Home Gardening House Plants The Best House Plants for Every Room in Your House The biggest factors to consider when picking out house plants are natural light, humidity levels, and aesthetic. By Sarah Yang Updated on December 01, 2023 Close Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo A little bit of greenery can transform a space—and breathe new life into a room. But not all houseplants are created the same—and that means they all won't thrive in any old place. To choose a plant for a specific spot in your home, you'll want to keep two things in mind: plant care and your home's aesthetic. Fortunately, there are more than enough houseplant varieties to suit any dwelling and design style. Christopher Satch, an in-house plant expert at The Sill, shares his plant picks for every room in your home—from your kitchen to your bedroom. There's good news for people who travel a lot or just don't have the time to look after something daily: Most of these plant recommendations are low-maintenance. Christopher Satch is an in-house plant expert at The Sill, a plant company that was founded on the motto: plants make us happier, healthier humans. 01 of 07 House Plants for the Living Room and Dining Room thesill.com Make a statement in a space that gets a lot of foot traffic. "The living room is your respite from the outside, as well as your cozy collaboration space with friends and family," Satch said. "Show off your elegant side with a bird of paradise or rubber tree plant. Or, show off your colorful and fun side with philodendrons, begonias, or cacti and succulents." Choose plants based on the type of sun exposure your living room gets. For general reference, there are four kinds of exposure: bright, direct light (full sun); bright, indirect light (partial shade); medium, indirect light; and low, indirect light. For the dining room, Satch suggests the same lineup of plants you'd choose to display in the living room—that's because both rooms are places where family and friends congregate. Mix things up: If you chose a rubber tree for the living room, try a begonia in the dining room. Either way, make the space feel special by selecting greenery that's eye-catching and ready to impress. Bird of Paradise Bird of paradise is eye-catching and will easily add interest to your living room. Its large green waxy leaves are gorgeous. Place by a window in your living room for best results. Low maintenance, this plant only needs to be watered weekly to stay spry. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight to full sun Rubber Tree The rubber tree will add a little pop of color with red veins hidden under its leaves. The uniform leaves give an aesthetic flair. Water only once a week to keep this houseplant happy. Light Requirements: Bright to moderate indirect sunlight Philodendron The philodendron is bright and beautiful, and a great way to add color to your living room. Place near a window, and water weekly. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Begonia Incorporating begonia (or even cuter Polka-Dot Begonia) into your living room is an easy way to add a pop of color with its big red and green leaves and stems. Begonia will need to be placed by a window and be watered weekly to stay healthy. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Cacti or Succulents For a calming and low-maintenance plant, choose a succulent for your living room. It will need lots of light, but only monthly watering. Succulents come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, and you can find one that's perfect for nearly every nook in your living room. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight 02 of 07 House Plants for the Kitchen thesill.com Comforting houseplants will help you look forward to spending time in your kitchen each day. Like the bathroom, the kitchen has a more humid landscape than other rooms. "The kitchen is a source of water and, although it's not as humid as the bathroom, it's more humid than the rest of the house," said Satch. "Counter space is also limited, so hanging things will be optimal." Ferns Ferns are simple and aesthetic, and they hang well! It only requires a little indirect light to stay happy and prefers humidity. (AKA it's perfect for the kitchen!) You only need to water weekly, which will seem like a piece of cake when the sink is right there. Talk about a convenient plant! Light Requirements: Bright to low indirect sunlight Air Plants Air plants are so easy, they don't even need a pot. This means you can get super creative with where you put it. Think of a hanging glass vase, or inside of a magnetic pot on your refrigerator. Because of their small size, they look darling on the window sill in front of your sink. They only need spritzing daily. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Herbs Potted herbs on your window sill are both decorative and useful—just grab a couple of sprigs to sprinkle onto dishes. Water every few days. Light Requirements: Full sun Trailing Pothos Hang pothos from a basket to best see its cascading leaves and vines, and save your counter space. Pothos are a pretty hands-off house plant, you just need to water it weekly. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight 03 of 07 House Plants for the Bedroom thesill.com Your bedroom is meant to be a restful sanctuary, so add a bit of greenery to create a peaceful atmosphere. "Plants have been shown to boost moods, decrease stress and anxiety" Satch said. They can be great in the bedroom or in common spaces like the living room and kitchen. But don't go overboard with your selections—an uncluttered space is a calmer space. One or two plants, max, will suffice. Snake Plant This plant not only helps to moderate your rooms humidity but can also tolerate low light which makes it an ideal houseplant for your bedroom. Its variegated tall leaves exude an aesthetic, modern style. Water once a month, or when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Light Requirements: Bright to low indirect sunlight Rubber Tree The rubber tree easily adds comfort to your bedroom with its dark green leaves. Rubber trees produce lots of oxygen which will in turn re-oxygenate the air in your bedroom, hopefully helping you breathe better and get a good night's sleep. They only need water once per week. Light Requirements: Bright to moderate indirect sunlight Spider Plant The spider plant creates a sense of tranquility in your bedroom, with its falling white and green striped leaves. Water weekly and place beside a window for fastest growing results. Light Requirements: Bright to moderate indirect sunlight 04 of 07 House Plants for the Bathroom thesill.com The bathroom is a spot in your house that has a distinctly different temperature and environment than any other room. Go with tropical plants for this space, since the atmosphere in the bathroom is similar to what these varieties are used to—low light levels, high humidity, and warm temperatures. "Think of the environment that the space itself provides as a helping hand to keep your houseplants healthy and happy," Satch said. Ferns Ferns love humidity and don't need a lot of light, which makes them a perfect option for your bathroom. Simply water the plant weekly. Light Requirements: Bright to low indirect sunlight Air Plants Air plants need little attention, and thrive in the bathroom's tropical environment. Sprinkle with water daily—this will easily become part of your getting-ready routine. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Pothos Consider hanging pothos for the ultimate spa-like feel, or place it on a high shelf in your bathroom to experience its trailing. Give your pothos water once per week, and make sure it gets a little sun for optimal health. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Philodendrons You could say that philodendrons are made for the bathroom—they love humidity and only need a little indirect light. Place it near your bathroom window, and enjoy its peaceful and bright green leaves. Water just once per week. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight 05 of 07 House Plants for the Kid's Room thesill.com "It's never too early to show the kids about the wonders of nature," Satch said. "Having a plant in the bedroom can spark creativity and teach responsibility. Colorful, responsive plants will be key in this mission." Just make sure the plants are kid-friendly—you wouldn't want to place a spiky cactus in the room, so opt for a succulent instead. Succulents Succulents are perfect for teaching kids how to care for plants. They are low-maintenance and often have a cool variety of textures and colors that will amaze your kiddos. They only need to be watered monthly. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Begonia Begonias are responsive, and need weekly watering to stay standing tall, which will help your kids see just how important watering their plants is. While it doesn't take much work to stay healthy, it will be just enough work to help teach your youngster responsibility. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Fittonia Fittonias sit so pretty on a window sill or your little one's bookshelf, especially with their incredible white veins which create gorgeous patterned leaves. Fittonia is known as the nerve plant for this intricate look, which could inspire your child's creativity. Water your Fittonia every week to watch it grow. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Neon Pothos The glowing yellow-green Neon pothos will add a gorgeous pop of color to your kid's room. It's easy to care for and your kid will love its long trailing stems. Have your child cut off part of the plant's stem, and place it in water to show them how propagation works! Grow in indirect light, and water weekly. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight 06 of 07 House Plants for the Home Office thesill.com The home office needs to embody productivity, so you feel motivated to work and get stuff done. Pick a plant you wouldn't mind staring at when you're searching for inspiration or creativity. Begonia The colorful begonia will surely inspire you as you work with its big purple-red and green leaves. Place beside a window for optimal care, and water once per week. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Fittonia The delicate Fittonia will grace your desk perfectly in a small pot. Studies have also shown that Fittonias can help reduce stress and relieve anxiety, just with its presence alone. So if your work is stressing you out, consider placing a few Fittonias in sight. Plus, you'll only need to water once per week. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Marimo Moss or a Jade Plant If you believe in certain superstitions, Marimo moss balls and jade plants are thought to bring good luck. Satch recommends Marimo moss balls (they're not moss, but a spherical form of algae) for rooms that get low to medium light; and a jade plant or begonia for a home office with medium to bright light. Light Requirements: Low to moderate indirect sunlight 07 of 07 House Plants for the Front Porch thesill.com To make a good first impression, Satch recommends begonia, mint, basil, chamomile, or ferns. Mint and basil give off an inviting scent, while begonia and chamomile have beautiful flowers that provide a warm welcome. "In the sun, hang basil, mint, begonias, or chamomile, and don't forget to water daily in the summertime heat." Sunny locations can dry plants out, so check the soil regularly—keep in mind that hanging baskets dry out faster than pots do. And watch out for outdoor pests, too. Begonia Bright begonia will surely welcome your guests with its colorful leaves and beautiful flowers. They love the sun, so place away from the shaded portion of your porch. Water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased light. Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight Mint and Basil The smell of mint and basil will invite your guests in—just don't be surprised if they stop to get a better smell! These herbs prefer lots of bright light. When the temperature is greater than 78 degrees, water daily; on days less than 68 degrees, water once a week. Water every other day otherwise. Light Requirements: Full sun Chamomile Chamomile's delicate little yellow-centered flowers are sure to bring a smile to your loved one's face as they enter your home. Plant in a pot and move to somewhere with lots of bright light. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade Ferns Ferns make a wonderful addition to your front porch with their lush green color radiating warmth and comfort. "If you have a place to hang plants that are shaded, always hang ferns—they love the shade and a moist atmosphere," Satch said. Water your ferns once per week, or more in hot summer conditions. Light Requirements: Bright to low indirect sunlight and partial shade 23 Best Hanging Plants for Every Room of Your House Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit