Best Indoor Tree
Money Tree
This eye-catching tree, boasting a braided trunk, can grow up to eight feet indoors. It's a popular office gift idea, since it's believed to be a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Aim to expose your money tree to bright, indirect sunlight six hours a day, and only water it when the soil is dry.
RELATED: How to Care for Your Money Tree to Help It Bring You All the Luck
Best Drought-Tolerant Indoor Plant
Philodendron
Credit: FollowTheFlow
What's not to like about philodendrons? Their name is derived from the Greek words philo-, which means "love," and dendron — the word for "tree." Most types of Philodendron can tolerate dark corners and very little watering. "They like to be on the dry side," says Sharon Nejman, Senior Horticulturist at Chicago Botanic Garden, so don't fill the watering can more than once per week.
Indoor Plant for Draft-Free Living Room
Chinese Evergreen
Also known as Aglaonema, the Chinese Evergreen is a great pick if you're looking for a trouble-free houseplant, providing you follow proper growing conditions. It only needs watering every 5 to 10 days (watch out for soggy soil) and low to bright indirect sunlight to keep it intact. You can find varieties with green leaves adorned in bold stripes ranging from silver to red.
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Best Air-Purifying Indoor Plant
Spider Plant
What's better than one spider plant? Multiple spider plants. The fast-growing shoots produce little "babies" that you can re-pot for added greenery elsewhere. Just stick to well-lit spots, and don't forget weekly watering.
Most Unique-Looking Indoor Plant
String of Pearls
Bring the beauty of this unusual plant into your home, and you won't be disappointed. Keep it happy with a watering schedule of two to three weeks — soil that's kept lightly moist is best. Aim for bright, indirect sunlight several hours every day.
Indoor Plant for Misting
Staghorn Fern
The staghorn fern's antler-shaped fronds can add a unique touch to your home. With moderate moisture and low to medium light (not direct), your staghorn fern, which is native to Australia and Asia, can thrive.
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Best Easy-Care Flowering Indoor Plant
Orchid
When it comes to low-maintenance flowering plants, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than an orchid. Don't overwater them (once a week will do) and give this popular pick bright, indirect light. We especially love them for offices!
Best Easy-to-Care for Indoor Plant
Peace Lily
Credit: cadifor
Peace lilies or Spathiphyllum are ideal for those who tend to overwater plants. Give it sufficient light, and you'll see their spade-shaped flowers flourish over time. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Medium-Light Indoor Plant
Monstera Deliciosa
Also known as the Swiss Cheese plant, Monstera Deliciosa are native to Mexico and Central America. This tropical plant features leaves with holes, which lend to their exotic vibe. It needs moderate watering and indirect light (bright to medium is best). Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
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Best Indoor Plant for Bedrooms
Snake Plant
One of many sansevierias, the snake plant is tough to kill. "Those can go for a month without water," says Nejman. The leaves are typically stiff, sharp and spikey. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Indoor Plant for Feng Shui
Jade Plant
Jade retains water in its round leaves, so it can sometimes survive more than a month without any attention whatsoever. "If they do get water, they start to rehydrate and grow," says Neil Mattson, an associate professor in the horticulture department at Cornell University. Position it in a sunny window (south- or west-facing, preferably) and water when the soil feels dry. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Indoor Plant for Kitchens
Asparagus Fern
Purchase an asparagus fern, and you'll find that it can handle much more abuse than its counterparts. That's because it's really not a fern after all. Asparagus setaceus can thrive in bright spaces as well as corners with very little light. Keep this fluffy plant's soil moist at all times. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
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Best Indoor Succulents
String of Hearts
If you're partial to trailing plants, you'll appreciate the beauty of the String of Hearts. They're native to South Africa and have heart-shaped leaves that add to its charm. It's common for their vines to grow up to 12 feet long.
Best Indoor Plant for Offices
Calathea Ornata
If stripes is one of your favorite patterns, here's a pick for you. Calthea ornata, often referred to as the pinstripe, prayer or zebra plant, has large, striped leaves, making them popular for indoors. Keep soil lightly moist and provide it with indirect light.
Best Low-Light Indoor Plant
Rubber Plant
Credit: Alexander Walter
You can't go wrong with this low-maintenance plant that's native to Asia. With consistent pruning and low indirect light area, you'll witness its beauty. When it comes to watering, it should only be done when the soil is on the dry side (about once a week). Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
RELATED: How to Keep Your Rubber Tree Plant Looking Its Best Indoors
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Best Air Purifying Indoor Tree
Dracaena Marginata
Save some room on your windowsill and tuck this low-light variety in an unloved corner. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Low Humidity Indoor Plant
ZZ Plant
Officially named Zamioculcas zamiifolia, the ZZ plant is native to East Africa. Called "the king of the indestructible plants," the species tolerates the dangerous trifecta of plant-killers: drought, low light and really low humidity. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Indoor Plant for Any Room
Air Plants
You can keep the potting soil in the shed for this one. Tillandsia grows without dirt altogether. "Just dunk them in water for about two or three hours every 10 days or so," says Tovah Martin, expert gardener and author of The Indestructible Houseplant.
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Best Slow-Growing Indoor Plant
Yucca
The recipe for a happy yucca is easy: sun, sun and more sun. Plant in a container deep enough to balance the top-heavy woody stems and water sparingly. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Best Full-Shade Indoor Plant
English Ivy
Credit: Amazon
You could let the long tendrils hang from mantel or shelf, but the climbing plant is also game for topiaries (or stadium walls, like at Wrigley Field). Chicago Botanic Garden recommends Cascade, Domino, and Irish Lace as some best potted varieties. Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family, where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.
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