Plants are always a good idea for interiors. Aside from brightening up a space, they help reduce stress and boost air quality.
At the same time, we understand the apprehension about being a plant parent, scared that you'd end up with a collection of dead foliage. But if you still aspire to be one, there are various indoor decorative live plants for every environment and skill.
Here are some of the best indoor decorative live plants for beginners and pro gardeners.
1. Succulents (Best for Small Spaces)
No matter how poor your gardening skills are, it'll take some real determination to kill succulents. These cute little plants with thick, fleshy leaves thrive in warm and dry temperatures.
These small live plants require little to no maintenance and love sunlight. So, ideally, place them in a corner with bright direct or indirect sunlight. The natural habitat for these plants is warm and dry, so keep the watering schedule minimal.
Here are some of the best succulents for indoors and their types:
- Burro's Tail, pincushion plant - cactus
- Silver Dollar Plant - climbing
- Jade plant - bush
- Crown of thorns, flaming katy - flowering
- Aloe vera - medicinal
- Roseum plant - cluster
- Snake plant - air purifier
Best Indoor Decorative Hanging Plants
2. Heartleaf Philodendron
Native to South and Central America, these beautiful, lush climber plants have heart-shaped leaves.
It's best to choose a location that receives bright, indirect light for these fast-growing plants. Pot it with plenty of peat moss in the mix and add some perlite to aid drainage. These 'sweetheart plants' grow trailing stems, making them perfect to be hung on balconies, doorways, and porches.
3. Pothos Plant
Starting as small clusters, these live indoor potted plants rapidly explode into long, enticing vines and lend a wild vibe to any space.
Hang them from planters in the restroom, or group them up in ceramic planters for an epic fullness in any dull corner. Pothos or money plants are perfect for revamping dead spaces like end tables, day beds, or even empty spaces above wardrobes.
These plants are super low maintenance, so do not over-pamper them. Instead, place them in partial sun/shade setting and water once a week.
Indoor Decorative Live Plants for Office or Desk
4. Chinese Water Bamboo
Chinese water bamboo or lucky bamboo is one of the most common household indoor plants. While it is popularly called bamboo and somewhat resembles it, it is actually dracaena sanderiana.
These fascinating live indoor plants are also considered to bring many Feng Shui cures with them. Like, enhancing the positive energy of a space and creating a sense of safety and balance.
To maintain these Chinese water bamboo plants, consider a low bowl or dish with at least one-inch space between the stalks and the vessel. This will allow the roots to grow and spread out evenly. Water it just enough to immerse the roots.
5. Anthurium
The waxy dark green leaves with bright red blooms of an Anthurium are a feast to the eyes. The colorful spathes flare from the base to create a complete look that compliments any home or office setting.
Native to South and Central America, these perennials are best for warmer climates. While they can be grown indoors and outdoors, they are often grown as houseplants or greenhouses for their precise care needs.
Perfect for sunny windowsills and balconies, the anthurium rarely has downtime between blooms. So give it ample bright indirect sunlight and water when the topsoil is 60-75% dry.
Medium-sized Indoor Decorative Live Plants
6. Peace Lily
The spathiphyllum or peace lily is a long-time favorite of plant lovers. This tropical plant is known for its glossy leaves and big green bracts that brighten up a space and have excellent air purifying qualities.
But peace lilies require just a little bit more care and maintenance than most other houseplants. They enjoy low to medium light and are more drought tolerant than overwatering.
Always check the soil's dampness before watering these plants, but do not wait for the leaves to droop. Also, when these plants reach maturity (three to five years), consider dividing and repotting them. That's because outgrowing the pots will hamper the leaf quality and texture.
7. Elephant Ears Plant
Known for their exotic large tropical-looking foliage, the Colocasia esculenta or elephant ear plant lends a steamy lush feel to almost any landscape setting.
Elephant ear plants are fast-growing perennials that attain full size within two to three months. These plants prefer partial shade (poor tolerance to freezing temperatures) with a rich, humusy soil mix. So, consider planting them early summers or once the soil temperature has reached 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Colocasia esculenta being native wetland plants and heavy feeders, be generous with the watering and fertilizers. The topsoil should be moist to touch at all times, so water them daily and use fertilizers every two weeks.
Large Indoor Decorative Live Plants
8. Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig plants with glossy violin-shaped large leaves and heavy veins are among the most popular houseplants for urban dwellers. These fast growers grow upright from 6 to 10 feet tall.
Being native to tropical parts of Africa, these finicky tropical rainforest plants are way more demanding than you may have thought.
In addition, they enjoy both warm and wet environments making it tricky for owners to replicate the steamy conditions. Nonetheless, they are hardy plants and can withstand not-so-ideal conditions for quite a long time.
As a houseplant, you'd want to rotate the plant often so that it grows evenly and does not lean towards the light. Water it when the topsoil feels dry to touch during spring to fall. And reduce the watering frequency during winters.
9. Areca Palm
These tall, clumping palms look a lot like bamboo plants with narrow fronds and smooth trunks. It's one of the best indoor plants for bright and lively interiors.
These can be quite expensive as full-grown live floor plants, so it's best to buy a tabletop one and let them grow over the years. If maintained well, a mature areca palm lasts for up to 10 years with its big arching fronds.
These bamboo-like plants prefer bright light exposure and a well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix. Although these plants enjoy the water, they are sensitive to overwatering and fluoridated water. So, let the soil dry out and use distilled or collected rainwater.
Most plant parents you come across will swear by the mantra that light and water are food for plants. But, if you are still fresh at it, remember to not over-care for these indoor decorative live plants. Don't panic if you see yellow mellow or drooping leaves; just prune it, and you're good to go.
