The Quick Guide to Choosing Indoor Plants

Bringing in plants is one of the easiest things that you can do to turn a house into a home. Plants, in all of their green glory, offer a burst of freshness and can help tie any room together. Their benefits go beyond aesthetics too, with lots of evidence that plants can also positively impact our mood and reduce stress levels. So the question is really less about whether you should have plants, and more what kind you should go with. And to help you out, we’ve outlined some of the things to consider when you’re choosing indoor plants for your home.

Evaluate Your Conditions

If you’ve just moved into a new home, you might not know where to even start when it comes to bringing in some green. Choosing indoor plants that work ultimately comes down to your preferences, but you’ll need to consider the conditions that you’re dealing with as well.

Look for areas in your home that get plenty of reliable light, since these are usually the best sites to start with. By beginning with location and working out the details from there, you can narrow down your picks to plants that work well in that space, instead of choosing plants that might not have any ideal spot to go.

Don’t have any super sunny spots? That’s okay! There are lots of plants that do just fine in low light environments. Identifying what you’re working with early on just helps you hone in on the conditions you’ll need to keep in mind as you search.

Consider Pets

There are lots of plants out there that can be toxic to our animal friends and that you’ll want to be sure to avoid if you have pets. This is particularly true for cat parents, since cats are more likely than dogs to be climbing around and exploring—though you should be conscious of avoiding any plant that is toxic to your pet, regardless of what species they are or whether they can easily access it.

Use the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants to research any plant before you buy it and ensure it’s safe for your furry companion. Common plants that are poisonous to pets include:

    • Lilies
    • Sago Palms
    • Oleander
    • Amaryllis
    • English Ivy
    • Pothos
    • Azaleas
    • Tulips
    • Hyacinths

    Toxicity levels vary by plant, with notable side effects including rashes, respiratory and cardiac problems, and vomiting. In some cases, toxic plants can also be fatal to pets. In addition to using the ASPCA’s list, do a quick Google search before purchasing any new plant to make sure it’s not harmful.

    Mix It Up With Sizes

    For balance and variety, you’re probably going to want to look for both small and large options when choosing indoor plants. Large plants are great for filling empty spaces that might not have an otherwise clear purpose, while small plants can add that perfect finishing touch to your bookshelf, coffee table, or windowsill.

    By choosing plants from both size categories, you add variation and texture to your overall space and help make your home truly original. If you’re worried about care, start with a small plant or two to start exercising your green thumb. As you get more confident, you can expand into additional plant varieties and sizes.

    Real or Fake?

    Fake plants used to be a major faux pas, but no longer. Today’s fake plants feature realistic detailing that’s a far step above their plastic-y ancestors, and they’re a frequent choice among both professional and DIY interior designers. When you’re choosing indoor plants for your home then, it’s worth considering doing a mix of real and fake plants, especially if you’re limited based on your sunlight conditions.

    Fake plants won’t freshen your air like their real counterparts, but they’re versatile, durable, and completely maintenance free. They can also be a good alternative for pricey, hard-to-care-for plants like fiddle leaf figs and Ficus trees, which are Instagram favorites but also quite difficult to maintain. So don’t fear the faux when decorating your home—embrace it!

    Know Your Skill Level

    Plant care isn’t always intuitive, and it can take a lot of practice and experience before you’re ready for some of the tougher varieties. If you’re new to plant parenthood, choosing indoor plants that are known for being low-maintenance is an excellent way to start learning what it takes to care for greenery and see if you enjoy putting in the work. From there, you can either stick with easier plants or level-up to some of the harder and more finnicky options.

    Low-maintenance houseplants include:

      • Succulents
      • Jade plants
      • Aloe vera
      • Spider plants
      • Cacti
      • Bamboo
      • Prayer plants
      • Pilea
      • Dracaena
      • Maidenhair fern
      • Wax plant
      • Cast-iron plant

      These plants are hearty, and don’t require too much attention on a day to day basis. Just be sure to do a bit of research on exactly what they need. Some plants, like succulents, only need about a tablespoon of water once ever 10 to 14 days. Others are a bit thirstier, but will let you know when they’re ready for a drink.

      Up for the challenge of a higher maintenance plant? You’ll need to dedicate a bit more time to these plants and you might find that they’re super stubborn about what they’ll put up with, but there’s a lot of satisfaction to keeping a high-maintenance plant alive and well.

      High-maintenance houseplants include:

        • Orchids
        • Zebra plant
        • Ficus tree
        • Fiddle leaf fig tree
        • Bonsai tree
        • Boston fern
        • Bird’s nest fern
        • Calathea
        • Elephant ears
        • Stromanthe
        • Croton

        What these plants lack in ease of care they make up for in beauty. Just be sure you know that what you’re getting into before you commit.

        Tips on Caring for Indoor Houseplants

        Choosing indoor plants is one thing, and caring for them is another. Follow these simple tips to set yourself up for success.

        Buy the right soil. Make sure that you choose soil that is specified for indoor plants. Certain plants, like succulents and cacti, have unique soil requirements, so you take your time at the store to ensure you choose the right kind.

        Allow plants to drain. Potting your plants in planters with drainage holes will help prevent them from getting overwatered. That’s importance, since most plant roots don’t like to sit in water. Excess water can also lead to mold forming on the soil. Just be sure to include a little dish under your planter so your plants don’t drain right onto the surface they’re sitting on.

        Avoid placement in front of air conditioners and heaters. Extreme temperatures aren’t great for plants, so avoid placing them in front of your AC or heater. If you live in a cold climate, be wary of spots near the windows during the winters too, since those areas tend to be considerably colder than the rest of the home.

        Remove dead leaves. As you water your plants, keep an eye out for any dead leaves and carefully remove them. These areas can siphon off energy from the rest of the plant, which means less sustenance for those leaves that are healthy and thriving.

        Don’t move your plants around a lot. Constantly moving locations can be stressful for your plants. Try to pick a home for each plant and keep it there; and if you do need to move one, check on it regularly after you do to verify that it’s adjusting well.

        Choosing indoor plants for your new home is one of the easiest things that you can do to make the space your own. And as a bonus, you can usually find lots of great options through local nurseries and garden centers, which allows you to support local businesses while filling your home with natural beauty. Sounds like a win-win to us!