How to Choose an Indoor Plant That's Right for You

Easy-to-Grow Indoor Plants

For beginners, it's best to start with plants that are hardy and don't require too much maintenance. Once your indoor plant care skills improve and your confidence grows, you can look at fussier plants. Here are some hardy and low-maintenance plants to try: Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum), Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), Jade Plant (Crassula ovata), Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata syn. Sansevieria trifasciata), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), and Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum).

Indoor Plants for Low Light

Most indoor plants will do best in a room with bright but indirect light. However, some hardy plants will tolerate lower amounts of light, including: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior), Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata), and ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Unless you install artificial lighting, there are no plants that can grow in rooms without sunlight.

Indoor Plants for Humid Rooms

Humid rooms such as a steamy bathroom, laundry or kitchen are ideal places for plants that are native to humid tropical forests. Here are some plants that will enjoy living in your bathroom: Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), Parlour Palm (Chamaedora elegans), and Flamingo Flower (Anthurium scherzerianum).

Indoor Plants for Shelves & Hanging Baskets

Plants with trailing stems look wonderful when positioned on shelves or grown in a hanging basket. Their stems can cascade down or be trained horizontally across a wall. Plants with trailing stems include: Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera), Hoya (Hoya spp.), and Chain of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii).

Indoor Plant for Small Spaces

Small plants are ideal for desktops, coffee tables and shelves. The following plants don't take up much room and are great plants for beginners: Zebra Cactus (Haworthia fasciata), Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomiodes), Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.), and Baby Rubber Plants (Peperomia obtusifolia). 

Indoor Plants Unsafe for Pets & Children

Some indoor plants may pose a risk to pets and children, including from contact with plant sap or ingestion. The following are a few common examples of potentially toxic indoor plants: Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.), Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata), Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata), and Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa).

Monitor pet & child behaviour around these plants and move to an inaccessible position if required.