By JONATHAN SWEET Jonathan Sweet, Gardener Jonathan is a gardening writer and passionate environmentalist from Edinburgh. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2009 with an MA (Hons) degree in English Literature. Dan Ori, MCIHort, Horticulturist Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture. Jane Perrone, Houseplant Expert Jane Perrone is a Journalist turned Houseplant Expert who has over 25 years of experience. Jane published a book on Houseplants at the start of 2023 and is the founder of On The Ledge podcast, with more than 250 episodes to date. She is a member of the RHS Advisory Committee on Houseplants. Doug Stewart, MHort - Chartered Horticulturist A Master Horticulturist who has worked as a Professional Associate for the RHS for over 30 years, Doug Stewart is also in the process of releasing his first book, A Gardener’s Guide To Sustainable Gardening. Doug is the CEO of a horticultural enterprise, runs his own gardening phone-in show on BBC Radio Humberside and has his own gardening blog.
Reviewed By DAN ORI 
Contributions From JANE PERRONE 
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1)African Violet
- 2) Air Plant
- 3) Aloe Vera
- 4) Amaryllis
- 5) Aspidistra
- 6)Bamboo
- 7)Begonia
- 8) Bonsai Tree
- 9)Boston Fern
- 10) Bromeliad
- 11) Cape Primrose
- 12) Chinese Money Plant
- 13) Areca Palm
- 14) Croton
- 15) Crown Of Thorns
- 16) Devil’s Ivy
- 17) Dracaena
- 18) Dumb Cane Plant
- 19) Echeveria
- 20) Fiddle-Leaf Fig
- 21) Elephant Ear
- 22)Wax Plant
- 23) Ivy
- 24) Jade Plant
- 25)Kalanchoe
- 26)Maidenhair Fern
- 27) Swiss Cheese Plant
- 28)Moth Orchid
- 29)Peace Lily
- 30) Philodendron
- 31) Prayer Plant
- 32)Prickly Pear Cactus
- 33)Purple Shamrock
- 34)Rhipsalis
- 35) Snake Plant
- 36)Slipper Orchid
- 37) Spider Plant
- 38) Staghorn Fern
- 39)String Of Pearls
- 40) Umbrella Tree
- References
A sizeable garden at your disposal isn’t a prerequisite to having green fingers.
Houseplants are a great way of indulging your passion for horticulture and sprucing up your home’s interior décor in one fell swoop.
“I absolutely adore houseplants and have about 60 in my home right now,” shares Horticulturist Doug Stewart.
“I think they are transient and I wouldn’t live without them.”
Best of all, most house plants require little maintenance, with many enjoying the same temperatures as humans and demanding nothing more than regular watering.
Below are a selection of the most widespread varieties in the UK, which are popular for their aesthetic qualities and their ease of cultivation.
”In my experience, success with houseplants can be 50% deliberate neglect, 40% right plant right place and 10% your intervention,” shares Master Horticulturist Dan Ori.
“What kills most houseplants is overwatering (or allowing them to sit in water that can’t drain away).
“If we don’t kill them by drowning, then placing a tender plant in a draught or in direct sunlight will probably see them fail, but if we have managed not to kill them with poor placement, forgetting to water them or check them over for pests and other problems will most likely do the job.
“It is a balancing act of action and inaction, but choosing a suitable spot for the plant in your home will hugely help.”
1)African Violet
- BOTANICAL NAME: Saintpauliaionantha
- HARDINESS RATING: H1A
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
The Streptocarpus genus encompasses more than 150 species and over a thousand cultivars, so there’s bound to be an option to suit your space.1Streptocarpus. (n.d.). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/streptocarpus/
Characterised by colourful but dainty blossoms and pleasingly shaped leaves, African violets are a delightful addition to any windowsill.
2) Air Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Tillandsiaspp.
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, diffused light
- WATERING: Spray once per week
Termed by some sellers as virtually indestructible, air plants do not require any soil whatsoever and have revolutionised the term terrarium.
They do, however, demand bright sunlight and a good drink once a week, which can be provided by misting the plant or submerging it fully in water and allowing it to air dry.
3) Aloe Vera
- BOTANICAL NAME: Aloe vera
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once per month
Aloe vera is adept at surviving without watering, making them highly useful to have around the home.
They’re also easy on the eye and as succulents, they don’t need too much in the way of irrigation (though they do need bright sunlight).
4) Amaryllis
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hippeastrum
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, diffused light
- WATERING: Once every 2 weeks
Also known as Hippeastrum, amaryllis plants boast bulbous roots, long stems and oversized flowers with a velvety texture and vibrant tones.
They’re often grown for Christmas but will provide interest to your indoor display in whichever month you choose to cultivate them.
Expect blossoms around two months after planting.
5) Aspidistra
- BOTANICAL NAME: Aspidistraelatior
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Aspidistras are commonly referred to as cast iron plants in recognition of their resilience, since they’re hardy up to -5°C and will survive a modicum of neglect from absent-minded gardening enthusiasts.
Their broad leaves bring interesting foliage to any corner and they do best when kept out of direct sunlight.
6)Bamboo
- BOTANICAL NAME: Bambusa vulgaris
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once per week
Bamboo has increased massively in popularity in the UK of late.
This is despite the fact that they require a little more TLC than almost all other options on this list.
Great for hobbyists keen to integrate a contemporary aesthetic.
7)Begonia
- BOTANICAL NAME: Begonia
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 2-4 days
Often found on the floors of shadowy forests, begonias are a perfect choice for a north-facing room which enjoys a few hours of sunlight.
Their fascinating coloured foliage, which combines psychedelic tones with spiral or variegated patterns, is the main attraction for these dimly lit dwellers.
8) Bonsai Tree
- HARDINESS RATING: Varies between species
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Varies between species
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Okay, so bonsai are one specimen which require more upkeep than bamboo – but they’re less of a style choice and more of a way of life.
Bonsai enthusiasts dedicate several minutes (or for some, even hours!) every week to restoring balance in their specimens, in their homes and in their inner peace.
9)Boston Fern
- BOTANICAL NAME: Nephrolepis exaltata
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- SUNLIGHT: Bright to medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
The arching fronds of the Boston fern are deliciously zesty lime green in colour, bringing a lighter contrast when placed alongside darker leafed foliage.
It’s generally an unfussy plant, but its leaves do tend to droop and become discoloured if the soil is allowed to dry out completely.
If that happens, water it thoroughly straight away and witness a miraculous revival.
10) Bromeliad
- BOTANICAL NAME: Bromeliad
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright to medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
In the wild, bromeliads are found in the upper echelons of tree boughs.
This means that they prefer good aeration around their roots and dappled sunlight on their foliage, as well as filtered rainwater – though none of the above are total deal-breakers.
Great for architectural attraction.
11) Cape Primrose
- BOTANICAL NAME: Streptocarpus glandulosissimus
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 9 days
With large, leathery green leaves and eye-catching blossoms in a range of different colours, Cape Primrose is a cheerful addition to any environment they adorn.
Position them on a windowsill that receives bright but indirect sunlight and avoid overwatering and they’ll thrive quite independently.
12) Chinese Money Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Pilea peperomioides
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
We can’t guarantee that this plant will bring you good omens financially, but we can promise it will add contemporary charm to your indoor display.
The small but profuse spherical leaves are highly pleasing to the eye, especially in mature plants, since they look great spilling over the sides of a hanging basket.
13) Areca Palm
- BOTANICAL NAME: Chrysalidocarpuslutescens
- HARDINESS RATING: H1A
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
The fountain of bright green foliage which springs forth from the Chrysalidocarpus genus, alongside its towering stature, makes the plant a superb focal point for any room of the house.
It needs bright but indirect sunlight and thorough watering throughout the growing season.
14) Croton
- BOTANICAL NAME: Codiaeum variegatum
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
The foliage of croton can vary immensely from one cultivar to the next, with some boasting lance-like fronds and others with deeper and rounder surfaces.
Regardless, they carry streaks of bright yellow, orange, red and pink which are great at brightening up dull or monochrome parts of the home.
15) Crown Of Thorns
- BOTANICAL NAME: Euphorbiamilii
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once every 2 weeks
The prickly name of this species comes from the barbs on its leaves and the sap inside its fat foliage.
However, it’s worth the trouble of handling with gloves for the dainty but dazzling flowers (or, more accurately, coloured bracts) that it shoots forth on a nearly continual basis.
16) Devil’s Ivy
- BOTANICAL NAME: Epipremnum aureum
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Devil’s Ivy is at its most comfortable when surrounded by hot and humid conditions, which makes it an ideal choice for the bathroom.
It can either be grown out of a pot or hung from a hanger, while its trailing vines lend themselves to attractive draping as seen in the image above.
17) Dracaena
- BOTANICAL NAME: Dracaena
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Dracaenas are highly versatile plants which come in a variety of different forms.
The pictured specimen above boasts attractive twin trunks and fun, oversized foliage.
It’s best in bright light but can handle some shade, though it doesn’t take kindly to fluoride at all, so make sure to use rainwater to irrigate.2Fluorine Toxicity in Plants. (2020, May 12). Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/fluorine-toxicity-plants
18) Dumb Cane Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Dieffenbachia amoena
- HARDINESS RATING: H1A
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once every 2 weeks
Despite the unflattering name, dumb cane plants offer attractively large leaves that are green with white speckles.
Perfect for complementing similar hues in the surrounding colour scheme.
19) Echeveria
- BOTANICAL NAME: Echeveriasecunda
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 months
Succulents are the ultimate in set-and-forget house plants.
Simply pop them on a windowsill which receives its fair share of UV radiation and mist them occasionally and voila – you have a living ornament in your home.
Echeveria is a large genus with many cultivars to choose from in all shapes and sizes.
20) Fiddle-Leaf Fig
- BOTANICAL NAME: Ficus lyrata
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once per week
The oversized leaves of fiddle-leaf figs are what makes them such an attractive option around the home, but they’re also what makes them slightly more demanding than some of the other options in this article.
That’s because they need an abundance of sunlight to photosynthesise and just the right amount of water to thrive.
21) Elephant Ear
- BOTANICAL NAME: Colocasia esculenta
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once a day
Another plant with a moniker derived from its enormous leaves, Elephant Ears are prized for their foliage rather than their flowers.
They originally hail from tropical climes, making them ideal for an indoor environment, while their extremely quick-growing nature means they can reach maturity in a matter of months.
22)Wax Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hoya carnosa
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Bright to medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
The woody stems and waxy leaves of hoya plants make them a huge favourite around the home, regardless of whether they’re trained upwards or allowed to trail downwards.
The colourful clusters of diminutive flowers, reminiscent of wax or porcelain (hence their common names), are the icing on the cake.
23) Ivy
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hedera
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Another trailer/climber, Ivy is most often seen adorning the external façade of grand country homes.
However, it’s equally attractive in an indoor setting and can liven up lacklustre walls or add intrigue to a boring corner.
Another which favours humidity, it is ideal for the kitchen or bathroom.
24) Jade Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Crassula ovata
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once every 2-3 weeks
The rubber-like leaves on a Jade Plant are just as on-point and en vogue as the plastic counterparts you might find in an Ikea home display – and they only require slightly more upkeep.
However, unlike those artificial alternatives, jade plants continue to develop and become more lovely as they grow.
25)Kalanchoe
- BOTANICAL NAME: Kalanchoe
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once every 2-3 weeks
A close relative of the jade plant, kalanchoes are succulents hailing from Madagascar which do extremely well in the cosier confines of an indoor climate.
Their umbels of upward-facing blooms last longer than almost all other succulents, making them an attractive choice.
26)Maidenhair Fern
- BOTANICAL NAME: Adiantum
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every other day
Another tropical fern which likes its humidity levels hot and heavy, maidenhair ferns do best in steamy bathrooms.
Get the conditions right and you’ll be richly rewarded with mountains upon mountains of aesthetically pleasing light green leaves in miniature, which contrast nicely against the darker hues of the stems.
27) Swiss Cheese Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Monstera deliciosa
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 weeks
Commonly called Swiss Cheese plants, monsteras are true monsters of the house plant scene if allowed to grow unencumbered.
They don’t require too much to produce prodigious leaves, though they’ll benefit from a moss pole to help them stay upright and they do demand regular irrigation.
28)Moth Orchid
- BOTANICAL NAME: Phalaenopsis
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Moth Orchids are tropical creatures that are highly appreciative of central heating systems.
If the temperature and humidity levels are right, they’ll flower for longer than many other house plants, with their blossoms encompassing the full spectrum of pinks, purples, peaches, yellows and burgundies.
29)Peace Lily
- BOTANICAL NAME: Spathiphyllumwallisii
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright to low, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Another hugely popular house plant, Peace Lilies produce delicately graceful white spathes that are a pleasure on the eye.
They’re capable of handling low exposure to sunlight, but won’t be quite so accommodating if you forget to water them more than once.
30) Philodendron
- BOTANICAL NAME: Philodendron
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 weeks
The heart-shaped foliage of philodendron can grow to monstrous proportions if left unchecked in the great outdoors, but potted varieties are more easily controlled.
They look equally impressive if trained up a trellis or allowed to dangle invitingly over the rim of their pot or basket.
31) Prayer Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Marantaleuconeura
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 weeks
Prayer Plants belong to the maranta genus, which is home to some of the most brightly coloured foliage in the whole of the house plant kingdom.
It’s not uncommon to see rich burgundies and profound pinks on the underside of a leaf and dark greens on the topmost surface.
Beware of the pests it may attract.
32)Prickly Pear Cactus
- BOTANICAL NAME: Opuntia
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once per month
With distinctive rounded stems covered on both sides in spines, Prickly Pears are attractive but aggressive additions to your living room.
The aforementioned stems often grow in pairs, earning them the nickname bunny ears, but they’re far from cuddly.
The flowers which appear atop their ridges in summer are pleasant, however.
33)Purple Shamrock
- BOTANICAL NAME: Oxalis triangularis
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright to medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 weeks
The proliferation of triangular purple leaves which swarm the purple shamrock plant make it a curious sight in any room, especially when those warm tones are complemented by the bright pink of its nodding flowers in summer.
A humidity enthusiast, it does well in kitchens and bathrooms.
34)Rhipsalis
- BOTANICAL NAME: Rhipsalisbaccifera
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
Though technically a cactus, Rhipsalis has torn up the rule book on the genus.
Instead of thriving in sun, it prefers darkness, while the complete absence of spines along the surface of its leaves makes it the least cactus-like cactus in existence.
Its trailing habit makes it ideal for hanging.
“You’d find it difficult to go wrong with something like a Rhipsalis baccifera,” shares Jane Perrone, a Houseplant Expert.
“I had a colleague back at The Guardian who had one on her desk forever. It didn’t grow, but it didn’t die either, it was just green and beautiful.
“She didn’t care for it all – I’m sure there was some coffee thrown in there at some point! I love the Rhipsalis genus.”
35) Snake Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Sansevieria trifasciata
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once every 2 weeks
Variously known as Snake Plant and (rather unkindly) mother-in-law’s tongue, sansevierias are another wildly popular choice for household cultivation.
The stiff, upright leaves are instantly recognisable and there is a wide range of colours and patterns to choose from, but variegated forms may require more care than others.
36)Slipper Orchid
- BOTANICAL NAME: Paphiopedilum
- HARDINESS RATING: H1A
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter
- SUNLIGHT: Medium, indirect light
- WATERING: Twice per week
Orchids are exotic and enticing house plants, but many of them demand exposure to direct sunlight.
Not so with slipper orchids.
Not only are they among the most shade-tolerant varieties out there, but their arresting petals and sometimes mottled foliage make them a showstopper and statement-maker, to boot.
37) Spider Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Chlorophytum comosum
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once per week
A firm favourite in British homes for decades, spider plants can bring classic charm to their surroundings.
Characterised by light, arching leaves that cascade beautifully over the edge of their container, they’re perfect for an elevated display.
38) Staghorn Fern
- BOTANICAL NAME: Platyceriumsuperbum
- HARDINESS RATING: H1A
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Every 1-2 weeks
The staghorn fern must have some of the most architecturally interesting foliage of any plant anywhere.
Native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, its robust, probing fronds stretch out enquiringly like the antlers of that cervid monarch of the glen.
Certain to draw attention to itself.
39)String Of Pearls
- BOTANICAL NAME: Seneciorowleyanus
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, direct light
- WATERING: Once every 2 weeks
As the name suggests, this dainty succulent features lengths of green globes along its stringy stems, meaning it’s another excellent choice for hanging or trailing.
The species requires little in the way of upkeep other than sufficient light and water, and mature specimens can live for five years or more.
40) Umbrella Tree
- BOTANICAL NAME: Scheffleraarboricola
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- SUNLIGHT: Bright, indirect light
- WATERING: Once every 10 days
In its native Taiwan, the umbrella tree can reach an astonishing 10 feet in height.
Of course, that’s likely far too tall for most homeowners, but the good news is that its growth is easily kept in line when potted.
The green-and-yellow foliage makes it a head-turner, whatever its stature.
- 1
Streptocarpus. (n.d.). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/streptocarpus/
- 2
Fluorine Toxicity in Plants. (2020, May 12). Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/pathogen-articles/nonpathogenic-phenomena/fluorine-toxicity-plants
