25 Best Indoor Plants To Brighten Up Your Home
They're low-maintenance but high reward! 🪴
A home isn't a home without lots of life inside! And we're not just talking about the people who live there, but the power of plants, too. Introducing a touch of greenery into your living space not only makes your home look better—it makes you feel better! Studies even suggest that simply being in the presence of plants can improve your mood. If you're unable to enjoy your outdoor garden with its beloved shrubs and blooming vines, adopt some indoor plants for an instant injection of color and happiness into any room. Plus, there are plenty of low-maintenance options available for those without a knack for gardening—all they require is adequate light and water.
Most houseplants have tropical origins, so they like bright, indirect light (not direct sunlight), which is typically best in east- or south-facing windows. West-facing windows often have intense light that may be too strong in summertime, so you might need to shade some of your indoor plants with a sheer curtain. North-facing windows typically don’t offer sufficient light, especially in the winter. If you don’t have the right conditions, invest in a few inexpensive grow lights so your plants can thrive indoors.
When watering your indoor plants, err on the side of too dry, rather than too wet. Most houseplants prefer to dry out a bit between waterings, so stick your finger in the soil and see if it still feels moist. If you’re in doubt, wait a day and try again. Also, choose a planter that has holes in the bottom so excess water can drain out. No plant likes soggy feet!
Ahead, you'll find our favorite indoor plants for every room in the house. Be sure to check out the best indoor trees, next!
Itching for more indoor plant inspiration? Look no further:
Snake Plant
This easy-to-grow plant has a striking upright shape and tolerates low light conditions. Let it dry out between waterings. Snake plants are the ideal choice for new plant parents because they're quite forgiving and can go 2 to 3 weeks if you forget to water.
Watering: Once a month
Sunlight: Bright to medium indirect sunlight
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants, short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, have shiny leaves and an upright form. They're just as tough as snake plants and can handle low light, and like to be completely dry between waterings.
Watering: Every two to three weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light, can tolerate low light
Philodendron 'Birkin'
Philodendrons are easy to grow, but they do need bright, indirect light. There are hundreds of species, but this upright variety with white striped foliage makes a striking addition to any brightly-lit space. Let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light
Philodendron 'Heartleaf'
This is another type of philodendron that likes bright, indirect light. It has pretty dark green heart-shaped leaves and a vining form, so it looks great draping over end tables or shelves. Let it dry out slightly before watering again.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light, can tolerate low indirect light
Money Tree
Purported to bring good luck (and who doesn’t need more of that?!), this plant has an upright form and glossy green leaves. It prefers bright light but will adapt to moderate light. If you try to grow it where it’s too dim, the plant will stretch and become scraggly. Let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are an old favorite for their glossy dark green leaves and unusual white spoon-shaped flowers. They will tolerate low light but prefer moderate to bright, indirect light in order to bloom. Keep yours slightly moist.
Watering: Once a week
Sunlight: Moderate to bright, indirect light, can tolerate low light
Peperomia
With thick, puckered heart-shaped leaves, this little plant forms a cute mounded shape. It will tolerate low to moderate light. Let the soil dry out before watering again.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright, indirect light
Pothos
Probably one of the easiest houseplants to grow, pothos has beautiful variegated leaves and a vining form. It prefers bright light but will adapt to low light (though it won’t grow as fast). It doesn’t like to be soggy, so let the soil dry out between waterings.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light, can tolerate low light
Philodendron 'Brasil'
This variegated form of heartleaf philodendron is an easy plant to grow. It has dark green leaves with lime green streaks and likes bright light. Let it dry out in between waterings!
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light, can tolerate low indirect light
Peacock Plant
This colorful plant, also called calathea, has pretty rounded leaves and attractive markings with red undersides. It needs bright light and constant slight moisture.
Watering: Once or twice per week
Sunlight: Bright, filtered light, can tolerate full shade or low light
Jade Plant
Resembling a tiny tree with fat, fleshy leaves, this fuss-free plant likes bright light. But because it’s a succulent, it’s forgiving about watering. Give it a drink every week or two when dry.
Watering: Once every two weeks, once soil is dry
Sunlight: At least four hours of direct sunlight or 12 hours of bright, indirect light per day
Swiss Cheese Plant
A few different plants in the Monstera family go by this common name. They have whimsical holes (like Swiss cheese, obviously!) and like bright indirect light. Wait to water until the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright to medium indirect light
African Violet
These cheerful little plants with fuzzy leaves bloom almost continuously in the right conditions. They need bright, indirect light. Give them a drink when the soil feels slightly dry to the touch and water from the bottom (set the pot in water and let soak for 30 minutes) or the top, but don’t get water on the leaves to prevent spotting.
Watering: Once a week, once soil is dry
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Parlor Palm
Popular since Victorian times, these handsome palms add a sophisticated flair to your room—but they definitely need bright light and constant light moisture.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright, indirect light, can tolerate low light
Norfolk Island Pine
This attractive little tree has soft needles and an upright form. It will grow rapidly in the right conditions. Give it bright light, though it can tolerate moderate light levels, and constant light moisture. But don’t let it dry out or it will drop lower branches, which won’t regrow.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
String of Pearls
This adorable succulent looks just like a long strand of pearls. It's a bit fragile, so find it a good spot and let it be. Give it bright, indirect light, and it will grow rapidly. Let it dry out between waterings.
Watering: Every two to three weeks
Sunlight: A mix of bright direct and indirect sunlight
Aglaonema
This upright plant has red or white streaked foliage. It likes moderate light but will adapt to low light. Water when the soil feels dry.
Watering: Every five to 10 days
Sunlight: Low to bright indirect light
Haworthia
This petite plant has striped leafy clusters. It likes bright, indirect light and because it’s a succulent, it should dry out between waterings—which may not be needed for 10 days to 2 weeks.
Watering: Every two to three weeks
Sunlight: Bright, indirect to direct light
Pilea
Also called coin plants because of their fun foliage, pilea likes bright, indirect light. Let it get mostly dry before watering again. If it sprouts tiny “pups” next to the mother plant, you can separate them and make new baby plants.
Watering: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light, can tolerate low to medium light
Rubber Tree
Rubber trees have been popular forever because they’re hardy and easy to grow. They have glossy, leathery leaves, and a strong upright form, making them a great floor plant. The variegated types are especially eye-catching. They like bright light and need to be watered when the soil is slightly dry to the touch.
Watering: Once a week
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
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