Houseplants for different locations / RHS Gardening (2024)

Best houseplants for high light levels

The following houseplants are suitable for locations such asa south-facing windowsill or a sunny conservatory, where both light levels and temperatures can get high. Also see our top 5 plants for sunny rooms.

Small houseplants
Agave filifera AGM (thread agave)
Chlorophytum comosum âVariegatumâ AGM (spider plant), C. comosum âVittatumâ AGM (spider ivy âVittatumâ)
Echeveria agavoides AGM (moulded wax), E. derebergii AGM (painted lady), E. harmsii AGM (red echeveria), E. secunda var. glauca (glaucous echeveria)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (flaming Katy), K. tomentosa AGM (panda plant), K. delagoensis (mother of millions)
Nertera depressa (bead plant)
Pelargonium
Plectranthus oertendahlii AGM
Sedum sieboldii âMediovariegatumâ AGM
Sempervivum tectorum (common houseleek)
Solenostemon (coleus)
Tradescantia fluminensis âQuicksliverâ AGM, T. pallida âPurpureaâ AGM, T. zebrina AGM

Medium to large houseplants
Agave americana AGM, Agave victoriae-reginae AGM
Beaucarnea recurvata AGM (elephantâs foot)
Bougainvillea
Citrus
Clivia miniata AGM
Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum (croton)
Crassula ovata AGM (jade plant)
Dracaena fragrans (Deremensis Group) âLemon Limeâ(v) AGM (dragon tree), D. marginata âTricolourâ
Ensete ventricosum AGM (Abyssinian banana)
Ã Fatshedera lizei âAnnemiekeâ AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjamin fig tree)
Gardenia jasminoides AGM (Cape jasmine)
Gynura aurantiaca âPurple Passionâ AGM (velvet plant âPurple Passionâ)
Hedera (ivy)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (tropical hibiscus)
Hoya lanceolata subsp. bella AGM (wax plant), H. carnosa âVariegataâ AGM
Jasminum polyanthum AGM (many-flowered jasmine)
Justicia brandegeeana AGM (shrimp plant)
Kalanchoe beharensis AGM, K. daigremontiana (Mexican hat plant)
Lantana camara
Musa acuminata (Aaa Group) âDwarf Cavendishâ AGM (banana)
Nerium oleander (oleander)
Persea americana (avocado)
Phoenix canariensis AGM (canary island date palm)
Plectranthus thyrsoideus
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Yucca aloifolia, Y. elephantipes

Best houseplantsfor lower light levels

These houseplants are suitable for locations such as north- or north-east-facing windowsills and shaded conservatories. They need a minimum night-time temperature of 10Â°C (50Â°F) and should be allowed to partially dry out between watering, especially in winter. Also see our guide to houseplants for shady rooms.

Small houseplants
Chlorophytum comosum âVariegatumâ AGM (spider plant), C. comosum âVittatumâ (v)AGM
Cyperus albostriatus, C. involucratus AGM (umbrella plant) keep it standingin 1cm of water at all times
Hedera helix âDuckfootâ AGM (ivy)
Maranta leuconeura var kerchoveana AGM (prayer plant), M. leuconeura var erythroneura AGM (herringbone plant)
Peperomia obtusifolia AGM)
Plectranthus verticillatus, P. oertendahlii AGM
Selaginella kraussiana AGM (needs humid conditions), S. martensii âVariegataâ (needs humid conditions)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Streptocarpus (syn. Saintpaulia)(African violet)
Tradescantia fluminensis

Medium to large hosueplants
Aechmea fasciata AGM (silver vase plant)
Aglaonema âSliver Queenâ AGM, A. crispum
Asparagus densiflorus âMeryersiiâ AGM, A. setaceus âPyramidalisâ AGM
Aspidistra elatior AGM (aspidistra)
Begonia rex cultivars, B. metallica AGM (metal-leaf begonia), B. masoniana AGM (iron cross begonia)
Bromeliads (e.g. Aechmea, Billbergia, Neoregelia)
Cissus antarctica AGM, C. rhombifolia AGM
Cordyline fruticosa âKiwiâ
Dieffenbachia âCamilleâ AGM (Dumb cane)
Epipremnum aureum AGM
ÃFatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjamin fig tree), F. elastica (India rubber tree)
Hedera helix (ivy)
Lapageria rosea AGM (Chilean bellflower)
Monstera deliciosa AGM (Swiss cheese plant)
Peperomia obtusifolia AGM
Philodendron scandens AGM (heart-leaf)
Pilea cadierei AGM
Pteris cretica var. albolineata AGM
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Schefflera actinophylla AGM (umbrella plant), S. arboricola âGold Capellaâ AGM
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia(fern arum)

Best houseplants for low light and fluctuating temperatures

These plants can cope in locations such as a hallway or single-glazed room that could be centrally heated by day but cold and draughty at night.

Chamaedorea elegans AGM (parlour palm)
Chlorophytum comosum âVariegatum' (v) AGM (spider plant), C. comosum âVittatum' (v) AGM
Epipremnum aureum AGM (Ceylon creeper)
ÃFatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus elastica (India rubber tree)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Philodendron scandensAGM (heart-leaf)
Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant)
Senecio macroglossus âVariegatusâ AGM
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)

Best houseplants for bathrooms

These plants will thrive in humid locations where the temperature can be cool.

Climbing/trailing houseplants
Cissus antarctica AGM (kangaroo vine), C. rhombifolia AGM (grape ivy)
Epipremnum aureum AGM (Ceylon creeper)
Hedera helix (ivy)
Philodendron scandens AGM (heart-leaf)
Plectranthus verticillatus
Syngonium podophyllum AGM (nephthytis)
Tradescantia fluminensis âQuicksliver' (v) AGM, T. zebrina AGM (silver inch plant)

Small houseplants
Acorus gramineus âVariegatus' (v) (variegated slender sweet flag)
Adiantum capillus-veneris (maidenhair fern)
Carex morrowii âFisher Formâ
Chlorophytum comosum âVariegatum' (v) AGM (spider plant), C. comosum âVittatum' (v) AGM
Cyperus albostriatus, C. involucratusAGM â stand itin 1cm of water at all times
Pteris cretica AGM
Saxifraga stolonifera AGM (strawberry saxifrage)
Selaginella kraussiana AGM (krauâs clubmoss), S. martensii AGM (martens club moss), S. uncinata AGM (peaco*ck moss)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Tillandsia cyanea AGM (pink quill)

Medium to large houseplants
Asplenium nidus AGM (birdâs nest fern)
ÃFatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Ficus benjamina AGM (Benjaminfig tree)
Monstera deliciosa AGM (Swiss cheese plant)
Nephrolepis exaltata âElegantissimaâ AGM (sword fern)
Schefflera actinophylla AGM (umbrella plant), S. arboricola âGold Capellaâ AGM

Best houseplants for cool, bright locations

These plants will be happy where the minimum winter night temperature is above freezing â such as in a sun room, unheated conservatory or enclosed porch.

Cacti and succulents
Aeonium arboreum âAtropurpureumâ AGM (dark purple houseleek tree), A. haworthii AGM, A. tabuliforme AGM , A. undulatum
Agave parryi AGM, A. utahensis AGM
Aloe humilis (spider aloe), A. variegata AGM (variegated candelabra aloe), A. vera AGM
Cereus uruguayanus
Opuntia cantabrigiensis, O. compressa, O. fragilis (brittle cactus), O. polycantha
Sempervivum arachnoideum AGM (cobweb houseleek), S. calcareum, S. ciliosum AGM, S. tectorum AGM (common houseleek)

Climbing/trailing hsoueplants
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata âElegans' (v)
Chlorophytum comosum âVariegatum' (v) AGM ( spider plant), C. comosum âVittatum' (v) AGM
Cissus antarctica AGM (kangaroo vine)
ÃFatshedera lizei AGM (tree ivy)
Hedera helix (ivy)
Jasminum mesnyi AGM (primrose jasmine), J. polyanthum AGM (many-flowered jasmine)
Saxifraga stolonifera AGM (strawberry saxifrage)
Tolmiea menziesii AGM (pickaback plant)
Tradescantia fluminensis âQuicksliverâ AGM, T. zebrina AGM (silver inch plant)

Shrubs and perennials
Araucaria heterophylla AGM (Norfolk Island pine)
Aspidistra elatior AGM (aspidistra)
Aucuba japonica (spotted laurel)
Buxus sempervirens (common box)
Campanula isophylla AGM (falling stars)
Euonymus japonicus (evergreen spindle)
Fatsia japonica AGM
Grevillea robusta AGM
Pelargonium
Schefflera actinophylla AGM (umbrella plant)
Soleirolia soleirolii (mind-your-own-business) note: can become invasive if grown outdoors
Trachycarpus fortunei AGM (Chusanl palm)

Ferns
Adiantum hispidulum (maidenhair fern), A. raddianum AGM
Asparagus densiflorus âMeryersiiâ AGM (foxtail fern), A. densiflorus Sprengeri Group AGM (emerald feather), A. falcatus
Asplenium bulbiferum Forst.f. (hen and chicken fern), A. nidus AGM (birdâs nest fern), A. scolopendrium AGM (hartâs tongue fern)
Cyrtomium falcatum AGM (Japanese holly fern)
Nephrolepis exaltata AGM (sword fern)
Pteris cretica AGM, P. tremula

Best houseplants for unheated locations above freezing

Camellias â culltivarsofCamellia japonicaandC.Ã williamsii
Clivia miniata AGM)
CrinumÃ powellii AGM
Pseudosasa japonica AGM
Pleioblastus viridistriatus AGM
Fargesia nitida

Best houseplants to give as gifts

Houseplants for different locations / RHS Gardening (2024)

FAQs

What are the best locations for house plants? ›

Most houseplants need bright, but indirect light, like the kind found in an east-facing window. South and west windows work well, too, as long as the intense rays of the sun don't hit a plant's leaves directly, especially in the summer.

Can you plant different houseplants together? ›

Houseplants can be planted together to create the same show stopping statement effect! If you aren't already convinced that multiple houseplants in one container is a great idea, consider these reasons why you might actually want to give it a try.

Tell Me More ›

How many indoor plants should you have? ›

1.The NASA Study Recommends

Although it's impossible to say how many plants are required to filter interior air, Wolverton suggests at least two large plants for every 100 square feet (about 9.3 square metres) of indoor area. The larger and more leafy the plant, the better.

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How do you determine where to put a plant indoors? ›

Let's have a look at an example house that has the living room facing east:

Plants placed right next to this east window will get bright light.
Plants placed about 1-2 meters back from the window will get some medium light.
Plants placed more than 2 meters away will be getting low light.

Aug 5, 2023

How far should plants be from house? ›

E.g.: Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet away from a 6-foot shrub. Spacing plants in hedges is another matter.

Keep Reading ›

What is the best side of the house for houseplants? ›

While east-facing and west-facing windows are your next best locations, plant growth will be noticeably diminished without the full sun of a south-facing window. We recommend supplementing the natural light from a east- or west-facing window with a grow light.

Read On ›

What houseplants grow well together? ›

Cacti and succulents. It is one of the simplest combinations as all of them require a lot of light and little water. Also, these plants predominantly store moisture in their stems, so their root systems are tiny and will not hurt or overgrow each other.

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What houseplants can be grouped together? ›

Here are helpful tips for growing these botanical comraderies indoors.

Peace Lily & Pothos. Peace Lily grows up while Pothos trails down – you can't say opposites don't attract! ...
Snake Plant & ZZ Plant. ...
Jade Plant & Thimble Cactus. ...
Your Planting Pal: The Miraculous Green Guide.

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How far apart should you plant different plants? ›

The easy way to determine spacing between different plants is to use the average of their mature sizes. As an example, when planting a 5-foot-wide hydrangea planted next to a boxwood that grows up to 3 feet wide, space the plants 4 feet apart. Remember to measure from the center of one plant to the next.

What plant purifies the air the most? ›

What Plants Purify Air? Top Air Purifying Plants for Indoor Spaces

Bamboo Palm. As one of the most popular indoor plants, the tropical palm is especially good at filtering formaldehyde along with benzene, xylene and chloroform in style. ...
Spider Plant. ...
Gerbera Daisy. ...
Snake Plant. ...
Chrysanthemum. ...
Peace Lily. ...
Aloe Vera.

Mar 17, 2022

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Which plant cleans the air? ›

Also known as devil's ivy, golden pothos are among the best houseplants for clean air at home. This plant removes common toxins from the air, and it's easy to grow. It thrives in various conditions and doesn't require much care.

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Is too many plants in your room bad? ›

If there are too many plants in a small space, the humidity level can become too high, which can lead to mold growth and other issues with indoor air quality.

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Do all house plants need to be by window? ›

The amount of sunlight that a houseplant needs will vary depending on the species. Some plants, such as cacti and succulents, are adapted to low-light conditions and can tolerate being placed away from windows. Other plants, such as ferns and orchids, need bright, indirect light to grow well.

Do houseplants need to be by window? ›

If you can, it's best to place plants near the window, especially if there are obstructions, or no more than 2-3 feet away. Plants that are more low-light tolerant can be placed farther away from the window as long as they can still see outside.

Know More ›

How should I arrange my living room with plants? ›

Be Purposeful in Plant Grouping

These groups can be arranged by selecting various different heights and sizes to add depth, or by choosing three of the same plant positioned together to create a symmetric balance. For a standout look, you can also arrange plant trios around the room based on color and texture.

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Where is the best place for large houseplants? ›

Caring for large and tall indoor plants requires attention to their specific needs. Adequate light is crucial for their growth, so place them in well-lit areas with bright, indirect sunlight.

Read The Full Story ›