Why settle for one type of houseplant when you can have a diverse company of plant-mates for your home? Here are six different types of houseplants to add to your growing collection, with four options of each to choose from.
Table of contents
Some houseplants I’ve included are:
- Tradescantia
- Rex Begonia
- Anthurium (Flamingo Flower)
- Air plants (Tillandsia)
- African Violet
- Lucky Bamboo
- Philodendron
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Pothos
- Spider plant
- Donkey’s Tail
- Swiss Cheese plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
- Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Living Stones (Lithops)
- Bat Flower
Read on for more plants that will intrigue you, along with a brief description of their basic care to get you started!
*Note: If you want to know more about houseplant care, click here! I’ve talked about this topic in another article to cover the essential elements of caring for your indoor plants. Hopefully, it will come in handy when you get yourself a new plant to baby over 😀
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1. Colorful
Adding a houseplant with variegated features and striking colors is one of the simplest ways to make your space vibrant. Not just for the pop of colors, but also the homey atmosphere you need in a house or apartment, whether it’s inside or outside these plants make great, colorful pieces around the house:
TRADESCANTIA
- Description: Lush foliage of dark purple and green with white curved stripes that are long and narrow or small and curling, a Tradescantia is bound to keep you satisfied with its full appearance.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once per month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light; although they can tolerate direct sun for a bit.
- Place in a room at 54 – 75°F (12 – 24°C) in above average humidity (like in the bathroom).
- What plant has a similar synopsis of care to this? Flame Nettle.
REX BEGONIA (aka Begonia Rex-cultorum)
- Description: If you want a showstopper of a plant, a Rex Begonia is the absolute answer to your quest. Primarily adored for its paint-splattered leaves pattern, it comes in varying shades of purple, green, silver, black, and red.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water from the bottom after the soil dries out.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once per month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light but avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 64 – 70°F (18 – 21°C) in high humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Elatior Hybrids and Tuberous Begonias.
VELVET PLANT (aka Gynura Aurantiaca)
- Description: The luxurious presence of this Velvet plant lives up to not only the texture of its leaves but also in the subtle dark tones of purple and emerald in its foliage. Its even prettier to look at while walking through the house because the colors change based on the angle you look at the plant from, due to the fine velvet on the leaves.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water generously when the top ½ inch of soil is dry.
- Feed weak water-based fertilizer every 1-2 weeks.
- Provide plenty of bright to medium light.
- Place in a room at 60 – 70°F (15 – 21°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Nerve Plant and Polka Dot Plant.
ANTHURIUM (aka Flamingo Flower; Tailflower; Laceleaf)
- Description: Some love it for its extensive and deeply-veined foliage; some love and prize it for its multicolored, exotic flower. Either way, an Anthurium plant is a pretty thing to have around the house, particularly on a table.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry, never allow it to dry out completely.
- Feed water-based fertilizer high in phosphorus every two weeks.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 68°F (15 – 20°C) in high humidity.
2. Small
In limited spaces, the size of the plant matters in utilizing the small area you have around your home. Not only does it save space, but it also adds a bit of a creative aesthetic to the decor.
AIR PLANTS (aka Tillandsia)
- Description: It’s small, spiky, and comes in a plethora of colors depending on its variety. A Tillandsia is a versatile, tiny plant you can mount on any surface and a few varieties that can be grown in pots.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water once a week by soaking in water for 30 minutes, 2 hours if under-watered or mist 2-4 times a week.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once a month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 70 – 85°F (21 – 29°C) in high humidity.
VENUS FLYTRAP (aka Dionaea Muscipula)
- Description: A textbook specimen out of your science classes, a Venus Flytrap makes for a quaint yet fascinating plant to have in your home. Careful, it bites.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water daily during the growing season (in spring and summer) using rainwater, and lesser during its dormant period (in winter).
- Never feed it fertilizers.
- Provide plenty of bright, direct sunlight.
- Place in a room at 45 – 70°F (7 – 21°C) in average humidity but keep immersed in constant humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Pitcher Plant and Monkey Cups.
AFRICAN VIOLETS (aka Saintpaulia/Streptocarpus Ionantus)
- Description: If you’re going for a delicate and dainty look, African Violets are your champions. It also has flowers in multitudes of colors, but you can never go wrong with the classic violet look.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Note: Push water spout directly into the soil and avoid wetting the leaves.
- Feed African Violet fertilizer every other week.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 73°F (16 – 23°C) in high humidity.
LUCKY BAMBOO (aka Dracaena Sanderiana)
- Description: With stalks that twist and curl into complex shapes, Lucky Bamboos are a refreshing sight to behold in a home. Symbolically, they are said to bring about good fortune to their owners.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry using either distilled water or rainwater. Note: If it is grown in water, change the water weekly.
- Feed a drop of water-based fertilizer once a month, and every other month for water grown bamboo using weak feed.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 90°F (16 – 32°C) in average, consistent humidity.
3. Low-maintenance
Not all plants need constant pampering; some thrive on being left on their own to grow. Whether you’re constantly busy or have a relaxed approach to life (read: forgetful), low-maintenance plants will still love to chill with you. These are a few good indoor plants:
KALANCHOE BLOSSFELDIANA (aka Kalanchoe; Flaming Katy; Widow’s Thrill)
- Description: Blossoming flowers with soft shades of white, pink, yellow, or red, a Kalanchoe is a hands-off succulent you can admire in its gentle ambiance.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water every other week when the soil is completely dry out.
- Feed fertilizer once a month after it blooms.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 55 – 75°F (13 – 24°C) in average humidity.
- What plant has a similar synopsis of care to this? Calandiva.
PHILODENDRON
- Description: Love for its plentiful glossy, green leaves, Philodendrons are scenic yet straightforward pieces that can boost your mood with their company.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once a month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 75°F (16 – 24°C) in high humidity.
- What plant has a similar synopsis of care to this? Dumb Cane.
PEACE LILY (aka Spathiphyllum)
- Description: True to its name, a calming aura emanates from a Peace Lily with its sleek, oval leaves and signature white flowers that bloom elegantly amidst its foliage.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry using distilled water, filtered water or rainwater.
- Feed slow-releasing pellets once a month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 55 – 80°F (13 – 27°C) in high humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Chinese Evergreen and Cast Iron Plant.
ENGLISH IVY (aka Hedera Helix)
- Description: There’s something playful about these evergreen vines that evoke a chaotic, artistic vibe to one’s home. It comes in assorted shapes, but it also has varieties with variegates of cream and white in its foliage.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry and avoid wetting leaves.
- Feed water-based fertilizer every two weeks during its growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 35 – 60°F (2 – 16°C) in below average to average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Spotted Laurel and Japanese Aralia.
4. Trailing
For that extra pizzazz in decor, trailing plants give you fantastic and innovative options. You can mount them in higher places like in a hanging basket, on a mantelpiece, or from a hook on the ceiling. With these set-ups, you can take advantage of their foliage’s downward growth to give an exotic feel reminiscent of being in nature outdoors.
SPIDER PLANT (aka Chlorophytum Comosum)
- Description: With its long, slender leaves covered in green and yellow/white streaks, Spider plants bring a burst of character into any living space.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry using distilled water or rainwater.
- Feed water-based fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 50 – 75°F (10 – 24°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Pothos and Arrowhead Plant.
POTHOS (aka Epipremnum Aureum)
- Description: The sweetheart of indoor houseplants, Pothos is well-known for its heart-shaped leaves streaked with yellow, pale green, or white in their variegated varieties.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer every two months.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light.
- Place in a room at 55 – 75°F (13 – 24°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Arrowhead Plant and Spider Plant.
HOYA CARNOSA (aka Indian Rope Plant; Wax Flower; Porcelain Flower)
- Description: With woody stems that blossoms ball-clusters of flowers, a Hoya Carnosa is a captivating plant with picturesque qualities that lends a lovely touch to a home.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water weekly when the soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once a month.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 64 – 75°F (18 – 24°C) in high humidity.
- What plant has a similar synopsis of care to this? Miniature Wax Plant.
DONKEY’S TAIL (aka Sedum Morganianum)
- Description: An intriguing succulent known for its plump, raindrop-shaped leaves, Donkey’s Tail makes for an exciting addition to gawk at for guests. The tails can get very long so be careful not to break them off. If you do, don’t sweat it, you can stick the broken end in the dirt and grow a whole new plant with that strand…. gotta love succulents.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water generously when the soil is dry every month.
- Feed slow-releasing fertilizer at ¼ strength during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, direct sunlight.
- Place in a room at 65 – 75°F (18 – 24°C) in average humidity.
5. Large
Sometimes, spacious areas indoors beg for an ornament to decorate and fill the empty space. A large plant or an indoor tree is one of the popular choices to transform your abode into a mini tropical jungle. These are some of the most popular and large indoor plants:
SWISS CHEESE PLANT (aka Monstera Deliciosa; Split-Leaf Philodendron; Windowleaf)
- Description: Iconically named for its perforated heart-shaped leaves, a Swiss Cheese plant is a lustrous beauty with large leaves that have become quite popular with many interior designers.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when top 1 inch of the soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light with minimal direct sun.
- Place in a room at 64 – 75°F (18 – 24°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Horsehead Philodendron and Swiss Cheesevine.
MADAGASCAR DRAGON TREE (aka Dracaena Marginata; Dragon Plant)
- Description: This spiky tree with red-edged leaves in a striking shape is an attention-grabber of a plant. This Madagascar Dragon Tree can even grow up to 6 feet indoors!
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water every three weeks when 1-2 inches of the soil is dry using distilled water.
- Feed water-based fertilizer once a month during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 70°F (16 – 27°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Dragon Tree and Song of India
Click here to learn more about taking care of a Dracaena plant in detail!
FIDDLE LEAF FIG (aka Ficus Lyrata; Banjo Fig)
- Description: Set this absolute beauty in any room and expect people to want to sit beside it. This Fiddle-Leaf fig is widely known for its notably large, lush foliage. It also has a variegated variety of green and cream leaves.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when top 1 inch of the soil is dry.
- Feed Fiddle Leaf Fig fertilizer once a month during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 80°F (16 – 27°C) in average humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Weeping Fig and Rubber Plant
SCHEFFLERA (aka Umbrella Tree; Umbrella Plant)
- Description: Don’t expect this plant to save you from the rain, but instead prize it for its green, umbrella-shaped foliage. Easy to take care of and pleasingly symmetrical leaves 🙂
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water weekly when 1-2 inches of the soil is dry during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Feed water-based fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 75°F (16 – 24°C) in high humidity.
- What plant(s) has a similar synopsis of care to this? Croton and Zebra Plant.
6. Unique
A collection wouldn’t be complete without a set of bizarre-looking plants. Not only is it a conversation starter in a home gathering, but it’s also a terrific way to expand your knowledge of various plants and impress your peers with these wonders:
LITHOPS (aka Living Stones; Pebble Plants)
- Description: Don’t be fooled by its looks because these Lithops are not ordinary pebbles. They are rounded succulents with crackling designs on their surface and are very much alive, thank you very much. Also, I like to refer to them as “butt plants”, you can’t deny the resemblance.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the soil is completely dry in spring and fall.
- Never feed it fertilizers.
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light with the occasional direct sun.
- Place in a room at 50 – 80°F (10 – 27°C) in average humidity.
TACCA CHANTRIERI (aka Bat Flower)
- Description: This is not your typical flower. A Bat flower looks unconventionally strange with whiskers coming out of its bat wings-shaped petals and seed pods. Don’t worry, it won’t hunt you down and make you its undead bride.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when 1 inch of the soil is dry.
- Feed water-based fertilizer every week.
- Provide plenty of indirect light.
- Place in a room at 60 – 80°F (16 – 27°C) in above average humidity.
HUERNIA ZEBRINA (Lifesaver Plant; Carrion Flower; Zebra-Striped Huernia)
- Description: With a crimson donut-shaped center and pinched, triangular petals of cream and red zebra streaks, this Huernia Zebrina is a strange but exquisite succulent well-known for its flower.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when 1 inch of the soil is dry.
- Feed water-based succulent specialized fertilizer once a month.
- Provide plenty of indirect light.
- Place in a room at 60 – 70°F (16 – 21°C) in average humidity.
KALANCHOE TOMENTOSA (aka Chocolate Soldier Plant; Panda Plant; Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe)
- Description: If you’re looking for a cute but mildly unusual plant, this Kalanchoe Tomentosa is the perfect bet. Its fuzzy, pastel green leaves and trademarked chocolate brown dots on its round edges make it a delightful companion to have in your succulent set.
- Synopsis of Care:
- Water when the soil is completely dry.
- Feed cactus or succulent fertilizer once during the growing season (in spring and summer).
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light and avoid the direct sun.
- Place in a room at 60 – 75°F (16 – 24°C) in average humidity.
There are certainly more house plants out there that are bound to catch your fancy, but I hope that this list of indoor plants provides you a good starting point into your journey of plant parenthood. Go forth and find your perfect, green roommates!
References:
How Not to Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged by Veronica Peerless (Book)
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/wandering-jew-plant.html
https://www.thespruce.com/tradescantia-care-overview-1902775
https://www.thespruce.com/rex-begonias-1403155
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-velvet-plant-indoors-1902643
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/flamingo-flower.html
https://www.rayagarden.com/garden-plants/air-plant-tillandsia.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/venus-fly-trap-plant.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/african-violet-care-information.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/lucky-bamboo-plant.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/flaming-katy.html
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-philodendron-houseplants-1902768
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-peace-lilies-1902767
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-english-ivy-1902763
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/spider-plant.html
https://www.thespruce.com/pothos-an-easy-to-grow-houseplant-1403154
https://www.thespruce.com/hoya-plants-1315763
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/donkeys-tail-plant.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/swiss-cheese-plant.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/madagascar-dragon-tree.html
https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/fiddle-leaf-fig.html
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-schefflera-plants-inside-1902771
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/living-stones-lithops/
https://www.thespruce.com/bat-flower-plant-profile-4842137
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