Are you considering adding some greenery to your home? House plants not only add a touch of nature to your living space but also provide numerous health benefits. However, choosing the right plants for your home can be overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to begin.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know when selecting house plants, from the lighting requirements to the level of care they need. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Light Requirements
- Humidity
- Care Requirements
- Choosing the Right Pot
- Top 50 Most Common House Plants Explained
Choosing the right houseplants can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to gardening. There are countless varieties of plants to choose from, each with different care requirements and benefits. However, with a little bit of research, you can find the perfect houseplants for your space and lifestyle. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know when choosing houseplants, including considerations for light, humidity, and care requirements.
Light Requirements
Different plants have different light requirements, and it’s important to choose plants that will thrive in the lighting conditions of your home. Some plants, such as snake plants and ZZ plants, can tolerate low light and are great for spaces that don’t receive much sunlight. Other plants, such as fiddle leaf figs and bird of paradise, require bright, direct light to thrive. Be sure to research the light requirements of any plant you’re considering before purchasing it.
Humidity
Humidity is an important factor to consider when choosing houseplants. Some plants, such as ferns and orchids, require high humidity levels to thrive. If you live in a dry climate or have a home with low humidity levels, you may need to provide extra moisture for your plants. This can be done by misting the leaves with a spray bottle, placing a humidifier nearby, or grouping plants together to create a microclimate.
Care Requirements
Before bringing home a new plant, it’s important to research its care requirements to ensure that you’re able to provide the necessary attention and resources. Some plants, such as succulents and cacti, require infrequent watering and can thrive in drier conditions. Other plants, such as peace lilies and spider plants, require more frequent watering and may be more sensitive to over or under-watering. Be sure to consider the care requirements of any plant before purchasing it.
Choosing the Right Pot
When choosing a pot for your houseplants, it’s important to consider both the aesthetic and functional aspects. While a decorative pot can add to the beauty of your plant, it’s important to choose a pot that is appropriate for the size and needs of your plant. Consider the drainage needs of your plant, as well as the size of the pot – a pot that is too small can stunt the growth of your plant, while a pot that is too large can lead to over-watering and root rot.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled a list of all the common houseplants you’ll come across, complete with pictures and descriptions of each plant. So whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant or a statement piece for your home, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Top 50 Most Common House Plants Explained
Houseplants have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people bringing the outdoors inside. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, there’s a houseplant for everyone.
Spider Plant: With their long, slender leaves that arch gracefully down, spider plants make an attractive addition to any room. They are easy to care for and are known for their air-purifying abilities.
Snake Plant: Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, have tall, sword-shaped leaves that grow upright. They are low-maintenance and can survive in a wide range of lighting conditions.
Pothos: Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, have heart-shaped leaves that are variegated in shades of green and yellow. They are a great choice for beginners and can thrive in low to medium light conditions.
ZZ Plant: The ZZ plant is a low-maintenance plant with thick, glossy leaves that grow upright. It can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions and is known for its air-purifying abilities.
Philodendron: Philodendrons have large, heart-shaped leaves that come in shades of green and sometimes variegated with yellow or white. They can be grown as a hanging plant or as a trailing plant.
English Ivy: English Ivy is a classic indoor plant that has been popular for generations. Its trailing vines with small, glossy leaves make it a great choice for hanging baskets.
Chinese Evergreen: Chinese evergreen is a low-maintenance plant with dark green leaves that are sometimes variegated with silver or white. It can tolerate low to medium light conditions.
Peace Lily: Peace lilies have dark green leaves with white blooms that emerge from the center. They are a great choice for low-light areas and are known for their air-purifying abilities.
Rubber Plant: Rubber plants have large, shiny leaves that come in shades of green or burgundy. They are a great statement plant for any room and can thrive in low to medium light conditions.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a succulent plant with spiky leaves that contain a gel-like substance that is known for its healing properties. It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering.
Golden Pothos: Golden pothos is a popular trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves that are variegated in shades of green and yellow. It can thrive in a wide range of lighting conditions.
Fiddle Leaf Fig: Fiddle leaf figs have large, violin-shaped leaves that can grow up to a foot long. They are a popular statement plant for living rooms and require bright, indirect light.
Jade Plant: Jade plants are succulents with thick, oval-shaped leaves that grow in a tree-like form. They prefer bright, indirect light and can survive with infrequent watering.
Boston Fern: Boston ferns have delicate fronds that give them a soft, feathery appearance. They are a great choice for hanging baskets and prefer bright, indirect light.
Dracaena: Dracaenas are tall, statement plants with long, strap-like leaves that come in shades of green or variegated with white or yellow. They can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions.
Bird’s Nest Fern: Bird’s nest ferns have wavy fronds that grow in a circular rosette, giving them their name. They prefer bright, indirect light and thrive in high humidity.
African Violet: African violets have delicate, fuzzy leaves and produce small, vibrant blooms in shades of pink, purple, and blue. They prefer bright, indirect light and require careful watering.
Dieffenbachia: Dieffenbachias have large, variegated leaves that come in shades of green and white. They can grow up to six feet tall and prefer bright, indirect light.
Devil’s Ivy: Devil’s ivy is a popular trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves that are variegated in shades of green and yellow. It can thrive in low to medium light.
Peperomia: Peperomia is a genus of small, easy-to-care-for plants that come in a wide range of colors and textures. With their low-maintenance requirements, Peperomias make a great choice for novice plant parents.
Cactus: Cacti are a type of succulent plant that are known for their distinctive appearance and their ability to thrive in arid environments. These plants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small, round “button” cacti to tall, branching varieties.
Aglaonema: Aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of light conditions. With its attractive foliage and easy care requirements, Aglaonema is a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of green to their home.
Ponytail Palm: The Ponytail Palm is a unique-looking plant that is native to Mexico. With its distinctive bulbous trunk and long, spiky leaves, it makes a great statement piece in any room. Plus, its low-maintenance requirements make it an easy plant for even the busiest of plant parents.
Prayer Plant: Prayer plants are named for their unique ability to fold their leaves up at night, as if in prayer. With their attractive foliage and interesting growth habits, they make a great choice for those looking for a low-maintenance plant that’s sure to catch the eye.
Norfolk Island Pine: The Norfolk Island Pine is a popular choice for those looking for a tall, striking plant that’s easy to care for. With its distinctive branches and needle-like foliage, this plant is sure to make a statement in any room.
Bromeliad: Bromeliads are a type of tropical plant that come in a wide range of colors and sizes. With their vibrant, exotic appearance and low-maintenance requirements, they make a great choice for those looking to add a touch of the tropics to their home.
Fittonia: Fittonia, also known as nerve plant, is a low-growing plant with striking foliage that comes in a range of colors and patterns. With its low-maintenance requirements and easy care instructions, it’s a great choice for those looking to add a touch of color to their home.
Gasteria: Gasteria is a genus of succulent plants that are native to South Africa. With their attractive, spiky leaves and low-maintenance requirements, they make a great choice for those looking for an easy-care plant with plenty of character.
Haworthia: Haworthia is a genus of small, slow-growing succulent plants that are native to southern Africa. With their distinctive, spiky leaves and easy care requirements, they make a great choice for those looking to add a touch of the desert to their home.
Schefflera: Schefflera is a genus of tropical plants that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. With their attractive foliage and low-maintenance requirements, they make a great choice for those looking for an easy-care plant that’s sure to make a statement.
Spiderwort: Spiderwort is a low-growing plant with attractive, bright purple flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. With its easy care requirements and attractive appearance, it’s a great choice for those looking for a low-maintenance plant that’s sure to catch the eye.
Yucca: Yucca is a genus of plants that are native to the Americas. With their distinctive, sword-like leaves and low-maintenance requirements, they make a great choice for those looking for an easy-care plant that’s sure to make a statement.
Jade Plant: This succulent has thick, oval-shaped leaves and is often associated with good luck and prosperity. It is easy to care for and makes a great addition to any sunny windowsill.
Amaryllis: Known for its striking flowers, the amaryllis blooms in a variety of colors from white to deep red. It is a popular choice for holiday decorating and can be easily grown indoors.
Cyclamen: With its delicate, butterfly-shaped flowers and attractive foliage, cyclamen is a favorite indoor plant. It prefers cool temperatures and bright, indirect light.
Christmas Cactus: This festive plant blooms around the holidays and comes in a variety of colors from white to pink to red. It is easy to care for and can live for many years with proper care.
Kalanchoe: This colorful plant has small, vibrant flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. It is easy to care for and can bloom for several weeks at a time.
Primrose: This bright and cheerful plant comes in a variety of colors and is easy to care for. It prefers cool temperatures and indirect light.
Spathiphyllum: Also known as the peace lily, this plant has glossy, dark green leaves and elegant white flowers. It is a great air purifier and is easy to care for.
Streptocarpus: This plant produces delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink. It prefers bright, indirect light and moderate humidity.
