Here are some plants will make any room, no matter how dark, light, small, or big it is.
For more than fifty years, my mom has had the same ficus. We’ve carried it with us from the east coast to the west. We also use it as a Christmas tree, and we decorate it every year with lights and ornaments. It turns out that we’re not the only ones who think of foliage plants as real family members.
In addition to making us feel nostalgic, the bright greens of foliage plants add color and health benefits to our homes. In general, plants that grow leaves can handle less light than plants that grow flowers, making foliage plants ideal for growing indoors.
Here are some of the best foliage plants that plant experts say you should add to your home, taking into account the size and amount of light each room needs as well as your plant care skills.
What plants have leaves?
We like foliage plants for their leaves more than anything else about them. Many of the most common houseplants are in this group, such as the pothos, Monstera, ZZ plant, dracaena, and snake plant. Even though most foliage plants can flower, the flowers aren’t very showy, and the plants may never bloom in the home.
Raven ZZ Plant
ZZ is the perfect plant for beginners because it can handle low light and won’t die if you don’t water it once a week. She says, “It’s great if you forget things, get busy, or don’t have a lot of confidence.” “You can grow it almost anywhere in your house or office,” she says. Even if you work in a cube farm with only fluorescent lights,”
Its long botanical name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which is why it’s called ZZ. Hancock adds, “It’s also pretty to look at.” “New leaves emerge from the soil in lime green and slowly mature to a dark, purple-black color. They look really cool!”
Water, weekly or monthly
It can tolerate low light but thrives in bright light.
East- or west-facing windows are preferred.
Grows to four feet or more (but slowly).
Level of care: super easy
Snake Plant
A great choice for almost anyone, the snake plant, aka sword lily or Sansevieria/Dracaena, grows at just about any light level and tolerates infrequent waterings. “It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a striking yet undemanding houseplant,” says Abby Perry, founder and owner of Abby’s Garden Parties. “With sword-like leaves that come in various patterns and colors, the snake plant adds a touch of elegance to any room.”
Water the plant regularly, but it can survive without it for about a month.
Does best in bright, indirect light (but tolerates low light).
Varieties grow between 12 inches and more than 36 inches tall.
Level of care: super easy
Ponytail Palm
This very slow-growing tree, native to areas of Mexico, has a thick trunk that stores water, allowing it to survive in its native environment. At home or at work, the plant can go for up to two weeks without watering if you’re not present or forget, according to Hancock. “The long, thin leaves on top of the trunk also make me think of a green hula skirt.”
Water the plant regularly
She prefers bright light and is capable of adjusting to medium light.
It grows a few inches a year and gets as big as a tree.
Easy level of care
White Aspen Dracaena
There are a lot of trendy flowers right now that have green leaves with spots of other colors, like white, silver, yellow, or pink. According to Hancock, White Aspen Dracaena is both stylish and easy to grow. For something different, try the corn plant variety that has leaves that are green and have white edges around them.
Unless you water often, the white edges will turn brown.
It does best in bright light but can handle middle light.
It’s 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
A moderate level of care
According to Hancock, if you have a spot with low light, you should get a couple of plants and move them from a bright spot to the low-light one once a month or once a week.
Pothos grows very quickly in bright light. Perry says that people love this trailing plant for its pretty leaves, which are different shades of green, yellow, and white. You can hang it from a wall or a basket as a trailing plant. Hancock suggests that you can either let it climb a trellis, wall, or totem, or let it scramble across a mantel.
Water the plant regularly
Likes bright, indirect light but can handle medium light.
It’s 10 feet long.
Easy level of care
The Dieffenbachia
For many years, people have grown to love this tried-and-true houseplant. Hancock says, “It’s great for well-lit bedrooms and offices.” “Cool Beauty is a stylish new variety. It has green leaves with white edges and creamy centers.”
Water regularly
She prefers bright light, but she can also manage medium light.
It’s one to three feet tall.
Easy level of care
The philodendron
Picking out which type of philodendron to bring home is the hardest part. Most people have heard of the heart-leaf philodendron, which grows like a plant. Steinkopf says, “My favorite is Brazil, a green and yellow-striped form.”
Hancock really likes the golden crocodile type. If you have a lot of bright light, this very striking plant makes a wonderful statement, he says. “It has long, narrow, bright golden-yellow leaves with toothed edges that can grow up to two feet long.”
Stay away from windows that face south, because the sun could bleach the plants. Steinkopf says, “Keep them evenly moist, erring on the dry side.” “They don’t mind if you dry them out, but they’d rather not.”
Water regularly
Okay, with less light, like a window facing east or west.
It’s one to three feet tall and one to six feet wide.
Easy level of care
Peace Lily
Peace lily is another popular houseplant that is known for its lush leaves. Hancock says, “This plant has pretty flowers, but its real beauty is in its thick, dark green leaves.”” It also talks to other plants because it droops when it needs water.” When you water it again, though, it grows back right away.
Pick a room that gets bright light from the side. It can live with less, but it probably won’t flower. Other than that, Vladan Nikolic, aka Mr. Houseplant, says, “It is versatile and easy to care for, so it makes a great addition to any living or working space.”
Water regularly
Likes direct, bright light
It’s one to four feet tall and wide.
Level of care: Simple Tip: Nikolic says that most commercial potting mixes don’t drain well enough, so it’s best to add chunky amendments to them. “Mix three parts of any store-bought mix with one part perlite and one part bark to make potting mix,” he says.
An aglaonema
Aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, is one of Hancock and Steinkopf’s favorite leaf plants. It’s simple to take care of, comes in many colors, and works well in small spaces. “Agloanemas will flower with favorable light, but I cut them off,” says Steinkopf. “People grow these plants for their pretty leaves, and flowers need a lot of energy.” I prefer directing that energy towards the growth of plants.
Tolerates missed waterings
Can handle low light, but more is better.
Grows to two feet tall.
Level of care: super easy
Ficus
Ficus, aka fiddle-leaf figs and rubber trees, may have a reputation as standard-issue houseplants, but with a multitude of variations, including green, burgundy, and variegated, anyone can find one to match their decor and personality. Steinkopf says, “These plants get big and are huge trees where they come from.” “Give them room to grow as tall as they can.” If you trim them, though, you can keep them at the right size.
Don’t let it dry out, but don’t leave water sitting on it either.
It works best in bright light.
It can grow to tree size in its native habitat.
Doesn’t handle colds well.
A moderate level of care
Ferns
Ferns exist in a multitude of varieties, each possessing a unique and enchanting personality. In addition, they are easy to take care of as long as they have plenty of water and bright light that isn’t direct sunlight.
Steinkopf says, “Ferns are my favorite plants in the whole world!” “They need more light than you think, even though they say they need low light.” Some of them live under grow lights and do best in my east-facing windows.
Don’t let it dry out; keep it moist.
It does best in well-lit areas.
Most varieties grow to a height of two to four feet.
A moderate level of care
Stromanthe Triostar
Unfussy Stroman The Triostar is great for beginners and “famous for its stunning pink, purple, and green variegated foliage,” says Nikolic. “If you’re a fan of plants with striking colors that accentuate the space, Triostar is the perfect plant for you.”
Triostar doesn’t have any massive light requirements, but the more indirect light you give it, the more vibrant the variegation will become, with whiter topside leaves and more purple undersides.
Water the plant regularly
It does best in medium, indirect light.
Grows two to three feet tall.
Easy level of care
Monstera Deliciosa
A large and super-trendy houseplant, “Monstera deliciosa sports big, dark green leaves in a shape that’s all the rage these days, used across fashion and home décor prints,” says Hancock. Because it’s a big plant, it needs a big place to grow, like a bright living room or den. Like almost every other houseplant on this list, he suggests that too little water is safer than too much water.
Water the plant regularly
It does best in bright light but can handle middle light.
Grows to 10 to 15 feet tall and eight feet wide.
Easy level of care
About the Experts
Justin Hancock is a horticulturist at Costa Farms, the world’s biggest houseplant grower. Having worked as a garden editor and retail garden store operator for more than 25 years in the horticulture industry, Justin Hancock
Lisa Eldred Steinkopf founded The Houseplant Guru, a website that assists individuals in plant care. She also delivers seminars and writes publications, such as Houseplants: The Complete Guide, Grow in the Dark, Creative Houseplant Projects, and Bloom.
Vladan Nikolic maintains the blog, Mr. Houseplant. With more than 10 years of expertise caring for indoor plants, he is a social media influencer for plants with more than 500,000 followers.
Abby Perry is a licensed master gardener, the founder and proprietor of Abby’s Garden Parties, and an advocate for disconnecting to spend time in nature.
