Add some greenery to your home with these low-maintenance indoor plants that will thrive all year round. Whether you’re looking for a low-light indoor plant for a dark room or a lush tropical plant for a sun-drenched corner of your home, you can find a variety of indoor plants at The Home Depot.
Best Indoor Plants
Cactus
An easy indoor plant that thrives in bright light. Prefers dry, sandy soil that is well-drained. Water regularly when buds are growing, but only water when the soil is dry to the touch during the resting period. Arrange a few in small pots as a grouping on a kitchen counter or accent table.
Snake Plant
Leaves are typically tall, stiff, and vertical, which is why it’s called a “snake plant”. It’s also commonly called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. Very tolerant of low light and temperature fluctuations, it’s one of the best office plants. It’s also a perfect low-maintenance plant for frequent travellers since it can be left unwatered for a month. Unique sword-like shoots can grow up to 48” tall.
Money Tree
One of the most popular house plants, a money tree symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Thick trunks are often braided or twisted, giving it a unique, stoic appearance. It’s versatile and hardy, which likely contributes to its popularity. Tolerant to low light and dry conditions, but can grow up to 7 feet if given sufficient light.
Climbing Vine Philodendron
A climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves that will climb walls, cascade down furniture or grow across a mantel. Prefers bright light and moist soil. Prune in the spring to promote new growth — simply cut above a node or swelling where a leaf was.
Jade Plant
Thick branch-like stems and soft green succulent leaves add a tropical feel to any room. Succulents retain water in their leaves, so if they don’t get enough water, they become dormant. When they do get enough water, they rehydrate and grow. Place in a window with bright light and away from cold drafts.
Fern
A beautiful full plant with lightweight fronds. Maintain evenly moist soil, but don’t let ferns sit in water. Opt for a watering can with a long spout to direct the water to the centre of the plant.
Air Plant
An air plant doesn’t need soil to grow, but if your home is dry (especially when heating is turned on), you’ll need to submerge the plant in water for 2–3 hours every 2 weeks. Prefers bright, indirect light.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig
This trendy tree gets its name from the fiddle-shaped leaves. Thrives in bright light, but direct light can damage the large leaves. Water generously in the summer and only when the soil feels dry to the touch in winter months. Before watering, leave water out for at least 12 hours to let chlorine evaporate.
Peace Lily
If you’ve been known to over-water plants, choose a low-maintenance peace lily. With enough water and not too much sunlight, it will produce beautiful white flowers that resemble calla lilies. It’s one of the best low light indoor plants, and actually prefers a dark room. It’s extremely easy to care for because the leaves will droop when it’s ready for water. It’s also one of the best plants for filtering toxins from the air, making it a popular choice for offices.
ZZ Plant
The zamioculcas zamiifolia has been known to tolerate the dangerous trifecta of plant-killers: drought, low light, and really low humidity. One of the best low light plants, it’s incredibly adaptable and will thrive in most environments. The most common mistake with a ZZ plant is overwatering, so allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Anthurium
Also known as a flamingo flower for its unique pink and red heart-shaped flowers. Prefers moist but well-drained soil and plenty of indirect light. Avoid placing it in a window with direct light as the leaves and flowers may burn.
Peperomia
A peperomia plant resembles a rubber plant, but is much smaller, making it perfect for groupings or a terrarium. Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry between waterings. It’s an easy-going plant that can tolerate both low light and also a few hours of direct sunlight without burning. It’s also a great plant for cleaning toxins from the air.
Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera Deliciosa Philodendron, more commonly called a Swiss Cheese Plant, is a beautiful plant with large deeply-lobed leaves. It can grow as tall as 6 feet, so it’s perfect for a large living room or bedroom. Prefers low light, and likes to be on the dry side, so don't water more than once a week. With the right conditions, it can also climb a wall or piece of furniture.
Dieffenbachia
Place this plant by a curtained window, protecting new leaves from direct sun. With filtered light and not too much water, this beauty will thrive for years. As it grows taller, the lower leaves will drop, revealing an interesting trunk-like stalk.
Yucca
With its sword-shaped leaves and thick trunk, a yucca makes a bold statement as an indoor plant. Choose a deep planter with plenty of soil to prevent the top-heavy woody stems from toppling over, and place in window with plenty of light — south or east-facing is ideal since it loves the heat. Because it’s slow-growing, drought-tolerant and pest-resistant, it makes a perfect starter plant for someone without a green thumb.
Rubber Plant
A rubber tree can measure over 100 feet tall in its native Asia, but regular pruning can keep the houseplant variety a modest size. With its unique reddish-burgundy leaves, a rubber plant is an interesting alternative to common green plants and will stand out from the pack. The leaves become brighter red with brighter light. Be sure to dry out moderately between waterings to avoid root rot, and occasionally wipe large leaves with a damp cloth to maximize photosynthesis.
Aloe
Spiky leaves produce a gel known for its healing properties on skin and hair, so this plant does double-duty as a bit of greenery and a handy dispensary. An aloe plant loves indirect light, plus a good soak every week or two. Place on a kitchen or bathroom windowsill for easy access when you need to trim a spike off.
Majesty Palm
This fast-growing palm adds a tropical feel to your home all winter long. Choose an area with plenty of bight light, but protect from too much direct sun. If it has 4–6 hours of filtered light per day, it should be perfectly happy. The soil should be constantly moist but not soggy. Unlike plants like ZZ, Peperomia and Swiss Cheese Plant, a palm doesn’t like its soil to dry out between waterings.
Croton
Featuring bold colourful leaves, a croton will add a pop of colour to any dreary room. It has a reputation for being a bit fussy as an indoor plant, but mostly due to its aversion to new environments. Avoid moving it whenever possible (aside from bringing it home from the store). It goes into shock with big changes, and often drops its leaves, but will usually recover if you continue to nurture it. Higher humidity will help prevent leaf drop — a humidifier and misting the leaves with a spray bottle might help. Prefers moist but well-drained soil and plenty of filtered sunlight. Keep away from cool drafts like air conditioning vents.
Schefflera
An evergreen shrub with delicate pointed leaves that form dense umbrella-like canopies, which is why it’s often called an Umbrella Plant. It can grow up to 15 feet outside or 6 feet as an indoor plant, so it’s a perfect choice if you want a showstopper. A schefflera is easy-going with watering, but is more tolerant of dry soil than overwatering. Repot in the spring to encourage it to grow taller, but choose a planter only a couple of inches larger to avoid shocking the plant. Like many plants, it can be mildly toxic to dogs and cats.