Natural Indoor Plants

The Chinese Evergreen, also known as Aglaonema Pattaya, is a popular houseplant that is native to Southeast Asia. This plant is known for its striking foliage, which features dark green leaves with silver markings and a pinkish-red tint on the edges. The leaves are thick and glossy, and they grow in an upright manner, making the plant an excellent choice for adding height and texture to any indoor space. Perfect choice for offices, receptions and any desk too. They thrive well in indoor lighting conditions and thus require little maintenance. Keep the compost moderately moist during growth, allowing it to dry out slightly between watering. Only spray with a mist of water if room temperatures exceeds 18°C. Feed with general fertilizer once a month.

One of the easiest of all houseplants to grow, Aglaonema is also one of the most stylish. A relatively new variety to the houseplant world, this stunner shows off dark green leaves elegantly flushed with bright red or pink. Its colorful foliage makes Red Aglaonema a perfect home-decor accent. It’s gorgeous on desks or tabletops, as well as coffee tables and side tables in dens, living rooms, and bedrooms. Water once a week or when the soil starts to become slightly dry at the top. Keep the soil lightly moist at all times, but do not overwater as this will cause brown spots and leaf drop. Water in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Always check soil before watering.

Boasting some of the most striking foliage in the houseplant world, the Alocasia is an increasingly popular addition to indoor plant collections due to its unmatched visual and sculptural appeal. There are around 80 species of this distinctly veined stunner native to subtropical Asia and eastern Australia, and some specimens boast leaves that can grow up to almost three feet long.
Alocasias need bright, but indirect light. This is due to the plant’s natural habitat, on the forest floor beneath the tree canopy. Direct sun will cause the leaves to burn, so avoid placing your Alocasia in a spot where it’ll be exposed to direct sun for a prolonged period. This plant is not tolerant of lower light conditions though, so make sure the space you’re placing yours in feels very bright. Alocasias are native to — and grow best — in humid environments, so avoid placing yours near to an A/C or a heater if possible.

Anthurium is a perennial plant native to Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. While they can be grown outdoors in the garden in warm climates, anthuriums are good indoor plants and are more often grown as houseplants or in greenhouses since they have particular care needs. They grow at a slow or moderate growth rate, depending on getting ample light without getting sunburned. Also called flamingo flowers for their unique tropical shape and bright red, green, and white colors, they can constantly bloom for long periods making them delightful indoor plants year-round. The blooming varieties are distinctive for their colorful, heart-shaped waxy spathes and red or yellow tail-like flower spikes. Other varieties feature large-leaved, deeply veined foliage. Many anthuriums are climbers, and all need high humidity and warmth to thrive. Anthurium typically lives about 5 years indoors with proper care but by propagating your plant, you can have a healthy anthurium indefinitely.

Philodendrons are one of the most loved and widely grown indoor plant species in the world, but what is better than a regular philodendron is a variegated one. The Philodendron Birkin has a stunning dark green color with elegant white variegations resembling fish bone. Birkin plant’s leaves are glossy, heart shaped, ovate and bring an interesting charm to any space. These patterns might make you think that the Philodendron Birkin is a difficult plant to take care of, but luckily that’s not true. The Philodendron Birkin shows you when it’s not happy, which makes it the perfect plant for beginners. Tropical Philodendron birkins come from the Araceae family. Philodendron is a subcategory of this family

Bird of paradise plants are hard to miss, with their large leaves and beautiful, spiky, colorful blooms that resemble birds on the wing. With indirect sunlight and weekly watering, a bird of paradise can grow well as a houseplant. It makes a bold focal point, adding a tropical touch wherever you grow it. A moderate level of maintenance is required to keep your plant healthy. The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to any space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. It is relatively hardy and adapts to a wide spectrum of light conditions from direct sun to low, indirect light, but will flourish in a sunny spot.

It’s not hard to see why so many houseplant enthusiasts covet calathea species. These striking tropical beauties have distinct stripes and veining on their oblong foliage. However, they’re not always the best choice for plant lovers as they’re particular when it comes to the care and conditions they require (frequent watering and high humidity). The round-leaved calathea (Calathea orbifolia ) is no exception. The silver-green stripes on its luxuriant, large leaves make it a bold statement plant, but it’s somewhat fussy and definitely doesn’t fall into the low-maintenance category.

China doll plants are broadleaf evergreens that have a moderately fast growth rate indoors. These plants have small, glossy green leaves and an upward growth habit that can reach 4 to 6 feet tall at maturity. China doll plants do best when grown in full sun or bright, indirect light along with moist, well-drained soil. Native to the subtropical mountainous regions of Asia, China doll plants have a feathery, eye-catching appearance that can bring a pop of greenery to any corner of the home when grown indoors.

Dracaena Lemon lime are very widely grown as an ornamental houseplant, which is valued mostly for their evergreen dark-green leaves and neon yellow stripes on them. This Massangeana plant will get you a display of profuse attraction in your personal spaces. Unlike other Dracaena plants, Dracaena Lemon lime requires a bit more light to get to its mature state. And once they mature, they form into a beautiful bush. While in indoor conditions, Dracaena Lemon lime has a tendency to grow in a range of 1.5 – 2 m. It will be a great choice to select this plant for any of your inhouse space as it will brighten up any room. Usually kept to a tabletop size with regular pruning.

Dracaena marginata, more commonly known as a dragon tree, is an attractive plant with green sword-like, red-edged leaves. Native to Madagascar, the eye-catching spiky tree is known as a great entry plant for household gardeners—it’s easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and nearly indestructible. The slow-growing plant can be planted year-round and boasts tiny white flowers in the spring (though it rarely flowers indoors). This small tree will grow to about 20 feet in warm outdoor climates, but it is generally grown as a potted houseplant and kept pruned to 6 feet or less.

This Ficus variety has long, banana-shaped leaves. The large, leathery, fast-growing foliage has a lush tropical appeal. This plant has similar growth habits to Ficus Alli, but has many wider, thicker and somewhat larger leaves. During active growth periods, growth tips are a very pronounced pink to red that contrasts beautifully against the broad, shiny leaves. ‘Amstel Queen’ holds its foliage extremely well indoors. Ficus plants do well in bright indirect light; however, they can survive in medium light. The lower the light level, the longer a Ficus takes to produce new leaves. Rotate weekly to maintain the plant’s beautiful shape. Water a Ficus when the top 1 inch of the soil has dried out. Water well so that excess water drains out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot. Immediately empty excess water and do not allow a Ficus to sit in water. New growth turns black and green leaves fall off from over-watering. Leaves become brown and crunchy, drop off, and may turn yellow when the plant needs water. Feed monthly with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer when the plant is actively growing. Use a good, all purpose, well- aerated potting soil.

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina’s common name is known as the Ficus tree) grows as a large broadleaf evergreen tree in tropical and subtropical climates, but it is more often grown as a houseplant in homes, offices, and featured in interior commercial landscaping. The Ficus tree is known for its longevity, living between 20 to 50 years. This elegant plant has slender branches that arch gracefully from a light gray trunk, with dense, glossy dark leaves. When the Ficus benjamina tree is grown indoors, the plants are normally pruned to keep them about 3 feet to 6 feet tall, and their trunks are sometimes braided for decorative appeal. It is a fast grower and may need to be repotted up to once per year, but do so in the early spring for best results.

Ficus benjamina ‘STARLIGHT’ is a particularly attractive variety with glossy, variegated foliage that cloaks it’s gently weeping branches. Each olive green leaf is edged with an irregular creamy-yellow margin, reflecting the light to dazzling effect. Over time, this slow-growing house plant will form a tall specimen shrub that will create a magnificent focal point in your home. Perfect for filling the corner of a brightly lit room. Most Ficus trees enjoy bright indirect or filtered light with variegated varieties happily able to take medium light. Bright, direct light may result in scalding of the leaves and leaf loss. Make sure to place them somewhere where cold drafts will not be an issue. It’s important to maintain a relatively high humidity around the plant. Regular misting or setting the Ficus tree on a pebble tray filled with water is a great way to increase their humidity, but keep in mind that while they like high humidity, they don’t like overly wet roots. Therefore, when watering, always check the top of the soil first. If the top of the soil is wet, don’t water as this means they have enough moisture. If the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, this indicates that they need water.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), a tropical broadleaf evergreen shrub, is typically grown as a large, indoor houseplant because its blooms smell magnificent. In fact, few natural scents are as evocative and memorable as the smell of this coveted plant. If it wasn’t for the plant’s fragrant appeal, however, few gardeners would attempt to grow the high-maintenance gardenia, commonly found only in conservatories and commercial greenhouses. Still, if you’re up for the challenge, even a few months of blooms make it a worthwhile endeavor.

These indoor palm plants perform well when kept in presence of bright indirect light to partial shade. Water them moderately, and allow their topsoil to dry completely before watering. Remember to water them enough to keep their soil moist, but not wet. Water less in winter and check the top 3 inches to be dry to touch. Use filtered, distilled or rain water to avoid chemicals in the tap water. Most indoor plants like a steady diet of liquid plant food, but not palms. Palms are slow-growing, especially indoors, and don’t need much fertilizer. Livistona Palms will thrive in a humid spot, so introducing a pebble tray whilst the heaters are operating will ensure adequate moisture around its foliage. You can even mist the foliage once a month to hydrate and wash away excess dust from its leaves. An under-humid location will cause the leaf-tips to dry and brown over which is typically more common in the height of winter. Always keep the Palm at least four metres from an operating heat source due to the negative effects it has on transpiration and therefore leaf hydration.

In addition to the species plant known as golden pothos, there are several nursery cultivars of Epipremnum aureum that make excellent trailing houseplants. Among these are ‘Marble Queen’ (marble queen money plant), ‘Marble Prince’, ‘and Neon’ (neon money plant). Pothos plants like bright indirect light but not direct sunlight. They don’t like to be overly wet and should be allowed to dry out before watering heavily. The long vines of golden pothos are often used to frame the wealth center in the home, or to establish boundaries.

Monstera adansonii, “Swiss Cheese Vine”, the “Monkey Mask Plant” or sometimes simply known as “Five Holes Plant”, is a reasonably modern and popular houseplant that does well indoors. Monstera adansonii is easy to care for so long as it has moist, warm conditions. The plant has a vining habit and often grows entwined in and around itself, with new leaves and vines sometimes growing through the holes in existing leaves. This can lead to leaves tearing which gives the plant a shabby chic rather that pristine appeal. Monstera grow best in bright, indirect light, but are hardy enough to tolerate moderate shade. Avoid direct sunlight however, as this may burn or bleach the leaves.

The Orchid plant is a most common popular flower plant. Native to Australia and Southern Asian Regions. Orchid, which has the most commercially traded hybrids or horticulture species. When all flowers drop (which could last for months) you could make them for re-bloom by cutting your flower spike halfway down the stem. Orchid plants have large green oval shaped leaves that could sit close to the bottom of the stems and top roots. And their roots do look like curled medusa hair that sits near to the top of medium to search for moisture and nutrients. Flowers of these species are considered to be one of the most lasting flowers and can be of many striking colors like Blue, Green, Red, Orange, White, Pink. Moth Orchid plants can be excellent potted indoor flowering plants and so could be used as a perfect choice for in house decoration.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a tropical vine native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, but you probably know it best seen trailing off of shelves and desks. Pothos is commonly grown as a houseplant, boasting pointed, heart-shaped green leaves that are sometimes variegated with white, yellow, or pale green striations. Pothos plants can live for many years with basic care and are super adaptable, as various light, soil, and moisture conditions suit them. They’re fast-growing plants even indoors, often adding between 12 to 18 inches of length in a month. Be aware that pothos plants are toxic to pets.

The bamboo palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a small palm species that grows in dense clumps of slender upright green stems. On the stems are fan-shaped, glossy green fronds that each have between five and eight narrow, lance-shaped segments. Because this palm is extremely tolerant of low-light conditions, it’s popular to grow indoors as a houseplant. It’s best planted in the spring at the start of the growing season, though houseplants generally can be started year-round. This palm has a fairly slow growth rate, gaining less than a foot in height per year.

Schefflera is a large genus of tropical plants that includes two species that make wonderful tropical houseplants. The larger Schefflera actinophylla (sometimes called the umbrella plant or umbrella tree) features long, shiny, oval green leaves that droop gracefully from a central stalk, resembling an umbrella. A mature Schefflera might have 12 to 16 leaflets from a single stalk, while an immature Schefflera is more likely to have four to six. Schefflera arboricola (sometimes called dwarf Schefflera) features smaller, glossy leaves, sometimes with creamy variegation. Other than the smaller size, it looks very similar to its taller cousin. Schefflera pants are usually grown indoors for most of the year in cooler climates but can be taken outdoors for the warmer months, where they will thrive alongside other tropical plants. However, Schefflera plants typically have to be grown outdoors to display their show of long red, white, or pink tentacle-like flowers. Plants grown indoors rarely produce flowers. Schefflera plants are fast-growing plants, especially if planted outdoors, where they can add three feet per year. Indoor plants are slower-growing, especially if you keep them somewhat confined in a tight-fitting container. If you are planting a Schefflera in a warm climate garden, they are best planted in spring or fall when the weather is not blazing hot.

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus), just like its botanical cousin pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Both are members of the Arum family. They are evergreen tropical vines that are not cold-tolerant. That’s why pothos is usually grown indoors. What distinguishes satin pothos from pothos is the variegation of its foliage. The heart-shaped leaves have silvery grey splotches, which makes them look almost shiny and adds to the visual appeal of the plant. The intensity of the variegation depends on the cultivar. Satin pothos is a vine that will latch onto its surroundings—that can be a pole, a trellis, other plants, a wall, or a piece of furniture. The way the vine attaches to surfaces is through its aerial roots. Sometimes it does this on its own, sometimes it needs a little help, such as with invisible mini hooks. Instead of letting it trail, you can also grow satin pothos in a hanging planter allowing its foliage to cascade down.

Spider plants produce a rosette of long, thin, arched foliage that is solid green or variegated with white. These easy-to-grow houseplants look especially nice in a hanging basket and were a favorite in Victorian-era households. During the summer, spider plants may produce tiny white flowers on long stems, as well as baby spider plants (offsets) called “pups.” The pups look like tiny spiders, hence the plant’s name! Caring for spider plants is easy. These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent candidates for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Provide them with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and they will flourish. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out some between waterings.

These houseplants are celebrated for their low maintenance—that’s only true once you know what you’re doing. Succulents do best when kept in areas with moderate to bright, indirect sunlight and/or partial sunlight. Less is more when it comes to watering, All succulents (and all plants for that matter) benefit from a complete soaking, until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. For succulents, wait until the soil is bone dry — and then some — to water again. Just be sure to keep the leaves dry to keep mold at bay.

Yucca is the common name for more than 40 species of plants in the Yucca genus. They have tough, sword-like leaves and a large spike of whitish flowers. Yucca contains chemicals that might reduce swelling. It might also have antibacterial and antifungal effects. Yuccas are native to the American Southwest, Mexico, and the Caribbean—they are visually interesting, looking similar to agave or dragon plants. Some are fast-growing plants growing up to two feet per year, while others grow slowly, about 5 inches a year. All are extremely drought tolerant. Most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes so long that you’ll get many years of use as a houseplant before it overwhelms your space. Most can grow outdoors, withstanding cold snaps. Some varieties can survive subzero temperatures. Plant them outdoors in the early spring. However, do not plant them too close to the house; these plants are not invasive species but have invasive root systems that can damage home foundations, sidewalks, and underground pipes. Beware the tips of the long, spiny leaves of yucca plants; they are sharp and pointy and can cause injury. Pet owners should take caution if adding yucca plants—all parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats.

As per Feng Shui, zz plant must be grown indoors as it will attract protective and purifying energy. Many Feng shui experts believe keeping this plant in the southeastern corner of house or office could bring more wealth and growth. As per Vastu, zz plant may bring good fortune, and it can be lucky for many people. There are a variety of ZZ plants based on their height, size, color and growing requirements. Some of the most common types of zz plants are zz Raven (the dark beauty), zenzi (the dwarf zizi) & Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Variegata)