Bringing the outdoors into your property with some beautiful house plants can add some amazing colour and texture to your home, as well as additional health benefits.
In fact, there are a whole host of amazing house plants that can help with everything from sleep to air purification in your home.
Whether you’re a tenant, a landlord looking to decorate your rental property and add something different or you’re a homeowner looking to add something fresh to your property, our run down of the best house plants will help.
What are the best indoor house plants?
There are a wide range of indoor house plants and all of them have different benefits.
You could consider:
• Common house plants
• Flowering plants
• Low light plants
• Foliage plants
• Cactus plants
• Indoor palm plants
• Trailing and climbing plants
• Succulent plants
• Ferns
Common house plants
The most common house plants in the UK, which are found in homes across the country, are the Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, Peace Lily, Jade Plant and Weeping Fig.
Flowering plants
Flowering plants can add a real zing and dose of colour to your interior. Some of the best flowering plants include the Rose of China, Flowering Maple, Flamingo Flower and Flaming Katy.
Low light plants
If you’re lacking time to care for your indoor plants, a low light option would be best for you. These plants include the Corn Plant, Dragon Tree and Parlor Palm, and are happy in low light conditions and don’t always require regular watering.
Foliage plants
If you like leafy plants rather than flowers, foliage plants will be for you. Like low light options, these are often low maintenance. Great examples include the Aluminium Plant, Cast Iron Plant and Chinese evergreens.
Cactus plants
Lots of light and plenty of warmth in your home? Then you could opt for a cactus plant. Look at the Rat’s Tail or Bunny Ears to make a real statement.
Indoor palm plants
Great for conservatories, offices and living rooms, palm plants are usually large leafed and make a real statement. Great examples include the Parlor Palm and Lady Palm.
Trailing and climbing plants
Climbers and trailers can look as great indoors as they do outside. Ones to look at include the Swiss cheese plant and heartleaf.
Succulent plants
Succulent plants are often smaller, making them great options for any room that needs a little texture. Try an Aloe Vera or Kaffir Lily in your dining room or kitchen.
Ferns
Ferns are great for making the most of large spaces, although care must be taken when growing them. Take a look at the Birds Nest or Boston Fern for great examples.
Best easy-care indoor plants
1. Aglaonema
Aglaonema are hugely draught-tolerant, with shallow root systems.
As they like to dry out between watering, they’re extremely low maintenance but look great, thanks to their lush, coloured leaves.
2. Jade Plant
The Jade Plant retains water in its leaves – and can sometimes survive for more than a month without being watered.
Simply place your Jade in direct sunlight and ensure the top of its soil is kept moist.
3. Yucca
Yucca plants are generally larger than many other house plants so are great if you want to add a statement plant to your property.
And as long as you mix sunlight with some shade, your Yucca should remain happy with lush green leaves.
The best-looking indoor plants
As well as all the benefits that come from having house plants in your home, you’ll also want them to look great so you can make a real statement.
Here are some of the best-looking indoor plants on the market…
1. Gloxinia
Gloxinia is one of the best-looking house plants available thanks to its gorgeous blooms. It loves indirect light and constant moisture.
2. Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese Money Plant has a distinctive look thanks to its coin-like leaves.
Plant it in a decorative pot and water weekly for fast growth.
3. African Violet
These bloomers flourish in low light and they’re one of the most popular indoor plants in the UK thanks to their stunning deep purple flowers.
Best indoor plants for air purification
So, what is the best indoor plant to clean the air? If you’re looking for great plants to help purify your property, here are some great options…
1. Snake Plant
You may see the Snake Plant described by its other name of ‘Mother-in-Law’s Tongue’ and this plant is a superhero when it comes to air purification.
The Snake Plant releases oxygen at night and soaks up formaldehyde, xylene, benzene and toluene from the air.
2. Spider Plant
Anyone who needs convincing that the Spider Plant is a brilliant air purifier need only look at NASA research showing it removes around 90% of formaldehyde from the air.
Spider Plants are great for kitchens and bathrooms – areas where grout and adhesive are present, which can contain formaldehyde.
3. Rubber Tree
Rubber Trees produce more oxygen than any other indoor plant, as well as removing toxins and mould spores from the air.
4. Bird's Nest Fern
Ferns can make great air purifiers and the Birds Nest Fern is one of the very best.
It filters out toxins like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene and, on top of that, is one of the best-looking hanging plants.
Best plants for bedrooms
House plants for bedrooms can have amazing benefits.
They can lift a room, making your interior more appealing but also can purify the air in your bedroom, meaning a better night’s sleep.
Here are some of the best house plants for bedrooms…
1. Pothos
Pothos has stunning green, heart-shaped leaves and its low maintenance requirements are backed up by its ability to remove toxins from the air.
2. Peace Lily
As well as filtering out harmful toxins like benzene and formaldehyde, the Peace Lily can also help you sleep more soundly, according to studies.
It doesn’t need much light, either, so it’s perfect for the bedroom.
3. Rubber Fig
Not only does a Rubber Fig look great, but it also helps fight disease as well as remove toxins from the air.
A little maintenance is required by cleaning its leaves, but it’s a robust plant for the bedroom.
How often should indoor plants be watered?
This depends on the type of plant, but as a rule, plants that require more sunlight to grow will also need more water to balance that out.
Should you mist your houseplants?
It can be a good idea to mist your houseplants in the mornings, giving them the rest of the day to dry out. Misting can also help prevent some infestations.
What is the easiest plant to take care of?
There are a host of low-maintenance indoor plants, but among the best for novices is the Coffee Arabica.
The coffee plant is a great option as it simply requires a little warmth and a medium amount of sunlight.
It’s forgiving, but you’ll know when it wants a drink as it will go dramatically droopy before perking up almost immediately once watered.
Further reading…
If you have a sizeable garden, it could have development potential. Our guide outlines everything you need to know about developing your plot.
