature: 70 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

African Violet (Saintpaulia Ionantha)

This pretty flowering houseplant has been a time-honored favorite, due to its sweet purple blooms that appear several times a year. The African violet needs light, warmth, and plenty of humidity to thrive.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Moist well-draining soil
• Water: Keep the soil moist.
• Temperature: 70 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata)

Succulents have been a trending houseplant over the past few years, but the succulent jade plants have been a fan favorite for decades.

As succulents, jade plants require minimal watering—a boon for those who tend to neglect their houseplants. It does need plenty of sun, though, so place it near your sunniest, southern-facing window.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil (preferably a succulent-specific blend)
• Water: Keep soil moist in spring and summer and water monthly in winter.
• Temperature: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Spider plants are kind of like the sourdough starter of plants. When they're thriving, they produce baby plants that you can easily snip and gift to a fellow plant parent.

Spider plants prefer warm, humid conditions, and can make do with lower light situations. They're also fantastic hanging plants, thanks to their trailing appearance.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright to moderate indirect light
• Soil: Loamy, well-draining soil
• Water: Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

This tropical plant makes a great (if slightly high maintenance) houseplant, with its striking leaves and its ability to grow to tree status, making it a great plant to add to your home decor.

The rubber plant has the usual needs of tropical plants—bright, indirect light, warmth, and humidity. Watch for the plant's leaves to turn dull or drop off, which could indicate it needs a bit more light.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Keep the plant moist with regular watering.
• Temperature: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Dumb Cane Plant (Dieffenbachia)

Dumb cane plants are prized for their intriguing, patterned foliage, and their relatively easy-care nature. There are a ton of varieties to choose from, which can grow into larger trees that can be a centerpiece of your plant collection.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Keep the soil moist with regular watering.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%
• Be aware that this plant is toxic to pets.

Monstera Deliciosa

One of the stars of the past few years, the monstera (or Swiss cheese plant) is beloved for its pretty leaves. "Monstera is one of my favorite plants that make a statement, perfect for a bright open space," Pangborn says. "Known for its fast-growing nature and large leaves with dramatic holes that resemble Swiss cheese, the Monstera is an easy choice and is adaptable to most indoor environments."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Well-draining peat-based soil
• Water: Keep the soil moist with regular watering during the spring and winter; water occasionally in the fall and winter.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus)

This perennial herb can be grown on a sunny windowsill, so you can add a touch of flavor to anything from cocktails to stews.

It may be a little challenging to keep rosemary thriving during the winter months, as the plant needs lots of bright sunlight to do well. But it's a plant that tolerates drought, so err on the side of underwatering your rosemary.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright full sunlight
• Soil: Dry well-draining soil (a cactus blend is ideal)
• Water: Let the top of the soil dry out between waterings, with biweekly misting.
• Temperature: 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%

Umbrella Plant (Schefflera Actinophylla)

This pretty tropical plant can grow quickly, so be ready to repot. They favor the same conditions as other tropical plants—warm and humid.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Rich, moist soil
• Water: Let the soil dry between waterings before a good soak; misting is required during spring and summer.
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%
• Be aware that they can be toxic to pets.

Money Tree (Guiana Chestnut)

Money trees (AKA Guiana chestnut) have become a houseplant staple, due to their ability to thrive in a typical indoor environment. "With large star-shaped leaves and a braided trunk, this special plant is known to bring good luck and fortune into your life," Pangborn says—and counts it among Bloomscape's top-selling plants.

It's a fast-growing plant, which can quickly become a floor plant to spotlight in your room. It also thrives on humidity, so you'll want to mist (or keep a humidifier nearby), especially if your home is dry in the winter.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, less frequently during the winter.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana)

Lucky bamboo are beloved for being a way to bring good luck into your home, and for being an especially easy to care for plant, since they grow in water—so you just need to ensure the roots are always in water.

Fun fact: Lucky bamboo isn't actually bamboo. It's a succulent!

Care Tips

• Light: Bright to moderate indirect light
• Soil: Rich, well-drained potting soil or water
• Water: Use bottled or distilled water, and change the water in the vase weekly.
• Temperature: 65 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy's trailing behavior makes it a perfect choice for a hanging plant—and the plant will grow fast under indoor conditions. It can do well in low light conditions, so you can have it brighten up a darker corner.

Care Tips

• Light: Moderate indirect light
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Water: Let the top of the soil dry between waterings.
• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)

These popular plants feature gorgeous, deep green leaves, and they're hard to kill, making the ZZ plant an ideal pick for beginner plant parents.

They can thrive in even low light conditions, making them a great choice for an office or a space in your home that doesn't get much light. And they also thrive on neglect, needing less water than other plants.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)

Boston ferns thrive on humidity and water, making them an ideal plant for your bathroom. (Even with all that shower humidity, you may need to mist them additionally to help them thrive.)

It's also a plant that doesn't require much sunlight, so it's great for offices or darker rooms.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Rich well-draining soil with peat and perlite
• Water: Water frequently to keep the soil moist (but not soaked); reduce the watering schedule during the fall and winter.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: Over 80%

Areca Palms (Dypsis Lutescens)

These big and beautiful palm trees (also known as the butterfly palm or the bamboo palm) make a statement in your room, growing up to 8 feet tall.

The Areca palm thrives in indirect sunlight—but don't overwater this grand beauty.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Peaty, well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)

This popular houseplant thrives on light, so you'll need to place it right in a southern or western window to avoid dropping leaves. (The fussiness has also caused the fiddle leaf fig to be placed on many "difficult plants" lists.)

But if you can meet the light and water requirements, you'll have a gorgeous tree to showcase in your home.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
• Temperature: 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 65%
• Be aware that this plant can be toxic to pets.

Pilea (Pilea Peperomioides)

This popular houseplant's rounded leaves have earned it the nicknames Chinese money plant or pancake plant. It's an easy-to-care-for plant, making it a great choice for a beginner plant parent.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright to moderate indirect light
• Soil: Rich well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are super popular, thanks to their colorful blooms and minimal needs. They're a type of air plant, so they can even grow without soil.

"I’d recommend bromeliads for those hoping to add a splash of color to the room," Pangborn says. "It's a great alternative to gifting traditional flowers."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Fast-draining soil, or grown as an air plant
• Water: Water into the center of the plant, or by lightly moistening the soil.
• Temperature: 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 50%

Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

This spiky plant is a popular pick for houseplant beginners, since it's pretty hard to kill. (It also makes a great office plant for that same reason!)

Care Tips

• Light: Bright to moderate indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Let soil dry out between waterings
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%
• Be aware that it's toxic to pets.

String of Pearls (Curio Rowleyanus)

This pretty trailing succulent is a perfect addition to a bookshelf or as a hanging plant. (You can cut off the stems to grow new plants—and help your original plant thrive!)

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Sandy, succulent, or cactus potting soil
• Water: Water weekly or biweekly to keep lightly moist.
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%
• Be aware that this plant can be toxic to pets and small kids.

Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)

Croton's colorful foliage is a showstopper—and is a common reason this plant's hit the best-seller lists of many plant sites. Like many other tropical plants, croton thrives in a warm, humid environment—you may need a humidity tray (a tray with pebbles half-immersed in water) or a humidifier to give it the right conditions.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Keep soil moist during summer and drier during the winter.
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 80%

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum)

This popular, easy-care plant thrives in just about every light or water situation, and may also serve as a natural air purifier. You can find variations with colorful leaves to help brighten up a dark corner of your house.

If you choose a Chinese evergreen with bright or variegated leaves, you'll need to keep it in a brighter spot to maintain the coloring, while green varieties do well in low light.

They thrive in high humidity, so they're a great choice for your bathroom—or you may need to place them in a saucer with pebbles and standing water to provide a humid environment.

Care Tips

• Light: Indirect light or low light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata)

These funky trees have been trendy for the past few years, thanks to their shaggy leaves and thick, woody trunk. They're slow growing, and can eventually become tree-sized, even indoors.

Another reason for their popularity? They're super easy to maintain, as long as you can find a sunny space for them.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright sunlight
• Soil: Sandy, cactus, or succulent soil
• Water: Water weekly to biweekly during the spring and summer and monthly during the winter.
• Temperature: 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Oyster Plant (Tradescantia Spathacea)

Prized for its colorful leaves and small stature, these green-purple plants can be grown outdoors or indoors. Oyster plants don't require a lot of maintenance to thrive and can tolerate a forgetful plant parent who lets it run dry.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Rich well-draining soil
• Water: Let the soil dry out at least 2 inches down between waterings.
• Temperature: 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%

Kalanchoe

If you want some pretty blooms for your plant collection, look no further: Kalanchoe is a popular houseplant and is also a succulent, so it's relatively easy to care for.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil, especially a succulent or cactus blend
• Water: Let the soil dry out 1 to 2 inches between waterings.
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 30 to 50%

Jasmine Plant (Jasminum)

Jasmine plants offer beautiful, fragrant flowers that make them desirable houseplants—and some varieties are vines and make gorgeous hanging plants.

Getting the watering right takes a little doing for this sweet plant—as it likes a steady, moist (but not too moist) soil.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Well-draining soil with bark, perlite, or peat
• Water: Let the top half inch of soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron Hederaceum)

The tried-and-true philodendron is an easy-to-grow houseplant with heart-shaped leaves—so it's no wonder its common name is sweetheart plant.

"This fast-growing and vining plant is incredibly easy to take care of and a perfect option for first-time plant owners," Pangborn says. "The heartleaf philodendron is incredibly tolerant of neglect including low light, poor soil, and inconsistent watering, making it a perfect choice for those with busier lives or for those who enjoy traveling for long periods of time."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Soilless potting mix
• Water: Allow to dry to the touch before watering.
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40%

Cactus

Cacti and succulents have become a common addition to most plant collections, due to their extreme ease of care—as long as you can get the light right, you don't have to do a whole lot of watering to keep a cactus thriving.

There are hundreds of different types of cacti and succulents, but most of them require the same type of care.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright light (southern or western windows)
• Soil: Grainy, sandy, well-draining soil (prefers cactus/succulent blends)
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Temperature: 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Silver Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Brandtianum)

The philodendron family is robust, and most of its members require low to medium maintenance. One of the most popular philos right now is the philodendron brandtianum, also known as the Brandi Philo. It has olive green streaks among its almost iridescent silver heart-shaped leaves.

"This vining, epiphytic, highly-sought-after species can be trained to grow up, rooting into a moist surface, or simply allowed to cascade out of a pot or hanging basket," notes Jayson Opgenorth, director of horticulture for LiveTrends Design Group. He adds, "Brandi is a great 'learner plant' that tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, allowing you to test and trial different light and care conditions."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Water: Keep moist but not wet; mist often.
• Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 60%

Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia Maculata)

Native to Brazil, the begonia maculata grows on a cane-like stem with long emerald green leaves and a smattering of silver spots. The back of the leaf is red, and the plant flowers with dense clusters of white blooms. It almost has a cartoonish aesthetic, making it the star of any space.

"As this plant thrives in humidity, it's considered high-maintenance. However, with great care, this plant will reward you with stunning leaves," says Carrie Waggoner, the experiential and workshops manager at Flowers for Dreams. "It can sometimes be hard to find, as it's not available all year. Keep your eye out at home improvement stores, and if you see it in a shop, snap it up!"

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light potting soil or sandy loam
• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; don't mist.
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 20 to 50%

Black Velvet Alocasia (Alocasia Reginula)

No matter which variety of alocasia you choose, this popular houseplant is bound to make a wow-worthy statement in your home. Each features unique leaves with striking veining and essentially doubles as a piece of sculptural art.

There's the 'Dragon Scale' alocasia with its almost turtle-like design, the 'Gray Dragon' with its silvery hue, and the 'Purple Sword' with its narrow, deep green leaves. All are worthy of any plant collection, says Benjamin Futa, CEO of The Botany Shop.

However, one of his favorites is the Black Velvet variety, which features saturated green leaves contrasted with white veining. He says, "It's one of the most popular at the moment, and can be found in plant shops, nurseries, and online platforms like Etsy."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Coarse, well-draining
• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist occasionally.
• Temperature: 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 60 to 75%`

Bird's Nest Anthurium (Anthurium Superbum)

Colloquially known as a bird's nest anthurium (not to be confused with the bird's nest fern) the dazzling anthurium superbum is recognized by its waffled, shiny, ironclad leaves. Opgenorth tells us it originates in Ecuador and is an excellent "gateway plant" for those who want to get more comfortable growing other members of the anthurium genus.

"Some distinctive characteristics are its bronze-colored new foliage and beefy, above-soil structural roots," Opgenorth says. "A superbum is a slow-growing species and is endangered in its native habitat, so verify it is not collected from the wild and grow one yourself to keep the genetics alive," he adds.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light, well-draining soil
• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often.
• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 65 to 80%

Ficus Audrey (Ficus benghalensis)

The ficus Audrey isn't just a lush, pretty plant to behold. It's also considered a holy plant in its native country, India. This one might look a bit familiar to you, especially if you're familiar with the ficus lyrata, also known as the fiddle-leaf fig.

"Ficus Audrey has deep green, oval-shaped leaves with dramatic yellow veins. In nature, these plants grow into tall banyan figs with impressive root systems and hanging aerial roots," Waggoner notes. "While ficus lyrata is known to be fussy, Audrey, in contrast, is more tolerant and easier to care for."

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light, well-draining soil
• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often.
• Temperature: 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Homalomena Selby (Homalomena hybrid)

If you're seeking rich yellow and green tones and leaves with ornate markings, look no further than the eye-catching homalomena plant, a compact grower well-suited for indoor care. This coveted houseplant is harder to come by compared to others on this list, but that only makes the hunt more exciting.

"Native to the humid rainforests of Southeastern Asia, its beautifully mottled yellow to dark green foliage provides a fantastic show. And the almost leathery feel of the foliage speaks to its durability," Opgenorth says.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Light well-draining soil
• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often.
• Temperature: 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Sweetheart Plant (Hoya Kerrii)

The hoya kerrii is a beautiful, vining succulent native to Thailand. A quick look at the heart-shaped design will tell you how this popular houseplant got its name. "Sweetheart plants are a nice, low-maintenance option that likes to dry out completely in between waterings," Waggoner notes. To that end, this slow-growing beauty is more at risk of being over-watered than under-watered.

Like some of the other popular houseplants on this list, the hoya kerrii can be tricky to find at big-box stores. However, Waggoner says you'll likely have good luck looking at boutique plant shops or on Etsy.

Care Tips

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Airy, well-draining soil
• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; mist occasionally.
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%