Houseplants are the ultimate decor.
They create cleaner air while bringing the outside in and making a comfortable aesthetic with stunning colours in your home. The benefits of indoor plants are clear, but which varieties you should choose for indoor conditions can be less so.
You don’t have to be the world’s foremost plant expert, thanks to low-maintenance indoor plants that are compatible with every lifestyle and home type. We’ve pulled together the 15 best indoor houseplants so you can start to build a mini-jungle that will look amazing. So pick your favourites from this list and green those thumbs!
String of Hearts
Let’s kick off this list with a very easy-to-look-after houseplant. The String of Hearts may be delicate, but it is also tolerant. It grows tiny heart-shaped leaves in pairs that offer a silver-grey top with a rose-pink bottom.
This houseplant stores water in its stems, which can grow up to two meters long, perfect for sitting on a shelf or in a hanging planter. The String of Hearts can handle all temperatures, but try to keep it out of the direct sun. Ensure moist soil and the occasional water spray to keep it happy.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen are popular indoor plants in the winter. They love cool, draught-free spots that will catch a bit of morning sun. The Cyclamen just needs a decent watering whenever you notice the mix is almost dry. To do this, stand the pot in water for around 30 minutes, and the plant will drink up everything it needs!
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
There are few indoor houseplants as unique as the striped and twisting leaves of the tough and drought-tolerant Snake Plant. Sometimes hilariously called the mother-in-law’s tongue, there are different varieties of this plant, including dwarf options.
This plant is fine for low-light areas but will grow faster if it catches a little sun. When the weather is warmer, water this plant once a week, but drop it to once a month when things cool down.
Money Tree
The Money Tree has a beautiful braided trunk and is capable of growing up around three meters even when kept indoors! This plant is believed to create good luck and prosperity, making it one of the most popular indoor plants to give as a gift.
If you make sure your money tree has lots of access to bright, indirect sunlight and only water when the soil is dry, you’ll have a very gorgeous addition to the home.
Peace Lily
The Peace lily is an elegant plant that grows tear-shaped leaves and stunning white flowers. These are good indoor plants to create an effortlessly chic look in your home but be warned that these little ones can be temperamental if they don’t have moist soil.
The leaves will droop when thirsty and spring back up within minutes after being watered. Some mist from a water spray and the avoidance of direct sun should keep these divas happy!
Asparagus Fern
Interestingly enough, the Asparagus Fern isn’t actually a fern! These are among the types of indoor plants that thrive in bright spaces but also can handle corners that get small amounts of light. As long as you ensure the soil is moist, you’ll be the owner of a very happy plant.
Calathea Ornata Plant
Do you have a lot of stripes around your home? If so, this plant will fit in perfectly. We think this is one of the best indoor plants around due to its pinstripe look, which often has it referred to as a zebra plant.
The large, striped leaves will thrive if you keep the soil lightly moist and make sure it receives some bright, indirect light.
Rubber Plant
When it comes to low-maintenance houseplants, the Rubber Plant is the king. All it takes is a little pruning and bright, indirect light, and you’ll enjoy a tall plant with big, dark green leaves that will match any home’s decor. Watering should only be done roughly once a week or when you notice the soil is very dry.
Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)
Whether you recognise the name or not, everyone knows the Monstera Deliciosa. If you are new to indoor houseplants, this is a great starting point that will make a big impact and look amazing.
These plants come from the rainforest, so a similar climate with high humidity, heavy rainfall, and lots of shade is where they thrive. This can make them the perfect bathroom or warm living room plant! You can train them to climb up moss cover poles where they can reach around two meters high. However, as with most indoor plants, the size of the pot will limit growth.
Zamioclcas Zamifolia ( ZZ Plant or Zanzibar Gem)
The ZZ Plant is truly unique thanks to its dark glossy leaves. The perfect coffee table plant, this little one loves a shady spot and indirect light. This plant actually loves being root bound, so minimal repotting only.
Truly low-maintenance and drought tolerant, this plant can grow to just under a meter, and it offers excellent air purifying capabilities. A little liquid fertilizer once a month in summer and spring will really ensure it thrives.
Philodendron
In the world of tall, upright indoor plants, the Philodendron is a popular option. This large-leaved climber thrives in bright light positions but also like a little shade, making it perfect for many indoor spaces.
You can very easily train this plant to climb up a mossy pole, and you’ll also see very big leaves form if you keep the plant in humid conditions. Give this one some occasional mist or leave it in a steamy bathroom, and be warned, this plant can grow to around four meters!
Succulents
The plants for people who are not good with plants, succulents are some of the most popular indoor plants, and their shape and size options are many.
Group a bunch together or keep them in individual pots anywhere in the home. Just avoid humid areas such as kitchens, succulents love dry conditions, and their soil can dry out completely before you give them a good watering.
Pothos Plant
These large-leaved climbers/trailers hate attention, so neglectful plant owners, these are for you! They come in a range of colours so will suit any room, especially those with humid conditions. To care for a Pothos, water when the soil’s top two inches are dry; you’ll notice your plant is thirsty when the leaves curl slightly.
Calathea (Peacock Plant)
If you want some very decorative foliage, Peacock Plants feature striped leaves that can come in green, yellow, pink, and white. This plant loves humid conditions and regular misting. Overwatering is a risk with this plant, and if the leaves start yellowing, you’ve watered too much. Drench then drought is the key with this one.
Bromeliads
Another colourful and tropical plant that will adore the sunny spots in your apartment is the Bromeliad. Very easy to grow, this plant grows a colourful flower spike which will make this a feature of your plant collection. This plant requires minimal watering and a light misting once a week in hotter months.
How to Get Rid of Bugs from Indoor Plants
A slight downside to a glorious plant collection is the arrival of various bugs who will want to make the plants in your home their home. If they do appear, you can use neem oil, a natural insecticide, to get rid of them.
Simply dilute some concentrated neem oil in water and mix it with a few drops of organic dishwashing liquid. Then, pop it in a spray bottle and mist it onto the plants that have unwanted house guests.
How to re-pot Indoor Plants
Whether it’s a pot style change or a plant that has outgrown its home, you may need to re-pot some of your collection at some point. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Remove the plant from its current pot by turning it sideways and holding it gently by the stems. Tap the bottom of the pot until the plant slides out
- Loosen the roots so they can spread out a little
- Remove the old potting mix and refresh your larger pot with some new mix
- Place your plant into the soil
- Water and enjoy!
If you notice your plant looking unhealthy or roots starting to pop out of the bottom of the pot, it may be time to consider a space upgrade!
Enjoy a Little Greenery at East Brunswick Village
We strongly encourage people to fill their apartments with the wonderful plants listed above at East Brunswick Village and also provide a range of green spaces where you can get out and enjoy nature as well! If you’re looking for more tips on how to upgrade your apartment with some greenery check out our article, How To Style Your Indoor Plants Like A Pro.
We’ve set up EBV’s green spaces and gardens with a range of plants that are suited to the local environment. Everything outdoors at EBV was designed in collaboration with our landscapers including the team from Very Edible Gardens, who considered a range of environmental factors to make the perfect plant selections for the grounds. We love being green at EBV!
Find out more about EBV’s sustainability efforts, and design initiatives for a greener future.
