From cleaner air to creative decor – there are so many benefits of having indoor plants around your house. However, it can be hard to know which varieties of plants are suitable for indoor conditions plus how to properly care for them. Besides - who doesn't love a green, healthy house decor !
We've selected the 8 best indoor plants that will thrive within your four walls and add a great touch-up to your home this year.
No. 1 - String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Everybody is in love with this trailing houseplant as it is so easy to grow and the rounded, fleshy, bead-like leaves, which form along the trailing stems create a really pretty waterfall effect.
Very decorative hung in a sunny windowsill but also nice to see hanging over a tall planter, wherever you want to have it. An easily cared for succulent, you can even occasionally forget to water it and it will still be fine. Such an easy plant to have around, it's great if you go away from home regularly.
No. 2 - Air Plants
Air plants - also known as Tillansia - are absolutely stunning and currently in fashion, no wonder why.
These lovely plants sustain themselves on moisture from the air, and require no soil (yes, no soil) to grow in. With a 'minimal root system' and over 500 species to choose from, there is a wonderful variety of visually interesting options, which can be displayed in stylish air plant holders, like these.
No. 3 Pilea - Chinese Money Plant
Having time-travelled straight from the 1970s, the eye-catching Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is in fact a member of the stinging nettle family ! It is easy to care for and cares for you in return - it purifies the air for free. It’s easy to take cuttings from so it’ll readily take over your whole house. This unusual plant grows to a height of some 40cm and as it gets older, the stems will start to twist.
Symbolism
Place a coin in the soil with your Chinese money plant, and it’ll spontaneously start to attract wealth. If you suddenly become very rich, give your plant a real gold pot - it will surely earn it.
The plant has been brought by a Swedish missionary family from China to Europe in 1946. The plant was growing on the CanShang Mountains in Yunnan province and that’s why it’s also known as the Chinese Missionary Plant.
No. 4 Euphorbia Triangularis Cactus
The plant is native to tropical Asia and India. It looks just like a cactus, and is just as easy to grow.
Position it in bright, direct light. Euphorbia does not handle long period of drought well. It's better to water it when the top few inches of soil feel dry, possibly as much as weekly throughout warmer months. This plant is harmful to cats and dogs if digested.
You may also want to remove the dust from it with a damp cloth to unblock pores occasionally. This will help the plant breathe.
This plant is rock and roll to the core. From its outer spikes to the poisonous milky latex that lies within.
No. 5 Monstera Deliciosa
With their thick, 'Swiss cheese' leaves and tropical feel, the Monstera Deliciosa is a perfectly bold plant that can truly thrive in an apartment. They can tolerate many levels of sunlight, and can even grow under fluorescent lights. While you should water your Monstera regularly, it can survive a missed watering every now and then. This plant is also mildly toxic to humans, and toxic to both dogs and cats.
No. 6 Fiddle Leaf Fig
The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata) is great for apartments with high ceilings but minimal floor space. The plant is tall but not bushy, and boasts waxy, dark green leaves. It requires medium light, but only needs to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch.
The plant is native to western Africa, from Cameroon west to Sierra Leone, where it grows in lowland tropical rainforest. It is possible to re-grow Fiddle Leaf Fig from a leaf.
No. 7 Peace Lily
If you have a bad habit of killing delicate lilies, you're likely to have better luck with the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). This plant can survive in very dim settings (ideal if your apartment faces another building and not the open sky), and only requires watering once a week. Peace lilies will even grow well under fluorescent lights, making them a good option for bathrooms or offices with little light. They grow very quickly and within 1-2 years you will be able to split the roots and leafs into 5 or 6 fine plants.
No. 8 Yucca
The yucca (Yucca Elephantipes) is an exceptionally strong houseplant requiring very little water - perfect for those who have a habit of neglecting their houseplants! Yuccas have leaves similar to the agave plant but they are not so stiff or prickly. The yucca will be happy in a light spot, preferably sheltered from the midday sun. A lovely plant which will not disappoint!
