11 Beautiful Plants to Brighten Up Your Home

Rubber Plant

• Botanical Name: Ficus elastica
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Fast-draining, all-purpose potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0

The rubber plant is a fairly easy evergreen that was a popular indoor plant during the ’70s, and it’s making a big comeback. The stunning burgundy color and other variegations add a pretty pop to any room, but it’s the large, leathery, glossy leaves that have people clamoring for this handsome houseplant. And the best part is the rubber plant actually likes to be pot-bound. Just set it and (mostly) forget it.

PlantVine Ficus Elastica ‘Burgundy’ $50

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Snake Plant

• Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Sun Exposure: Low to moderate, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix
• Soil pH: 4.5 to 7.0

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the low-maintenance sansevieria is a great indoor plant for homeowners lacking a green thumb. "These guys are about as easy and forgiving as it gets," says Anderson. If you forget about it, don’t stress; these plants can go for a month without water. Just make sure your snake plant is in a pot with good drainage, or you'll risk root rot. Its firm, super-straight leaves come in a variety of colors and shapes and make for a great, bold look that is well-complemented by a designer planter. "The long, thin height of their leaves look fabulous on furniture and tucked away into corners," suggests Anderson.

The Sill Snake Plant Laurentii $57

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Bird of Paradise

• Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5

The bird-of-paradise species is commonly mistaken for the banana plant, thanks to its large leaves and enormous height. This beauty can grow to more than 6 feet in height, and its banana-like leaves can reach 28 inches in length. Its oversized evergreen leaves are one of the reasons it has become such a popular houseplant, and they usually unfold one at a time in a crisscross pattern that resembles a fan shape at the crown. Its most magnificent feature, though, is its bird-like flower of orange and blue you'll be rewarded with if you give it enough bright light.

Lively Root Giant Bird of Paradise $114

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Parlor Palm Tree

• Botanical Name: Chamaedorea elegans
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained cactus, palm, or potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.1 to 7.5

Palms are incredibly atmospheric; as soon as they’re in the room, you immediately feel a tropical, luxurious vibe. They work particularly well in larger rooms with tall ceilings but can spruce up a spacious apartment, too. Palms work well indoors because they tolerate shade and are slow-growing, so they won’t outgrow their space too quickly.

The Sill Parlor Palm $60

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Monstera Deliciosa

• Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0

Perhaps one of the trendiest on this list is the monstera. It features a beautiful split-leaf shape and glossy green color. When young, the monstera leaf is intact, but its leaves begin to split as it ages and become like Swiss cheese, hence its common nickname, Swiss-cheese plant. "Okay, I will warn you now—this plant will really turn into a monster!" says Anderson. Monsteras need a lot of space—they like to be the hero of a room, not tucked away in a corner where no one can see, so give yours the love it needs. "They will shoot out aerial roots all over the place that are simply part of the nature of the plant, so let them be," advises Anderson. Consider adding base support, such as a small trellis or a pole, to keep it upright as it grows.

Pretty in Green Monstera Deliciosa $55

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Alocasia

• Botanical Name: Alocasia amazonica
• Sun Exposure: Medium to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5

The sharp heart-shaped leaves of this stunning alocasia will make you smile every time you look at it. It's a medium-light plant, so you will want to position it in a bright area of the house with mostly indirect light. It may require a little more care than a low-light plant, but it has a lot of love to give. Keep the soil consistently moist and consider placing your alocasia in a high-humidity area like your bathroom, or spritz it regularly and keep the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water, so it can soak up all that evaporated moisture.

Plants.com Elephants Ear (Alocasia Polly) $50

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Philodendron

There is so much to love about this glossy green plant. Its striking leaf shape is a beautiful addition to any interior, but the best part about the stylish species is that it actually thrives in low light. It’s also drought-friendly, preferring to be on the dry side. There are literally hundreds of species, but the split-leaf philodendron seems to be a popular choice thanks to its striking, large-scale leaves.

PlantVine Split-leaf Philodendron $43

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Pothos

• Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: All-purpose potting soil
• Soil pH: 6.1 to 6.5

If you look up “houseplants you can’t kill,” pothos will always be on the list. Anderson agrees: "This is by far, in my opinion, the easiest plant you can get." And boy does it grow. The tropical vine’s trail can reach up to 10 feet indoors, and even longer in its natural environment. What makes it so simple to grow? "The Pothos can tolerate anything—forgetting to water it, not getting enough light, accidentally ripping off half of its stem...you name it," continues Anderson. Plus, it can actually purify the air you breathe each day. 

The Sill Marble Queen Pothos $57

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ZZ Plant

• Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: All-purpose potting soil
• Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

ZZs are a classic low-light plant and are some of the easiest to care for, too. They'll thrive in almost any lighting and handle drought like a champ. The shiny, deep green leaves pop with any decor style and tolerate just about any condition, making them a great choice for beginners. Bonus: they help improve air quality by filtering out toxins. Keep in mind, though, that they're toxic when ingested, so keep out of reach of pets and kids.

Greenery Unlimited 10" Zamioculcas Zamifolia $90

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Bird's Nest Fern

• Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus
• Sun Exposure: Medium to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting soil
• Soil pH: 5.0 to 5.5

The frilly leafed bird's nest fern is another perfectly easy houseplant to add to (or kick off) your collection to brighten up any space. You've even got some control over the look of this fern—the more light you give it, the more crinkled its leaves will look. Like most ferns, this guy needs high humidity and constant moisture, so don't let the soil dry out and keep those leaves hydrated with frequent misting. Because of the bright green, arching leaves, bird's nest ferns look great in hanging planters, too.

The Sill Bird's Nest Fern $46

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Weeping Fig

• Botanical Name: Ficus benjamina
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Rich, fast-draining potting mix
• Soil pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Though the weeping fig is a relative to the popular fiddle-leaf fig, you'll find it to be much easier going than its fickle cousin. You can find these plants in many sizes and variegations, which makes them very adaptable. It will tolerate most light situations, though it's happiest in bright, indirect light. Like most ficus, the benjamina loves humidity and moisture, so keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy) and leaves dust-free for best absorption. Keep in mind that Ficus benjamina is toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Brighter Blooms Ficus Benjamina Tree $90

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