Classic or common house plants are always reliable. They are easy plants that require little maintenance to flourish.
You can try out any of these popular houseplants in your homes or offices.
1. Spider plant
The spider plant or Chlorophytum comosum is a peculiar houseplant. It gets its name through its plantlets that resemble dangling spider legs. Spider plants are easy indoor plants that need little attention.
Keep the sunlight exposure low, as they do well in bright but filtered light. Watering should be average as they prefer moist but well-draining soil. It should also be well-aerated soil.
- Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
- Light requirements: Bright but filtered light
- Soil type: Well-draining, all-purpose soil.
2. Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Pine is a beautiful tree from the Araucariaceae family. It features a single upright tree trunk and a tiered growth pattern. They can be grown indoors as bonsai trees, but pruning should be done often.
As an indoor house plant, they have little needs. Watering should be kept at average levels and lighting should be bright but filtered. They do well in good potting soil with adequate draining ability.
- Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla
- Light Requirement Bright but indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil.
3. Inch Plant
Inch plants are cute plants. They are known for their unique foliage which has a fast growth rate. Inch plants have the tendency of growing one inch each day and that is where they get their name.
This exotic plant doesn’t need much attention to thrive. Their lighting needs should be kept at average with bright but filtered light. You should water the plant when the soil mix begins to dry. But they can survive neglect.
- Botanical Name: Tradescantia zebrina
- Light Requirement Bright but indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil mix.
4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is a popular choice for most homeowners that are looking for easy plants to grow. Snake plants have unique foliage that resembles a sword with patterns on it. One cool thing about snake plants is that they are almost indestructible.
You can grow the snake plant in almost any climate. They are drought-tolerant and can survive full exposure to sunlight. The best soil type for them would be well-draining soil.
- Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
- Light Requirement: Ranges from direct to indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil mix.
5. Chinese money plant
Chinese money plant is a cool houseplant that adds a lot of beauty to a living space. It features large flat green leaves that resemble pancakes. It produces pretty white flowers that are carried by stems of color pink.
Growing the Chinese plant indoors can be easy. Their green leaves can survive some exposure to sunlight. But they are best grown in areas of bright but filtered sunlight. Watering should be kept at an average level.
- Botanical Name: Pilea peperomioides
- Light Requirement: Bright but indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining, All purpose soil
6. Arrowhead Plant
The Arrowhead plant or Arrowhead vine is a species from the aroid family. It features large green leaves that take the shape of an arrowhead (hence the name). Arrowhead plants are easy plants to grow inside. They need little attention and can thrive in almost every climate,
They do well in bright but filtered sunlight. With time they can also adapt to low light areas. Watering should be done once a week, but ensure the soil is almost a little dry.
- Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum
- Light Requirement: Bright but filtered light
- Soil Type: Well-draining, Potting soil mix.
7. Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans or corn plant is a slow-growing perennial plant from Africa. It is a tropical ornamental flowering plant that could purify the air. When grown indoors, the exotic plant becomes a small tree with dark green leaves. These leaves are carried by their woody trunk.
Corn plants can survive neglect for 2 weeks. But keep watering levels moderate (once in 7 to 10 days). Sunlight should be filtered or indirect but bright.
- Botanical Name: Dracaena fragrans
- Light Requirement: Bright, light shade
- Soil Type: Loose, well-draining loamy soil mix
8. Jade Plant
The lucky plant or jade plant is another popular houseplant for gardeners. These succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow. They feature small green fleshy leaves that are carried by thick woody stems.
Like most succulents, the Jade plant is drought-tolerant. They can survive weeks without being watered. Water them once in 2 to 3 weeks. Mature jade plants can handle direct sunlight
- Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
- Light Requirement: Direct sunlight to partial shade
- Soil Type: Loose, well-draining succulent soil mix.
9. Cast Iron Plant
From the name, you can tell how sturdy the Aspidistra elatior is. It is a beautiful ornamental plant that is almost considered unkillable. Cast iron plants feature gorgeous leaves that are long, and stiff. They can be variegated with yellow or white patterns.
Aspidistra elatior plants can withstand high levels of neglect. They also survive areas with low light and almost every climate condition.
- Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
- Light Requirement: bright but indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Loose, rich, well-draining acidic soil.
10. Pothos
Pothos or devil’s ivy is an interesting houseplant. It is a plant species from the Arum family. Pothos plants are best grown in hanging baskets. This is due to their trailing or vining growth movement.
The popular pothos plant can be grown in areas with bright but filtered sunlight. Watering should be done once in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Light Requirement: bright but indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Well-draining, soilless mix.
11. English Ivy
Hedera helix is a fast-growing vining plant with stunning triangular leaves. As a vining plant, it is carried by strong powerful stems that have a trailing movement. One cool thing about the English ivy is its green flowers which are umbrella-shaped.
Grow your Hedera helix in areas with bright but filtered sunlight. Watering should be done once a week, but ensure the soil is almost dry.
- Botanical Name: Hedera Helix
- Light Requirement: bright but indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Rich, well-draining, loose soil.
12. Moth Orchid
The Moth orchid genus is a popular genus of epiphytic plants that are known for their weird colors. They are small and compact in size and can be grown in your living space. Moth orchids are considered average maintenance plants.
You would need to soak the roots of exotic plants in water before leaving them to dry. This should be done once in 7 days. Lighting should be kept bright but filtered.
- Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis Sp.
- Light Requirement: bright but indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Well, draining, soilless mix.
13. Calathea
Calatheas are known more as prayer plants. Their unique leaves are capable of drawing attention to the room. This is due to their weird variegations and patterns. Their variegations are unique to each plant species.
Calatheas are easy plants to grow. They do well in low lighting and can survive some form of neglect. Proper watering should be done once in 7 days.
- Botanical Name: Calathea Sp.
- Light Requirement: ranges from full to part shade.
- Soil Type: Well, draining, potting soil mix.
14. Rubber Tree
The Ficus elastica or rubber tree is a well-known houseplant that is known for its deep green leaves. These leaves are glossy and eye-catching. The ribber tree belongs to the Moraceae family and is blessed with aerial roots.
When grown indoors, they have a controlled height of 2 to 10 inches. You would need bright but indirect sunlight for the exotic plant. Keep the watering moderate.
- Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
- Light Requirement: bright but filtered sunlight.
- Soil Type: Well, draining, potting soil.
15. ZZ plant
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia gem plant or ZZ plant is a good example of a sturdy house plant. These exotic plant species feature deep green leaves that are carried by a thick woody stem. The stem is known to tilt a little, which is what makes it a tropical delight.
The ZZ plant can grow in most temperature conditions. They also do well in areas of low lighting and can survive some weeks of neglect.
- Botanical Name: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia.
- Light Requirement: Partial shade.
- Soil Type: Well, draining, acidic soil mix.
16. Dumb canes
Dieffenbachia or dumb canes are unique plants. They can be grown indoors and require little effort to flourish. They get the name “dumb canes” due to their variegated leaves and cane-like stems. The sap from the canes can cause irritation when eaten, making it hard to talk.
When growing dumb canes indoors, keep them away from kids or pets. Water them often, but keep them moist, not wet. They can survive low lighting.
- Botanical Name: Dieffenbachia Spp.
- Light Requirement: low to partial shade
- Soil Type: Rich, well, draining, potting soil.
17. Heart-leaf philodendron
Philodendrons in general are common houseplants. They are known for their heart-shaped leaves that have a leathery feel. You can find them growing in tropical regions of Central America.
One good thing about the Heart-leaf philodendron is that it can adapt to new climates. They do well in low light, but can also survive bright light. Water them once every week.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum
- Light Requirement: low to bright sunlight
- Soil Type: Acidic, well, draining, potting soil.
18. Wax plant
The Hoya carnosa or wax plant is a perennial vining plant. It has a trailing growth pattern and can be grown indoors in hanging baskets roots. They do produce flowers of pink colors that are both fragrant and radiant.
Hoyas can survive some form of neglect. However, water them once a week. They do well in partial shade to bright sunlight.
- Botanical Name: Hoya carnosa
- Light Requirement: medium to bright sunlight
- Soil Type: Well, draining cactus or orchid mix
19. Australia Umbrella Tree
The umbrella tree is an interesting houseplant. It is a tree plant that can be grown indoors as a small tree. They feature cool green leaves that are glossy. These leaves are spread around the stem to provide coverage as an umbrella would.
Australian umbrella trees are easy to grow and care for. They love moist soil and would do well in a room with bright but filtered light.
- Botanical Name: Schefflera actinophylla
- Light Requirement: bright but filtered sunlight
- Soil Type: Well, draining sandy or loam soil.
20. Fiddle-leaf fig
Fiddle-leaf fig or ficus lyrata is the most popular species from the ficus genus. It is a flowering plant from West Africa that is also from the Moraceae family. It features fiddle-shaped leaves that are broad and green.
As an indoor plant, the fiddle-leaf fig would do well with some exposure to direct sunlight. They can also adapt to low-light areas. Water them till the roots and dripping then leave them to dry a little.
- Botanical Name: Ficus lyrata
- Light Requirement: from partial shade to full sun.
- Soil Type: Well, draining, loam soil.
21. Goldfish plant
The Goldfish plant gets its name from the stunning color of its foliage. It features dark green leaves that are complemented by bright orange blooms. These glorious blooms come out during the summer and spring seasons.
Growing the Goldfish plant indoors can be easy. They do well in bright but filtered sunlight. Watering should be done every 2 weeks. They have delicate roots so do not overwater them.
- Botanical Name: Columnea gloriosa
- Light Requirement: Bright but indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: A soilless mix, very well-draining.
22. Weeping fig
The weeping fig plant is sure to bring tears to your eyes. They are delicate flowers with wonderful aesthetic appeal to your living space. They are called “weeping figs” due to their tear-shaped leaves,
Weeping figs do not require much watering. Keep it average, once a week. They do well in bright but filtered sunlight and hate excess cold.
- Botanical Name: Ficus Benjamina
- Light Requirement: Bright but indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: Well-draining rich, soil mix.
23. Widow’s thrill
Kalanchoes are exquisite plants that are sought after by many gardeners. They offer a pristine look to any living space. They produce blooms during the winter season. These blooms range in colors from red to yellow to pink and orange.
Widow’s thrill are low-maintenance plants. they would do well in bright but filtered sunlight. You might need to soak them once a week.
- Botanical Name: Kalanchoe
- Light Requirement: bright but filtered sunlight.
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil.
24. Swiss cheese plant
The Monstera adansonii is one of the most popular houseplants you can find. They are well sought after for their unique foliage. Their leaves are deep green and often heart-shaped. These leaves are also riddled with holes, giving the plant a swiss cheese look.
Adansonii monstera loves well-draining soil that is kept moist at all times. They do well when grown in bright but indirect or filtered lighting.
- Botanical Name: Monstera adansonii
- Light Requirement: bright but filtered sunlight.
- Soil Type: Well-draining, potting soil.
25. Ponytail palm plant
Ponytail palm plant is a common houseplant from the Asparagaceae family. It is also called the elephant’s foot due to its thick, strong trunk. It is a succulent houseplant that offers an exotic feel to any home or office.
The ponytail palm doesn’t require regular watering. This is because it is a succulent that can retain water in its stem or trunk. They can survive bright direct sunlight.
- Botanical Name: Beaucarnea recurvata
- Light Requirement: Ponytail palm plant
- Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the best beginner plants are the ZZ plant and the snake plant.
The striped plant is called the Calathea ornata. It is a member of the Calathea genus.
The most common houseplant is the swiss cheese plant. This is due to its fenestrated leaves.
Dumb canes or dieffenbachias are the most toxic houseplants. You should be careful when growing them indoors.
The ponytail palm plant offers a remarkable appeal when placed indoors. They are the prettiest houseplants.
