The Most Popular House Plants


popular house plants

It's no state secret that a house plant is one of the best things you can buy to liven up your space.

With so many options and varieties out there, how do you know what to get and which ones are best for you? (Not to mention, which ones are great at not dying on you.)

With a little love, sun, and water- these popular house plants are sure to thrive!

Rubber Tree – Easy Care Popular House Plants

Available in beautiful varieties, Ficus elastica is a tropical tree that is native to parts of China and Southeast Asia. Judging from the name, yes- this is the plant that produces the sap that makes latex rubber. (Well, it was till synthetics became available.)

Another amazing use for this plant is that in Indonesia, rubber plant roots are trained to trail over dead tree trunks that are placed across rivers. As this trunk rots, the roots become thicker and eventually form a passable bridge for the locals! Talk about a plant with many uses!

Rubber trees are on the popular house plants list for a reason, they look amazing and are generally easy-going- in fact, it might just be the most easy-going of all the indoor trees. They can tolerate low light, most humidity levels, and do not require frequent watering.

Rubber Tree General Care Guide

Light

Does well in bright to medium indirect light. Direct bright light is okay too, but leaves tend to burn when temperatures exceed 85°F (30°C)

Water

Allow the soil to dry out and water only once a week or a week and a half. Also note that the warmer and brighter the room, the more you will have to water this plant.

Humidity Levels

Humidity is no issue for this hardy house plant, any humidity level is okay.

Caution

When consumed, rubber tree sap is poisonous to pets and humans. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Monstera

Ah, the famous Monstera!  This popular house plants list would not be complete without it. An interior design and Instagram favorite, known for its large leaves and leaf holes.

The monstera brings a tropical flair to any room! With several variants of Monstera out there, you could actually start a collection of monstera species alone!

The most popular is Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii. Both are also nicknamed “Swiss cheese plants”.

Monstera deliciosa leaf holes (or fenestrations) open as the leaf matures, while andasonii have holes even while the leaf is new.

Monstera General Care

Sunlight

Keep away from bright, direct light. Best suited for medium to bright indirect light

Water

Water only every 1-2 weeks and keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.  (A moisture meter can help you tell when it is time to water your plant! )

Humidity

Keep it humid! They can tolerate low humidity but do best in humid conditions.

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia – or ZZ plant is a popular house plant amongst newbies because it is impossible to kill!

With thick dark leaves (that are lime in their youth) and a bulbous stalk, the ZZ plant looks quite as architectural as its name suggests.

They have quite an odd-looking root system too, underneath the soil is something called rhizomes. The rhizomes are potato-like roots that store water and keep this plant growing and pretty even if you forget to water it for a month.

The ZZ plant does not just tolerate neglect, it thrives on it. The worst thing you can do is love this plant a little too much.

According to a NASA study, the ZZ plant is an amazing air purifier and removes several toxins from the air. Making it the perfect plant to have by your bedside or even in your office. 

ZZ Plant General Care

Sunlight

Best in medium to bright indirect light will tolerate even the lowest of lighting conditions but are not suited for bright direct light.

Water

Water every 3-4 weeks, depending on your lighting conditions. Since ZZ plants are “drought plants” that originally grew along streams that dried in the summer- you may simulate a flood by showering it heavily once every 3 months, allowing the rhizomes to store more water.

Humidity

Do not even worry about it. Anything goes for the most easy-going plant out there.

Growth

While they do grow slowly, they can reach heights of up to 28“-30”

Caution

ZZ Plant sap may cause mild irritation when in contact with skin.

Philodendron

One of the most popular house plants, the easy-going Philodendrons come in a myriad, and we mean 400 varieties. Philodendrons have two basic categories, trailing (vines) and non-trailing.

Philodendrons grow quickly (given that all needs are met) and make for such beautiful vines that are perfect in pretty hanging planters or trailing over shelves.

A tropical native, they’re great at keeping your air purified. It is recommended to have one plant for every 100 square feet of space.

Philodendron General Care

Sunlight

Best in bright to medium indirect sunlight. Note that if your Philodendron is variegated, less light means less variegation. Variegation is a gift to well-lit plants.

Water

Water weekly but do not overwater! Philodendrons may be easy-going for the most part, but it's in their watering that they can be only a little fussy.

Humidity

They will tolerate most humidity levels, but more humidity means larger and healthier leaves.

Jade Plant

Also known as the Crassula Ovata, this succulent originates from South Africa. Just like most succulents, Jade plants store water in their thick leaves but this particular beauty stands out amongst succulents due to their tree-like appearance.

With bright jade green leaves that feature red tips around the edges, this mini-tree is a perfect addition to any tabletop.

Jade Plant General Care

Sunlight

Like most succulents, the Jade Plant does well in bright light. They will tolerate low and indirect light but note that this might stunt their growth.

Water

Drench your Jade Tree once every two weeks. (Watering frequency may vary depending on lighting conditions.)

Humidity

Will tolerate any level of humidity.

Maranta / Prayer Plants

Maranta or more commonly known as “Prayer Plants”, this popular house plant is known for its large, colorful foliage and seemingly painted veins.

Prayer Plants get their moniker from the way their leaves open during the day and fold like hands in prayer at night.

Now, these plants can be a bit fussy and humidity-loving (which is why it will help to have a spray/ mist bottle ready for a quick spritz). But if you are up to the challenge- their beautiful patterns make them great for windowsills and shelves that need just a bit of color.

Prayer Plant General Care

Sunlight

Do not place under bright direct or even bright indirect light. This will cause the leaves to curl in. Low- medium light is best.

Water

Water frequently, depending on your lighting conditions. We recommend doing so about once a week.

These plants tend to be sensitive to tap water, it is best to use filtered water or if you are using rainwater, allow the water to sit for a day.

Humidity

This plant thrives in humid conditions. Consider increasing the humidity levels in your home with a humidifier.

Pothos

It is never a complete popular house plants list, without the Pothos. They thrive happily in almost any climate that Pothos is in the running for the Easiest plant award.

With heart-shaped leaves and wonderful varigations, this trailing plant is perfect for everyone who is looking for their first house plant.

The Pothos can trail to lengths of up to 10 feet and grow bigger leaves when allowed to either hang or have a moist pole to climb.

Perfectly suited for any home or office and is known to be a great air purifier, removing toxins like formaldehyde from the air.

Pothos General Care

Sunlight

Best in bright to medium indirect sunlight. Note that if your Pothos is variegated (such as the Golden Pothos and the Marble Pothos), less light means less variegation. 

Water

One of the best qualities of a Pothos is that it will visually let you know when it wants water. Once the leaves begin to droop slightly- it is time for a shower. But if you wanna time it, watering every week and a half works just as well.

Humidity

Not a problem, Pothos thrives in any humidity level.

Caution

Pothos plants are toxic to most pets and may cause death. Keep your plant out of your pets’ reach.

Crocodile Fern

“Ferns are fussy!” is a phrase commonly repeated amongst plant lovers but for an exotic plant, crocodile ferns are not fussy at all. All you need is a good amount of water and humidity.

The fact that they are uniquely suited for kitchens and bathrooms makes them a very popular house plant, these ferns are the best green for these spaces that usually lack them.

Crocodile Fern General Care

Sunlight

In the wild, ferns are found growing under the canopy of trees. So, the crocodile fern is happy with indirect, bright light. Too much light burns the leaves and too little will stunt its growth.

Water

Crocodile ferns are water lovers! So water more often than you would other plants, we recommend watering every four days. Water thoroughly and let the water drain out of the pot and continue to let the water drain till the dripping stops so you are sure the fern is not soaked in water.

Leaving your fern in water can lead to root rot and unwanted fungal growth.

Humidity

Crocodile Ferns love humidity! This is why they’re perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.

If you’re keeping your Crocodile Fern in a slightly drier spot consider misting daily and frequently (we recommend 2- 3 times daily).

Alternatively, you can place your plant on top of a tray with pebbles and a small amount of water. The evaporating water will increase the humidity levels around the plant- keeping your fern moist.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig might be the fussiest plant on this popular house plants list, but it is without a doubt worth its care. These African natives live in environments where it often rains, but it's also very warm and humid.

With this in mind, the Fiddle Leaf Fig needs lots of sun, the right amount of water, and high humidity.

Their giant green leaves have massive (and quite visible) cells that convert the sunlight into food and will drop when it does not get enough.

Fiddle plants also only grow leaves from the top, so if your leaves do drop from the bottom- you will end up with a leggy plant.

The best place for this plant is directly next to a window with very bright indirect light. Placing your plant in direct light will cause leaves to burn, and then again…drop.

Understand that while the Fiddle may be fussy, the burning or dropping of leaves does not at all mean you are a bad plant parent. You just need a little help, and also to spend more time getting to know this plant.

Fiddle Leaf General Care

Sunlight

Best in bright indirect light, when indoors a south-facing window is your best bet.

Water

Thankfully despite its many care considerations, the Fiddle Leaf is easy to water. Once you understand the origins of this plant- it does become significantly simpler to gauge what it needs. When the soil is dry to the touch, saturate it as a rainstorm would. When wet, mimic the sun and let dry.

Humidity

Give a Fiddle Leaf Fig high humidity and watch it thrive!

If you’re looking to start a smaller indoor garden, terrariums are perfect for you! View our guide here.

Robin

Robin is an avid life-long gardener who believes in self-sufficiency and sustainability. Through organic gardening, we can reduce our environmental footprint on our beautiful planet Earth while providing economic and healthy food for our families.

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