Whether you’re a newbie plant parent or you’ve cultivated a green thumb, it can still be challenging to find the best house plants for your space. Each individual plant requires special care, but having that insight before you buy will make your life a whole lot easier. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best house plants, from easy peasy Pothos to pet-friendly ferns.
While I’ve definitely killed a plant or two in my lifetime, it’s all part of the process. I’ve had years of personal experience and am even happy to report that all of my house plants are thriving now! Those hard lessons I learned early on as a plant person even gave me a better understanding of how to properly care for each one.
Ahead, check out my list of the best house plants, from Snake Plants to Money Trees and everything in between!
My Top Picks:
- Best House Plants for Beginners: Pothos – $24.70 at Home Depot, Monstera – $59 at West Elm
- Best House Plants for Low Light: Snake Plant – $48 at the Sill, ZZ Plant – $36.97 at Home Depot
- Best House Plant for Bright Light: Money Tree – $33.50 at Amazon
- Best Indoor Plant for Medium Light: Areca Palm Tree – $41.05 at Amazon
- Best Pet-Friendly House Plant: Boston Fern – $19.97 at Home Depot
Reviews of The Best House Plants of 2024
1. Best House Plants for Beginners : Pothos
If you’re new to house plants, the thought of keeping them alive and appropriately cared for may be a little overwhelming. Thankfully, there are a few plants that are particularly forgiving, like the Pothos. This climbing vine isn’t finicky when it comes to light or water and is quite pretty when the leaves get long enough to drape over a bookshelf. They’re easy to care for, and if you decide you’d like to add a few more to your collection, they’re easy to propagate.
2. Monstera
Another easy-to-care-for plant, Monsteras have beautiful and distinct leaves that sprawl out, making them statuesque and art-like. They’re a little bigger than the pothos, which is good if you’re looking for something larger as a novice plant parent. Whether you use them as inspiration for a painting or just as decor, you really can’t go wrong with this majestic house plant. With proper, consistent care, they can even grow up to 66 feet tall!
3. Best Indoor Plants for Low Light: Snake Plant
Snake Plants are very hardy, low-maintenance, low-light plants that take up a lot of vertical space. I love these plants because they’re some of the easiest to care for! They don’t like to be overwatered and will do well in dim and dark areas, so you can set ‘em and forget ‘em. A smaller Snake Plant would work well as an office plant or on a desk, while a larger snake plant could fill out a large pot in the living room or bedroom. Regardless, this stylish plant won’t miss.
4. ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are a great option for a low-light space, and they’re very easy to care for, only needing to be watered about 2 times a month. They’ve been a favorite of mine for a long time! Similarly to Snake Plants, they look great in a wide variety of spots around the house and add a nice bit of greenery. Plus, they made Elsie and Emma’s list of the best indoor house plants since they’re such a breeze to take care of while still maintaining a pretty look.
5. Best Indoor Plant for Bright Light: Money Tree
If you have a space in your home that gets a lot of indirect, bright light, the Money Tree is one of the best indoor house plants. These plants are thought to bring good fortune to those who have them, and they also have a wonderful silhouette and add some positive energy to any space they’re in. When it comes to care, as long as you place it next to a window and don’t water it too often (they like to dry out between waterings), your Money Tree will be good to go!
6. Best Indoor Plant for Medium Light: Areca Palm Tree
Placing an Areca Palm tree in your home will bring tropical vibes and energy. This is a good option for less direct sun and takes up a good amount of space since their leaves arch outwards. They can thrive indoors or outdoors and do best with medium light, making them suitable for porches or window sills. I personally love how their feathery fronds offer an exotic flair to any room!
7. Best Pet-Friendly House Plant: Boston Fern
The Boston Fern is a nice wide plant that can be hung up for some aerial greenery. If you’d prefer to keep it closer to the ground, it also fills out a space nicely. Best of all, it’s a great pick for pet-friendly homes since it’s totally non-toxic. They also thrive in high-humidity environments, which means they’re a great plant for a bathroom.
8. Best Flowering House Plant: Orchid
Orchids have a reputation for being a little finicky, but with an understanding of the proper care for one of these beautiful plants, they’re well worth it. They’re more like an art piece than a plant and will have your house guests fawning over them. They also make for an excellent housewarming gift for friends, family, and loved ones.
9. Best Large House Plant: Fiddle Leaf Fig
If you want a large plant to take up a decent amount of space in your home, a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree could be just the thing. These indoor trees are not only big, but handsome and trendy as well. They work in a variety of locations and are an especially nice backdrop accessory for Zoom calls. The only caveat with them is that they are a little more challenging than some of the plants on this list, so if you’re considering taking one of these on, make sure to check out how to care for them.
10. Best Succulent: Aloe Vera
Aloes might be the most versatile plant on this list. Their leaves can be broken off to treat small burns to the skin or as a hair mask (I’ve used them since I was a child, and my mom showed me how to use them!). Or, if you’re looking for some fun, you can use aloe to make this delicious Aloe Margarita. Beyond their versatility, though, these plants are easy to care for and, if taken care of properly, can propagate on their own.
11. Best Fake House Plant: Fake Hoyas
If you have some anxiety about bringing in a living plant to your home, that’s totally fine! Live houseplants aren’t for everyone. This beautiful faux Hoya plant will add the greenery you’re looking for without the responsibility or upkeep required for live plants. If you’re someone who travels a lot or just need a lowkey office plant, this one’s for you. And if you decide you want all your plants to be THIS easy to care for, here’s a list of some of the most convincing faux plants out there!
12. Best for Those Who Want a Challenge: Juniper Bonsai Tree
Maybe you’ve already conquered the art of household plants and are looking to up your plant game. I’m personally not brave enough to take on a Bonsai, but I know that many people relish the challenge and the mindful practice of tending to them. They require a lot of attention but yield incredible results with beautiful miniatures of trees that are truly beyond the average house plant. It isn’t easy, but those who are bold enough to take on this project will definitely reap the benefits.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Betsey, a freelance writer with a ton of experience taking care of house plants. I worked with Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess, a place where they love sharing what they’ve learned while building their homes and lives. Their expertise in home decor and DIY has helped them develop a deep understanding of what it means to create a happy and unique space.
It can be hard to trust what you read online, but with our own personal experience, we can be a reliable guide you look to for anything home-related. This list of the best house plants was curated after years of learning about plant care. Hopefully, our advice and insight can save you some time, energy, and money and give you the joy that comes with caring for houseplants!
What to Know About the Best House Plants
Things to Consider When Choosing a House Plant
While many think that owning and caring for a plant is simple, it’s important to remember that they are living things that require maintenance and care. Each plant has a specific metabolism that is unique to them, and to put all plants on the same exact diet of water and sunshine might cause more harm than good.
Here are some things to consider when picking a good plant for your space!
Maintenance
When it comes to keeping your plants happy, the two most important things are light and water. These are the basics that keep them growing and thriving. Making sure they get enough of both is key. Depending on the house plant you choose, there might be a few other things to keep in mind, like pruning, fertilizing, and replanting.
Pruning and trimming can help your plant grow better and might be needed if it’s getting too big for your space. Replanting is important, too — when a plant outgrows its pot, it needs a bigger one to keep growing comfortably. If you don’t replant, it can become root-bound, which stops it from growing well. Always check out the care tips for your plant before guessing what it needs.
Sunlight
Sunlight is a critical component of plant health. Some plants thrive with a lot of sun, and others do not. To avoid damage, it is important to note what your plants prefer. It’s really all about finding the right balance and being in tune with your plants.
If you notice bleached or very brown brittle leaves, this could be a sign of too much sun. Often, these leaves will need to be trimmed or removed. Keeping an eye on your plants and paying close attention to changes in color, texture, or appearance could indicate something gone awry. If the sunlight component is too overwhelming or your home doesn’t get enough natural light, it may be worth investing in artificial lights or a hydroponic planter that automatically turns the lights on and off.
Watering
Similarly to sunlight, water can make or break a plant’s ability to thrive. Not enough water and the plant can dry up and too much water can lead to root rot. Neither of these issues is pleasant, and learning about the needs of the plant when you buy it can save some headaches for both you and your plant.
If you struggle to remember to water your plants, consider investing in a hydroponic planter like this Aerogarden. This type of planter is great for a little indoor herb garden and can fit nicely on a countertop.
Your Environment
Your needs as a plant owner will vary, and it’s necessary to think about this before you buy the right plant. Do you have pets? Maybe you live in an area with more air pollution, or you travel often. Are you looking for a new hobby? All of these components of plant ownership can be helpful information in deciding which plants are best for you.
What is the Best Indoor Plant for Home?
The best indoor plant for a home is one that fits your lifestyle and needs. As mentioned above, there are so many great low-maintenance plants out there that would be a great fit, like Pothos, ZZ Plants, Snake Plants, and Monsteras. Each plant has a distinct style and design that you can choose as a way to amplify your personality and decor. Ultimately, the best indoor plant is based on personal preference and for you to decide!
What Indoor Plant Purifies the Air the Most?
Having plants around the house is always good for purifying the air and providing fresh oxygen! Remember in science class when you learned about how plants take the air we breathe out and turn it into oxygen for us to breathe in?
While all plants use that process, there are some plants that are especially good at purifying the air we breathe: Pothos, aloe, and snake plants are all great at taking in benzene, formaldehyde, and other pollutants. These plants aren’t purifying the air at a fast enough rate to get rid of any air purifiers you may have, but still worth keeping around for a little boost of green and beauty.
What is the Easiest House Plant to Keep Alive?
I’d say the two easiest house plants to keep alive are Pothos and Snake Plants. I’ve gone on vacation for a month and left these two plants in low light conditions with no water and have come back to them mostly unphased. I’ve actually had to double check that my snake plant was real because it looked so good!
These plants are very easy to keep alive especially if you travel or have a busy life with little time for watering. The next best option would be convincing faux plants or dried flowers that don’t require any upkeep.
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
