27 Common Houseplants That Are Popular for Good Reason

three house plants and watering can near a window — Photo:
Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images

When browsing the nursery for a new houseplant, you'll find that certain options are more readily available than others. The most common houseplants are known for being low maintenance, tolerant of a range of growing conditions, and beautiful to look at. Whether you're shopping for a houseplant that produces reliable blooms, a climbing vine that trails shelves, or a beginner-friendly option that's next to impossible to kill, these common houseplants suit every level of green thumb.

Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms
Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins

01 of 27

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus lyrata Teak banyan tree in a white wall room. — sarayut Thaneerat / Getty Images

Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is an upright, tree-like houseplant that boasts large, durable leaves. "Like many 'architectural' houseplants, it is great for home décor and makes a strong decorative impact with its uniquely shaped leaves and upright stature," says Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Size: 10 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; well-drained soil

02 of 27

Snake Plant

A low-maintenance houseplant that’s been popular for generations, snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is beloved for its ability to thrive in various growing conditions. "Most snake plant varieties have stiff, upright, sword-like leaves that may have gray, silver, or gold banding or edges," says Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. "Its architectural nature makes it a natural choice for modern and contemporary interior designs, and it is highly regarded among plant parents."

Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil

03 of 27

Spider Plant

Great for beginner gardeners, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are known for being low maintenance. "Naturally decorative, spider plants have thin, gracefully arching leaves that produce a lovely fountain effect," says Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins. "Since spider plants require little care and can tolerate artificial light very well, they're an excellent choice for offices and homes."

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-drained houseplant soil mix

04 of 27

Wax Plant

hoya flowers on plant — daniilphotos / GETTY IMAGES

Wax plants (Hoya) have thick, leathery leaves that form on trailing stems. It's commonly admired for its dainty star-shaped flowers that form when the plant is well taken care of and exposed to bright light.

Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright light; high-quality potting mix

05 of 27

Monstera

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), also known as the Swiss cheese plant, has large, heart-shaped split leaves that create a beautiful visual display. "There are many variegated and highly coveted selections and cultivars," says Bunting. The easy-to-care-for plant is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.

Size: 10 feet tall x 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

06 of 27

ZZ Plant

Popular for its ability to thrive in a range of light conditions, ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a clump-forming houseplant with upright stems and attractive glossy leaves. "The ZZ plant has become very popular in the last five to 10 years," says Bunting. "It has a very different appearance from most plants and is very durable too."

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

07 of 27

Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum sp.) is the ultimate in beautiful, easy-care houseplants. "Its leaves can range from solid medium green to variegated with cream stripes depending on the light conditions," says Funk. "It has an incredible vining habit and will slowly crawl up a wall or elegantly tumble from a hanging basket." It can tolerate the lack of air circulation in homes, offices, and even bathrooms.

Size: Up to 20 feet long x 3 to 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

08 of 27

Tree Philodendron

Tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum) has very large, glossy green leaves that are lobed and incised. "The large foliaged houseplant has gained in popularity due to its impact on complimenting home décor," says Bunting. It can tolerate a range of growing conditions, but it luxuriates in a warm and humid room.

Size: 7 feet tall x 7 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

09 of 27

Heartleaf Philodendron

Another type of philodendron, heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) has beautiful glossy leaves that bring beauty to any home. Its foliage is available in a range of colors, from green-and-gold to green-and-white. During warmer weather, it can be grown outdoors and brought back inside when temperatures drop.

Size: Depends on variety
Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; peat-based potting mix

10 of 27

Aloe

Often grown for its healing properties, aloe is a low-maintenance houseplant that is also pest-resistant. The succulent has thick leaves that grow from a central rosette, but it can form a stem over time. Like most succulents, aloe has very low watering needs and can survive for weeks without water—perfect for gardeners still perfecting their green thumb.

Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; succulent or cacti potting mix

11 of 27

Jade Plant

A type of succulent that requires very little care, jade plant (Crassula ovata) has a shrub-like form with plump, oval, glossy leaves. "This has been a popular houseplant for over 60 years," says Bunting. When cared for properly, the plant can even grow to resemble a small tree.

Size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Direct sun; well-drained soil with sand or gravel

12 of 27

Rubber Plant

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a large, tree-like houseplant with glossy, oval leaves that can be green, bronze, or variegated. "This old-fashioned houseplant has stood the test of time," says Bunting. "Tolerating a variety of light conditions makes the rubber plant a tough and adaptable houseplant."

Size: 10 feet tall x 7 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

13 of 27

Prayer Plant

Its highly decorative foliage has made the prayer plant (Calathea sp.) popular in recent years. "It has oval to strap-like leaves that can be quite diminutive to larger and more upright," says Bunting. "There are many beautiful-patterned variegations."

Size: 2 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to indirect light; soil rich in organic matter

14 of 27

Air Plant

Air plants (Tillandsia sp.) are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants. While it still has a root system, air plants get their nutrients from the air, so no soil is needed. "They have many narrow arching silver-white leaves but can be green and bronze as well," says Bunting. "They do especially well in high humidity rooms like bathrooms and indoor pools."

Size: 3 inches tall x 3 inches wide
Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; no soil needed

15 of 27

Peace Lily

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) is a popular option because it’s one of the relatively few houseplants that reliably produces showy flowers indoors. "It features pretty, white flowers that resemble callas, and its glossy, dark green foliage that adds a striking touch to indoor decor when not in bloom," says Hancock.

Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil

16 of 27

String of Pearls

This cascading succulent has long strings of round leaves that resemble a pearl necklace, hence the nickname string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus). It's beloved for its unique appearance and reputation for being easy to care for, says Bunting.

Size: 6 inches tall x 6 inches wide (note: the long strings can be up to 8 feet long)
Growing conditions: Direct light; succulent or cacti potting mix

17 of 27

African Violet

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) have rounded leaves that are covered with fine hairs on all surfaces, making them fuzzy to the touch. The leaves create a rosette of foliage over time that forms small flowers in the summer, which can be pink, purple, white, and beyond, says Bunting. Some of the flowers may also have a ruffled edge. Watering should only be done by setting the plant in a tray of water.

Size: 4 inches tall x 8 inches wide
Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

18 of 27

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) has upright heart-shaped foliage. Its multiple stems make for a very full plant. "There are many different cultivars with variegated foliage of silvers, white, red, and pink," says Bunting. "It has been popular for decades as a strong growing indoor tropical plant in malls and office buildings."

Size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

19 of 27

Ivy

If you're looking for a fast grower, ivy (Hedera) is a great choice. The trailing vine has many different varieties, including English ivy, Boston ivy, and needlepoint ivy. Most types are known for being low-maintenance and beginner-friendly.

Size: Depends on variety
Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil

20 of 27

Money Tree

This easy-to-care-for houseplant is popular because of its beautiful braided stems and palm-like appearance. "As its name suggests, money trees (Pachira aquatica) are said to bring good luck and fortune, making it a perfect gift in celebration of many milestones," says Funk. "The money tree and its distinction for sharing goodwill make it a particularly thoughtful gift for retirement, a new job, graduation, housewarming, and anytime."

Size: 6 feet tall x 8 feet wide
Growing conditions: Medium, indirect light; well-drained soil

21 of 27

Croton

Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) makes a show-stopping houseplant because of its variegated and vivid leaves that come in varying combinations of green, yellow, red, orange, and purple. "With consistent watering, misting, and some pruning, it will adapt beautifully and provide endless, ever-changing color, developing its best hues when grown in bright light," says Funk.

Size: 1 to 8 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; well-drained soil

22 of 27

Anthurium

Another indoor plant that's becoming more and more popular, Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is one of the easiest flowering houseplants you can grow. "It produces a bright display of flowers, which appear in shades of red, pink, white, orange, and purple," says Hancock. "The flowers are long-lasting, too—a month or more when the anthurium is happy."

Size: 15 inches tall x 10 to 12 inches wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; well-drained soil

23 of 27

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a popular gift that makes for a stunning and long-lived accent to your home or office décor, says Hancock. It is often pruned into unique shapes like swirls, hearts, and weaves, making it a living work of art. It can thrive with just water in its vase, but it enjoys being grown in a potting mix designed for houseplants.

Size: 3 feet tall x 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; well-drained soil

24 of 27

Ponytail Palm

A rugged houseplant that’s native to the deserts of Mexico, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a drought-tolerant plant that's easy to grow. It has a thick trunk topped by an umbrella of thin, strappy leaves, giving it a unique and visually appealing appearance, says Hancock.

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; well-drained soil

25 of 27

Chinese Money Plant

One of Martha's favorite houseplants, Chinese money plants (Pilea peperomioides) continuously produce offspring, meaning you can propagate it and give new plants to loved ones. The plant, which forms coin-shaped leaves that grow from thickened stems, is believed to symbolize good fortune.

Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 3 to 18 inches wide
Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; well-draining soil with perlite

26 of 27

Majesty Palm

Bring a touch of the tropics into your home with majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis). "It has long, feathery fronds that make it perfect for filling empty corners and adding texture to a room," says Hancock. "Its popularity stems from its ability to create a tropical atmosphere and its versatility as a living screen or room divider."

Size: 10 feet tall x 5 feet wide
Growing conditions: Bright light; well-drained soil

27 of 27

Gardenia

Gardenias, which can be grown both indoors and outdoors, are popular as houseplants thanks to their pleasant fragrance. It produces beautiful white blooms that are contrasted by glossy, dark evergreen foliage. Though it has a reputation for being high maintenance, the scent and beauty of gardenias make the work well worth it.