Want to become a green thumb but not sure which indoor plants to grow at home? Our database will help you find a houseplant that works for your home/office space. See the following for the definitions of each column.

Plant Name Sunlight Requirement Space Needed Edible Safe for Pets Watering Frequency

There’s an indoor plant for everybody given that there are over tens of thousands of plant species we can pick from. Growing houseplants and gardening in general offers some great therapeutic benefits, especially for those who spend a lot of time at home or in the office. For example, did you know that gardening can provide a calming effort by reducing the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in our body? If you are an absolute beginner to gardening then here is a list of indoor plants we suggest you start off with.

Chinese Evergreen

If you are looking for an indoor plant that can adapt to many different indoor conditions then go for the Chinese Evergreen. One of the more difficult parts of indoor gardening is to get the watering right. There are many houseplants that will suffer from issues like root rot if they are over-watered, but that isn’t necessarily the case with the Chinese Evergreen. This plant will be super-forgiving even if you overdo the watering.

Snake Plants

You might have already seen a lot of these versatile plants in office spaces. A big reason for this is due to their natural air purifying properties. These plants are able to filter out common pollutants found in the air, such as CO2, benzene, xylene, toluene, and formaldehyde. Snake plants also do fine without full sun so they make an ideal indoor plant for gardening beginners.

Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera plants are succulents that require very little maintenance. You just need to grow them in pots that contain well-draining soil such as cactus and succulent potting mix. Once the plant matures, you can harvest the thick leaves and make use of the many health benefits the plant offers. Popular varieties include Barbadensis-miller, Crosby’s Prolific, and Aloe Ciliaris.

Kalanchoes

Kalanchoes are flowering plants that require little effort to grow. They make popular succculents because the blooms can appear in a variety of vibrant colors such as red, pink, white or yellow. They will grow best in sunny conditions, such as the space next south-facing windows. Popular varieties include Lanin Kalanchoe and Simone Kalanchoe.

Ponytail Palms

Just as the name implies, these popular indoor plants have a bulb-like trunk and long, curl leaves that resemble the appearance of a pony’s tail. They are gardening beginner-friendly because they don’t need to be watered frequently and only require fertilize two or three times a year. They do, however, need a sunny spot to thrive.

Sweet Basil

If you are looking to grow something that’s edible then start off with a herb such as the Sweet Basil. They can be grown in small pots or large planter boxes. It really depends on the scale at which you want to grow these aromatic plants. The most popular basil varieties include Thai sweet basil, lemon basil, and Genovese basil.

Pothos

If you have absolutely no confidence in your gardening ability then consider the pothos plant. These versatile indoor plants also make great additions for the office cubicle. They do well in shaded conditions and don’t need to be watered frequently. They are also one of several plant varieties that have air-purifying abilities.

Common Questions About Indoor Plants Indoor gardening may seem intimidating given the many different needs that a plant may have, but the learning curve is not as steep as some people may perceive it to be. Here are some frequently-asked questions that people may have about indoor gardening. How Do I Start an Indoor Garden? A lot will depend on the scale of gardening you are attempting but, at its most basic form, you only need a couple of tools to start an indoor garden. This includes the potting mix, container, and fertilizer. Before you bring any plants or seeds home, you need to first check on a couple of conditions such as the amount of sunlight your home gets, the humidity level, and the amount of space. Understanding these conditions will set your green thumb journey for success as you can then pick the houseplants that are best suited for your home environment. When Should You Start an Indoor Garden? Timing is less of a factor when it comes to indoor gardening since you will have more control over variables such as lighting and air temperature. A lot of houseplants will also grow year-round so indoor gardening can be started whenever you want. You may, however, need to invest in additional tools if you start growing indoor plants in the winter. Since there’s less sunlight, some houseplants that require full sun conditions may benefit from having a grow light setup inside the house. Where Should Indoor Plants be Placed? Unless you are dealing with an indoor plant that grows best in shaded conditions, most plant species will benefit from being placed near south-facing windows. The sun follows a southern east-to-west arc so southern windows generally offer the strongest light intensity.