It’s the third week of September — this year, September 19 to 25 — which means it’s officially National Indoor Plant Week!! Yay!!
Established in 2007, National Indoor Plant Week was created to bring awareness to the importance of incorporating plants into your living space. Cleaner air, happier moods, and a closeness with nature are only a few of the many benefits!
So let’s celebrate! Add to your indoor collection — or finally get your first plant! Most plant stores will be having epic sales this week, so now’s a great time to shop for a beautiful addition to your clean-living space or luscious green room (and take full advantage of those deals!).
Always be sure to do your research before purchasing your plant! Just because the plant can be grown indoors, doesn’t mean it will suit your home or even your lifestyle. Some require more sunlight, humidity, or attention than you can provide, and if you have pets or small children, you want to make sure your new plant is non-toxic — just in case they get a little too curious about your home’s new addition.
To measure light level for your green, new additions, you can use a simple smartphone app (there are several we’ve seen; for example, Photone) that uses your phone’s camera as a lux meter. These aren’t absolutely accurate, but they do give you a good idea of the light level.
We’ve done the research, and below are our top 6 favorite indoor plant recommendations!
Pothos / the devil’s ivy
If one of the main reasons you want a plant is to add some decorative greenery to your home, then pothos is the plant for you! They’re natural trailers (cascading plants) — meaning their long stems have aerial roots that can easily adhere to surfaces — and they can grow up to 10 feet when kept indoors. They’re the perfect choice for hanging baskets, or you could use them to create your own indoor trellis wall. If you want to feel like a fairytale princess or a cottage witch, you can even place one near a doorway and watch your pothos transform it into a secret passageway!
Pothos are a great starter plant for those of us who aren’t naturally adept at gardening. This one is for the seriously green-thumb challenged — they say it thrives on neglect and low light, and we all know someone who could really use one of these!
They only require watering when the first inch of soil is dry and are tolerant of low or fluorescent light, which means you can put them in the rooms of your home that are often deprived of greenery because of the lack of enough natural light, and you can always tell if they need watering by the slight curling of their leaves.
As if you need another reason to add this plant to your home, pothos is one of the top houseplants for improving air quality! They also typically stay free of pests or diseases, so you don’t have to worry about constantly checking to make sure they’re healthy. Hard to go wrong on this one!
Succulents
There’s a reason succulents are one of the most common choices for indoor plants.
Because of their easy to care for nature, succulents are one of the perfect introductory plants for any new plant owner! They’re very low-maintenance and great for those of us who want to add some greenery to our home, without making a big commitment to upkeep.
Succulents come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, as well. Some of the most popular types include rosettes, jade plants, or flaming Katys (which are known for their colorful flowers), but there are plenty of others to choose from! The care of each succulent will vary based on their type, but typically they only need to be watered every 3 to 4 weeks. Most prefer full-sunlight, but bright, indirect light (both natural or artificial grow lights) will do just fine.
Keep in mind: just because it takes a certain level of skill to kill a succulent doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. Succulents don’t do well in humid environments, so try not to keep them in your bathroom or kitchen. And you always make sure to check the soil before you water to ensure it’s dry and actually needs it. Overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill your beloved succulent!
Kentia palm
If you aren’t super secure in your green thumb, but still want a large plant to adorn your living room, then you may want to look into investing in a Kentia palm. These beauties add a level of sophisticated grace to any room, and (with the proper care) can grow up to 10 feet tall or more, with large, draping leaves. The best part? Once they reach maturity, the Kentia palm requires very little care!
I know they may look intimidating, but these tropical-looking plants can withstand much harsher conditions than the average houseplant. So, they’re going to be a lot tougher to kill than they appear! The Kentia palm can tolerate temperatures ranging from 25° to 100°F, although they thrive best when the temperature stays above 55°F. Despite the palm in their name, they don’t like direct light, so be sure not to set them too close to a window that gets lots of natural sun! Bright, indirect light works best, but they’re also more tolerant of low-light living rooms or offices.
When it comes to watering, Kentia palms like soil that is slightly moist. You can get away with not watering them as much, but you want to make sure you don’t overwater them, as this can lead to problems like root rot. You want to find a happy medium! Check the top inch of soil before you water, and only water if it’s dry. Slightly misting the leaves on occasion also helps to remove any dust build-up that may accumulate, and your plant will thank you for it!
With these palms, you can create your own tropical oasis in the comfort of your home with very little effort!
Begonias
If you’re looking for a long-lasting houseplant that will add a pop of color to your décor, begonias are an excellent choice! They are a little more challenging to grow, so I recommend these for the more experienced growers. But, if you’re looking for a plant that’s not too difficult to manage, but does require a little more care, then this plant will be perfect for you.
Begonias come in three types: tuberous, fibrous, and rhizomatous. You’re going to want to stay away from tuberous begonias. However, the fibrous and rhizomatous types make great indoor plants! You just want to make sure to place them in the most humid room of your home and near a sunny window, so they can get plenty of indirect light.
Just so you know, this is another plant that is highly susceptible to overwatering. Fortunately, the plant, itself, has a way of telling you when it’s ready for you to grab your watering can! When you notice the leaves starting to droop, it’s time. However, remember to water below the leaves to avoid them contracting any fungal disease (like powdery mildew).
African violets
One of the plants on the other end of the “delicate plant” spectrum is the African violet. These are the perfect small plant for those of us looking to add a little life to our home without sacrificing a ton of space — but they will need more careful care. These adorable little plants sprout dainty purple, blue, or white flowers over round, fuzzy leaves. They’re relatively easy to care for, but they do require a bit more attention than the previous plants on our list. You can check out more about them here or at the African Violet Society of America.
African violets thrive best when exposed to bright, indirect light from east- or north-facing windows, but artificial light works, too, if your home doesn’t get much natural sunlight. Luckily, your plant’s leaves will tell you if you’ve exposed them to too much or too little light — dark and thin leaves means it needs more sun and bleached green leaves means it needs more shade. Keeping them situated away from drafty windows and turning their pots regularly will help keep your violets vibrant and healthy.
Keep the soil lightly moist using only room temperature water, and make sure to water near the bottom of the plant to avoid the foliage, as these are easily susceptible to rot.
Don’t be discouraged if the flowers or leaves start to die. Prune off the dead ends, adjust your care accordingly, and your African violet will be back in full bloom in no time!
Venus fly trap
We’re ending our top indoor plants list with a small, notorious plant that I’m sure we’re all quite familiar with — at least by name.
Because of their slight size and short stature, your Venus fly trap should be able to adorn even the smallest of windowsills; however, they do best in bright, but indirect sunlight. You’ll want to keep them near a north-facing window, if at all possible; but, a sheer curtain or even a tree outside your window can help keep the intensity level where it needs to be. Alternatively, Venus fly traps will also grow under artificial grow lights! You’ll want to use one that produces light in the blue wavelength and keep them exposed for about 10 to 12 hours a day.
When it comes to watering, this plant is going to be the most finicky on our list — DON’T use tap water. Only use distilled or reverse osmosis water. Keep the soil moist but well-draining (a mixture of 1/3 sand and 2/3 sphagnum peat moss is the best for their drainage and moisture), so be sure to keep watering it regularly!
Venus fly traps are also the only plants on our list you may actually have to feed! Although they are named for the flies they capture, they most often catch the spiders who come into your home. While they are quite capable of catching their own prey, they aren’t always able to snag those common, fast-moving insects in your home. One or two bugs per month ought to do the trick, and it can be a fun experience to catch and feed the plant yourself! Just make sure not to feed them during their winter dormant period. This period lasts 3 to 4 months as the temperature gets cooler, and it is a necessary reset for your plant for the following year — like your plant’s hibernation period!
One of the best parts about fly traps is that they’re non-toxic! While they may not necessarily be friendly, they certainly won’t hurt your fur babies or any small children should they ever accidentally nibble on some of the leaves.
QUICK SIDE NOTE — Herbs are always an excellent choice, as well, when it comes to indoor plants, and growing your own is much more sustainable for your wallet and Mother Earth (plus it provides the freshest taste!).
If you’re looking to start your own indoor herb garden, we’ve got you covered for that, too! Check out our “How to Create a Simple Herb Garden in Your Apartment” for helpful tips and tricks to get you started.