You don’t need an extensive garden to reap the ample benefits of plants. Many common houseplants can grow and thrive indoors, offering beautiful colors, pleasing scents, and calming properties. And several require minimal care, making them perfect for a busy lifestyle. Today, we share our top 10 indoor plants to brighten your rental, as well as a quick primer on what to look for before making your selection and expert care tips to ensure they thrive.

 

How to choose indoor plants

Plants have different requirements for optimal growth. While one may blossom in sunlight, others prefer the cool comfort of a shady spot. Similarly, some might need more consistent watering or grow better in certain climates or types of soil.

 

Here’s what to consider before selecting a houseplant.

 

Time: Are you often pressed for time? Then a complicated indoor plant may only frustrate you. Some plants need daily watering or misting and consistent fertilization to thrive. If you don’t have constant time to dedicate to plants, don’t choose a specialty one. Aim for easy to grow houseplants that require less maintenance. 

 

Lighting: While plants like succulents and cacti love being in direct sunlight, the fastest growing houseplants don’t always require the same amount of light. Make sure you understand the requirements for anything you get — some common houseplants prefer low or indirect sunlight. 

 

Space: Just as you would with rearranging furniture in your home, consider where you’d put plants before committing to buying them. You want to give them enough room to grow, and you should also consider things like lighting and humidity needs. If your floor doesn’t have enough space, or you want vertical room to show off a trailing plant, consider elevating them onto shelves or on top of cabinets.

 

Water: Some indoor plants need daily watering, while others can make do with a light misting a couple of times per week. Know this information before choosing a plant to keep water levels in the right spot.

 

With these considerations, you’re on your way to a lovely new addition to the home! Here are some common, easy plants to grow inside. 

 

Top 10 indoor plants 

 

Aloe

 

You’ve likely used aloe vera to treat sunburn or other sensitive areas. The aloe succulent is a common houseplant because it’s quite low maintenance. Simply put it in a container that drains well and place it by a window to get bright, natural light. If you forget to water it once in a while, it will still survive, and you’ll actively see its leaves recover once you do give it some water. Plus, in a pinch, it’s a helpful cure for spending too much time in the sun. 

 

 

ZZ Plant

 

Though a ZZ plant may not sport the long beards of ZZ Top, both are rocking good times. It’s a pretty tolerant plant — it can handle dry conditions and is as happy underneath fluorescent light as in indirect sunlight. Wait for nearly dry soil before watering, and you’ll have a gorgeous plant with vibrant, glossy leaves.   

 

 

Philodendron

 

These plants come in vining and more controlled types — both make good indoor houseplants. They thrive at about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and though they can survive in dark places, they’ll be much happier with bright lights. A mild fertilizer solution applied a couple of times per month can help potted plants, and wiping with a damp cloth will eliminate bugs and debris built up on the leaves.

 

 

Pothos

 

One of the ideal hanging plants, pothos has one main rule: Keep it out of the full sun. It’s a low-light houseplant, so as long as it has some shade and you water it when the soil is dry, you can have an eye-catching plant that grows healthy and tall. Most will stay about 6 to 12 feet, so you can adorn them along a wall or trellis or even have them tumbling down a bookshelf, especially if your book collection is a little thin. Pothos lowers indoor ozone levels, too, giving you fresher breathing air.

 

 

Fishbone Cactus

 

Also known as a zig zag cactus, this plant features quirky angled and jagged stems. A Mexican-native plant, the fishbone cactus requires more humidity than most other cacti. However, that doesn’t mean it needs a lot of sunshine; semi-shade and indirect light will do. It will also flower in late autumn or early winter, providing color for the room. 

 

 

Lithops

 

Lithops are a fun addition to any household. These “living stones” look like colorful rocks, making them great windowsill, desktop, or terrarium features. Since these succulents remain dormant in summer and winter, they require minimal water during those seasons. Lithops may be your best bet if you want a truly low-maintenance plant.

 

 

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)

 

The sleek, shiny leaves of a peace lily are attractive throughout the year. Once it blooms, you’ll also have charming white or yellow flowers. These medium light houseplants will thrive with filtered sunlight, so put them near a window with shades, blinds, or other obstacles. While they’re blooming, keep the soil reasonably moist and use fertilizer to encourage growth. Peace lilies also have air-cleaning properties, removing excess carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. And don’t worry — they’re not typically as big as in the photo.

 

 

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)

 

Orchids are said to be the champagne of flowers. They’re elegant and luxurious, so if you have a low-light area that could use sprucing up, moth orchids are a terrific choice. They offer lots of variety, with multiple vibrant colors and up to four months of blooming flowers. Standard sizes grow up to two feet, while dwarf versions will stay under 12 inches. Just be sure not to overwater them — when in doubt, check the bark or moss the moth orchids are growing in. If it feels damp at all, err on the side of underwatering and leave it alone. 

 

 

Cast Iron Plant 

 

Like a cast iron pan, a cast iron plant can take a lot of punishment. Don’t have a lot of light? No problem. Can’t water it consistently? That’s perfectly okay. The dark green leaves will still look marvelous. Cast iron plants also grow very slowly, so you can leave them in the same pot for a long time. Keep them away from direct sunlight, and you’ll be fine. 

 

 

Spider Plant

 

The thought of spiders in your home may give you the heebie-jeebies, but a spider plant will merely provide you with something nice to look at. Though they’re naturally dark green, you’ll often find a variegated variety with two or three colors. These indirect light houseplants require regular watering and misting of the leaf tips to keep them green and healthy. And because they top out at about a foot tall, spider plants are great for areas without ample space, such as a dinner table, kitchen countertop, or floating planter.

 

 

Caring for common houseplants

 

Before buying a houseplant for your rental, understand the type of care it will need. Some plants require minimal maintenance, while others need special, tailored treatment. At the very least, you’ll likely need to focus on three things:

 

Watering: Every plant needs watering in some capacity. However, much like you wouldn’t want a full glass of water poured directly into your eyes, a plant doesn’t always require ample amounts of water. Look up the requirements of your houseplant so you don’t risk drowning your plant. Once per month, wipe a damp cloth over the leaves, removing dirt and other debris from your plants so they can absorb sunlight better and reach their full growth potential.

 

Fertilizer: Since indoor plants are in planters or other containers, their soil deteriorates over time, limiting the nutrients the plants receive. If you’re growing spring or summer bulbs, add fertilizer more regularly — every two or three weeks works well. After the growth phase, every six to eight weeks will keep your plants nourished.  

 

Trimming or pruning: Perhaps you’ve dreamed of living in the jungle, but you shouldn’t bring the jungle into your home. Your plants will almost certainly grow unevenly, which can hamper their long-term health. Use garden scissors or pruning shears to trim dead leaves and flowerheads or any plant overgrowth.

 

Houseplants help beautify a room in a sustainable way, provide both physical and mental health boosts, and offer endless options to express your creativity. We hope these top 10 indoor plants help bring inspiration, charm, and brightness to your home!