25 Best Indoor Plants to Brighten Any Room

Often referred to as “Dumb Cane,” Dieffenbachia is popular for its tropical, lush leaves patterned with variegated tones of green and white. The easy-care houseplant thrives in indirect light, but can tolerate low light (the leaves may not grow as large). Water it every one to two weeks when the top few inches of the soil feels dry.

Water: Every one to two weeks, or when the top inch or two of soil feels dry
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light
Note: The sap can be toxic to pets and children if ingested

This eye-catching houseplant features oval-shaped leaves marked with vibrant red veining. The maranta leuconeura is referred to as the “prayer plant,” because of its tendency to fold its leaves at night — which some believe resembles hands in prayer. The humidity-loving houseplant prefers soil that is consistently moist, but not soggy. Feel free to give it a misting between waterings.

Water: Every one to two weeks, or when the soil is 25% dry
Sunlight: Bright to moderate, indirect light

Considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, the money tree (pachira aquatica) is a low-maintenance houseplant that can grow up to eight-feet tall indoors. The tropical wetland tree is native to Central and South America and often recognized for its braided trunk (although braided money trees are actually multiple trees bound together when they’re young). Aim to expose your money tree to bright, indirect sunlight six hours a day, and only water it when the soil is dry.

Water: Every one to two weeks, or when the soil is 50% dry
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light

RELATED: How to Care for a Money Tree to Garner Good Luck

Give any room a tropical feel with a bird of paradise, defined by its glossy, broad leaves. It thrives in warmer conditions and plenty of sunlight (it can even tolerate some direct rays). Allow the soil to dry at least 50% before watering it — which may be more or less often, depending on how much sun it gets.

Water: Every one to two weeks, or when the soil is 50% dry
Sunlight: Bright indirect or direct light

Popular for its glossy, dark green leaves with pinkish-red accents, the rubber plant is a unique addition to any interior. This easy-to-care-for plant — native to Asia — thrives in low, indirect light. When it comes to watering, it should only be done when the soil is on the dry side (about once a week).

Water: Once per week
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

RELATED: How to Keep Your Rubber Tree Plant Looking Its Best Indoors

Native to Mexico and Central America, Monstera Deliciosa requires minimal care. The heart-shaped leaves — often with holes — can grow as large as 35 inches long and 25 inches wide. The exotic houseplant requires moderate watering and indirect light (bright to medium is best).

Water: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Bright to medium indirect sunlight
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

RELATED: How to Care for a Monstera Deliciosa Plant

Decorate your home with these lush, tropical fronds. Parlor palms love humidity, so you may want to mist the leaves frequently, but as for watering, every one to two weeks should suffice. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and expect to water it more often in brighter light. With proper care, they can grow tall — think up to six feet!

Water: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light

Bring the beauty of this unusual plant into your home, and you won’t be disappointed. Keep it happy with a watering schedule of two to three weeks — soil that’s kept lightly moist is best. Aim for bright, indirect sunlight several hours every day, but it can also benefit from a few hours of direct sunlight during morning hours when the sun isn’t as strong.

Water: Every two to three weeks
Sunlight: A combination of bright direct and indirect sunlight
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Arguably one of the most popular indoor trees, the fiddle leaf fig is known for its large, broad leaves. We’ll admit they’re pricey, but they’re sure to make a statement in a home — and will bring years and years of joy with proper care. It loves bright direct sunlight, but can also tolerate indirect light.

Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Sunlight: Bright light, direct or indirect

RELATED: Best Indoor Trees to Spruce up Your Space

If you’re partial to trailing plants, you’ll appreciate the beauty of the String of Hearts, which boast vines up to 12 feet long. They’re native to South Africa and all of its variegations have heart-shaped leaves that add charm. The exotic houseplant loves bright, indirect sunlight, ideal for a south- or west-facing window.

Water: Every one to two weeks, when soil is 2/3 dry
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light

What’s not to like about philodendrons? Their name is derived from the Greek words philo-, which means “love,” and dendron — the word for “tree.” Most types of Philodendron — like this heartleaf philodendron — can tolerate low light and very little watering. They like to be on the dry side, so don’t fill the watering can more than once per week.

Water: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light, can tolerate low indirect light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

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You could let the long tendrils hang from a mantel or shelf, but the climbing plant is also game for topiaries. Chicago Botanic Garden recommends Cascade, Domino and Irish Lace as some of the best potted varieties. Ivy plants don’t like to be overwatered, so wait until the top inch or so of soil dries out.

Water: Every one to two weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright, indirect light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

What’s better than one spider plant? Multiple spider plants. The fast-growing shoots produce little “babies” that you can re-pot for added greenery elsewhere. Native to South Africa, the spider plant is an easygoing houseplant ideal for beginners. Just stick to well-lit spots, and don’t forget weekly watering.

Water: Once per week
Sunlight: Bright to moderate indirect sunlight

When it comes to low-maintenance flowering plants, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than an orchid. Don’t overwater them (once a week will do) and give this popular pick bright, indirect light. We especially love them for offices!

Water: Once per week
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light

RELATED: 20 Indoor Flowering Plants to Brighten up Your Home All Year Round

You can keep the potting soil in the shed for this one. Tillandsia grows without dirt altogether. “Just dunk them in water for about two or three hours every 10 days or so,” says Tovah Martin, expert gardener and author of The Indestructible Houseplant. You can also mist them a few times per week.

Water: Every 10 to 14 days
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light

Also known as Aglaonema, the Chinese Evergreen is a great pick if you’re looking for a trouble-free houseplant, providing you follow proper growing conditions. It only needs watering every 5 to 10 days (watch out for soggy soil) and low to bright indirect sunlight to keep it intact. You can find varieties with green leaves adorned in bold stripes ranging from silver to red.

Water: Every five to 10 days
Sunlight: Low to bright indirect light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, are ideal for those who tend to overwater plants. Give it sufficient light, and you’ll see their spade-shaped flowers flourish over time. They can tolerate low light, but there may be less blooms.

Watering: Once per week
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

One of many sansevierias, the snake plant is tough to kill. Its stiff, sharp and spiky leaves store water, so you can water it as little as once per month. Native to tropical West Africa, this houseplant grows slowly, but can reach anywhere from eight inches to 12 feet depending on the variety.

Water: Once per month
Sunlight: Bright to medium indirect sunlight
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

RELATED: How to Grow and Care for a Snake Plant

Officially named Zamioculcas zamiifolia, the ZZ plant is native to East Africa. Called “the king of the indestructible plants,” the species tolerates the dangerous trifecta of plant-killers: drought, low light and low humidity. Just water it every two to three weeks, more often if it’s displayed in bright sunlight.

Water: Every two to three weeks
Sunlight: Medium to bright indirect light, but can tolerate low light
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

This tropical houseplant is defined by its long, sword-shaped leaves with pointed tips. It can be as little as 2 feet tall, or grow up to 6 to 8 feel tall. The recipe for a happy yucca is easy: sun, sun and more sun. Plant in a container deep enough to balance the top-heavy woody stems and water sparingly. They’re prone to overwatering, so only water once the soil has dried up.

Water: Every 10 to 14 days, when soil is dry
Sunlight: Bright, indirect light, but can tolerate full sun
Take note: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs.