18 Cute Indoor Plants for the Living Room

Indoor plants can bring a touch of nature, color, and artistic flair to your living room, enhancing its ambiance. Whether you prefer aesthetically pleasing plants, ones that fit well in corners or on small tables, or trailing varieties that look stunning hanging from windows, there are many options to choose from. Here are some of the best indoor plants for the living room

Dieffenbachia

dumb cane plant
Krystal Slagle

Dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, features variegated leaves that appear silver in the center. This plant produces toxic sap from its leaves, making it important to keep it out of reach of pets and children.

  • Name: Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)
  • Light: Medium light, avoid direct sunlight
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry
  • Mature Size: Can grow up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Snake Plant

frontal shot of a snake plant in a pot
Alonda Baird

Snake plants are highly adaptable and come in various colors, typically featuring green-banded or striped leaves with a yellow or cream border.

  • Name: Snake Plant (Dracaena spp.)
  • Light: Full sun to shade
  • Water: Water when the soil is completely dry
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 3 feet tall

Bird of Paradise

bird of paradise
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Bird of paradise plants add vibrant orange blooms to indoor spaces, though they generally take around six years to bloom from maturity.

  • Name: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Mature Size: Can reach 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide

Kentia Palm

kentia palm in a home
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Kentia palms are slow-growing plants that have been a classic choice for home decor since the late 1800s.

  • Name: Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 10 feet tall

Corn Plant

Dracaena fragrans by a window
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Corn plants add tropical vibes to indoor spaces with their thick, green leaves and sturdy trunk.

  • Name: Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light to partial shade
  • Water: Allow soil to dry out completely before watering
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 4 feet tall

Cast Iron Plant

A cast iron plant in a terracotta pt sitting on top of a record player
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Cast iron plants are known for their durability and ability to thrive in low-light conditions.

  • Name: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra)
  • Light: Partial to full shade
  • Water: Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa in a woven basket on an apartment floor
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Monstera deliciosa, popular for its unique leaf shape, can grow rapidly under the right conditions.

  • Name: Monstera Deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Can reach 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide

Marble Queen Pothos

Marble queen pothos plant with light green variegated leaves
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Marble queen pothos are resilient trailing plants with variegated leaves, ideal for shelves or hanging baskets.

  • Name: Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Marble Queen’)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light to partial shade
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 10 feet long

Chinese Money Plant

Chinese money plant on a shelf in a white pot alongside other plants
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Chinese money plants are known for their round, coin-shaped leaves and are considered symbols of good luck.

  • Name: Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the soil is dry to the touch
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 1 foot tall and wide

Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf fig plant

Fiddle-leaf figs are prized for their large, violin-shaped leaves that add a dramatic touch to any room.

  • Name: Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Can reach 10 feet tall

ZZ Plant

zanzibar gem plant

ZZ plants are low-maintenance and can thrive in low-light conditions, making them perfect for indoor settings.

  • Name: ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
  • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
  • Water: Let soil dry out completely between waterings
  • Mature Size: Can reach 4 feet tall and wide

Swiss Cheese Plant

monstera swiss cheese plant
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Swiss cheese plants, related to monstera deliciosa, feature holey leaves that allow light to filter through.

  • Name: Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii)
  • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 8 feet long

Satin Pothos

Satin pothos with spotted leaves in white pot on stacked books
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Satin pothos are trailing plants with silver-spotted leaves that shimmer in the light.

  • Name: Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
  • Light: Can tolerate low light but prefers bright, indirect light
  • Water: Drought-tolerant; water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 8 feet long

Red Chinese Evergreen

red Chinese evergreen
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Red chinese evergreens feature variegated leaves that brighten with more light exposure.

  • Name: Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
  • Light: Does well in indirect light; colors intensify with more light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Grows up to 2 feet tall

Hoya Carnosa

hoya
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Hoya carnosa plants produce clusters of waxy flowers and can be trained to vine or trail.

  • Name: Hoya Carnosa (Hoya carnosa)
  • Light: Can tolerate bright, indirect light to partial shade
  • Water: Keep soil moist, not soggy
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 4 feet long

Triostar Stromanthe

plant
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Triostar stromanthe plants feature colorful foliage that thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.

  • Name: Triostar Stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea)
  • Light: Part sun
  • Water: Keep soil moist, not soggy
  • Mature Size: Grows 2-3 feet tall

String of Nickels

String of nickels succulent with bright green stems and round leaves in white pot
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String of nickels plants have round, coin-like leaves and make for whimsical hanging displays.

  • Name: String of Nickels (Dischidia inummularia)
  • Light: Partial shade to medium light
  • Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 18 inches long

Elephant Ear

elephant ear
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Elephant ear plants are known for their large, striking leaves and come in various varieties.

  • Name: Elephant Ear (Alocasia spp.)
  • Light: Bright light
  • Water: Keep soil moist, not soggy
  • Mature Size: Can reach 6 feet tall and wide