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20 plants that totally thrive indoors
New Africa/Shutterstock

20 plants that totally thrive indoors

There are loads of benefits to having indoor plants. If you're looking to reap some of those benefits, start with one of these 20 plants. 

 
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Spider plant

Spider plant
Spider plant Shutterstock

A common house plant, you’ve probably seen a spider plant in someone else’s space. If you’re brand new to the house plant game, a spider plant is a great place to start because it’s sinfully easy to care for.

 
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Yucca cane plant

Yucca cane plant
Yucca cane plant Shutterstock

An indoor plant that grows tall is a plant worth having, or so some say. The yucca cane plant is a tropical plant that can grow up to eight feet tall, which is good considering it’s poisonous to house animals. 

 
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Money tree

Money tree
Money tree Shutterstock

If you want a good luck charm for wealth and prosperity, bring a money tree into your home. They’ve got a neat tropical look, and they’re easy to take care of, requiring little sunlight and water. They can grow pretty tall, so be aware of that before putting your tree in a room with low ceilings. 

 
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Watermelon peperomia

Watermelon peperomia
Watermelon peperomia Shutterstock

If you’ve ever looked at a watermelon and wished that its design came in plant form, you’re in luck. A watermelon peperomia plant is a great indoor plant with leaves that resemble the outside of a watermelon. They’re easy to care for and make a major impact. 

 
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Bird of paradise

Bird of paradise
Bird of paradise Shutterstock

Another great tropical plant to grow indoors, a bird of paradise is named for its vibrant flowers that resemble birds. Because it’s a tropical plant, these babies love heat and humidity, so if you like keeping your house warm, adopt a bird of paradise as an indoor plant. 

 
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String-of-pearls

String-of-pearls
String-of-pearls Shutterstock

When looking at a string-of-pearls plant, it’s easy to see how it got its name. This unique plant thrives indoors and is unlike any other houseplant. It’s probably best if you don’t have pets, though, as string-of-pearls are poisonous for cats and dogs. 

 
7 of 20

Japanese sago palm tree

Japanese sago palm tree
Japanese sago palm tree Shutterstock

We all want palm trees inside our homes, right? Luckily, there are many, many different palm varieties, including the Japanese sago palm tree, which works great indoors and won’t produce any coconuts (though maybe that’s a negative).

 
8 of 20

Parlor palm

Parlor palm
Parlor palm Shutterstock

Seriously, there are thousands of different types of palms in the world. Another great one for indoors is the parlor palm. It’s darling and doesn’t require much pruning, aside from removing the fronds that turn brown. 

 
9 of 20

Red prayer plant

Red prayer plant
Red prayer plant Shutterstock

Red prayer plants are perfect for the indoors. They don’t need much sunlight or water, and they do well in a pot. They also have cool oval leaves with red veining, making them a great option for fun, low-maintenance natural decor. 

 
10 of 20

Cast-iron plant

Cast-iron plant
Cast iron plant Shutterstock

A cast-iron plant is commonly seen indoors for a reason. It’s easy to take care of, and even able to withstand some neglect. They’re great if you’ve never had an indoor plant before, or if you travel often. 

 
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Bamboo desk plant

Bamboo desk plant
Bamboo desk plant Shutterstock

If you’re after something a little smaller, try a bamboo desk plant. These babies are actually babies. They’re small enough to sit on a desk. They can grow fairly tall, though, so make sure they have enough air space to thrive. 

 
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Philodendron

Philodendron
Philodendron Shutterstock

Another very popular indoor plant is a philodendron. These don’t like water and aren’t huge fans of sunlight, making them super low-maintenance. Philodendrons are also toxic to cats and dogs, so consider placing yours out of reach for your pets if you have a plant and animal home. 

 
13 of 20

Bird’s nest fern

Bird’s nest fern
Bird’s nest fern Shutterstock

Many ferns thrive indoors, although they vary in terms of care requirements. A bird’s nest fern does require some work, but it’s a great plant if you’re working on your gardening skills in the off-season. 

 
14 of 20

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa Shutterstock

You’ve definitely seen a Monstera Deliciosa before, even if you didn’t realize what you were looking at. Sometimes called a Swiss cheese plant, Monstera Deliciosas have heart-shaped leaves with holes, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a soul who doesn’t like the way they look. 

 
15 of 20

ZZ plant

ZZ plant
ZZ plant Shutterstock

ZZ plants are a rather popular indoor plant that grows a few feet tall despite only needing twice-monthly watering and quarterly fertilizing. They are toxic to animals and kids, though, so keep them in hard-to-reach spots if you’re worried they might get bitten. 

 
16 of 20

Aloe

Aloe
Aloe Shutterstock

Aloe plants do super well indoors, and there’s all sorts of stuff you can do with their leaves. If you want an indoor plant that will aid in wellness in a variety of ways, opt for an aloe. 

 
17 of 20

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen Shutterstock

It’s fun to find plants that do well indoors and have some color, such as a Chinese Evergreen. A bit of a misnomer considering this plant has leaves that aren’t entirely green, Chinese Evergreens are very low-maintenance and very beautiful. Aside from being toxic to pets, they are an ideal houseplant. 

 
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Oyster tricolor plant

Oyster tricolor plant
Oyster tricolor plant Shutterstock

Another great colorful indoor plant, an oyster tricolor plant has gorgeous leaves, some of which grow in a stunning purple shade. They like bright light, but they can handle all sorts of light sources. 

 
19 of 20

Peace lily

Peace lily
Peace lily Shutterstock

Peace lilies offer a calming presence and are easy to care for. They don’t do well in cool temperatures, but as long as you don’t let your home get to pipe-freezing temperatures, you should be just fine. 

 
20 of 20

Polka dot plant

Polka dot plant
Polka dot plant Shutterstock

Polka dot plants are all sorts of cute. Their green and pink leaves make everyone who lays eyes on them happy, and because they’re easy to care for, they’ll make you and all of your guests happy for a long time. 

Acacia Deadrick

Acacia Deadrick is a South Dakota-based writer who has written for sites such as Nicki Swift, The List, and Glam. She loves music and all things pop culture, and she can be found watching TV, completing a crossword puzzle, or reading in her spare time. 

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