Looking to add more indoor plants to your indoor garden? The good news is that there is a wide variety of common houseplants to choose from.
Below is 19 houseplants that are popular, easy to find, and even easier to grow.
List of Common Indoor Plants
We’ve listed the following houseplants in alphabetical order. Each one has a care guide plus a link to Amazon or Etsy, where you can have them delivered directly to you!
Some Of Our General Houseplant Guides You’ll Find Helpful:
- A Guide To Watering Indoor Plants
- Beginner’s Guide To Repotting Plants
- 3 Ways To Successfully Fertilize Indoor Plants
- Winter Houseplant Care
- Cleaning Houseplants: How & Why I Do It
1. Air Plants
Officially called Tillandsias, Air Plants are a rather unique plant because they don’t need to grow in soil, meaning that they quite literally grow in air. Talk about unusual!
Air Plants are epiphytes. In their natural environments, they usually grow under the canopy of a tree or plant, which acts as a means of support.
If that wasn’t enough, air plants are also unique because of their look. Their leaves look like they belong to underwater sea creatures.
But, you can actually care for them easily in your own home. The care they require is different from other common houseplants so check out the care guide below.
These are tabletop and hanging plants.
Learn more: Air Plant Care
Air Plant Care In A Dry Climate
SHOP: 12 Pack Tillandsia Ionantha Air Plants
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is probably the most popular succulent ever. Because of its beneficial properties, you can buy the plant itself or grocery stores will also sell aloe vera gel or Aloe Vera Leaves.
Aloe Vera has lots of nicknames: Aloe barbadensis, First Aid Plant, True Aloe, African Aloe, Burn Plant, and Miracle Plant. As you can see by its other names, Aloe Vera is highly favored for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
But it’s also gorgeous to look at. Aloe Vera can grow successfully indoors in any climate with the right care.
Aloe Vera is a tabletop plant.
Learn more: Aloe Vera Care
Aloe Vera 101: A Round Up Of Aloe Vera Plant Care Guides
SHOP: Costa Farms Aloe Vera
3. Anthurium
Anthurium, also known as Laceleaf, is known for its bright flowers. If you’re looking for an indoor plant with a pop of color, then consider this one. Red is their most common flower color but you can also them find them in pink, green, purple, pink, and white.
Red Anthuriums can live as long-lasting houseplants with proper care. The flowers are long-lasting too. There are a few key things to do to ensure your plant thrives. Check out the care guide below this photo.
Anthuriums are tabletop plants.
Learn more: Anthurium Care
SHOP: Costa Farms Blooming Anthurium Live Indoor Plant
4. Bromeliads
Bromeliads are a leafy friend that will also add lots of color varieties to your home. They are tropical plants that can live well indoors.
Bromeliads are a houseplant force to be reckoned with. They are over 2,877 different species, including pineapples. Yes, one of the most popular fruits!
The photo below shows Guzmanias in pink and yellow blooms. This is one popular species to grow as a houseplant. There are also Aechmea Fasciatas and Tillandsia Cyaneas.
Bromeliads are tabletop plants. You frequently see them in dish gardens too.
Learn more: Bromeliad Care
Bromeliads 101: A Round Up Of Our Care Posts
SHOP: Costa Farms Flowering Bromeliad Indoor Plant
5. Chinese Evergreen
Officially named Aglaonemas, the Chinese Evergreen is a tropical plant native to Asia and New Guinea.
The patterned leaves (which are available in a wide range of color combos now) give it a unique look. The foliage also gives a full look so smaller varieties make great tabletop houseplants.
The larger varieties are low, wide floor plants with a rounded form. They make fine underplantings for tall floor plants and the smaller ones are also seen in dish gardens and living walls.
Learn more: Chinese Evergreen Care
Aglaonema Siam Aurora (Red Aglaonema) Care
SHOP: Costa Farms Aglaonema Red Chinese Evergreen Live Indoor Plant
6. Christmas Cactus
Christmas Cacti bloom around the holiday season which explains the reasoning behind their name. The official name for this tropical plant is Schlumbergera.
It’s a very attractive succulent, especially when blooming during the holiday season. However, you can enjoy it year-round because it’s a long-lasting indoor plant.
Christmas Cacti (Holiday Cacti) are tabletop plants.
Learn more: Christmas Cactus Care
SHOP: Christmas Cactus Zygocactus Assorted Colors Live Plant
Hirt’s Pink Christmas Cactus Plant – Zygocactus
7. Dragon Tree
Dracaeana marginatas, or Dragon Trees, are floor plants with long stems (or canes). The plant can live for many, many years with very little care and maintenance.
They grow in many interesting forms. The slim leaves and long trunk give it a tropical look suited for modern decors.
Dragon Trees are slow to grow but they can reach up to 15 feet in height.
Dracaena marginatas are usually sold as floor plants. 4, 6, and 8″ plants can be used on tabletops.
Learn more: Dragon Tree Care
SHOP: Madagascar Dragon Tree
8. Fiddleleaf Fig
The Fiddleleaf Fig, or Ficus lyrata, is a personal favorite of Joy Us Garden. This popular plant does not disappoint. The large leaves are a sight to see!
The name comes from the shape of the leaves which resemble a fiddle.
This houseplant is probably the most finicky on this list because it does not like to be moved and requires a lot of natural light. But it’s not too tricky if you follow the right steps to care for it.
Fiddleleaf Figs are floor plants and can grow to 10 – 15′ indoors. ‘Bambino” is a lower-growing variety which maxes out around 3’.
Learn more: Fiddleleaf Fig Care
SHOP: Costa Farms Ficus Lyrata
9. Jade Plants
Jade Plants are succulents that grow resiliently. Their official name is Crassula ovata.
With thick stems and oval-shaped leaves, they look like miniature trees.
Jade Plants can also live for a long time and because they tolerate dry air just fine, they live well indoors.
Jade Plants are commonly sold as tabletop plants. They can reach 4-5′ but do grow slowly.
Learn more: Jade Plant Care
SHOP: Sunset Jade Plant
10. Kalanchoes
This popular flowering succulent, usually called Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe or Flaming Katy, is very easy to find.
Kalanchoes grow in a wide variety of colors, all of which are vibrant hues. They’re complemented by glossy, dark green foliage.
Kalanchoes are tabletop plants.
Learn more: Kalanchoe Care
SHOP: Live Kalanchoe Blooming Plant
11. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo actually is not bamboo at all. It’s a Dracaena sanderiana or Dracaena braunii to be exact.
The canes, stalks, or stems (whatever you prefer to call them) resemble the canes of a bamboo plant. It’s a novelty plant because it grows in water for the long haul.
Lucky Bamboo has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years but has really become a popular houseplant in the United States. It is commonly found across the world too.
Lucky Bamboo is a tabletop plant.
Learn more: Lucky Bamboo Care
24 Things To Know About Caring For & Growing Lucky Bamboo
SHOP: Live 3 Style Party Set of 4 Bamboo Plant Arrangement w/Ceramic Vase
12. Monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa is nicknamed the Swiss Cheese Plant because of the holes and cutouts in its leaves. The leaves truly are fanciful!
The Monstera deliciosa is a vine that grows in the tropical regions in North and South America. As yours grows, it’ll need a means of support.
Swiss Cheese Plants are generally sold as wide floor plants.
Learn more: Monstera Deliciosa Care
SHOP: Philodendron Monstera Deliciosa Live Plant with 6″ Pot
13. Peace Lily
As the name suggests, the Peace Lily, or Spathiphyllum, gives off a peaceful and elegant vibe.
They have dark green leaves and white flowers, which are leaf bracts that grow around the actual flower. They are sold in bloom and I’ve found that they flower sparsely and intermittently throughout the year if happy.
The Peace Lily is commonly sold as a tabletop plant. The larger varieties are low, wide floor plants.
Learn more: Peace Lily Care
SHOP: 6″ Peace Lily from American Plant Exchange
14. Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata, typically called Elephant’s Foot or Ponytail Palm, is native to Mexico. In nature, they can actually grow to be stellar trees!
The Ponytail Palm is a fun one to have in your collection. It’s perfectly happy with an occasional watering and requires plenty of sunlight.
Ponytail Palms are commonly sold as tabletop plants. As they grow (which is slowly indoors), they develop a trunk and will become floor plants.
Read more: Ponytail Palm Care
SHOP: Ponytail Palm Bonsai
15. Pothos
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a great houseplant option if you want to add simple greenery to your home.
Pothos is often displayed as a hanging houseplant because of the long stems and gorgeous green leaves. It’s one of the most common houseplants out there. There are a variety of leaf sizes and color combos on the market now.
If you want a tropical vibe in your own, Pothos is a great option.
Pothos are sold as tabletop or hanging plants.
Learn more: Pothos Care
Neon Pothos Care: A Vibrant Chartreuse Houseplant
SHOP: Costa Farms Devil’s Ivy Golden Pothos White-Natural Decor Planter Live Indoor Plant
16. Rubber Plants
The Rubber Plant is also known as Ficus elastica and Rubber Tree. These are very fun to keep as houseplants!
Rubber Plants are another tree-like plant that can thrive indoors. They can grow to great heights if you want them to. Available in different leaf colors and patterns, I find them easier to grow than the Fiddleleaf Fig and Weeping Fig.
Rubber Plants are commonly sold as floor plants.
Learn more: Rubber Plant Care
SHOP: Burgundy Rubber Tree
17. Snake Plants
Sansevierias are one of the toughest houseplants out there. These spiky beauties can tolerate almost anything. They come in a variety of sizes, forms, and leaf patterns.
Snake Plants are as low maintenance as it gets. You really only need to “care” for them every few weeks, if that. They thrive just fine on their own!
Many Snake Plants are sold as tabletop plant and the taller ones as floor plants.
Learn more: Snake Plant Care
SHOP: Costa Farms Premium Live Indoor Snake Sansevieria Floor Plant
18. Spider Plant
A Spider Plant is botanically named Chlorophytum comosum. It’s also known as Airplane Plant, St. Bernard’s Lily, Spider Ivy, and Ribbon Plant.
The Spider Plant takes on a life of its own! The long stems with flowers at the ends will grow any in directions they choose. This is also true for the babies which are a snap to propagate.
These are easy houseplants because they tolerate a variety of conditions. Like many plants on this list, they’re durable and work well for beginners.
Spider Plants are tabletop or hanging plants.
Learn more: Spider Plant Care
SHOP: Bonnie Curly Spider Plant
19. ZZ Plant
The botanic name for the ZZ Plant is Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is also known as Zanzibar Gem.
The glossy leaves on long, arching stems make them very attractive, so the ZZ Plant has become very popular.
ZZ Plants can be displayed as floor plants or tabletop plants.
Learn more: ZZ Plant Care
SHOP: Costa Farms ZZ Zamioculcas zamiifolia
And there you have it! These were some of our favorite picks of common houseplants.
Happy gardening!
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our policies here. Your cost for the products will be no higher but Joy Us garden receives a small commission. Thank you for helping us spread the word & make the world a more beautiful place!
About the Author
Miranda is a content manager for Joy Us Garden. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, reading a good book, or critiquing a new movie or TV show. Check out her marketing blog here.