Best Indoor Plants - Top 10 Plants to Grow at Home
by Maivizhi A | Updated Apr 03, 2023
Best Indoor Plants
If you're looking to add some life to any room, consider choosing one of these top indoor plants. Not only do they make great decorations, but they also have the potential to improve your health, provide clean air, and enhance your overall well-being. Many of the recommended plants, such as spider plants, are low-maintenance, making them perfect for beginners.
There are plenty of options for low-light environments, including the snake plant and ZZ plant, which would look great in a living room. If you're looking for plants for the office, consider peperomia or peace lilies, or check out some popular choices for the bedroom. And if you're looking for a tall indoor plant that's easy to care for, consider the Monstera Deliciosa.
For those interested in feng shui, there are plenty of plants to choose from that are said to bring good luck, health, and wealth. With so many affordable and popular houseplants to choose from — including indoor trees — that can be easily ordered online, becoming a plant parent can be a stress-free and rewarding experience.
Top 10 Indoor Plants
Here are some of the Indoor plants which gives you both decor look and health.
S.No
Indoor Plants
1
Spider Plant
2
Peace Lily
3
Rubber Plants
4
Elephant ear Plants
5
Snake Plants
6
Ferns
7
Pothos
8
English Ivy
9
Succulents and Cacti
10
Herbs
Let us see each plants in detail.
1. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow and requires minimal attention. Its long, narrow leaves are accompanied by trailing stems that produce small plantlets, resembling spiders. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension identifies this feature as the reason for its name.
Apart from their aesthetic appeal, spider plants are also effective air purifiers. NASA research has shown that various houseplants, including spider plants, have the ability to act as natural air filters that can reduce pollutants in the air. One study discovered that spider plants were able to eliminate 95% of formaldehyde toxins from the air inside a sealed Plexiglass container in just 24 hours.
2. Peace lily
The peaceful name of the "peace lily" instills a sense of tranquility. According to Trevor Cates, N.D, a naturopathic doctor in Park City, Utah, and author of Clean Skin From Within, these resilient plants also blossom and offer visual appeal, and can even benefit your health over time. A study published in Applied Sciences in 2022 suggests that peace lilies possess air-purifying properties, removing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.
Peace lilies produce broad white flowers that resemble a white peace flag and can last for several years. As per information published by MiracleGro, they are easy to maintain and do not require much light, making them ideal for dimly lit areas. However, it is important to keep them away from pets and small children, as ingestion of the plant can lead to vomiting or tongue swelling.
3. Rubber plants
Rubber plants, also known as rubber trees or Ficus elastica, are a fantastic addition to any indoor space. They are known for being easy to care for, requiring only weekly watering, as reported by The Sill. Additionally, studies have shown that rubber plants have air-purifying properties, making them not just aesthetically pleasing but also beneficial for the air quality in your home or office.
However, it is crucial to be aware that rubber plants are highly toxic if ingested by pets or young children. Therefore, it is essential to keep them out of reach and ensure that they are firmly secured in their pot. Despite this, rubber plants remain a popular choice for indoor houseplants due to their attractive appearance and ease of maintenance.
4. Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ear plants are a great choice if you're willing to put in a little extra effort to take care of them. They belong to a group of tropical, perennial plants that are easily identifiable by their large, heart-shaped leaves. According to Cromer, they require bright light and frequent watering to keep the soil moist, and they can grow quite large, so they may require extra space. Certain species of elephant ear plants have even been cultivated for their edible starchy tubers, which are a staple food in some tropical regions.
Aside from their aesthetic appeal, elephant ear plants also have medicinal properties. The leaves of these plants have been noted for their use in treating insect stings. However, it's important to note that some species of elephant ear plants can be toxic to both humans and animals, so it's important to research and ensure the specific species you choose is safe.
5. Snake Plants
Snake plants, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, are a great addition to any indoor space. These plants have tall, vertical leaves and are commonly referred to as “mother-in-law’s tongues.” They are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance, as they only need to be watered when the soil is dry and can grow in any type of light. Experts at HGTV note that these plants can “thrive on neglect.” Snake plants were part of the NASA study that examined the air-purifying properties of indoor plants and were found to remove toxins from the air gradually.
6. Ferns
According to a study published in Applied Sciences in 2022, Boston ferns are excellent at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. Ferns are relatively simple to grow and are visually appealing when placed in hanging baskets or on plant stands, allowing their fronds to drape. They require medium-bright light and consistently moist soil, which may require more attention from their owners. You can purchase ferns from various retailers.
7. Pothos
Pothos, also known as Epipremnum pinnatum, is one of the most popular houseplants due to its vibrant and heart-shaped leaves. The leaves can be either green or marbled green and yellow, making it a beautiful addition to any room. These plants are low maintenance and can thrive in indirect sunlight, making them perfect for shady areas in your home. Pothos only requires infrequent watering, making them an ideal option for busy plant parents. Additionally, a study found that pothos can lower indoor ozone levels and remove VOCs from the air, which can improve the air quality in your home and reduce the risk of respiratory issues.
8. English Ivy
English ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is a highly versatile plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It has been demonstrated in research to be an effective air purifier, capable of removing toxins such as formaldehyde and carbon dioxide from the air. As a houseplant, it can be grown in hanging baskets or pots, and can be trained to climb along a trellis or other structure. According to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension, English ivy thrives in direct sunlight and requires thorough watering once the soil dries out. With its attractive foliage and air-purifying properties, English ivy is an excellent choice for enhancing the aesthetic and air quality of your living space.
9. Succulents and Cacti
To beautify your indoor spaces while requiring minimal maintenance, succulents and cacti are excellent options, according to Cromer. These plants can survive with little to no care and are drought-resistant, which means they only need watering when the soil is completely dry. They come in various sizes and shapes to suit your décor, and they can even help purify the air. In particular, the jade plant can increase humidity in a room. Moreover, the aloe vera plant is known for its medicinal properties and is often used to heal cuts, burns, and other skin conditions.
10. Herbs
Growing small potted herbs in your kitchen is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it can also motivate you to cook more often and make healthier choices. Not to mention, it's also more cost-effective than buying herbs from the grocery store. In addition to their culinary uses, certain herbs like chamomile and lavender have been shown to help reduce anxiety. Herbs also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can benefit your overall health and wellness.
Why is the Spider Plant the Best Indoor Plant?
The spider plant is one of the most resilient houseplants that can practically grow on its own. Even if neglected for days or subjected to overwatering or underwatering, this plant can thrive and easily adapt to different climatic conditions. It can grow well in both low light and part sunlight, but it is recommended to place it in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
In addition to its hardiness, the spider plant is also known for its ability to purify the air. It is considered one of the easiest air-purifying plants to grow and can effectively remove harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene. According to NASA reports, the spider plant is among the top 3 houseplants that are excellent at removing formaldehyde, a common household chemical found in many products.
Research has also shown that adding spider plants to hospital rooms can speed up the recovery rate of surgical patients. Patients in rooms with spider plants require less pain medication, have better blood pressure and heart rate, experience less anxiety or depression, and are discharged sooner than those in rooms without the plant.
The spider plant has a high transpiration rate, absorbing water through its roots and circulating moisture through its stems and leaves, which increases the humidity in the air. This helps reduce the risk of airborne diseases like cold, cough, sore throat, and flu-like symptoms. Growing spider plants at home or in the office can also help increase concentration and productivity.
Apart from its numerous benefits, the spider plant also looks visually appealing as a houseplant. It can be grown in a hanging basket or any usual pot and can add a touch of greenery to any room. The spiderettes that grow from the mother plant and hang down the pot make the plant look even more attractive.
Types of Indoor Plants
Basically, there was five types of Indoor Plants. They are
Conclusion
Indoor plants offer more than just aesthetic appeal; they have the potential to improve our overall well-being by purifying the air, increasing humidity levels, and reducing the risk of airborne diseases. The top 10 indoor plants listed in the article, such as the spider plant, peace lily, and rubber plant, are easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners. These plants can also provide benefits such as reducing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds in the air, making them an ideal addition to any indoor space. However, it is important to note that some plants, such as rubber plants, can be toxic if ingested, and care should be taken to keep them out of reach of children and pets. Overall, becoming a plant parent can be a stress-free and rewarding experience, with so many affordable and popular houseplants to choose from that can be easily ordered online.
Best Indoor Plants - FAQs
Indoor plants can improve air quality, enhance mood and productivity, reduce stress, and add aesthetic value to any room. They can also help to increase humidity levels and promote relaxation.
Plants such as the snake plant and ZZ plant are great options for low-light environments, making them perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or any other area with little natural light.
Yes, studies have shown that many indoor plants, including spider plants, peace lilies, and rubber plants, can act as natural air filters that reduce pollutants in the air, such as carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Yes, spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants to care for, and they can thrive in a variety of conditions, including low light and part sunlight. They are also known for their ability to adapt to different climatic conditions and their resilience to neglect.
Yes, research has shown that indoor plants can increase concentration and productivity, as well as reduce stress and fatigue.