17 Indoor Houseplants That Couldn't Be Easier To Care For

Moth Orchids — Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

You want an affordable way to add color and flair to your living area or workspace. You don't have a backyard but still want to dabble in gardening. You want to care for a living object and can't afford a pet. These are good reasons to consider a houseplant. In 1989, NASA released this oft-cited study reporting that certain houseplants can help clean the air in your house and office of harmful toxins. So find that old macramé plant hanger and run out to your local nursery to purchase one of these common indoor plants that don't require a lot of fuss.

These 17 easy-care houseplants deserve a space in your home or office.

01 of 17

Moth Orchids

Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis sp.
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (5.5-6.5)

Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis sp.) bear magnificent, long-lasting white, pink, red, purple, lavender, or yellow flowers. Don't overwater. Let the top inch of soil dry between thorough waterings. Make sure pots drain well. Don't overfertilize. Feed plants only when they are producing lush new leaves. Use a slow-release orchid fertilizer. Don't put moth orchids in full sun—they'll burn. Place them in an east or west window with bright, filtered light. A south window is okay in winter. A north window would probably be too dark. For more advice, see Costa Farm's orchid info site. Use elegant vases to emphasize their exotic form. Place them in front of a mirror to double the impact.

02 of 17

Succulents

Botanical Name: Echeveria, Haworthia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Sandy
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0)

Succulents store water in their fleshy stems and leaves. Water them sparingly. Make sure the pots drain well or the plants will quickly rot. Use shallow containers rather than deep ones. They prefer a sunny window and fast-draining potting soil. Water every one to two weeks, letting soil dry completely between waterings. Feed your plants monthly during active growth with a liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer. Create a dish garden using a metal, stone, or terra-cotta pot with gravel mulch on top. Combine 4-inch plants that have different shapes and textures, such as the aloe, echeveria, 'Flap Jack' kalanchoe, and haworthia pictured in the container above.

03 of 17

Anthuriums

Botanical Name: Anthurium
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (5.5-6.5)

Native to the American Tropics, anthuriums marry glossy, deep green leaves with spectacular blooms of red, pink, orange, or white. Flowers last up to three months indoors from the time they open. Cut flowers last several weeks in water. Give them bright light but not direct sun. Feed monthly during active growth with a liquid 20-20-20 product. Grow them in coarse, well-drained soil that you let go slightly dry between thorough waterings. Keep temperature above 65 degrees. Clip off old flowers at bases of plants. Growing 12 to 15 inches tall, anthuriums are perfect for tables, countertops, windowsills, and pedestals. Show off the long-lasting cut flowers in pretty vases.

04 of 17

Peace Lilies

Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum sp.
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (5.8-6.5)

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum sp.) are great indoors. They tolerate low light and combine handsome, deep green leaves with showy, white blooms. They also purify indoor air. Some selections grow big, while others stay small. Provide bright, indirect light. Direct sun burns the foliage. Keep soil moist. Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. Flush out the soil with lots of water two to three times a year to remove mineral salts left from fertilizer. Use massive 'Sensation' (5 feet high and 4 feet wide) as a floor plant where you need big impact. Place smaller types, such as 'Petite,' on tables, countertops, pedestals, or plant stands. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

05 of 17

Corn Plant

Botanical Name: Dracaena fragrans
Sun Exposure: Partial to Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

Sometimes called false palms, corn plants have been popular in the United States since the 20th century. With heavy, ribbonlike blue-green leaves grown on a thick cane, corn plants make good houseplants because they are easy to grow and fairly tolerant of neglect. If you don't overwater or let it stay in direct sunlight for too long, the corn plant will be an attractive addition to your home or office décor. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

06 of 17

Hoya

Botanical Name: Hoya
Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.1-6.5)

Also known as wax plant, this succulent plant produces long lanky stems and shiny or fuzzy leaves. Perfect for plant hangers or traditional planters, the slow-growing hoya thrives indoors and will even flower when growing conditions are just right. Hoya plants like bright, indirect light, but can tolerate a couple of hours of direct morning or evening sun. Let them dry out thoroughly between waterings.

07 of 17

Snake Plant

Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (5.5-7.0)

This plant remains popular today not only because of its striking form but also because it is an easy-keeper. Like a lot of houseplants, the snake plant grows well in most types of light and does not require a lot of water. Group a snake plant with other potted houseplants of varying textures and shapes or display it alone for visual appeal. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

08 of 17

Chinese Evergreen

Botanical Name: Aglaonema commutatum
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly Acidic (5.6-6.5)

These plants do exceptionally well in offices with fluorescent lighting or at home with extremely low natural light. Adorned with patterned leaves that are speckled with gold, red, silver, or cream, young Chinese Evergreen plants are well suited for the desktop or credenza while the larger plants are pretty growing on the floor. This plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

09 of 17

Philodendron

Botanical Name: Philodendron spp.
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)

These fast growing, easy-to-care-for vining plants are the darlings of the business office. Spilling over the tops of bookshelves, credenzas, and filing cabinets, beautiful philodendron vines (not to be confused with fiddleleaf philodendrons), with heart-shaped leaves and slender stems that grow around whatever is in their path, can add a tropical vibe to even the most sterile workspace. Extremely similar to the pothos plant in both looks and care requirements, the philodendron prefers bright, indirect light, but will also tolerate darker conditions. This plant is toxic to pets.

10 of 17

Spider Plant

Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

Far from attracting arachnids and other things that creep and crawl, the beloved spider plant earned its name from the small baby plants that grow on its long, arching leaves. The spider plant's shape and growing habits make it ideal to use in a hanging basket or on a plant stand, either in your house, office, or on a covered deck. Give this plant bright, indirect light. The fast-growing plant likes even moisture, not too wet or too dry.

11 of 17

Arrowhead Vine

Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (5.5-6.5)

Need a houseplant that thrives in humidity? Add an arrowhead vine to your kitchen or bathroom. With large, pointy leaves that come in shades of pink, burgundy, and green, this houseplant will suit all types of décor. Arrowhead vine is toxic to animals, however, so make sure your pets can't get to it.

12 of 17

Boston Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-5.5)

You can drive down any neighborhood street and count all the Boston ferns adorning porches, stoops, and patios. This plants absolutely adores humidity, which is one reason the fern is so popular in the South. Spray Boston ferns with water daily. If you keep your ferns indoors, it is best to place a humidifier near the plants so they don't dry out.

13 of 17

Indoor Weeping Fig (Ficus)

Botanical Name: Ficus Benjamina
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.5-7.0)

Weeping fig or ficus (Ficus Benjamina) is one of the most popular houseplants, adding a touch of elegance with its glossy, dark foliage. The ficus will shed its leaves when stressed, however. This often occurs if the plant has been moved to a new location and, if this is the case with your ficus, just be patient and the leaves will grow back once the plant has settled into its new location. Give it bright, indirect light and keep it in a room above 55-60 F.

14 of 17

Pothos

Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.1-6.8)

Similar to the philodendron, the pothos is easy to grow and adapts to most conditions. Place this plant in bright, indirect light, and water when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. To promote new leaves and compact growth, trim the plant back when it gets too leggy. This plant is toxic to animals so keep it away from pets.

15 of 17

ZZ Plant

Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to Acidic (6.0-7.0)

If you need a plant that needs little light and is forgiving when you forget to water it, this is the plant for you. This tropical plant thrives in indirect light, including the fluorescent lights of office buildings. They don't require much water and prefer to dry out for a few weeks between waterings. This tough plant is slow growing. Clean its shiny dark leaves with a damp cloth.

16 of 17

Rubber Plant

Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-7.0)

A sunny window with a sheer curtain provides just the amount of bright, filtered light the rubber plant likes. Water every one to two weeks to allow plenty of time for the soil to dry out. Wiping dust from the leaves with a damp cloth helps them stay moist and absorb sunlight. Or mist the plant to provide the moisture and humidity it needs.

17 of 17

Calathea Ornata

Botanical Name: Calathea ornata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.5)

The Calathea ornata, or prayer plant, has leaves that fold together each night as if hands in prayer. The dark green leaves feature pink or white stripes. The plant needs low to bright indirect light. Water every one to two weeks, and let it dry out between waterings. This plant loves humidity so mist the leaves a couple of times a week, or keep the plant in your bathroom where it will thrive from the humidity of daily showers.

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