These 25 Common Houseplants Are Must-Haves for Plant Parents

heart leaf philodendron

Modern House Vibes

Greenery can add so much life to a space, and many of us are itching to continue adding to our plant collections. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to choose from everything out there—not to mention some plants are higher maintenance than others. If you're a plant pro or a new to the growing game, we've got you covered.

Read on for 25 common, easy-to-care-for houseplants to add to your space.

01 of 25

Philodendron Hope

philodendron hope

Alvin Wayne

  • Botanical Name: Philodendron bipinnatifidum
  • Sun Exposure: Medium or bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Moist alkaline
  • Soil pH: 7.0

The philodendron hope is similar to a monstera in its size and ability to grow, but its lobed leaves give it a look that's all its own.

Unlike other philodendron varieties, this one won't withstand low light. Make sure it's near a window that gets medium or bright indirect light. They also don't like soggy roots, so be sure to water only when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Plant leaning over? Put a moss pole or stake into its pot to help support it, and tie it up with soft plant velcro.

02 of 25

Variegated Rubber Tree

variegated rubber tree

Leaf and Lolo

  • Botanical Name: Ficus Tineke
  • Sun Exposure: Bright direct to indirect light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

Known for its gorgeous white, pink, and green leaves, a variegated rubber tree will add some whimsy to your plantscape. Luckily, it's also pretty easy to care for. Just be sure to water weekly or when the leaves start drooping and stake it when it starts getting taller.

rubber tree
Ansel & Ivy Yellow Rubber Tree $128.00
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03 of 25

Swiss Cheese Plant

swiss cheese plant

Kaelyn Guerin

  • Botanical Name: Monstera adansonii
  • Sun Exposure: Bright direct to indirect light
  • Soil Type: Peat-based potting mix
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

If you're fond of large, luscious monstera deliciosas, then you're likely to love its cousin, the swiss cheese plant. It's got similar fenestrations, or holes, in the leaves like the deliciosa, but its leaves are much smaller. You can allow it to trail and vine in a hanging pot or add a moss pole and watch the leaves climb.

swiss cheese plant
Bloomscape Monstera Adansonii $65.00
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04 of 25

Areca Palm

majesty palm

Jenn Pablo Studio

  • Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Peat-based potting mix with perlite
  • Soil pH: 6.1 to 6.5

Missing a palm-laden destination? The areca palm may be able to fill that void. Its long, thin fronds look like fans, and they start to bend slightly with their own weight.

As luscious as these plants look, they're pretty easy to care for. Keep them out of direct sunlight so they don't get sunburnt and keep the soil lightly moist.

Areca palms are one of the few varieties of palms that can stand trimming—so feel free to cut away any brown bits if necessary.

05 of 25

Rubber Tree

rubber tree

Laquita Tate

  • Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
  • Sun Exposure: Medium to bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining peat-based potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

This dark and dramatic beauty is full of shiny, reddish-green leaves. It's a tropical plant that loves its moisture, but it can withstand lower light conditions—it just won't shoot out new leaves as often as it would in a sunnier spot.

If you treat it right by keeping the soil slightly moist and rotate it so all sides get light, it could even grow up to 10 feet tall after a few years.

06 of 25

English Ivy

ivy

Bespoke Only

  • Botanical Name: Hedera helix
  • Sun Exposure: Medium to bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: All-purpose potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

If you’re looking for a trailing charmer that grows quickly, ivy is for you. Its star-shaped leaves need bright light, but not direct, to thrive, and vines can become feet long if taken care of.

Be sure to not overwater, though, because ivy is susceptible to root rot. After all, it’s often found climbing on homes and walls, not in the soggy ground. 

07 of 25

Mass Cane Plant

cane plant

The Grit and Polish

  • Botanical Name: Dracaena Dorado
  • Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Peat-based potting soil
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

This statuesque stunner is a mass cane plant, also called a corn plant, is a tree known for its air-purifying abilities—no, seriously, NASA did a study on it and other plants—and its green and yellow leaves.

Despite its size, it’s not too hard to care for: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet think watering every five to seven days, and give it plenty of light if you want it to grow. 

08 of 25

Watermelon Peperomia

watermelon peperomia

Domm Dot Com

  • Botanical Name: Peperomia argyreia
  • Sun Exposure: Medium to bright light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining all-purpose potting soil
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.6

This striped cutie is named after its resemblance to the fruit. Peperomias are semi-succulent, meaning their leaves are somewhat fleshy and hold water, which means they can rot if overwatered.

Only give it a drink when the top inch of soil is dry, and be sure to keep it out of bright, direct light—the leaves can get sunburn. 

watermelon peperomia
Bloomscape Peperomia Watermelon $35.00
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09 of 25

Bird of Paradise

bird of paradise

Leaf and Lolo

  • Botanical Name: Strelitzia
  • Sun Exposure: Bright direct to bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining all-purpose potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5

This tall, leafy gem adds an instant tropical feel to any space. It can grow up to about six feet high indoors, and in the right conditions—bright light, near a south- or west-facing window—it's sure to flourish.

Check the undersides of the leaves for pests every now and again, as that's where they tend to hide.

10 of 25

Monstera Deliciosa

monstera

JC Designs

  • Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
  • Sun Exposure: Bright to medium indirect light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.5-6.5

Oh, the beloved deliciosa. This jungle beauty is easier to take care of than it looks, and you can even water propagate the stems rather easily. The cuts or holes in the leaves occur naturally, giving it a feather-like look. It loves sun and moisture, so be sure to place it near a sunny window and mist the leaves often. 

monstera
The Sill Monstera Deliciosa $60.00
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11 of 25

Fiddle Leaf Fig

fiddle leaf fig

COTTAGE + SEA

  • Botanical Name: Ficus lyrata
  • Sun Exposure: Bright filtered light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

Although picky, the fiddle leaf fig is worth the extra effort. These trees love to stay in one place once they arrive in your home, and they can be dramatic if they are near drafty windows or doors. Be sure to wipe off the large leaves weekly to remove dust which can stunt growth and give pests a place to hide. 

12 of 25

Golden Pothos

pothos

Dwell Aware

  • Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
  • Soil pH: 6.1 to 6.5

With its paintbrush-like swathes of color, it’s hard not to love the golden pothos. Deep green leaves are accented with beautiful golden strokes of color, giving it a little more pizazz than the average potted plant. Similar to the heart-leaf philodendron, it’s rather easy to care for and propagate. Give it a good soak when the top two inches of soil feel dry and then you’re good to go. 

13 of 25

Bird's Nest Fern

birds nest fern

Mocha Girl Place

  • Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect to low light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
  • Soil pH: 5.0 to 5.5

To add a funky and fun addition to your collection, look no further than the bird’s nest fern. Its bright ruffled leaves look beautiful in any setting, and it only needs watering every one to two weeks. Keep it out of direct light, though, or else its leaves could get crispy.

Be sure to water around the rosette in the center of the plant, not directly on top, to avoid rotting. 

14 of 25

Snake Plant

snake plant

Black and Blooms

  • Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect to low light
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Snake plants are quite possibly some of the easiest plants to care for. They can grow in low-light conditions and survive mild neglect, meaning if you forget to water them every once in a while, they'll be okay. Plus, they come in a ton of different sizes and colors, making them the perfect accent for just about any type of style.

15 of 25

Prayer Plant

prayer plant

Dine x Design

  • Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura
  • Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect
  • Soil Type: Peat-based potting mix
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.0

Prayer plants, or marantas, are known for their leaves that fold up at night, mirroring the look of praying hands. Their thin leaves crave humidity, and they thrive in sunny bathrooms or kitchens where they can enjoy some extra steam. Depending on the type of maranta you get, the vines in the leaves can be red, yellow, or white in color. 

prayer plant
Bloomscape Neon Prayer Plant $65.00
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16 of 25

Heart Leaf Philodendron

philodendron

Modern House Vibes

  • Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum
  • Sun Exposure: Indirect to low light
  • Soil Type: All-purpose potting mix
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Perhaps one of the easiest (and most rewarding) plants is the heartleaf philodendron. Glossy green leaves hang from the vines of this plant, which can withstand low light conditions. Of course, it will grow more quickly in bright indirect light, but it can survive shady corners or bookshelves. 

Want to have vines trail along your wall? Use small Command Hooks or plant clips to make it look like your plant is crawling up the wall!

17 of 25

Banana Tree

banana plant

Afro Bohemian Living

  • Botanical Name: Musa spp.
  • Sun Exposure: Full
  • Soil Type: Loamy, well-draining mix
  • Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Not to be confused with the bird of paradise, banana plants are also large, tropical plants known for their thick, long leaves. It loves moisture but doesn’t like soggy roots, so be sure to avoid overwatering. Mist the leaves occasionally for an extra boost of humidity. 

banana plant
Ansel & Ivy Banana Plant $128.00
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18 of 25

Olive Tree

olive tree

Afro Bohemian Living

  • Botanical Name: Olea europaea
  • Sun Exposure: Full, direct sun
  • Soil Type: Cacti or succulent potting mix
  • Soil pH: 6.5 and 7.5

If you’re looking for a delicate, almost dainty-looking plant, look no further than the olive tree. Its small leaves are a light green shade and sprout from thin, sinewy branches. The plant is native to the Mediterranean, so it loves sunshine and would even thrive outdoors if it isn't left in harsh, direct sunlight.

19 of 25

Spider Plant

spider plant

Turquoise and Tobacco

  • Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
  • Sun Exposure: Indirect to low light
  • Soil Type: All-purpose potting mix
  • Soil pH: 6.0 and 7.2

The spider plant, known for it’s long fronds and spider-like pups is a lovely addition to a hanging planter or darker space. It’s got tiny pups that trail from the mother plant, sort of like spiders hanging from a web.

Since it can survive in low-light conditions, it’s great for those awkward corners in shady bathrooms and offices. 

20 of 25

Chinese Money Plant

pilea

Coco Lapine

  • Botanical Name: Pilea Peperomioides
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light 
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
  • Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.0

The pilea is one of the internet's favorite plants right now. Its saucer-like leaves are adorable, and it's quite easy to care for. It's nicknamed the friendship plant because it often grows sharable pups, and it's also called the Chinese money plant for the leaves' resemblance to coins and full foliage that symbolizes prosperity.

pilea
The Sill Pilea Peperomioides $35.00
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21 of 25

Madagascar Dragon Tree

dracaena

Cathie Hong

  • Botanical Name: Dracaena marginata
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

If you're trying to fill vertical space in your home, a Madagascar dragon tree may be a great fit. Its slender stems end in firework-like foliage, creating a look similar to a ponytail palm. Plus, you only have to water it once every week or two, and even less in the winter, making it a low-maintenance addition.

22 of 25

String of Hearts

string of hearts

Plant Roost

  • Botanical Name: Ceropegia woodii
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Cacti or succulent potting mix
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

This one's for all the romantics out there. The string of hearts, which gets its name from its small, heart-shaped leaves, is a trailing semi-succulent.

It only needs occasional watering thanks to its drought tolerance, and it even comes in three colors: a traditional green/purple like in the photo about, a silver glory variation with frosty-colored leaves, and a variegated pink and white version.

String of hearts vines can tangle easily and are extremely delicate, so use a light hand when separating them. Or, if they're too unruly, wrap them in a coil and place them in the pot for a fuller, bushier looking plant.

23 of 25

Shamrock

shamrock plant

Plant Roost

  • Botanical Name: Oxalis regnelli
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Cacti or succulent potting mix
  • Soil pH: 7.6 to 7.8

Looking to add something lucky to your home? This oxalis regnelli, aptly also called a shamrock, has beautiful triangular leaves and white blooms. At night, the leaves tuck themselves in, creating adorable tent-like shapes.

If your shamrock seems to die in the winter, don't worry—they tend to go dormant in cooler temps, but they will spring back up from their bulbs come spring. Also, if green isn't your thing, it comes in a deep purple color, too.

oxalis
Bloomscape Oxalis Purple $65.00
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24 of 25

Nerve Plant

nerve plant

Plant Roost

  • Botanical Name: Fittonia albivenis
  • Sun Exposure: Filtered indirect sun or part shade
  • Soil Type: Moist, well-draining soil
  • Soil pH: 5.6 to 6.5

Not only is this plant dramatic because of its brightly-colored veins, but it also loves to tell you when it's thirsty—its leaves will droop dramatically, and they will perk right back up after a drink of water.

If you want to add some more color to your plant collection, the nerve plant is perfect for you, as it comes in pink, white, and red variations.

25 of 25

Umbrella Tree

umbrella plant

Leaf and Lolo

  • Botanical Name: Schefflera actinophylla
  • Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
  • Soil Type: Sandy, well-draining soil
  • Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5 

Depending on how much space you have, you can choose to go big or stay small with an umbrella plant. It's named for its multiple leaves that jut out in the shape of an umbrella, and it's super easy to care for. Be careful if you have pets around, though, it's toxic to furry friends.

umbrella tree
Ansel & Ivy Umbrella Tree $83.00
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