8 Best Plants to Grow Indoors

Plants don’t seem to want to live in my house. After the last plant I had turned almost completely brown, I decided to give up on growing anything indoors for awhile. Recently, I was inspired to give it another try after I heard Kamal Meattle talk about his experience with plants. Kamal had asthma so badly that doctors predicted he could die if his living environment didn’t change. Then, by simply adding plants in his home and workspace, his health drastically improved and his asthma symptoms subsided (you can listen to his Ted Talks presentation here).

Not only do plants provide a nice aesthetic quality in the home, but they can have actual benefits on health. Many plants filter toxins like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene, which can seep into the home from building materials and paint. Beyond cleaning the air, plants can reduce stress and symptoms of depression.

With sheer determination to find something that won’t die in my cave-like bedroom, I’ve perused some websites and nurseries in search of the most hearty houseplants. The following eight seem to be the best candidates, all requiring low-to-moderate levels of light and water.

Jade plant, pictured above (also called Money Tree), is a beautiful succulent that requires very little water (it can go all together without agua for up to a month). It is tolerant of a little shade, but will do better if placed next to a window. If grown under particular conditions, Jade plant may produce small white or pink leaves.

Image Credit: UshaJ via WikkiCommons

Winning the award for the most elegant, the Peace lily has white flowers with long, dark leaves, and does not require too much sun; yellowish leaves may indicate that the plant is receiving more sunlight than it needs. The plant may do best if placed within 6 to 8 feet of a window. If the leaves begin to droop, it may need more water; make sure the soil dries out between waterings.

Caution: Lilies are considered highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested. They have not shown the same poisonous effects to dogs. Click here for a listing of plants that are poisonous to pets.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Audrey G.

2:12AM PDT on Apr 10, 2012

Needed this info desperately, thank you! I've been an avid 'house plant' person for over 7 yrs now and these tips have helped me understand why some of my plants didn't make it; I had a gorgeous 'peace lily' that someone gave me as a gift and it just didn't last long. I still don't understand what I did wrong, but I am learning that I am an 'over-waterer' so I really have to discipline myself not to. (my plants are 2nd on my list of 'babies', my kitties are #1!) So learning which plants are toxic to them will also help me choose more 'cat friendly' house plants! Keep the info coming!!!!!

send a green star

Lynn D.

1:43AM PDT on Apr 10, 2012

How cool.........have to go get some! Thanks for information!

Debbie C.

3:33AM PDT on Mar 21, 2012

Pothos grows like crazy at our house. I can not even estimate how many plants I have given away after cutting and rooting them!!!

My husband went to a yard sale one day & brought home this plant in a 6 inch pot they called an "Eraser Plant." My aunt saw it and called it a "Pencil Plant", so I am not sure of it's real name since I have never seen it before. This was 6 years ago, and now the plant is taller than I am. It is unique, that is for sure.

We have about 40 plants throughout the house. In the spring, I set most of them on our outside enclosed front porch. When it rains, I take them all outside to wash off the dust from their leaves, then bring them back in. They all look a lot healtier then.

Jennie C.

7:02PM PDT on Mar 18, 2012

See video of the TickleMe Plant in action and then grow one.
http://www.ticklemeplant.com

7:01PM PDT on Mar 18, 2012

Grow The world's Favorite house plant. The TickleMe plant closes its leaves and lowers its branches when Tickled

Sara G.

10:34AM PST on Mar 10, 2012

My mom keeps plants but I don't... After reading this maybe it would be a good idea to start!

Helga S.

2:09AM PST on Mar 5, 2012

Zamioculcas is one of the few plants I have managed to keep alive year after year.

Mody A.

9:55PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

be happy
http://liferaises.com

Sarah M.

9:32PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Thanks

Sheri P.

8:36PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

wow, the mother-in-law's tongue plant is interesting! it sounds muy beneficial though! probably easier to keep around the house than your actual mother-in-law...LOL! i LOVE the lucky bamboo plant! i want one of those! i have several peace lily plants in my house and 2 cats...fortunately they leave the plants alone!!