10 Plants That Will Brighten Your Home and Turn Your Thumb Green

Bringing a plant into a home can improve your mood and assist in keeping the air you breathe clean!  There’s an abundance of options to choose from when deciding to add some greenery to your space.  With so many choices, it’s important to know where to start and which plant will suit your lifestyle and green thumb!

Below are 10 different varieties of plants with different levels of difficulty that are great options to start on your plant journey.

Snake Plant: Dracaena Trifasciata

This plant is one of the most popular houseplants for those starting out.  The low-maintenance care makes it ideal for those who do not have a lot of experience.  There are over 70 species of snake plants, but they all share various common qualities!  As part of the succulent family, this species requires little water and can grow well in a variety of temperatures.  These plants prefer to be kept in light to bright indirect sunlight, but some species can handle direct light better than others.

Monstera Minima: Rhaphidophora tetrasperma

This green leafy plant is easily recognized for its distinct negative space leaves and enjoys being placed in bright, indirect sunlight.  It’s best to place the plant where it will receive good morning light, followed by no light for the remainder of the day.  Only water the monstera minima when the top inch of soil is dry.  Since this is a tropical plant, it’s very important to not over-water!  This plant will do better if it is underwatered versus overwatered.  You’ll know when your monstera minima is happy because its leaves will begin to split creating its recognizable look!

Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum

With a reputation as one of the easiest houseplants to grow, pothos are a popular pick for many.  Known for being one of the best houseplants at improving indoor air quality, this long-stemmed ivy-like plant is the perfect addition to any home.  To care for your pothos plant, only water once the top inch of the soil is dry.  Keeping the plant in an environment above 50 degrees and in bright, indirect light will best care for its foliage.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Barbadensis

This popular succulent is known for its soothing powers on burned skin!  As part of the succulent family, aloe vera requires little maintenance and is very durable.  To keep your aloe plant happy, you’ll want to place it in a bright, warm area of your home.  In the spring through the fall, water the plant all the way through and let it almost completely dry before its next watering.  During the winter weather, your aloe plant will require less watering.  Only give its top layer a drink every few weeks in the colder months!

Chinese Money Plant: Pilea Peperomioides

The popular Chinese money plant is known for its unique saucer-shaped leaves.  To care for this plant, place it in an East or West facing window (you want it to get a good amount of light but want to avoid direct sunlight).  It’s advised to water the plant every 2 to 3 days to keep the soil lightly moist.  The leaves can reach up to 10 cm in diameter, and a healthy Chinese money plant can grow to be 12 inches tall with an equal width!  If you are thinking of adding this plant to your home, make sure you have the space for it once it matures. 

Spider Plant: Chlorophytum Comosum

This nontoxic plant is safe for furry friends and humans alike!  Known for being very adaptable, the spider plant can survive in lower light environments, but prefers to be in indirect light.   It’s recommended to use filtered water or let water sit out overnight before watering your spider plant as it can be sensitive to the chemicals in the water.  Allow your spider plant to dry before watering it again to avoid root rot. 

Zebra Plant: Haworthiopsis Fasciata

As another succulent on the list, the zebra plant shares many similarities with its cousin, aloe vera.  The zebra plant is a great pick for beginners because it grows well and requires little maintenance.  To care best for your zebra plant, you’ll want to employ the “soak and dry” method of watering.  This means fully watering the plant and then allowing it to almost fully dry before you water it again.  Since the plant is native to South Africa, it prefers a warm environment and will be happiest receiving lots of sunlight in the south-facing windows of your home!

Birds Nest Fern: Asplenium Nidus

These tropical ferns typically grow in warmer regions, such as Hawaii and Asia on top of palm trees!  The birds nest fern is becoming a more popular houseplant for its nontoxic and air purifying qualities.  To best nurture, your birds nest fern, place it in an East or North facing window.  These plants enjoy a moderate amount of shade and should be kept out of direct sunlight.  Like other ferns, the bird nest fern enjoys moisture, you’ll want to be sure the soil has some moisture to it but do not allow the soil to become soggy.  A good rule is to water it when the top inch of soil begins to become dry and to avoid watering the fern right in the middle.  Watering it to the side will help prevent mold growth in the roots.

Nerve Plant: Fittonia

This low-growing plant thrives in warmer, humid conditions like those of a rainforest.  To keep your nerve plant happy in its potted home, you’ll want to frequently mist the leaves to keep them from drying out.  As a tropical plant, the nerve plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight and will desire placement near a North facing window.  This plant is known for its striking appearance and if you choose to add it to your home it’s a nontoxic option! 

Air Plant: Tillandsia

The most unique plant on our list is also the easiest one to care for!  Air plants do not require soil to live and take their nutrients from the air directly, this also means they purify it too.  Because these plants are not bound to a pot to survive, they can grow and thrive in a variety of spaces and vessels.  These plants can be placed wherever there is sunlight.  A common spot is hanging in windows that receive indirect light.  To keep your plant the healthiest, water once a week.  If they’re in a location that dries them out faster (near an air vent or heater) mist them between watering to keep them happy.  Since there is no pot to put the water in, you’ll want to fill a container and allow your air plants to sit “root” down for 10-20 minutes.  After their bath, gently shake off the extra water and put them back in place!

Inspired to add some greenery to your home?  Purchasing plants is easy and fun!  Check out websites like Bloomscape and Lively Root to choose a new house plant and have directly shipped to your home.  These sites share care instructions of their plants and allow you to filter from various categories such as house/indoor, bestselling, pet friendly, and easy care!  If you prefer to purchase your plants in person Home Depot and Lowe's are great places to start.