By: Cynthia Soita
Let’s be honest—choosing the best houseplants can feel like picking a favorite child. With over 10,000 houseplant species out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And if you're anything like me, swinging between personal favorites and what you might love makes it even trickier.
So, how do we settle on just 14? We go for plants that blend beauty, purpose, and low-maintenance care. Whether you want a pop of color, cleaner air, or a bit of both—there’s something here for you.
Before you fall in love with a leaf, consider:
Your patience level (some plants bloom slowly).
Who you live with—some houseplants are toxic to pets or kids.
The lighting and watering needs in your home.
Your goal: Do you want a visual lift, air purification, or maybe even edible benefits?
Snake plants are also known as the “unkillable” plants.
They are easy to care for because they require little water for their maintenance. They also thrive in indirect light if the place is bright.
However, you should be patient with its blooming. Only older plants bloom and they rarely flower.
Peace lilies are the best houseplants for a touch of elegance.
Contrary to the snake plants, peace lilies are flowering houseplants with its beautiful white flowers.
You should expose them to more light if you want them to flower more or to lesser light if you want more foliage.
They are also flowering houseplants that require minimal watering- about once in a week. Additionally, the plant blooms several times in a year.
African violets thrive better in warmer climates. Its ideal temperature is between 60-75 degrees.
They are easy to care because their roots do not like soggy soils. Therefore, ensure that your pot has a drainage hole.
Also, ensure that the soil has plenty of vermiculite and perlite which helps to control the moisture therefore keeping the plant vibrant.
It is ideal for the windowsill. It requires plenty of bright indirect light.
Also check the soil before watering because it is easy to overwater it causing root rot.
Water it every few weeks.
It requires regular pruning for its fast-growing vines. It also requires regular watering and lots of shade.
It is easy for beginners to care for the ZZ plants. For those that tend to underwater their plants, this is a great plant for you. It is also tolerant to low light.
Money trees can grow to up to eight feet indoors. Because of this, you can prune the tree to the desired height.
They symbolize luck, good fortune and prosperity. Money trees are therefore a popular gift option across cultures.
Most stems have five leaves that symbolize earth, water, fire, metal and wind. Few stems may have extra leaves which people believe bring extra luck. Additionally, people believe that the braided trunk also carries more fortune.
It is also great for beginners for their easy care and its enduring nature. Water it only when the soil is dry. It needs watering once or twice in a week.
Additionally, they thrive in bright indirect sunlight. It is therefore easy to find a spot in your house that accommodates the money tree.
Generally, house plants boost your health. Its aesthetical qualities and caring for them is therapeutic. Tending plants helps produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin which are feel good hormones.
The long term effect of purified air also includes reducing headaches.
However, herbs go a notch higher by encouraging you to cook healthier meals. Common herbs to include in your kitchen include sage, chamomile, mint, thyme and basil.
Herbs contain vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Some also alleviate anxiety.
Succulents thrive on very little care. This is because they are drought resistant meaning they need very little water. Popular succulents include the jade plant which increase moisture in a room or the Aloe Vera which is medicinal.
The heart-shaped leaved pants are easy to grow. They need infrequent watering and indirect sunlight.
Pothos are known to lower ozone levels which reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases.
English Ivy reduces the levels of carbon dioxide and toxins in the air. They grow well in pots or hanging baskets. You can also train them to grow along a trellis or fence.
For best care, expose them to direct sunlight and ensure that the soil has sufficient water.
It is one of the best air purifying plants. It needs watering at least once in a week. Also place in a well-lit place.
Before rushing to pick the BEST plants for your house, first understand your unique preference. There are plenty of articles on the best indoor plants. However, you need to inject your personality in your selection to avoid feeling underwhelmed afterwards.
My best houseplants may not be yours because of our unique likings. Houseplants variety of shapes, colors, sizes and functions to pick from. The best purifying plants may not be the most colorful plants.
Choose plants according to its purpose. Different plants work well in different rooms of the house. Also consider whether you are buying the plants for functional or decorative reasons. For example, some houseplants are best as air purifiers, some for their explosion of colors and some for their health benefits such as herbs.
A common mistake is overwatering or under watering plants. Understand the different care levels of different plants. Therefore, be consistent in your watering schedule and expose your plants to the right amount of sunlight. Leaves dropping may be an indication that you are watering the plants too much or too little. Also watch out for trunks that are soft and slimy or an unpleasant smell which may indicate root rot.
Snake plants, peace lilies and English Ivy.
Related: Secrets on How to Choose the Perfect Pot for Your Plants| Indoor and Outdoor Plants
Please login to leave a comment.
Comments: