The 13 Best Indoor Plants for Gorgeous Greenery and Healthier Air

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Looking for trees that’ll thrive near your TV or fuchsia flowers happy to bloom inside a bathroom? The best indoor plants, which we’ve rounded up here, prove that gardening doesn’t have to be an open-air pursuit. Plus, bringing plants into your home offers benefits beyond adding a touch of green to your decor; research has shown that the presence of plants reduces stress, boosts productivity, and improves air quality by removing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and ammonia from the air. One study even found that participants with exposure to indoor plants took fewer sick days.

Appreciate plants but swear you can’t keep even a faux cactus alive? Fear not! We’ve talked to plant pros to determine the best botanicals for different spaces (from cozy corners to rooms with little light) and rounded up some helpful plant care tips. So even if you’re new to indoor gardening, here’s some home-loving horticulture you can handle.

What is the best soil for indoor plants?

“Choosing the right soil for your indoor plants depends on your watering habits and the overall humidity in your space,” says Victor Castro, a plant expert with TheNurseryProjectUSA on Palmstreet, a live marketplace for plants. “For homes with high humidity, opt for a chunky, well-draining soil mix. Ingredients like bark, perlite, and coarse sand are ideal for preventing overwatering and keeping roots aerated. In drier, warmer spaces, where soil tends to dry out quickly, a more moisture-retentive mix is best. Adding components like coco coir, peat moss, or vermiculite will help retain water without making the mix overly dense.”

Ultimately, it’s all about balance and making sure the soil holds enough moisture to sustain your plants between waterings while allowing excess water to drain so that the plant’s roots don’t rot. “Adjust your mix to suit both your watering routine and your indoor environment, and your plants will thrive,” says Castro.

How do you pick the right pot for indoor plants?

This is essentially the first step in caring for your plant. The pot you choose to house your plant has a major impact on its health and appearance. But that doesn’t mean you have to totally forgo aesthetics. Castro recommends “keeping your plants in clear nursery pots, as these allow you to monitor root health and watering needs easily. Then you can place the nursery pot into a decorative pot of your choice—this way, you get both practicality and style.”

Drainage and size are other key components to consider in finding the right planter. “Drainage holes are a must. No plant enjoys sitting in waterlogged soil,” says Castro. “For plants that like a drier environment, like succulents or cacti, terra-cotta pots are perfect because they wick away excess moisture. For tropical plants that need consistent humidity, plastic or ceramic pots help retain moisture better.” In terms of size, Castro recommends choosing a pot just slightly larger than the plant’s root ball to avoid overwatering issues.

When should I repot an indoor plant?

All the love and care you shower onto your new plant means it will eventually outgrow its initial vessel and need repotting. Signs that it’s time to upgrade your pot include slowed growth (sometimes only small leaves appear, but no other new growth), roots that circle around the pot or grow through the bottom, and water draining through the pot quickly. Additionally, a plant that’s outgrown its current home may become top heavy. Young plants might need repotting annually, but mature plants should only need it every few years.

As for what time of year is best for repotting, late winter is ideal. That way, your plant will be all set with additional space for spring, which is the active growing season for most plants.

What’s the best placement for indoor plants?

“Finding the perfect spot for your indoor plants comes down to understanding their light needs,” says Jose Barreto, also a plant expert with TheNurseryProjectUSA. “Bright, direct light lovers, like succulents, thrive right next to sunny windows. For plants like pothos or peace lilies, indirect light is ideal—place them a few feet away from the window or use sheer curtains to soften the sunlight. Low-light plants, such as ZZ plants or snake plants, can flourish in shadier corners, making them great options for rooms with limited natural light.” Find more information about each plant’s lighting needs below.

In addition to lighting, Alfred Palomares of 1-800-Flowers.com points out that it’s important to consider temperature inside your home. “The location of your heating and cooling vents will help determine where your plants live as well, as heating and cooling vents can dry out your greenery,” he says. Likewise, if you live in a cold climate, it’s best to keep tropical plants away from drafty areas or doorways, where they may get hit with frigid temps.

What indoor plants are safe for pets?

Before introducing a new plant baby, it’s always a good idea to make sure it won’t have an adverse effect on any fur babies in your home. Some varieties—including snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and peace lilies—are toxic to cats and dogs and can be harmful to them if ingested. Pet-safe plants include cast iron, spider, Boston fern, lady palm, braided bamboo, and phalaenopsis orchid.

Best low-maintenance indoor plants

Can’t seem to keep your plants alive? Even if you’ve never gotten the hang of life as a plant parent, you can still add beautiful botanicals to your home. “I always recommend starting with a snake plant or pothos—they’re nearly indestructible and perfect for beginners,” Barreto says. For anyone who travels often and can’t keep up with demanding watering schedules, Barreto has another recommendation. “The ZZ plant is your go-to—it can survive for weeks without water and still look stunning,” he says.

Snake plant

Appropriate for the lunar year of the snake, the snake plant (scientifically known as Dracaena trifasciata) has been named the Plant of the Year for 2025 by 1-800-Flower.com. “This sleek, modern houseplant is perfect for plant parents who have little time to care for their green babies,” says Palomares. “Being easy to care for is one of the reasons we named it our plant of the year.” These star stems survive in low light and only require watering when soil is thoroughly dry—roughly every few weeks.

Pothos

Fun fact: Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) got its nickname “devil’s ivy” because it’s nearly impossible to kill. It’s also nearly impossible not to love, thanks to the variegated vines with dark green leaves streaked white or yellow that some pothos plants sport. And once you get the hang of handling this easy-peasy plant, you can easily propagate its clippings in soil, water, or moss to spread the love.

ZZ plant

Like snake plant, Barreto calls ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) “practically unkillable,” which is how it earned its “eternal plant” nickname. And though it doesn’t ask for much (it can survive months without watering), ZZ does best with a little indirect light and well-draining soil.

One important detail to note: ZZ plants are toxic to pets and people when ingested, so keep yours away from little ones and pets.

Best low-light indoor plants

All three plants mentioned above—snake, pothos, and ZZ—do well in low-light environments. (That’s part of their effortless charm.) According to Matt Slaymaker of Lively Root, the cast-iron plant is another excellent option. He says, “This popular houseplant is loved by many because it does well in low-light conditions and is super easy to care for. It’s best used as a simple foliage plant, bringing some green to your space.” And Barreto is a fan of the Chinese evergreen for a splash of color. “It’s a stunning option, with endless varieties that tolerate low light like champions,” he says.

Cast-iron plant

This laid-back botanical (Aspidistra elatior) not only does well in low light, it can also handle a range of temperatures and irregular watering. Fully mature, it maxes out at three feet tall and two feet wide. It’s nontoxic, meaning it’s safe for homes with cats and dogs.

Chinese evergreen

Here’s an ideal office plant. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) doesn’t require natural light, doing just fine in fluorescent lighting. It also starts out small in stature and can easily be kept in a pot on a desktop. But if you do place it in medium light, Chinese evergreen may even develop peace-lily-like blooms.

Best air-purifying indoor plants

“Spider plants are amazing at removing toxins like formaldehyde and are incredibly easy to care for,” says Castro. “Peace lilies pull double duty. They filter out several pollutants and add a touch of elegance with their graceful white flowers.” For a tropical vibe, Castro likes Boston ferns: “They’re fantastic for cleaning the air and adding a bit of humidity to your space, which is great for both plants and people.” The snake plant (mentioned above) is another powerful air purifier, in addition to being low maintenance.

Spider plant

Want air-cleansing benefits and gorgeously green variegated, white-striped leaves? Try a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). These plants are generally compact, making them ideal for a shelf or hanging basket. In return, give this non-toxic plant bright indirect sunlight and a thorough watering whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.

Peace lily

This multifaceted flowering plant could land in most of the categories in this roundup. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) purifies the air, has a preference for low light, and doesn’t require much work. “They can be a bit of a drama queen if you miss a watering,” says Slaymaker, “but don’t worry; it’s all a show and they’ll perk back up once you give them a splash.”

Boston fern

“The Boston fern [Nephrolepis exaltata] is a gorgeous, lush green fern that is known for its purifying abilities,” says Slaymaker. “This plant loves humidity too, so it’s perfect for bathrooms.” In fact, Boston ferns also restore humidity to the air, making them ideal for anyone who suffers from a dry nose, throat, or skin. Just be sure to give them regular waterings and bright, indirect light.

Best large indoor plants

If you’re lucky enough to have space for a big statement plant, Barreto recommends a monstera deliciosa. “It’s a true showstopper, with its massive, iconic leaves that instantly elevate any room,” he says. For a bit of drama, he also suggests the fiddle leaf fig because it’s “bold and beautiful,” though he does point out that it requires a little extra TLC to thrive. Slaymaker is also a fan of the fiddle leaf fig, which he calls “a perfect indoor tree,” as well as lady palm. “Lady palm is a great indoor shrub tree with a really cool tropical feel,” he says. “It’s a houseplant classic.”

Monstera deliciosa

It’s usually flowers that elicit oohs and ahs, but not so with monstera. On this sizable plant, the heart-shaped leaves with eye-catching cutouts are the main attraction. (Those cutouts are what earned monstera the nickname Swiss cheese plant.) To keep those lovely leaves lush, give monstera bright light, regular watering, and indoor temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fiddle leaf fig

From the rainforests of western Africa right to your living room, fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) infuses any space with a touch of the tropical. In addition to giving it bright, indirect light and a deep watering only when the top inch of soil is dry, rotate your tree once a month to keep it growing straight (otherwise it’ll lean toward the light). Every few months, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and maximize the plant’s photosynthesis potential.

Lady palm

Like monstera deliciosa and fiddle leaf fig, lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) is another great way to get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of foliage. Care instructions for the fiddle leaf fig are similar to those of the other two plants, including occasional misting (usually once a week), especially in dry conditions. These trees love a humid environment.

Best small indoor plants

When space is limited, stick to indoor plants that can easily live on a tabletop or windowsill. Palomares recommends braided bamboo and phalaenopsis orchid. “Braided bamboo is known for prosperity and luck,” he says. “According to feng shui principles, it’ll bring positive energy to the space it lives in.” In addition to blooms in vibrant pinks and purples, another perk of phalaenopsis orchids is that they do well without a ton of light—unlike many other species of orchid, per Palomares.

Braided bamboo

Also called lucky bamboo, braided bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) has long been seen as a symbol of good fortune in some Asian cultures. It’s also popular for its sculptural appeal—pros train the stalks to grow in braids, spirals, and even heart shapes. To make sure your bamboo thrives, give it bright, indirect light, water every 7 to 10 days, and well-draining potting mix soil.

Phalaenopsis orchid

Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to deal with, but phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis amabilis) is one of the most easygoing types—and with proper care, it can live for up to 15 years. “While most low-light plants prefer a north-facing window, the phalaenopsis orchid grows better when displayed near a shaded southern or eastern-facing window,” Palomares says. “Be sure to check the color of its leaves. If they start to darken, it means the plant needs more light.”

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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