All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, once you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Growing uninterested in a dull interior? or even your room’s a blank canvas ready for its first dash of color. the simplest indoor plants can add just the proper amount of intrigue—they’re free-form and organic yet clean and sculptural; they delight with their unpredictability yet reassure with their steady presence. And their lifetime , thankfully, is far longer than that of cut flowers. But when considering plants during a room’s design, there are a couple of things to require under consideration . Architectural Digest trapped with horticulturist Dennis Schrader from Landcraft Environments in Mattituck, New York, to urge the dirt.

“You need to consider the container it’s getting into sort of a piece of furniture,” Schrader says. “It should match the inside .” As for the plant, you’ll want to coordinate that also . Below may be a guide to some stellar finds and their respective requirements, but first, what if you select to include quite one plant into your design scheme? Schrader advises grouping plants the way they naturally grow. “You don’t want to place a fern next to a cactus,” he says. And what’s more, plants that join will have similar needs, making it easier on the caretaker. As for a way many to incorporate , he says, “That all depends on what percentage you would like to require care of.”

Finally, location should be dictated primarily by the plant’s light requirements then by the owner’s taste. Try a plant here or there and see what looks good to you, and don’t be afraid to maneuver it around over time. For smaller indoor plants, Schrader says, “you can use them as a table setting, then move them to a window sill afterward .”

Here, we’ve rounded up the absolute best indoor plants, complete with pro plant care tips from Schrader and two other experts, Sprout Home founder Tara Heibel and Tassy de Give, who launched the Chicago-based garden shop’s Williamsburg, New York, location.

1. Fiddle-Leaf tree (Ficus Lyrata)

This shrub boasts an extended, elegant stem and branches with broad, leathery leaves. For placement, Schrader suggests “under a skylight or next to a window.” In other words, it needs the maximum amount of sun as possible. Schrader suggests pruning the highest branches when it grows above the framework.

Fiddle-Leaf tree Care: Water once every week , or more if it’s winter and therefore the air in your house is dry.

2. split-leaf Philodendron (Monstera Deliciosa)

Favored by Matisse, this plant features a distinctive leaf that appears as if it’s been gently dig by a careful hand. Schrader says you’ll stop the top—as long because it has air roots attached—and replant it, meaning if you purchase one among these, you’ll easily have more, if you’d like.

Split-Leaf Philodendron Care: Water once every week.

Monstera Deliciosa

3. Meyer lemon (Citrus X Meyeri)

This tree bears its namesake Meyer lemons, believed to be a hybrid of lemons and mandarin oranges with a subtler, sweeter flavor than lemons. But these trees don’t stop at fruits: “When they bloom you’ve got this beautiful fragrance of citrus flowers,” says Schrader. Meyer lemon trees had best indoors as long as they need many sun.

Meyer lemon Care: Water weekly.

Meyer lemon

4. Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

The fronds of this plant spring to great heights from the soil, then lean forward, quietly shading the bottom beneath. “It looks great during a big urn,” says Schrader, noting that it should tend much space because it can get older to 10 feet with a broad reach.

Kentia Palm Care: Requires medium to bright light; water weekly.

Kentia Palm Plant

5. Castiron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)

Schrader says this plant is “mostly for foliage,” meaning if you’re looking to feature a lush, dark green plant in your space, this one is for you. It does well in medium to low light and is tolerant of neglect, so it’s fine if you forget to water it once during a while.

Castiron Plant Care: Water once every week or every ten days.

Aspidistra Elatior

6. Amazon Lily (Eucharis Amazonica)

Another dark green plant, but this one features large, white flowers that bloom throughout winter and early spring. “Even when it’s not blooming, it’s nice to seem at,” Schrader says. It thrives in medium light; allows the soil to dry between watering.

Amazon Lily Care: The leaves will wilt when it needs water, but once every week should suffice.

Eucharis Amazonica

7. mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria Trifasciata)

“I think they’re having a resurgence, especially for contemporary interiors,” says Schrader. With sword-shaped leaves winding gently from the soil like charmed snakes from a basket, this indoor house plant strikes a stunning balance between order and chaos.

Snake Plant Care: Place anywhere you’d like and let the soil dry completely between watering. Check the soil hebdomadally , but it’s fine to skip a couple of .

Snake Plant

8. African Spear Plant (Sansevieria Cylindrica)

“Very architectural, very sculptural,” says Schrader. Indeed, this plant’s conical leaves conjure images of spires, obelisks, and skyscrapers.

African Spear Plant Care: Place in any light you choose; water every few weeks.

Sansevieria Starfish 4″

9. Peruvian Apple Cactus (Cereus peruvianus)

No matter what the weather seems like outside, a cactus will cause you to desire you’re during a desert oasis reception. “Not only is it easy to worry for, but with its upright sculptural nature, this architectural oddity always makes an outsized statement,” says Heibel. because the plant grows, it tends to shift toward the sunshine. To balance it out, rotate the plant so it’s tilting far away from the sun then it’ll tilt back.

Peruvian Apple Cactus Plant Care: Bright, indirect light is best, but the Peruvian apple cactus also can thrive in medium or full light. Water once a month.

Cereus Peruvianus

10. Winterbourn (Philodendron Xanadu)

A smaller version of oversized tropical leaves—it will only grow to be about three to four feet—this textural plant is great for spaces with less light, says De Give.

Winterbourn Plant Care:

The winterbourn also prefers bright, indirect sunlight. take care to not overwater it. If the soil is dry, it’s safe to water it. If, however, it’s moist to the touch, provides it a couple of days before watering. break dead, yellow leaves as they seem .

Philodendron Xanadu

11. cactus (Rhipsalis)

De Give recommends trying to find weird sorts of cactus plants, like Rhipsalis (pictured above), kalanchoe thyrsiflora, and aloe white beauty. Arrange them during a set of three or amass a bigger collection. “Rhipsalis offers a welcomed textural change, compared to the sometimes controlled look of other succulents,” says Heibel.

Mistletoe Cactus Plant Care: This sturdy plant does best in indirect light, but it can survive in low light, as well—just confirm to bring it into the sunshine every once during a while to assist it recharge. Water weekly. If the tendrils ever droop, that’s a symbol the plant is thirsty.

Mistletoe Cactus Cuttings

12. Asparagus setaceous (Asparagus Plumosa)

While this indoor plant isn’t technically a fern, says De Give, it still has those signature soft fronds. “It is often pruned back to almost appear as if a little ghostly tree, but with a mind of its own, you’ll also let it explore your space freely and watch its travels along the way,” says Heibel.

Asparagus Fern Plant Care: The plant can handle a fan of full sunlight and a varying water schedule. De Give advises keeping it lightly moist.

Plumosa Fern Plant

13. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana)

Rounding out our list of the simplest indoor plants is that this standout with striped leaves. This low-maintenance plant will look stunning in your front room and grows up to four to 6 feet tall.

Corn Plant Care: Place this beauty in filtered sunlight and water every 7-10 days.

Dracaena fragrans massangeana

5 Health Benefits of Houseplants

Houseplants are getting into and out of vogue ever since the first Greeks and Romans starting bringing their plants in from the outside. The Victorians loved their potted palms and therefore the 70s wouldn’t are equivalent without ferns and spider plants … everywhere. The current style dictates a lighter hand with the green things – sculptural stems and succulents rule the roost – but the reality is this: Houseplants should transcend trends. the advantages they confer should make us consider them a necessity instead of an object of décor because honestly, healthiness should never be out of favor. If you would like convincing, here are a number of the ways in which bringing plants inside helps us out.

1. they provide an assist in breathing

close shot of plant vines, blurred background

Treehugger / Kara Riley

Inhaling brings oxygen into the body, exhaling releases CO2 . During photosynthesis, plants do the other , of sorts. They absorb CO2 and release oxygen, making plants and other people great partners when it involves gasses.1 Plants help to extend oxygen levels, and our bodies appreciate that.

But here’s something to know: When photosynthesis stops in the dark , most plants switch things up and absorb oxygen and release CO2 . However, a couple of special plants – like orchids, succulents2 and epiphytic bromeliads – flip that script and absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Meaning, use these plants in bedrooms to stay the oxygen flowing in the dark .

2. they assist deter illness

wall of droopy plants in front room with chair Treehugger / Kara Riley

In the great outdoors, plant roots tap the groundwater table for water which then evaporates through its leaves during a process referred to as transpiration.3 Studies show that this accounts for about 10 percent of the moisture within the atmosphere.4 an equivalent thing happens reception (minus the groundwater table part), which increases the humidity indoors.5 While this might sound unappealing during hot moist months, it’s a present during drier months or if you reside in an arid clime. Studies at the Agricultural University of Norway document that using plants in interior spaces decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs.6 Other research reveals that higher absolute humidity is conducive for decreased survival and transmission of the flu virus.7

3. They clean the air

angled shot of plants with wooden wall Treehugger / Kara Riley

NASA has spent tons of your time researching air quality in sealed environments, which is sensible . Extensive research by the space agency discovered a then-new concept in indoor air quality improvement during which plants play a pivotal role: “Both plant leaves and roots are utilized in removing trace levels of toxic vapors from inside tightly sealed buildings. Low levels of chemicals like carbon monoxide gas and formaldehyde are often faraway from indoor environments by plant leaves alone.”8

When talking about the connection between plants and space travelers, NASA notes that plants, “provide nourishment for the body when eaten as food, and that they improve the standard of indoor air. Plants take the CO2 from air to supply oxygen that humans can breathe.”9

Some of the simplest plants for removing indoor pollutants, consistent with the agency, are:

Golden pothos (Scindapsus aureus)
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Red-edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata)