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The most common houseplants are popular for a reason. Known for being easy to care for, readily available, and looking attractive in any setting, these common houseplants will appeal to beginner plant owners trying to grow their collection and expert gardeners alike. Whether you're on the hunt for a trailing vine to perch atop your bookshelves or a lush, vibrant tree to occupy a light-filled corner of the living room, we rounded up the 15 most popular houseplants that will enliven your space.
One common beginner mistake is placing a houseplant where it doesn't receive enough light. While all plants need some sun, some species can tolerate low light better than others. Before you buy a new plant, think about where you want to put it and the amount of light it will get there. (If your space is particularly dark, purchasing a grow light might be a good idea.) Once your plant is in place, look out for indicators that it needs more, like drooping, stagnant growth, or brown leaves, and move it if necessary.
Another mistake new plant owners frequently make is overwatering. It's better to err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering because it's easier to revive a dry plant than a saturated one. Start by watering your plant once a week, then assess whether your plant is responding positively or negatively. Simply sticking your finger in the soil will let you know if your plant needs more or less water. Also, make sure to consider the humidity in your home. Most houseplants have tropical origins and thrive in humid environments. (The bathroom is a great spot for moisture-loving plants!)
Read on to find the perfect houseplant for your style and space.
If you need a fast-growing, lush plant to fill out a bare space quickly, the pothos should be your top pick. With its variegated heart-shaped leaves and spindly, crawling vine, this low-light-tolerant plant needs very little to thrive. While it will do best in bright indirect light, the pothos can handle medium to low light just fine and needs watering every one to two weeks.
Similar in appearance to the pothos, philodendrons also feature heart-shaped leaves and fast-growing tendrils. These cutie trailers are the perfect hanging basket plant or would look beautiful spilling from an urn. Care for a philodendron as you would a pothos—check the soil every week and water only when it's completely dry.
Caring for aloe vera can be tricky, but that doesn't make it any less popular. This popular succulent requires lots of sunlight and very little water. It's well-known for the cooling, healing gel that can be applied topically to burns. Mature plants can also be propagated to grow your collection.
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Costa Farms Peace Lily
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Costa Farms Peace Lily
Perhaps one of the most well-known indoor plants, this tropical flowering evergreen will do best in a room that mimics its natural environment—indirect light, warm air, and moist soil. For a true showstopper with lots of blooms, don’t let the soil completely dry out and give it plenty of sunlight.
Read More About Peace Lily Care
Nearly impossible to kill, sansevieria has flat, sword-like variegated leaves that tolerate any amount of light. For faster-growing stems, place a snake plant (also sometimes called Mother-in-Law's Tongue) in a bright room. Drier soil is better for this popular plant, so err on the side of underwatering.
Think you're too busy to be an attentive plant parent? Try a supremely easy-to-care-for ZZ plant. This hardy, low-light tolerant plant can go weeks between waterings and has shiny, waxy leaves.
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Notable for its broad, wavy leaves, this sculptural and sprawling tree makes a statement in large, open spaces. While beautiful, this beloved tree can be finicky to care for as it requires lots of light and a warm, humid climate, similar to its native tropical home.
A true classic, spider plants have long been a favorite in the houseplant world for their playful striped foliage and low-maintenance nature. Their slim arching leaves lend themselves perfectly to hanging pots for a charming display. Plus, they produce the cutest little "pups" (aka baby plants) that can be propagated.
While this aggressive grower is typically avoided when planting outdoors, it won't cause any trouble contained in a pot indoors. Moist soil and bright but not direct light are ideal. Prepare to do some pruning, though, since ivy can climb quickly. Overall, this hardy plant is very easy to grow and, if kept under control, looks exceptional as a lush, trailing vine on a shelf or in a hanging pot.
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A great pick for beginners, this whimsical-looking plant doesn't need very bright light, warm temps, or much water. (Overwatering will cause it to rot.) Because it grows so quickly, you can remove some of the new shoots occasionally and pot them in a new planter, or you can leave them for a fuller look.
Just give this easygoing plant a bright window and adequate watering every few weeks and you'll be rewarded with a tall, dramatic tree. Its deep evergreen leaves shine against the purple-hued stems. The glossy texture reflects light too, making this tropical varietal a true statement piece in your home.
Jade plants can last a lifetime if properly cared for. These beloved succulents love bright light (at least six hours), well-draining soil, and frequent watering in the summer months. Their woody stems and plump round leaves are slow-growing but hardy and easy to propagate.
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Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, this tropical plant can tolerate missed watering sessions and prefers indirect to medium light. Its characteristic holey leaves like to spread out and tend to get leggy. Monsteras are climbers, and once they mature, they benefit from a stake support to keep them stable.
These sweet little low-growing plants give off spectacular blooms year-round, undoubtedly the reason for their popularity. Caring for African violets does require patience, though. Bright, indirect light is best, and it's important to keep the leaves dry lest they rot. While there are some quirks to keeping this plant thriving, the vivid purple flowers are well worth the effort.
Sometimes called the Bamboo Palm because of its bamboo-like stems, this palm tolerates low light quite well and isn't toxic to pets. Its adaptable nature makes it a top pick for beginners. Just put this South American native in a warmer room with indirect light and let its lush, droopy fronds bring a touch of the tropics to your home.
