Garden Houseplants 10 Best Beginner Houseplants—One for Every Room In Your Home Here's a guide for the right indoor foliage for each space. By Emily Hayes Emily Hayes Emily Hayes has worked as a reporter, writer, and editor for more than a decade. In addition to writing for MarthaStewart.com, Emily is an editor with U.S. News and World Report. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and is based in metro Atlanta. Editorial Guidelines Published on August 17, 2024 Close Photo: Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images You might’ve considered adding foliage to your indoor spaces, but are unsure where to begin—and goodness knows browsing the nursery can be overwhelming without a little guidance. Indoor plants may reduce stress, brighten your mood, and improve productivity. Whether you want to start with a simple herb in the kitchen—or perhaps become a "plant person" overnight—it’s important to understand the needs of each plant, your specific space, and what will complement each other best. We talked with multiple experts for their suggestions on the best indoor plants for every space in your home. 10 of the Easiest Vegetables to Grow at Home 01 of 10 Best for the Kitchen: Herbs Olga Miltsova/Getty Images Why buy herbs when you can grow your own? “A small herb garden in the kitchen is like having a farmer's market at your fingertips,” says Ben McInerney, certified arborist and founder of GoTreeQuotes.com.au. “Plus, there's nothing quite like the smell of fresh basil to motivate your cooking adventures.” Size: Up to 2 feet tall. Some herbs, such as rosemary, can grow up to 6 feet Growing conditions: At least six to eight hours of sunlight and frequent watering; others flourish with substantial, indirect sunlight and more infrequent watering 10 Best Herbs to Grow in Your Garden or on Your Windowsill 02 of 10 Best for the Family Room: Pothos (Epipremmum Aureum) Anashy / Getty Images According to Matt Ramos, owner of Plant Sensation & Co., pothos is an ideal choice for the family room. Its trailing vines are cheerful and it's known as one of the easiest plants to care for. “Pothos add a lively, green touch to your family space, and are so fun to propagate and share with others,” he says. Size: Up to 10 feet tall Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light, water when the soil is dry to the touch 10 Pothos Varieties You'll Want to Add to Your Houseplant Collection 03 of 10 Best for the Formal Living Area: Elephant Ear (Colocasia) Veruree Apisitamornkul / GETTY IMAGES Michelle Poitras, principal interior designer at Lucien Marie Design, loves adding statement plants—such as tropical varieties with large foliage—to living and family rooms. “These areas are often more spacious, providing ample room for larger plants to grow in height and width,” she says. “The elephant ear features impressive large, velvety leaves.” Size: 3 to 6 feet in height and width Growing conditions: Bright, indirect sunlight and soil that stays consistently moist How to Grow and Care for Elephant Ear Plants, Tropical Tubers That Thrive in Nearly Any Warm Environment 04 of 10 Best for the Library: Cacti and Succulents FollowTheFlow / Getty Images The library is where light is welcomed everywhere, from the reading tables to the bookshelves, says Melvin Cubian, gardening expert at the PlantIn app. “This ideal environment is good for growing sun-loving plants like cacti, echeveria, sedum, aloes, and jade,” he says. “Their tucked and neat appearance also make it a perfect living object to decorate empty bookshelves, adding an extra flare to the study room's interior.” Size: Anywhere from 2 to 12 inches tall Growing conditions: Direct or indirect bright light and low watering How to Care for the Succulents You Grow Indoors 05 of 10 Best for the Bedroom: Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Yin Jiang / Getty Images Lavender isn’t just for sachets anymore. “A potted lavender plant can transform your bedroom into an aromatic oasis,” says McInerney. “One client reported better sleep after adding lavender to their nightstand—it's like a lullaby for your nose.” Size: 2 to 3 feet tall Growing conditions: Full sun, water when soil is dry to the touch How to Grow and Care for a Lavender Plant, One of Martha's Favorite Perennials 06 of 10 Best for the Child’s Room: Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastica) Wipe the leaves of your rubber plant with a dusting feather or a damp cloth, or simply give it a shower to remove dust and help the leaves shine. Crystal Bolin Photography/Getty. Safety is Cubian’s top priority when choosing plants for a child’s room, and he avoids spiny or thorny plants that might accidentally cause harm. “Rubber trees are a suitable candidate to place in a corner of the kid's space because of their harmless foliage,” he says. “In addition, the thick, rubbery leaves and the hardy stems can resist any accidental damage and regrow as if nothing happened.” Size: Anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light and moderate watering 07 of 10 Best for the Guest Room: ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) Nataliia Tymofieieva / GETTY IMAGES The ZZ Plant is perfect for a guest room due to its resilience and minimal care requirements. “It can tolerate low to bright, indirect light and only needs occasional watering, making it ideal for environments where the plant might not receive daily attention,” says Ramos. “Its glossy, dark foliage adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, making it a welcome addition that enhances the room aesthetically.” Size: ZZ plants can grow up to 3 feet tall. Growing conditions: Low to bright, indirect light, occasional watering 08 of 10 Best for the Bathroom: Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Getty The bathroom is often overlooked when decorating with plants, but some varieties thrive in its environment. McInerney suggests choosing a spider plant for your indoor rainforest. “These plants are the Olympic swimmers of the plant world—they love humidity,” he says. “I've seen spider plants turn a sterile bathroom into a lush, tropical retreat.” Size: Up to 2 feet tall Growing conditions: Medium to bright light, water when dry 09 of 10 Best for the Laundry Room: Snake Plant (Dracaena) Adam Yee/Getty Images The laundry room is one space where plants may be affected by subtle yet constant scents. “While these may not significantly damage the plant, it is wise to choose one that is capable of withstanding these volatile chemicals, and snake plants are a perfect fit in this environment,” Cubian says. “Also, its striking leaf pattern complements well with the all-white and modern interior of most laundry rooms.” Size: 2 to 5 feet tall Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light and low watering Snake Plants Are the Perfect Beginner-Friendly Houseplant—Here's How to Care for One 10 of 10 Best for the Home Office: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) Grumpy Cow Studios \ Getty McInerney believes the peace lily is an air-purifying powerhouse that is like a natural air freshener for your space. “One client swears their peace lily helped reduce headaches and improve focus—it's like hiring a green assistant,” he says. While the air-purifying effects aren't scientifically proven, it's still a beautiful plant that can brighten up a workspace. Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing conditions: Indirect sunlight and moist, well-draining soil Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit