Popular Houseplants and their Preferred Growing Conditions

Baby Rubber Plant, Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia). This plant likes filtered light. Make sure to use potting soil with lots of organic material. An added benefit of the Baby Rubber Plant is that it helps to remove impurities from the air. Water infrequently. Aggie Horticulture has a good website about the Baby Rubber Plant.
Cast iron plant (Aspidistra). This is a great plant for low light levels. It does well in high heat and in cooler temperatures as well. The cast iron plant can go for long periods without watering. Try watering about once every eight to ten days. This is one of the toughest plants out there. See this Aggie Horticulture website for more information about the cast iron plant.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema). This plant grows well with minimal light, low water levels, and cooler ambient temperatures. It will work fine in an air conditioned building. Avoid direct sunlight though. Clemson University has a website with more information about the Chinese evergreen.
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana). The corn plant grows well in full to filtered sunlight. It has nice flowers with a pleasant scent. Don’t overwater it and avoid applying too much fertilizer. This plant can go almost two weeks between waterings.
Devil's ivy (Golden Pothos). Devil’s ivy is a common houseplant and is easy to grow from cuttings. It does very well in low light levels. You can let this plant go for a week or so without water. Be careful about overwatering. Avoid growing Devil’s ivy in full sun.
Dwarfpalm (Collinea). This is a tough plant but keep it away from drafts. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. This plant likes medium, filtered light.
Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron cordatum). This plant has nice heart shaped leaves that are dark green. It looks great in a hanging basket or on the ground. Low filtered light is best. This plant needs a decent amount of water, so don’t let the soil dry out too much. It prefers warm temperatures so keep it away from drafts. Please see this excellent website from the University of Vermont on growing the heart-leaf philodendron.
Jade plant, Crassula. Jades are easy to grow and like bright light. However, be careful about moving a Jade growing in filtered light directly into bright light. This can cause sunburn. You can let the soil dry out during the winter, but water more frequently during the spring and summer. Jades bloom in the winter based on the amount of light they receive. If they receive lots of artificial light, they may not bloom.
Ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata). This plant has beautiful green leaves. It can get up to about five feet tall in some cases. It has an unusual bulging base that stores water. The ponytail palm likes bright light and can go about 2 weeks without water. This plant is actually related to the lily family and is native to Mexico. Note that if the stems of your palm look shriveled and weak, you’ll need to water more frequently.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata). Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. This plant can grow four to five feet long. It can handle direct sunlight or filtered light. Avoid overwatering, which may result in root and stem rot. Water your snake plant less during the winter months.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum). The spider plant is great for hanging baskets. It comes in different varieties including a dwarf spider plant. This plant rarely has problems with pests and disease. You can let spider plants dry out a little between waterings. Keep spider plants away from drafts in the winter. You can easily divide the tuberous roots to grow new plants if the original plant is large. Please see this excellent website on growing the spider plant from Clemson University.
Stripped Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii'). This is a tropical plant from Africa that can grow up to eight feet tall. It likes low light levels and can go about 2 weeks without watering. It has nice pink flowers, but doesn’t flower often. It tolerates some heat.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia. This plant native to Africa has attractive dark green leaves. It grows to about two or three feet tall. It can handle partial shade but likes a decent amount of light. Check the soil about every week although this plant can go about 2 weeks without watering. Note that the lower leaves may turn yellow when the plant is over watered.

Other Common Houseplants

african violet

African violet. Keep this houseplant out of direct sunlight. The soil should be kept moist. You can water every other day in the winter. Avoid letting the plant sit in water.

Aloe. Aloe likes high levels of sunlight. As a succulent, you should soak the plant and let it dry out thoroughly afterwards. This is a pretty carefree houseplant. Aluminum plant. Indirect filtered light is best for the aluminum plant. Keep the soil moist but don’t let it sit in water.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis. This beautiful flowering houseplant can handle full sunlight but the soil must be kept moist. Water every other day in the winter and avoid letting the plant sit in water.

Asparagus fern. This plant tolerates cooler temperatures at night and low light levels. Water regularly and keep the soil moist but don’t let the roots sit in standing water.

begonias

Begonias. Begonias like medium to low light levels. Keep the soil moist but don’t let the plant sit in standing water. The American Begonia Society has a great website with all you need to know about begonias!

Cactus and Succulents. There is a huge variety of cactus and succulents out there to try growing in your home. Check out this University of Minnesota’s website on growing cactus and succulents as houseplants for lots of great tips.

Christmas (Holiday) cactus. This is a popular houseplant with different colored flowers. It can have red, orange, pink, or white flowers. Set the plant in a moderately sunny area of your home. Cooler temperatures and less light will induce flowering. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water this plant regularly and don’t let it get too dry. See this Clemson University website for more information on the Christmas Cactus.

Chrysanthemum. This is a beautiful flower that works great both indoors and outdoors. There are about 30 species of chrysanthemums out there. Place them in an area that gets plenty of light. Water frequently and don’t let the soil get too dry.

coleus

Coleus (Solenostemon). The leaves of the coleus plant are multicolored and quite beautiful. These plants grow well in bright to filtered light. Keep the soil moist and don’t let it dry out for long periods of time. See this Clemson University Website for more information on the Coleus.

crotons

Crotons. Crotons are colorful houseplants that require full sunlight and frequent watering. Check the soil frequently with your finger or with a soil tester. Water when the first one to two inches of soil is dry.

cycads

Cycads, including Sago Palms. Cycads are an ancient kind of plant defined as a “living fossil.” One of the most popular cycads for the home is the Sago palm. The Sago palm is not actually related to palms, although it has a similar shape. High levels of filtered light are best for this plant. Water cycads deeply and then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Don’t let the soil stay dry too long.

cyclamen

Cyclamen. This attractive houseplant can handle cooler temperatures at night. Keep cyclamen out of direct sunlight and water frequently. Don’t let the soil dry out too much.

Dumb cane, Dieffenbachia. This plant has large yellow and green leaves. You can let the soil dry out a little between waterings. This plant is poisonous so keep away from children!

Dwarf schefflera (Dwarf Umbrella Tree). This is an attractive evergreen shrub that requires lots of light. Keep the soil moist and don’t let it dry out much.

Episcia (Flame Violet). This popular plant is originally from tropical areas of the Americas. It comes with a variety of different colored flowers. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist. Don’t let the plant sit in standing water.

Ficus benjamina. This is one of the most common houseplants out there. It requires moist soil, but you can let the top two to three inches of soil dry out between waterings. The plant may loose leaves if you let the soil get too dry. Filtered light is the best for the ficus benjamina. See this website on ficus benjamina and other ficus that are suitable for growing as houseplants.

Fiddleleaf Fig. The wide leaves of this plant are shaped like a fiddle. Keep the fiddleleaf fig out of direct sunlight. Maintain the soil moist but not saturated.

Fuschia. This houseplant has a spectacular flower. You should place your fuschia away from bright sunlight. Keep the soil moist and don’t let the soil dry out too much between waterings. Don’t let the pot sit in standing water after watering.

Gardenia. Beautiful flowers and dark green foliage are the main features of this popular plant. Gardenias require extra care and need full sun to grow well. Don’t let the soil dry out too much. You can occasionally mist the leaves. Keep the plant in a sunny spot.

Geraniums. Geraniums like full sun. Water frequently and make sure you have well draining soil. Please see this website for more information on growing geraniums indoors and out.

German ivy. This is a popular houseplant that can grow up and over a structure like a trellis. This plant likes filtered light. Give your German ivy a good soak and then let it dry out a bit before you water again.

Gloxinia. These plants have large, attractive flowers. They like indirect light and lots of water. Water when the first two inches of soil are dry. Clemson University has lots of info on growing Gloxinias.

Hoya

Hoya (Wax plant, Shooting Star). The Hoya is a great plant for hanging baskets. It likes filtered sunlight. Too many hours of direct sun may injure the plant, so be careful. Let the soil dry out a little before watering again.

hydrangeas

Hydrangeas. This houseplant requires a little bit of work to grow. There are lots of varieties available. Hydrangeas like full sun. Keep the soil moist and don’t let the soil dry out. See this fact sheet on growing hydrangeas.

kalanchoe

Kalanchoe (Mother of Millions). This popular plant has flowers that range from red, orange and yellow. It can handle low to high light levels. Water the plant and then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. There are many varieties of kalanchoe available.

Kentia Palm. Keep the Kentia Palm in moderately lit areas. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Brown tips mean you’re not watering enough, while yellow tips mean that you’re watering too much. Please see this website on growing palms indoors for more information.

Lady Palms (Rhapis Excelsa). This palm is very easy to grow. Keep the soil moist and keep the plant out of direct sunlight. Please see this website on growing palms indoors for more information.

maidenhair fern plant

Maidenhair fern, (Adiantum pedatum). The maidenhair fern can require a decent amount of attention. Keep it from direct sunlight and water frequently. This is not a plant to grow if you don’t have much time to care for houseplants.

Orchids. Orchids can be quite challenging to grow. There are lots of varieties out there, each with different needs. Please refer to this website for more information on growing orchids indoors.

peace lily plant

Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum. This plant has dark green leaves and flowers occasionally. Keep the soil moist and don’t let the soil dry out too much. Direct sun will cause this plant to sunburn.

Pepper Face (Peperomia incana). This is a smaller houseplant that likes filtered light. Soak the plant thoroughly and let the soil dry out a bit before you water again.

philodendron plant

Philodendrons. These popular houseplants like moist soils and should be kept out of full sun. Let the soil dry out a little before watering again and don’t leave the plant in standing water. Philodendrons grow as climbers and non-climbers. Climbing philodendrons are great for hanging baskets. The Heart Leaf Philodendron is a good pick for most homes. The University of Florida has an excellent website on growing philodendrons.

Prayer plant. This houseplant likes moist conditions. Filtered light is best so make sure to keep it out of direct sun. Misting the plant may keep it moist and healthy. This plant also does well in greenhouses and terrariums.

umbrella plant

Schefflera Actinophylla (Umbrella Plant). This popular houseplant is easy to maintain. It likes brightly lit areas. You should also let the soil dry out slightly before watering it again.

Sedum morganianum (Burro’s tail). Water at least once a week. Let the soil dry before you water again. Likes full sunlight or some shade.

Velvet plant (Gynura aurantiaca). This plant has beautiful and colorful foliage. It likes sunny locations. Keep the soil moist and reduce the time between waterings in the fall and winter.

Wandering Jew. “Wandering Jew” actually is a name that refers to three different kinds of spiderwort plants. You can easily grow this plant from cuttings. Wandering Jew can handle lower temperatures at night. It prefers medium levels of filtered light. You’ll need to keep the soil moist but you can let the top two inches or so dry out before you water again.

Yuccas. There are a number of species of yucca that you can grow as houseplants. Yuccas are sensitive houseplants that require limited amounts of water. Too much water can stress a yucca. Full sun is best for most yuccas.

zebra plant

Zebra plant (Saffron spike). This houseplant has beautiful foliage. It likes medium levels of sun and plenty of water. Let the first couple inches of soil dry out before watering again.