Top 10 Indoor Plants

Whether your home is drenched in natural light or you rely on lamps to brighten up the mood, from cleaner air to creative decor – there are multiple benefits of having indoor plants around. However, it can be hard to know which varieties of plants are suitable for indoor conditions plus how to properly care for them.
 

1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum genus) 

The Peace Lily has long been a popular house plant, especially since NASA featured it in its list of best air purifying options. It has glossy, dark green foliage and stunning white flowers, usually growing between 45 to 65 centimetres tall. These tropical plants thrive in bright, indirect light, it can handle low light but that may cause it to bloom poorly. A peace lily will usually only need to be watered and misted once a week in warmer months, less often in winter. They hate soggy or wet soil and they’re prone to root rot so let the plants dry out a bit between waterings. Be sure to wipe down the foliage to prevent dust from building up.

Make sure it is kept away from pets or children who may be tempted to chew it, as the plant is poisonous and may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

2. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) grows in partial to full shade in its native Guatemala, which is why you'll see these specimens thriving in offices, malls, and other indoor spaces with little to no natural light. In fact, too much light will burn the leaves of the parlor palm, so keep this plant away from bright windows in the bedroom. A location close to a steamy bathroom that provides a humidity boost is ideal, as it will stave off pests, such as spider mites, that proliferate in dry conditions.

3. Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Devil’s ivy, also known as golden pothos or pothos, is a fast-growing and forgiving vine, suited to any position in the house. Whether they're potted in hanging baskets or cuttings places in glass vases, these plants are super low maintenance and absolutely stunning. The leaves are waxy, heart shaped and colouring depends on cultivar – Wilcoxii are a mottled white and green, Marble Queen have more of a cream and grayish-green colouring,

Neon is a shade of bright, light greeny-yellow and Tricolor have green leaves with yellow, light green and cream dappling. They're highly drought tolerant and don't require regular fertilisation. Water Devil's Ivy deeply once a week and cut back to every other week in winter. Spring and summer is the best time to prune and propagate your plant, placing the cuttings in glass jars of water to encourage rooting.

4. Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The tongue-in-cheek nickname "mother-in-law's tongue" doesn't do justice to the snake plant, a sculptural, vigorous specimen. The leathery, strappy leaves of Sanseviera have adapted to survive the harsh conditions of West Africa, where the soil is poor and rain is irregular.

You don't have to deal with messy dropped leaves or complicated pruning with the snake plant; just water it every couple of weeks. If you repot this slow-grower, provide a container with drainage holes, as the snake plant will rot in standing water. 

5. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)

Corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) give homeowners the look of a tree without the unmanageable height issues that come with a tree that has outgrown its space. Long, glossy leaves top stout trunks, a substantial plant that serves as a handsome anchor in the bedroom corner. Corn plants tolerate shade but may even produce white flowers in a sunny spot.

Although its name suggests otherwise, the corn plant is poisonous and should not be kept around nibbling pets or curious children.

6. The Monstera/Swiss cheese plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

There’s no doubt you’ve seen the “swiss cheese plant” all over Pinterest as they're one of the most popular indoor plants going around right now. Their lush green leaves with distinctive holes make a stunning statement in any room and they can grow to fit any space. Monstera plants prefer a warm climate away from direct sunlight and they benefit from regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth.

In its natural habitat, Monsteras like climbing so provide it with some kind of stake or trellis for support.

7. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

The fiddle leaf fig is one of the trendiest houseplants around, given its frequent appearance in home magazines and blogs. Its large leaves are its focal point, so providing the right lighting is essential to keeping your plant lush in the bedroom setting.

Fiddle leaf figs thrive in the shady understory of the jungle, but some indirect light from an east-facing window helps these plants thrive. Set your fiddle leaf fig on a plate of pebbles filled with water to increase the humidity in the plant's vicinity. In short, the fiddle leaf fig likes everything in moderation, including light, water, and temperature. Too much or too little of these elements will cause your plant to struggle. 

8. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

If you’re prepared to give a Maidenhair Fern the TLC it needs then it can make a beautiful addition to your home. They have feathery, light green leaves with soft shiny stems and they make a great hanging plant. Not only do they look fragile, Maidenhair Ferns truly are the goldilocks of the plant world when it comes to care instructions. They require not too much light, but not too little, growing well in a warm spot with a bit of humidity. DIY rainforest environment by placing a saucer filled with pebbles beneath the potted plant. Fill the saucer with water to just below the top of the pebbles and s the water evaporates, it creates a humid microclimate around the plant. 

9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Let the personality of the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) infuse your bedroom with fun and fresh air. Most people know the spider plant, also known as the airplane plant, from its ability to produce multiple "pups" on stems that dangle from the mother plant. You may choose to leave these baby plants in place, or clip them and repot for gifts or other rooms.

Spider plants grow in all kinds of light with average moisture. If leaf tips turn brown, collect rainwater to irrigate your spider plants as they are sensitive to the fluoride in tap water. 

10. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

​The fleshy leaves of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) plants need a bright spot in the bedroom but won't mind if you forget the water for a few weeks. These succulent plants produce offsets that you can remove to start new plants, which can serve as replacements if you remove leaves to harvest the healing gel for cuts and sunburns.

The succulent has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. The plant is native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands. Today, aloe vera is grown in tropical climates worldwide.