15 of the Most Popular Houseplants to Pick Up ASAP

Yucca Plant

• Botanical Name: Yucca gigantea
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to low light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 5.5–7.5

Yucca plants (Yucca gigantea), also known as Adam's needle, are a popular houseplant pick for several reasons. They are drought-tolerant, so they are very easy to care for. Their tall structure can add some variety to your houseplant collection, and the spike of their large leaves can help give an exotic look to your space.

Caring for your yucca plant is fairly simple. They prefer bright, indirect light but can also thrive in lower light conditions. Water them when their soil is dry to the touch.

Snake Plant

• Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Sun Exposure: Indirect sunlight to low light
• Soil Type: Free-draining soil (cactus or succulent mix)
• Soil pH: 4.5–7.0

The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is on every popular houseplant list for a reason. Also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, these long, shooting leaves will be fine in shady areas of your house as well as near a window. Care-wise, you can basically forget about it. Water it once a month when the soil is very dry to the touch.

Fiddle-Leaf Fig

• Botanical Name: Ficus lyrata
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, and some direct sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained, indoor potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0

The Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is known for being finicky, but that doesn't stop plant parents from giving it a go anyhow. If you do get the hang of caring for it, there's nothing quite like the moment your Fiddle-Leaf Fig starts to squeeze out a new leaf to make you really feel like you accomplished something.

Fiddle-Leaf Figs prefer bright, indirect light and can even thrive outside. They prefer to be watered when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Rotate your Fig every few weeks to keep the growth even, but don't physically move it to another place in your home, as once they are in a spot, they like to stay there.

Cacti

• Botanical Name: Cactaceae
• Sun Exposure: Direct sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained, cacti/succulent soil
• Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

Cacti (Cactaceae) come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Still, whether you're opting for a tiny one to sit on your desk or an overpowering one to sit on your patio, cacti are sure to bring a different vibe to your houseplant collection.

As expected for a native desert plant, they are drought-tolerant and do best in soil specifically formulated for cacti and succulents.

Alocasia

• Botanical Name: Alocasia amazonica
• Sun Exposure: Medium to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

Alocasia (Alocasia amazonica), also known as Elephant Ears, can help create an instant jungle vibe in your space, making them a super popular plant pick. They require a little more intermediate-level care, as they prefer consistently moist soil and love humidity, so be sure to give them a daily mist.

Jade

• Botanical Name: Crassula ovata or C. argentea
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil Type: Fast-draining soil
• Soil pH: 6.1–6.3

Jade plants (Crassula ovata or C. argentea) are popular succulents due to their bubbly leaves and height. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight and are drought-tolerant, so stick your Jade plant near the sun and enjoy.

ZZ Plant

• Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Common Name: ZZ plant, aroid palm, emerald palm, Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant
• Sun Exposure: Shade to partial, indirect sun
• Soil Type: Commercial potting soil
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0

The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is also called the aroid palm, emerald palm, Zanzibar gem, and Zuzu plant. No matter what you call it, it has held steady in the popular houseplant category because it's so easy to care for.

It can thrive in indirect light, as well as shade, making it a super versatile plant for your space. Since it's drought-tolerant, you can also water it every few weeks and leave it alone otherwise—another low-maintenance plant for the win.

Brasil Philodendron

• Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Rich, loose potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5-6.0

The Brasil Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil') is a favorite philodendron due to its interesting variegated leaves. They are streaked with different shades of green, from dark green to neon. The more light it receives, the brighter the colors will appear.

Pothos

• Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
• Sun Exposure: Moderate indoor light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.1–6.5

Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum), or Devil's Ivy, can grow in almost any condition, making it a popular houseplant due to its beautiful vines and its low-maintenance care routine. It prefers indirect light and regular watering.

Swiss Cheese Plant

• Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
• Common Name: Split-leaf philodendron, Swiss cheese plant
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

Another forever popular houseplant: the Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa). This crowd favorite is also referred to as the split-leaf philodendron, and when it's happy, it will spread, so don't be afraid to share cuttings with friends.

The Swiss Cheese Plant prefers bright indirect light, a good daily mist, and watering when the top inch of soil is dry. It might also benefit from wiping down its leaves every now and then to keep the mealybugs at bay.

Aloe Vera

• Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis Miller
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, or some daily direct sun
• Soil Type: Well-draining succulent or cactus soil
• Soil pH: 7.0–8.5

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is not only a popular houseplant that will give your collection an exotic vibe via its spikes, but it's actually useful, as you can slice open its leaves and apply its sap for a sunburn. Aloe vera prefers bright, indirect light or daily sun and sparse waterings, as it is also a succulent.

Pancake Plant

• Botanical Name: Pilea peperomioides
• Common Name: Pancake plant, Chinese money plant, coin plant, missionary plant
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting soil
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0

Pancake Plants (Pilea peperomioides) are just so adorable. These plants have circular leaves that give them the nicknames of coin plant, missionary plant, and Chinese money plant. They prefer bright, indirect light and like to dry out in between waterings, so be careful not to overwater.

Rubber Tree

• Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5–7.0

The Rubber Tree (Ficus elastic) is the cousin of the popular Fiddle-Leaf Fig and a fan favorite. It's a bit hardier than its finicky relative, so it's only growing in popularity due to its ease of care. Rubber trees thrive in a variety of light conditions but prefer bright, indirect light and moist soil.

Echeveria

• Botanical Name: Echeveria elegans
• Sun Exposure: Direct sunlight
• Soil Type: Well-draining cacti or succulent soil
• Soil pH: 6.6 to 7.5

Echeveria (Echeveria elegans) are rose-like succulents that can propogate so easily, they are known as "hen and chicks." They thrive in the humid conditions of a terrarium, but can also be happy sitting in direct sunlight.

Scindapsus

• Botanical Name: Scindapsus pictus 
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.1 to 6.5

Scindapsus (Scindapsus pictus), also known as the silver philodendron, has large dark green leaves with silver splotches. Its vines flow so beautifully, easily earning it a spot at the popular houseplant table.

They prefer indirect light and weekly waterings but can also adapt to a variety of conditions. They have the look of a high-maintenance plant without too much work for the plant parent.