High-Impact Houseplants for First-Timers
These easygoing houseplants will forgive and forget if you skip a weekly watering
If you’re a beginning gardener or haven’t had much luck keeping houseplants alive in the past, bookmark this list. These 10 foolproof plants will boost your indoor-gardening confidence with their forgiving growing habits and stylish forms and foliage. We have the usual easy-care suspects — looking at you, air plants and succulents — as well as varieties you may have seen in the nursery but have never grown before.
1. Staghorn Fern
(Platycerium bifurcatum)
Think of staghorn ferns, also called elkhorn ferns, as the antlers of the plant kingdom. These epiphytes, also known as air plants, need no soil to grow and will thrive mounted to a wood block with some sphagnum moss. They’re great for filling blank spaces on walls or bookshelves where they receive bright, filtered light. Grow a single fern or mount a trio side by side for more impact.
Care tips: Mount the fern to a wood block on a wall with bright, indirect light. Submerge it (wood block and all) for a few minutes weekly in water, and mist every few days.
See how to grow staghorn ferns
(Platycerium bifurcatum)
Think of staghorn ferns, also called elkhorn ferns, as the antlers of the plant kingdom. These epiphytes, also known as air plants, need no soil to grow and will thrive mounted to a wood block with some sphagnum moss. They’re great for filling blank spaces on walls or bookshelves where they receive bright, filtered light. Grow a single fern or mount a trio side by side for more impact.
Care tips: Mount the fern to a wood block on a wall with bright, indirect light. Submerge it (wood block and all) for a few minutes weekly in water, and mist every few days.
See how to grow staghorn ferns
2. Split-Leaf Philodendron
(Monstera deliciosa)
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, this decorative vine has dinner-plate-sized glossy leaves riddled with splits and holes. Use this large-scale beauty to add tropical drama to any room with moderate to bright light. Split-leaf philodendrons thrive in moist environments such as steamy bathrooms.
How to Choose a Plant for Your Bathroom
(Monstera deliciosa)
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, this decorative vine has dinner-plate-sized glossy leaves riddled with splits and holes. Use this large-scale beauty to add tropical drama to any room with moderate to bright light. Split-leaf philodendrons thrive in moist environments such as steamy bathrooms.
How to Choose a Plant for Your Bathroom
Care tips: Grow in moderate to bright light, water weekly to keep the soil moist and give it plenty of room to sprawl.
Caution: Philodendron is toxic if ingested by pets or young children.
See how to grow philodendrons
Caution: Philodendron is toxic if ingested by pets or young children.
See how to grow philodendrons
3. Kentia Palm
(Howea forsteriana)
A favorite for Victorian-era greenhouses and conservatories, these elegant palms have delicate, arching fronds and an upright growth habit. Choose a spot with plenty of height — Kentia palms can reach over 10 feet tall — where the plant won’t be crowded by furniture or other plants, to highlight the graceful form.
Care tips: Grow in bright to moderate light and water weekly or slightly less often. To prevent palm root rot, plant in a well-draining soil mix, such as one sold for palms and succulents, and allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
See how to grow kentia palm
(Howea forsteriana)
A favorite for Victorian-era greenhouses and conservatories, these elegant palms have delicate, arching fronds and an upright growth habit. Choose a spot with plenty of height — Kentia palms can reach over 10 feet tall — where the plant won’t be crowded by furniture or other plants, to highlight the graceful form.
Care tips: Grow in bright to moderate light and water weekly or slightly less often. To prevent palm root rot, plant in a well-draining soil mix, such as one sold for palms and succulents, and allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
See how to grow kentia palm
4. Pothos
(Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is about as easygoing and versatile as a houseplant gets. With glossy oval leaves and a quick growing habit, pothos exudes health and vigor even if you neglect it. Grow potted pothos to trail down a bookshelf, ramble over a desk or climb up your bathroom window for a jungle screen.
Care tips: Plant in a spot with bright to moderate indirect sunlight and water weekly. The plant can also tolerate little water for two-week stretches.
Caution: Pothos can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow pothos
(Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is about as easygoing and versatile as a houseplant gets. With glossy oval leaves and a quick growing habit, pothos exudes health and vigor even if you neglect it. Grow potted pothos to trail down a bookshelf, ramble over a desk or climb up your bathroom window for a jungle screen.
Care tips: Plant in a spot with bright to moderate indirect sunlight and water weekly. The plant can also tolerate little water for two-week stretches.
Caution: Pothos can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow pothos
5. Air Plants
(Tillandsia spp.)
Several years ago, we hardly ever saw these funky epiphytes outside of orchid shows, but now they seem to be every decorator’s darling. Get in on the trend by placing a few of these soil-free plants in a shallow bowl for a tabletop display, tuck them into hanging glass orbs in a window or arrange a vignette of wall-mounted growing nooks.
See how to make this air plant terrarium
(Tillandsia spp.)
Several years ago, we hardly ever saw these funky epiphytes outside of orchid shows, but now they seem to be every decorator’s darling. Get in on the trend by placing a few of these soil-free plants in a shallow bowl for a tabletop display, tuck them into hanging glass orbs in a window or arrange a vignette of wall-mounted growing nooks.
See how to make this air plant terrarium
Care tips: It can be easy to forget about taking care of air plants, but if their tips turn brown, they’re thirsty. Dunk them in water for a few minutes every week and mist every few days to keep them happy and encourage them to flourish. Air plants grow best in bright, indirect light.
6. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
(Sansevieria spp.)
If you’ve seen plants thriving in neglected areas — mall or airport planters, office parks and the like —they’re most likely mother-in-law’s tongue. All species of Sansevieria, also called snake plant, are about as bulletproof as a plant can get. If you have a dark corner where nothing else will grow or a track record of forgetting to water for a couple of weeks, choose a Sansevieria — it won’t fail you.
Care tips: Plant in areas with indirect to moderate light (will also tolerate low light). Allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, particularly during the winter.
Caution: Sansevieria leaves can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow mother-in-law’s tongue
(Sansevieria spp.)
If you’ve seen plants thriving in neglected areas — mall or airport planters, office parks and the like —they’re most likely mother-in-law’s tongue. All species of Sansevieria, also called snake plant, are about as bulletproof as a plant can get. If you have a dark corner where nothing else will grow or a track record of forgetting to water for a couple of weeks, choose a Sansevieria — it won’t fail you.
Care tips: Plant in areas with indirect to moderate light (will also tolerate low light). Allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, particularly during the winter.
Caution: Sansevieria leaves can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow mother-in-law’s tongue
7. Cactuses and Succulents
These fleshy, sometimes spiny, plants are very easy to grow and come in a wide range of sizes and forms. Agave, aloe, echeveria, sedum, aeonium, kalanchoe and jade plants are all commonly available and do well in sunny spots indoors. Show off a collection of baby cactuses and succulents by grouping them together on a windowsill.
Care tips: Grow most cactuses in full sun and most succulents in bright, indirect light. Use a fast-draining potting mix and allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Don’t overwater.
These fleshy, sometimes spiny, plants are very easy to grow and come in a wide range of sizes and forms. Agave, aloe, echeveria, sedum, aeonium, kalanchoe and jade plants are all commonly available and do well in sunny spots indoors. Show off a collection of baby cactuses and succulents by grouping them together on a windowsill.
Care tips: Grow most cactuses in full sun and most succulents in bright, indirect light. Use a fast-draining potting mix and allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Don’t overwater.
For shelves and the tops of cabinets, look for succulents like string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), pictured here, or trailing mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis spp.) to hang down over the edges.
8. Dracaena
(Dracaena marginata and D. deremensis)
Dracaenas are tough, wiry plants with palm-like fronds in colors ranging from variegated silver to dark green streaked with red. Dragon tree (D. marginata) and smaller dracaenas (D. deremensis) are most commonly grown as houseplants. Popular in the 1960s and 1970s, dracaenas have a retro vibe and complement midcentury modern decor.
Care tips: Grow in moderate, indirect light, water weekly during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings in winter.
Caution: Dracaena can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow dragon tree
(Dracaena marginata and D. deremensis)
Dracaenas are tough, wiry plants with palm-like fronds in colors ranging from variegated silver to dark green streaked with red. Dragon tree (D. marginata) and smaller dracaenas (D. deremensis) are most commonly grown as houseplants. Popular in the 1960s and 1970s, dracaenas have a retro vibe and complement midcentury modern decor.
Care tips: Grow in moderate, indirect light, water weekly during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings in winter.
Caution: Dracaena can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
See how to grow dragon tree
9. Rubber Plant
(Ficus elastica)
Members of the fig family, rubber plants make excellent no-fuss indoor shrubs and trees that reach 6 to 8 feet tall. Use large specimens to anchor a corner of the living room, providing a dark, rich backdrop. Smaller potted rubber plants make great desk-toppers, where their dark burgundy-purple foliage can be appreciated up close.
Care tips: Grow in bright, indirect light, water weekly during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings in winter.
Caution: Rubber plant can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
(Ficus elastica)
Members of the fig family, rubber plants make excellent no-fuss indoor shrubs and trees that reach 6 to 8 feet tall. Use large specimens to anchor a corner of the living room, providing a dark, rich backdrop. Smaller potted rubber plants make great desk-toppers, where their dark burgundy-purple foliage can be appreciated up close.
Care tips: Grow in bright, indirect light, water weekly during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings in winter.
Caution: Rubber plant can be toxic to pets and children if ingested.
10. Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum spp.)
With an abundance of glossy, dark leaves and white blooms held upright like candles, peace lily keeps on giving, asking for little care in return. If any leaves turn yellow — an indication of overwatering or underwatering — pull them gently from the base and the plant will quickly fill in with new growth.
Care tips: Grow in moderate, filtered light (will also tolerate low light); keep out of direct sun. Water weekly to keep the soil moist, but do not allow it to sit in water.
See how to grow peace lily
Tell us: What are your favorite no-fail houseplants?
More on Houzz
The Secret to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy
Read more guides to growing houseplants
Find a pro in your area
Shop for indoor pots and planters
(Spathiphyllum spp.)
With an abundance of glossy, dark leaves and white blooms held upright like candles, peace lily keeps on giving, asking for little care in return. If any leaves turn yellow — an indication of overwatering or underwatering — pull them gently from the base and the plant will quickly fill in with new growth.
Care tips: Grow in moderate, filtered light (will also tolerate low light); keep out of direct sun. Water weekly to keep the soil moist, but do not allow it to sit in water.
See how to grow peace lily
Tell us: What are your favorite no-fail houseplants?
More on Houzz
The Secret to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy
Read more guides to growing houseplants
Find a pro in your area
Shop for indoor pots and planters
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Before you purchase a new houseplant, evaluate your interior space for light exposure and temperature. Scout out spots that receive direct sunlight, those that receive bright, indirect sunlight (a favorite exposure of many houseplants) and spots with little sunlight. See what size of plant (small, medium or large) and form (upright, loose filler or trailer) would work best in each space. Locate your heating units and plan to keep plants away from these areas.
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