What are the Best Indoor Plants
75Houseplants to Love
If you want to find a houseplant that will survive in your environment you have your work cut out for you. Different plants have different needs. Some plants are high maintenance and others very fragile. You need to read up on the plant you choose, preferrably before you buy it or it may just be a "one week wonder" before it starts shrivelling away, much to your dismay.
However, there are some plants that will survive under almost every condition. These plants are the basis of a healthy indoor garden. give them a little light and some water and they will prosper.
These are a collection of healthy and beautiful houseplants that are thriving with minimal care and which I recommend as indoor plants.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus
If you want a showy flower and have a fairly sunny window, this plant can't be beat for showiness. The plant shown was purchased at Canadian Tire full of buds and was dry as a bone. Since then there have been some dry spells for it since it lives outside for the summer in a pot. It has truly been worthwhile since it has bloomed non-stop all summer!
This plant will be moved indoors for the winter behind the window where it now lives for the summer. I imagine it won't do as well over the winter season but I am hoping it will resume it's wonderful blooming again next spring!
Mother-In-Law's-Tongue (Sanseveria)
I have two types of this houseplant and both are practically indestructible. The best known one is tall with swordlike leaves, the other is short with spiky leaves that form a rosette-like base. They don't require much light and they withstand being quite dry. Let the soil in this plant go dry in between watering.
They are quite showy even though they are just foliage plants.
Mother-In-Law's Tongue
Peace Lily
I had a Peace Lily for years and finally decided I was bored of it and let it go. Immediately, I regetted the move and have since acquired a new one. This plant bears simple white flowers that turn green with age. The leaves are glossy and dark and again this is another great plant to have around.
Peace Lily
Lucky Bamboo
A truly easy plant to grow. all it needs it tiny rocks that usually are in the pot you buy the plant in and keep the water level topped up at all times!
How easy is that...oh yes, the obvious...give the plant a nicy sunny location and you are good to go.
Lucky Bamboo
Aloe Vera
Having an Aloe Vera plantaround is like having a living medicine plant around. The gel in the stem when applied to minor burns prevents blistering...though I do know of at least one person who has an allergy to the plant.
You have to have the correct lighting or I should say the right window and this plant will produce offspring that can be replanted for friends. If you are really succesful, the plant can grow quite large. It needs direct sunlight for a period of time each day.
Aloe
More Easy Care Household Plants...
Several more easy grow plants are: Rubber Tree (these can grow to be large plants), Christmas Cactus, Umbrella Plant and finally Fiscus (but don't move it around much and keep out of drafts)
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Hi tsmog!
These certainly are tried and true houseplants that have survived my neglect and still look fabulous. The Peace Lily never drooped on me so I guess I managed to fertilize once in awhile...so thanks for reminding me to give these guys some!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting...Cheers!
Well written! Great information. I am not the best at taking care of plants so anything that does well without a lot of work is good in my book. :)
Hi randomcreative! These plants work for me and some have lived thru some "not so ideal" conditions with me...so I do recommend them for the busy lifestyle!
Houseplants add so much to your environment especially in winter in the colder climates!
Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!
Beautiful hub, Scrib. I love indoor plants. They have different personalities and needs. For example, Peace lilies (Spaths) love water, Ficus trees can be temperamental, etc. Hibiscus has always been a challenge for me, and I was delighted to see yours is doing so well. Thank you for this helpful info.
Hi Genna!
My Peace Lilies have suffered drought at my hands and still came thru...so I will have to learn to water them more and maybe they will look even better! Thanks for the tips!
The Fiscus (I had two huge ones that outgrew me) do not tolerate draft (ie open windows) and do not like being moved around...so yes, it is tempramental, but I bought both at a grocery store and years later they were eight feet tall and beautiful ....so I recommend to buy small plants that way the expense is minimal and find an undisturbed place and watch how it responds...well worth the effort if one has luck with it.
My Hibiscus...so far has been very rewarding to have...I soak it but have a well drained pot for it and let the soil get almost dry before I re-water...I remove all old flowers as they wither including the bud that wants to stay on the bush. Winter will tell if it is truly a good houseplant...but I look forward to returning it to the deck next summer.
Thanks for your input...some plants work for one person and not another...I suspect a combination of lighting and the way we water...I for instance don't ever water a plant every day...so I avoid real thirsty plants!
Thanks for stopping by and adding your tips...much appreciated! Cheers!
Good, Good, Hub, Scribenet...I Love House Plants and these are some good ones...I've had a "Lucy Bamboo" as well as "Aloe Vera" and "Peace Lilly" (which I did not have luck with) so your pointers are greatly appreciated.
Hi b.Malin!
It would be interesting to know if your Peace Lily was near or in a window(I do not think it likes a lot of direct sunlight...or just a few hours of morning sun seems to work for my current plant). It could be that it just doesn't like the heat from the sun... it seems to almost become "sunburned" by direct sun!
It is interesting to see how one plant that grows well for one can be a problem for another...for instance I can grow African Violets beautifully if I have a North facing window and Begonias if I have an east facing window...so it all depends on what is available to the plants!
Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!
Very timely hub. I actually have been thinking about getting a couple indoor plants. All these plants you suggest are so lovely. Maybe I'll go with peace lily and lucky bamboo. Rated up and useful! :)
Nice hub, scribenet! You've highlighted quite a few of my favorites. For all of my interest in wild plants, I am very bad at keeping houseplants alive. I tried and failed miserably last year with a big, spectacular hibiscus, which is now on the compost pile. I need plants like aloe and sanseveria that thrive on neglect. I also like to keep a few spider plants around for their air-purifying ability. Thanks for a great hub!
Hi Aaron!
Hmm...maybe the Hibiscus is more tricky than I thought...mine is doing so well presently. I also forgot the Spider plant which is hardy. I will have to revise this Hub eventually to include all these great hints in the main body. I am sure I have missed some other great plants. BTW...I had the dickens of a time keeping an Aloe alive in my basement apartment but now this one is growing rampant and making new shoots constantly...so it does depend on the environment so don't feel bad about the Hibiscus...it probably has little to do with your green thumb!
Thanks for the great comments. Cheers!
I would like to have another Lucky Bamboo this year because last year mine died. Thanks for the tip.
great information. thank you ..been wondering what type of plant I can't kill. I actually killed a cactus..ya, I know
weezy...LOL, I am impressed...cactus is pretty hard to kill unless you overwatered! Of these plants may I recommend the shorter Mother-in-law tongue....it is pretty darn hardy and seems to thrive on neglect...again no overwatering!
Thanks for the funny comment! :-)
Very nice hub Scribenet!
A great post.
tsmog Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago
Great article and great plants. I have a lucky bamboo at work with a post-it that says "water me on Friday." I have a couple very forgiving Mother-in-Law's Tongue. I like that they are forgiving. Kinda' makes a joke of the mother-in-law jokes - smile. And, my Peace Lilly and I have a communication problem. Actually more of an environmental problem when it gets hot. I live in a mobile home & do not put the air on when at work. I never know what day or have figured out any kind of cycle, but I come home and it has drooped, dying not for water, but a shot of liquid fertilizer.
Yipes, reminds me I need to water today. Thanks for sharing a well written and illustrated hub.