10 of the best indoor plants for your home

From cleaner air to creative decor – there are so many benefits of having indoor plants around your house. However, it can be hard to know which varieties of plants are suitable for indoor conditions and how to properly care for them.

So, we have rounded up 10 of the best indoor plants you can choose for your home.

Philodendron Plant

Philodendron plants, known for being low-maintenance, can thrive indoors if given the proper amount of sunlight and water. According to a NASA study, these plants can also be effective in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, improving the air quality of your home.

Philodendron plants prefer indirect light and can grow in average home temperatures, making them easy to care for. There are plenty of different kinds of philodendron plants to choose from, including birkin philodendrons, heartleaf philodendrons, imperial green philodendron and more. While each variation has a few differences when it comes to maintenance, they're all pretty hassle-free, making them the perfect houseplant for new plant parents.

ZZ Plant

Looking for a plant that's difficult to disappoint? ZZ plants live up to their nickname as the Eternity Plant. According to The Sill, these plants need around six hours of indirect light per day and require watering every two to three weeks.

If you decide to purchase a ZZ plant, make sure to keep it away from any pets or small children — their leaves can be toxic if consumed.

Elephant Ear Plants

If you want to spend a little more time with your houseplants, Alex Cromer, LPC, a licensed professional mental health counselor with Thriveworks in Richmond, recommends elephant ear plants.

These are organized into a group of tropical, perennial plants instantly recognizable by their big, heart-shaped leaves. They need bright light and regular watering to keep the soil moist, and they can get big and may need extra space. Some species have been grown for their edible starchy tubers, which are a food staple in certain tropical regions. Medicinally, the leaves have been noted for their use in treating insect stings.

Succulents and Cacti

Succulents and cacti “thrive on little to no care,” Cromer says. These plants are drought-resistant, meaning they don’t need regular watering; only just when the soil is completely dry. They also come in many shapes and sizes to decorate your space and can help clean the air. Some varieties, including the jade plant, can increase humidity in a room. Aloe vera plants, in particular, also have medicinal properties and can help heal cuts, burns, and other skin ailments.

Since succulents are drought-resistant, they really are the epitome of a stress-free plant that still adds that touch of nature you may crave, especially in urban areas.

"They make us feel closer to nature, when nature may not be right outside our door. Living in an apartment or working in a high rise makes it harder to get out and enjoy nature. Greenery in our homes brings nature in," says Steinkopf.

Peace Lily

The name “peace lily” definitely evokes a sense of calm. These sturdy plants also “flower and are aesthetically pleasing” and may benefit your health over time, explains Trevor Cates, N.D, a naturopathic doctor in Park City, Utah, and author of Clean Skin From Within. A 2022 study published in Applied Sciences suggests that peace lilies have air-cleaning properties and help to remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.

Peace lilies can live for years and continuously produce broad white flowers that resemble a white peace flag, per materials published by MiracleGro. They’re easy to take care of and don’t need much light, so they’re ideal for shady spaces. Just keep them out of reach from pets and small children, as they can cause vomiting or tongue swelling if they’re ingested.

Rubber Plants

Rubber plants — also known as rubber trees or Ficus elastica — make for great indoor houseplants. They’re generally easy to take care of and only need to be watered every week or so, according to materials shared by The Sill. Research shows that rubber plants feature air-purifying properties. Just be sure to keep them firmly away from any pets and young children, as they're known to be highly toxic when ingested.

Ferns

A 2022 study published in Applied Sciences showed that Boston ferns performed best when it comes to air cleaning by naturally VOCs from the air. The plants grow easily and look the best indoors in hanging baskets or on plant stands, which allow their fronds to drape. They need medium bright light and consistently moist soil, so they might require a bit more of your time.

Pothos

When you picture a houseplant, the pothos, or Epipremnum pinnatum, is likely what comes to mind. Also known as devil’s ivy or golden pothos, the plants feature vibrant heart-shaped leaves that may be green or marbled green and yellow. They’re easy to grow, needing only indirect sunlight and infrequent watering. Research shows that the plants can lower indoor ozone levels, which can make it easier to breathe and reduce your risk for respiratory ailments, as well as remove VOCs from the air.

Plus, these plants are also aesthetically-pleasing, which can give you a sense of comfort at home. Nussman-Berry appreciates the "lush greenery" of pothos plants, adding that they "can instantly uplift my mood and bring a touch of nature indoors."

Snake Plants

Long known as “mother-in-law’s tongues,” the snake plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, features tall leaves that grow vertically. They’re decorative and extremely low-maintenance. The plants only need to be watered when the soil is dry, grow in any kind of light and generally “thrive on neglect,” according to experts at HGTV.

"When it comes to mental health and emotional wellbeing, certain houseplants stand out. For instance, snake plants are not only easy to care for but many also have them for their air-purifying qualities," explains Nussman-Berry.

The snake plant was included in the same sweeping NASA study of indoor plants, and has been shown to remove toxins from the air over time. Plus, they look great on any kitchen windowsill.

Spider Plant

Spider plants, or Chlorophytum comosum, are also easy to grow and care for. If just reading the word "spider" in the name is giving you the creeps, don't worry. These plants have narrow leaves and get their name from the “small plantlets produced on long trailing stems that vaguely resemble spiders,” according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

Spider plants are known to help purify the surrounding air. NASA research examined the leaves, soil, roots and microorganisms of several houseplants and found that plants can act as a natural air filter to reduce pollutants. The study indicates that spider plants removed 95% of toxic formaldehyde from the air in a sealed Plexiglas container over a 24-hour period.