Houseplants for different locations / RHS Gardening (2024)

Best houseplants for high light levels

The following houseplants are suitable for locations such asa south-facing windowsill or a sunny conservatory, where both light levels and temperatures can get high. Also see our top 5 plants for sunny rooms.

Small houseplants
Agave filifera AGM (thread agave)
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ AGM (spider plant), C. comosum ‘Vittatum’ AGM (spider ivy ‘Vittatum’)
Echeveria agavoides AGM (moulded wax), E. derebergii AGM (painted lady), E. harmsii AGM (red echeveria), E. secunda var. glauca (glaucous echeveria)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (flaming Katy), K. tomentosa AGM (panda plant), K. delagoensis (mother of millions)
Nertera depressa (bead plant)
Pelargonium
Plectranthus oertendahlii AGM
Sedum sieboldii ‘Mediovariegatum’ AGM
Sempervivum tectorum (common houseleek)
Solenostemon (coleus)
Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Quicksliver’ AGM, T. pallida ‘Purpurea’ AGM, T. zebrina AGM

Medium to large houseplants
Agave americana AGM, Agave victoriae-reginae AGM
Beaucarnea recurvata AGM (elephant’s foot)
Bougainvillea
Citrus
Clivia miniata AGM
Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum (croton)
Crassula ovata AGM (jade plant)
Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) ‘Lemon Lime’(v) AGM (dragon tree), D. marginata ‘Tricolour’
Ensete ventricosum AGM (Abyssinian banana)
× Fatshedera lizei ‘Annemieke’ AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjamin fig tree)
Gardenia jasminoides AGM (Cape jasmine)
Gynura aurantiaca ‘Purple Passion’ AGM (velvet plant ‘Purple Passion’)
Hedera (ivy)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (tropical hibiscus)
Hoya lanceolata subsp. bella AGM (wax plant), H. carnosa ‘Variegata’ AGM
Jasminum polyanthum AGM (many-flowered jasmine)
Justicia brandegeeana AGM (shrimp plant)
Kalanchoe beharensis AGM, K. daigremontiana (Mexican hat plant)
Lantana camara
Musa acuminata (Aaa Group) ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ AGM (banana)
Nerium oleander (oleander)
Persea americana (avocado)
Phoenix canariensis AGM (canary island date palm)
Plectranthus thyrsoideus
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Yucca aloifolia, Y. elephantipes

Best houseplantsfor lower light levels

These houseplants are suitable for locations such as north- or north-east-facing windowsills and shaded conservatories. They need a minimum night-time temperature of 10°C (50°F) and should be allowed to partially dry out between watering, especially in winter. Also see our guide to houseplants for shady rooms.

Small houseplants
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ AGM (spider plant), C. comosum ‘Vittatum’ (v)AGM
Cyperus albostriatus, C. involucratus AGM (umbrella plant) keep it standingin 1cm of water at all times
Hedera helix ‘Duckfoot’ AGM (ivy)
Maranta leuconeura var kerchoveana AGM (prayer plant), M. leuconeura var erythroneura AGM (herringbone plant)
Peperomia obtusifolia AGM)
Plectranthus verticillatus, P. oertendahlii AGM
Selaginella kraussiana AGM (needs humid conditions), S. martensii ‘Variegata’ (needs humid conditions)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Streptocarpus (syn. Saintpaulia)(African violet)
Tradescantia fluminensis

Medium to large hosueplants
Aechmea fasciata AGM (silver vase plant)
Aglaonema ‘Sliver Queen’ AGM, A. crispum
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Meryersii’ AGM, A. setaceus ‘Pyramidalis’ AGM
Aspidistra elatior AGM (aspidistra)
Begonia rex cultivars, B. metallica AGM (metal-leaf begonia), B. masoniana AGM (iron cross begonia)
Bromeliads (e.g. Aechmea, Billbergia, Neoregelia)
Cissus antarctica AGM, C. rhombifolia AGM
Cordyline fruticosa ‘Kiwi’
Dieffenbachia ‘Camille’ AGM (Dumb cane)
Epipremnum aureum AGM
×Fatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjamin fig tree), F. elastica (India rubber tree)
Hedera helix (ivy)
Lapageria rosea AGM (Chilean bellflower)
Monstera deliciosa AGM (Swiss cheese plant)
Peperomia obtusifolia AGM
Philodendron scandens AGM (heart-leaf)
Pilea cadierei AGM
Pteris cretica var. albolineata AGM
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Schefflera actinophylla AGM (umbrella plant), S. arboricola ‘Gold Capella’ AGM
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia(fern arum)

Best houseplants for low light and fluctuating temperatures

These plants can cope in locations such as a hallway or single-glazed room that could be centrally heated by day but cold and draughty at night.

Chamaedorea elegans AGM (parlour palm)
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum' (v) AGM (spider plant), C. comosum ‘Vittatum' (v) AGM
Epipremnum aureum AGM (Ceylon creeper)
×Fatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus elastica (India rubber tree)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Philodendron scandensAGM (heart-leaf)
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Senecio macroglossus ‘Variegatus’ AGM
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)

Best houseplants for bathrooms

These plants will thrive in humid locations where the temperature can be cool.

Climbing/trailing houseplants
Cissus antarctica AGM (kangaroo vine), C. rhombifolia AGM (grape ivy)
Epipremnum aureum AGM (Ceylon creeper)
Hedera helix (ivy)
Philodendron scandens AGM (heart-leaf)
Plectranthus verticillatus
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)
Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Quicksliver' (v) AGM, T. zebrina AGM (silver inch plant)

Small houseplants
Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus' (v) (variegated slender sweet flag)
Adiantum capillus-veneris (maidenhair fern)
Carex morrowii ‘Fisher Form’
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum' (v) AGM (spider plant), C. comosum ‘Vittatum' (v) AGM
Cyperus albostriatus, C. involucratusAGM – stand itin 1cm of water at all times
Pteris cretica AGM
Saxifraga stolonifera AGM (strawberry saxifrage)
Selaginella kraussiana AGM (krau’s clubmoss), S. martensii AGM (martens club moss), S. uncinata AGM (peaco*ck moss)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Tillandsia cyanea AGM (pink quill)

Medium to large houseplants
Asplenium nidus AGM (bird’s nest fern)
×Fatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjaminfig tree)
Monstera deliciosa AGM (Swiss cheese plant)
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Elegantissima’ AGM (sword fern)
Schefflera actinophylla AGM (umbrella plant), S. arboricola ‘Gold Capella’ AGM

Best houseplants for cool, bright locations

These plants will be happy where the minimum winter night temperature is above freezing – such as in a sun room, unheated conservatory or enclosed porch.

Cacti and succulents
Aeonium arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’ AGM (dark purple houseleek tree), A. haworthii AGM, A. tabuliforme AGM , A. undulatum
Agave parryi AGM, A. utahensis AGM
Aloe humilis (spider aloe), A. variegata AGM (variegated candelabra aloe), A. vera AGM
Cereus uruguayanus
Opuntia cantabrigiensis, O. compressa, O. fragilis (brittle cactus), O. polycantha
Sempervivum arachnoideum AGM (cobweb houseleek), S. calcareum, S. ciliosum AGM, S. tectorum AGM (common houseleek)

Best houseplants for unheated locations above freezing

Camellias – culltivarsofCamellia japonicaandC.× williamsii
Clivia miniata AGM)
Crinum× powellii AGM
Pseudosasa japonica AGM
Pleioblastus viridistriatus AGM
Fargesia nitida

Best houseplants to give as gifts