So you want to add more plants to your indoor garden, but you have no idea what to buy next? Yup, I definitely know how it feels. Here’s the good news, my team and I did some research on this matter and we’ve created this list of 15 of the most and best common house plants (for now, we’re going to add more plants to it).

To make your job easier and help you choose the best house plant, we’ve added information about their growing requirements (light, watering, and soil) and toxicity. When it comes to common houseplants, you have a myriad of choices, from hard-to-kill houseplants to some of the most beautiful flowering succulents and cacti!

Most of the plants from this list are also super easy to care for, so you can forget to water them once in a while. However, if you want to build a fantastic indoor garden that thrives, don’t forget to offer your plants the irrigation, nutrients, and light they need!

15 The Most and Best Common House Plants to Grow this Year

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

This tropical perennial plant tolerates drought and significant levels of neglect, accepting low-light conditions without much fuss. It is one of the most common house plants across the world, even if it is native to Africa. As long as you do not expose it to direct, powerful sunlight and you take minimum care of it, you should enjoy it for years.

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Any well-draining potting soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Does best in bright, indirect light, but can thrive in low light conditions
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Drought-resistant
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

2. Aloe (Aloe spp.)

Aloe (Aloe spp.)
Aloe (Aloe spp.)

In case you did not know, there are more aloe vera plant types than you might know! However, no matter what variety you choose to grow in your home, you should know that aloe makes one of the most beautiful and easy-to-grow common house plants (and succulents) in the world! Aloe does not need much to thrive, but you should offer it some care and love.

⇒ Read our Aloe Vera Care Guide

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Sandy soil with good drainage or commercial soil mixed with perlite, sand or granite
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

6-8 hours of direct sun would be ideal, but can also grow in bright, indirect light
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Susceptible to root rot. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to pets. Some Aloe species can be toxic to humans.

3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The Spider Plant is one of the best and most common hard to kill house plants in the world. It does not need much maintenance, although it loves some bright indirect light and well-drained soil rich in nutrients. In case you do not remember, the Spider Plant is, according to NASA studies, one of the best plants to grow indoors for air purification!

⇒ Read our Spider Plant Care Guide

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Rich and well-draining soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Non-Toxic to humans and pets

4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)

Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)

According to the same NASA studies mentioned above, the Snake Plant is also among the best common houseplants that help you preserve your indoor air clean and fresh. We mentioned the Snake Plant among the houseplants that are hard to kill no matter how much you neglect them as well. All in all, the Snake Plant is an excellent indoor companion that will turn any room into a beautiful indoor garden! Also, keep in mind that there are more Snake Plant varieties to choose from, so knock yourself out and get the most beautiful types that strike your fancy!

⇒ Read our Snake Plant Care Guide

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Well-draining soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light is ideal for a snake plant, but can withstand full sun or low-light conditions
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Susceptible to root rot. Drought resistant. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

5. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
Weeping Ficus in a pot

This type of indoor tree makes an excellent house plant if you want a beautiful companion for any of your rooms. As we said on a previous occasion, the weeping fig is a bit fussy when it comes to care and maintenance, but overall, it is an amazing houseplant to grow even if you have to collect the fallen leaves from the floor more frequently than you do with the other common houseplants.

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Well-draining soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. Direct sun can burn the leaves
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

6. Orchids (Orchidaceae spp.)

Orchids (Orchidaceae spp.)
4 orchids on a table

According to the American Orchid Society, orchids are rewarding indoor plants. Once you bring in the first one, you will find yourself adopting even more. Many people think orchids are hard to grow, especially in the lack of a greenhouse, but experts say it is a myth. The most important takeaway when it comes to growing orchids is to make sure you find the best compromise between potting soil and other materials that allow these plants to breathe.

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Orchid potting mix
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can burn the orchid's leaves and too little light will prevent it from producing flowers
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Twice per week during warm seasons, and once per week during cold seasons
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Non-Toxic to humans and pets

7. Fiddle leaf fid (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle leaf fid (Ficus lyrata)
Fiddle leaf fid (Ficus lyrata)

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is one of the best trees to grow indoors. We have talked about it before, but here is what you need to know. Slightly moist soil, bright & indirect sunlight and a suitable pot are your best bets when caring for this beautiful houseplant.

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Rich, well-draining and aerated soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch its leaves
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Do not like to sit in water. Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Mildly toxic to children and pets

8. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The Rubber Plant makes a gorgeous and extremely resilient common houseplant. It can take its fair share of neglect, needing moderate care. However, we strongly recommend you offer it all your love and efforts, as its glossy leaves and beautiful shape are worth everything.

⇒ Read our Rubber Plant Care Guide

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Rich, well-draining soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Keep the soil moist during the growing season
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Bright, indirect light
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

9. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy (Hedera helix)
hanging english ivy

The English Ivy is one of those air-purifying plants that everyone talks about in reverence. It is capable of removing trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the atmosphere, which is brilliant in and out of itself. However, the English Ivy also makes one of the most versatile common houseplants as well, as you can center your indoor garden idea around it in a potted form on a shelf or even hanging in the air!

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

All-purpose potting soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Bright, indirect light
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

10.  Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

The Lucky Bamboo is a flowering plant growing in water and is also one of the most common houseplants. Do not let the name fool you, it is not really a bamboo variety. In fact, it is native to Africa, although it is a Feng Shui central element for ages. Get one for yourself or offer it as a gift for someone you care about. The Lucky Bamboo symbolizes a rich life, full of prosperity and strength, and we all need some of that these days.

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Usually grown in water. Can thrive in well-drained, rich potting soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Make sure the water covers its roots if grown in water. The soil should be kept moist
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

11. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)
kalanchoe with yellow flowers

When it comes to some of the most amazing flowering succulents out there, few common houseplants can beat Kalanchoe in beauty or maintenance easiness. You can choose from many types and varieties of Kalanchoe, but what you need to know is that they need moderate care with a few twists!

⇒ Read our Kalanchoe Plant Care Guide

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

All-purpose potting soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out in the growing season & dry out completely in winter
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Bright light
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to pets and humans

12. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

As care and maintenance go, yes, the Golden Pothos needs balanced levels of water, light, and soil nutrients, but did you know it also loves some rock music? Check out our Best Music for Plants Experiment to learn what rock music the Pothos loves the most and grow the best on! If you only grow Pothos as a house plant and you happen to be a rocker, you might achieve the most beautiful indoor garden of them all!

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

All-purpose potting soil. Can grow in water
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light to low light
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

13. Hoyas (Hoya spp.)

Hoyas (Hoya spp.)
Hoyas (Hoya spp.)

The Hindu rope plant – Hoya compacta – is one of the most popular and resilient houseplants to grow even if you do not have gardening skills. No matter what Hoyas you choose for your indoor garden, you cannot go wrong with them!

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Rich, well-draining soil mixed with pumice or perlite
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. Direct sun can burn the leaves
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again.
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

14. Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina)

Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina)
Spiderwort (Tradescantia zebrina)

You may also know this plant as the Wandering Jew plant, a gorgeous and common houseplant that you can grow in a hanging basket as well as in a pot. As we said before, it is a gorgeous mix between a succulent and a vine and you will love having it in the house and caring for it as well!

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

All-purpose potting soil
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. If there's not enough light, the leaf markings will fade.
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Water frequently and keep the soil moist. Mist it from time to time.
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

15. Alocasias (Alocasia spp.)

Alocasias (Alocasia spp.)
Alocasias (Alocasia spp.)

This broad-leaved popular indoor plant is a spectacle. If you remember, we listed the Alocasia Reginula among the best black plants to grow indoors. In general, Alocasia plants do not need heavy maintenance, but it is best to check out the short guide below to learn how to offer this plant the best care it needs to treat you with its amazing foliage!

Soil of the philodendrons types

Soil Requirements:

Well-drained and aerated soil, mixed with corse sand and peat
Light requirements

Light Requirements:

Bright, indirect light. Direct sun can burn the leaves.
Water requirements for the philodendron types

Water Requirements:

Water-loving house plant. Keep the soil moist during the growing season, and water less during winter, as the plant goes dormant.
Toxicity

Toxicity:

Toxic to humans and pets

Final Thoughts on Common Houseplants

There you go! Our favorite picks when it comes to common house plants. We’ll continue to add more options to this list for you to create some of the most amazing indoor gardens!

If you’d like us to include a specific plant in this article, let us know in the comment section below! I’m sure you have a favorite plant in your house right now that may have not been included in our list.

Until then, happy gardening!

Denis Sgarbura - Retired Contributor
About the Author - Denis Sgarbura

Hello. I’m Denis. My passion for growing plants started when I was around 10 or 11 years old. My grandpa loved to take care of roses. He had a breathtaking rose garden. I wanted one badly. So, I started my own. I was stoked when my roses showed signs of growth. It became a competition: my garden vs. his garden. He won every time, but I never gave up and did my best to make it extraordinary. I read everything there was to know about roses and how to grow them.

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