Who says you need a garden to enjoy the beauty of plants? Indoor plants are a great way to exercise a green thumb while adding a bit of feng shui to your condo. These top house plants bring life and color to your living areas.

Plus, in times like now, when we are spending more time than usual in our homes, a bit of greenery is proven to brighten the mood and improve air quality. Also, don’t worry if you’re not a natural botanist. A lot of these plants are low maintenance.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ph. Plants.com)

These green, big-leafed plants have quickly become the darling of interior designers and for good reason. The Fiddle Leaf Fig lends both pops of color and clean lines, and doesn’t require much to happily grow indoors, making it a great indoor plant choice. Actually a tropical tree, Fiddle Leaf Figs don’t like drafts, however, so be sure to place them away from any doors or A/C vents. The best place in the house for these beauties is the sunniest place in the house, but ideally indirect light, as their leaves can burn.

Pro Tip:

Because Fiddle Leaf Figs have very large leaves, they can be dust collectors. Wiping down the leaves with a damp washcloth once a month will help to keep them healthy and fresh.

As with most plants, you don’t need to meddle with these plants much. The Fiddle Leaf Fig, or Ficus lyrata, is content to stay in its sunny place, and be watered once a week with a good soaking. Just remember to turn it every so slightly every now and then to allow the growing leaves to get balanced sunlight. Also, because Fiddle Leaf Figs are tropical, they thrive in higher humidities. If you live in a dry climate (under 50% humidity), mist your plant once a week.

Succulents - Paddle Plant

Succulents - Paddle Plant (Ph. Exotica)

Succulents also make excellent indoor house plants, and are favorites of those with small spaces. Most succulents are compact, but can provide gorgeous variations in color, while also blooming flowers. And because they don’t require too much water, as far as indoor plant goes, they are pretty low maintenance.

So what are some favorite succulents? The paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) is a succulent with a unique shape and unfussy care requirements. You may recognize its long, paddle-like leaves with a shading that goes from a light green to bright green to slightly red tips.

Pro Tip:

When watering succulents, allow to soak through. And then let the top two inches of dirt dry between waterings. Give the pot a quarter turn at each watering to allow for even sunlight. 

Like other succulents, it grows best when exposed to bright light and even some direct light (the more it’s exposed to sun, the more its leaves will turn red). This plant does well in indoor environments, withstanding dry air even when you crank up the heat in your apartment during the winter months.

Peace Lily

Peace Lily (Ph. Plants.com)

Peace Lilies are one of the most common house plants, but they come with a disclaimer. They are great for houses with no pets, as Peace lilies are toxic to dogs and cats. If you have a pet-free home, then these large plants are resilient, low-maintenance plants that only require watering once or twice a week. They make for great floor plants, as most average Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) can grow to 3-4 feet high. Not actually a lily at all, this plant is native to tropical rainforest regions, and do well in partial or shaded light, making the ideal indoor plants.

They are also totally stunning with their eye-catching, bone-white petals and deep green leaves. However, Peace lilies are more than just a pretty face. In fact, they were named in the top ten air-cleansing plants. Pretty and purposeful.

Pro Tip:

Don't keep a peace lily in reach of dogs and cats, as it can be toxic to both.

Peace lilies like partial sunlight. If its leaves begin to brown, move it away from direct sunlight. A Peace lily will naturally droop if it is thirsty. Make sure to water it at least once a week. Misting the leaves will also help keep it healthy. If in doubt, water more, it is very hard to overwater a Peace lily. And in terms of humidity, keeping them at room temperature is a safe bet.

Philodendron

Philodendron (Ph. Crocus)

Don’t let the pronunciation scare you. Philodendron is actually a super easy and gorgeous plant to grow. There are several varieties you can choose from. Its leaves are also beautiful and complicated, making it an eye-catching feature in any room you put it in. There are two types of Philodendron - climbing and non-climbing, and many varieties from small to big with huge elephant ear leaves. The climbing Philodendron thrives in hanging pots with any form of structure. Whereas, the non-climbing varieties are more suited to a ground pot because of its very large tropical, elephant ear-shaped leaves.

Pro Tip:

Philodendron leaves create a gorgeous floral arrangement when cut and placed in a vase.

In terms of maintenance tips, Philodendron does need a considerable amount of sunlight and also can grow under UV light. However, if you see yellowing or browning, your plant is getting too much sun. Like many other house plants, this green beauty is a tropical jungle plant and love water, so it’s best to water them heavily once a week. While Philodendron is resilient, they won’t survive in anything below 60 degrees. They will be fine at room temperature.

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus (Ph. Plants.com)

Much like its name suggests the Christmas Cactus is the gift that keeps on giving. This winter plant requires little (if any) attention and can cope in all environments, making it an ideal starter house plant. It does best in indirect light, and its dangling branches produce brilliant flowers in tons of different colors. This little cactus is a great way to spice up a room without having to worry about watering, pruning, etc.

Pro Tip:

When blooming, give the Christmas Cactus a little more light. After it has flowered, you can reduce the exposure to sunlight. To keep humidity ideal, place the plant in a saucer with some pebbles or stones and about 1/2 inch of water.

As with any cactus, water is never a major issue. Water when the top two inches of soil is dry. In terms of temperature, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) thrives in a warmer environment. Try to keep the temperature above 70 degrees, especially when it is flowering. 

Swiss Cheese Plant

Swiss Cheese Plant (Ph. Brighter Blooms Nursery)

The Swiss Cheese Plant is one of the most common indoor house plants. From the shape of the leaves to its deep green color, everything about the Swiss Cheese plant screams tropical and is native to the rainforests of Mexico, and Central and South America. This tropical beauty comes in two varieties and sizes - the larger Monstera deliciosa and the table-top version, Monstera adansonii. No matter its size, the Swiss cheese plant has intriguing leaves with random holes, called fenestration, hence its playful name. Similar to the philodendron, its leaves are triangular, and when healthy, are a shiny, deep green.

Pro Tip:

Indirect sunlight is key for these beauties. Too much sun will cause yellowing. On the flip side if it doesn’t have enough light, Monstera deliciosa will grow towards the darkest part of the room.

In terms of watering, definitely water at least once a week. The Swiss cheese plant is a tropical plant after all. Also, like a lot of indoor plants they like humid environments. And the Swiss cheese plant does best in temperatures around 70 degrees. 

Ficus Bonsai Tree

Ficus Bonsai Tree (Ph. Plants.com)

Admittedly, growing a bonsai tree is not easy. So if you’re ready to test your green thumb skills, this is the indoor plant for you. Ficus bonsai trees do require attention and a carefully regulated environment. But that being said, if you are willing to do what is necessary it will pay dividends and be the showpiece of your home... There is something so charming about a miniature tree! Of all bonsais, the Ficus bonsai is probably the easiest to grow and has become an indoor favorite, This is because it can thrive in a warmer climate making it the perfect indoor plant.

The ficus bonsai comes in a few popular varieties, notably the Ficus retusa and Ficus ginseng. Ficus retusa has a curved trunk and dark green oval-shaped leaves. Ficus ginseng has a fat trunk, but should be avoided if you have pets, as this plant is poisonous for animals. 

Pro Tip:

Ficus Bonsais must avoid direct sunlight, but need a lot of indirect light. Also, they prefer room-temperature water and daily misting (we told you they were high maintenance!). Finally, the Ficus Ginseng plant is best for pet-free homes, as it is poisonous for animals. 

The soil should be kept reasonably moist at all times. A ficus bonsai needs a minimum temperature of about 50 degrees. But realistically you should grow them in much warmer temperatures with high humidity.