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22 Indoor Plants That Add Nature to Living Rooms

Selina Haverford
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There’s something magical about indoor plants that can instantly transform a living room from drab to fab. I’m a firm believer that plants not only add a splash of color but also breathe life into our spaces.

With a plethora of options out there, finding the perfect indoor plants for living rooms can be both exciting and overwhelming. From lush greens to quirky little succulents, I’ve rounded up 22 fantastic options that will surely brighten up any corner of your home.

1. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria, is a true champion of indoor plants! With its tall, sword-like leaves and stunning variegated patterns, it’s not just a pretty face. This plant is incredibly hardy and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, making it a fantastic choice for any living room.

Plus, it’s known for purifying the air, so you can breathe easier while enjoying its beauty.

One of the best things about the Snake Plant is its minimal care requirements. Forgetful plant parents rejoice! It only needs watering every few weeks, and it can tolerate low light. Whether you put it in a bright corner or a dim space, this plant will keep on growing.

  • Laurentii: This variety is well-loved for its striking yellow edges on the leaves, adding a pop of color to your space.
  • Moonshine: With its silvery-green leaves, Moonshine offers a softer look, perfect for a more modern aesthetic.
  • Zeylanica: This is a slightly shorter version of the standard Snake Plant, featuring deep green leaves with unique patterns.

2. Spider Plant

The Spider Plant is a total superstar, especially if you’re just starting out in the gardening world! Known for its long, arching leaves and charming baby “spiders” that dangle from the main plant, it brings a playful vibe to your living room. It’s super easy to propagate, so you can share the love with friends or fill your space with more greenery!

Not only is it a pet-friendly plant, but it also works wonders in purifying the air. Its fun and cheerful appearance makes it a perfect addition to any living room, whether you hang it in a basket or place it on a shelf where its babies can trail down.

  • Variegatum: This variety has lovely creamy white stripes on its leaves, adding a bit of brightness.
  • Bonnie: With its curly leaves, Bonnie gives a fun twist to the classic Spider Plant look.
  • Green Spider Plant: This one is all green and a bit more compact, perfect for smaller spaces!

3. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is known for its elegant white blooms and lush green foliage. It adds a touch of sophistication to any living room and is super low-maintenance! Not only does it look great, but it’s also an air-purifying powerhouse, making it one of the top choices for enhancing indoor air quality.

This plant thrives in low light and only needs watering when the soil is dry, making it perfect for busy lifestyles. Plus, it’s a bit of a drama queen; when it’s thirsty, it droops dramatically, giving you a clear signal to give it a drink!

  • Mauna Loa: This variety boasts larger leaves and flowers, making it a showstopper in any room.
  • Dominican Republic: A slightly smaller version, ideal for tabletops or small spaces.
  • Sensation: Known for its impressive size and glossy leaves, it makes a bold statement!

4. ZZ Plant

The ZZ Plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is the definition of resilience! With its glossy, dark green leaves, it’s a real stunner that can thrive even in low light. It’s perfect for those who might not have a green thumb, as it requires very little care and can go weeks without water.

This plant is great for the living room because it adds a lush, tropical feel without demanding much attention. Its unique growth pattern and shiny leaves make it an eye-catching piece that fits well in modern decor.

  • Zenzi: This variety is more compact and has a bushier appearance, making it great for small spaces.
  • Raven: Known for its striking dark leaves, this one is perfect if you’re going for a bold look!

5. Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig has taken the interior design world by storm with its large, violin-shaped leaves. It’s a bold choice that can transform any living room into a lush oasis. While it does require a bit more care than some other indoor plants, the aesthetic payoff is well worth it!

This plant loves bright, indirect light and regular watering, which makes it a bit more high-maintenance. But with its dramatic presence, it’s hard not to fall in love. Just imagine how stunning it would look in your space!

  • Leaf Varieties: There are several leaf shapes in Fiddle Leaf Figs, from the classic to more lobed leaves.
  • Compacta: This smaller version is perfect for tighter spaces while still offering the same stunning look.

6. Dracaena

Dracaena is a family of plants that includes several varieties, each bringing its own unique flair to your living room! Known for their long, arching leaves, they can add a tropical feel without being overly complicated to care for.

They thrive in indirect light and don’t need a ton of water, making them a low-maintenance option. Plus, with their tall stature, they can really fill out a room beautifully.

  • Dracaena Marginata: This variety features long leaves with red edges, adding a touch of color to your decor.
  • Dracaena Fragrans (Corn Plant): With its broad leaves, this one is perfect for making a bold statement.
  • Dracaena Compacta: A smaller option that works great on shelves or in smaller spaces.

7. Philodendron

Philodendrons are some of the most popular houseplants around, thanks to their stunning foliage and adaptability. With heart-shaped leaves that can come in various colors and sizes, they’re perfect for adding a touch of greenery to your living room.

These plants thrive in indirect sunlight and are very forgiving if you forget to water them, making them yet another great option for busy folks. They can be grown in hanging baskets or as climbing vines, so the decorating possibilities are endless!

  • Heartleaf Philodendron: This classic is known for its lovely heart-shaped leaves that trail beautifully.
  • Philodendron Brasil: Features gorgeous variegated leaves that add interest and color.
  • Philodendron Melanochrysum: With its stunning dark green leaves and unique shape, it’s a real showstopper!

8. Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema, is a fantastic choice for a living room, especially if you’re looking for something that’s both beautiful and easy to care for. With its stunning variegated leaves, this plant can enhance any decor style.

It’s super adaptable and can thrive in low light, making it perfect for those darker corners of your living room. Plus, it requires minimal care, needing only occasional watering.

  • Silver Bay: This variety has striking silver and green leaves that bring a touch of elegance.
  • Red Emerald: With its beautiful red-tinted foliage, it adds vibrant color to your space.
  • Maria: Known for its stunningly patterned leaves, Maria is a favorite among collectors!

9. Boston Fern

The Boston Fern is a lush, leafy plant that adds a touch of nature to your living room. Its feathery fronds are great for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. With the right humidity levels, this plant thrives and can really flourish in your space.

While they do require a bit more attention in terms of watering and humidity, the reward is worth it! A vibrant Boston Fern can really brighten up a room and make it feel more alive.

  • Fluffy Ruffles: This variety has uniquely curled fronds that give it a whimsical look.
  • Crescendo: Known for its compact size and lush foliage, it’s perfect for smaller spaces!

10. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is not only an attractive succulent but also a powerhouse of healing properties! Its fleshy leaves store water, making it a low-maintenance plant that thrives in bright light. Plus, if you ever need a soothing gel for a sunburn, you’ve got your own personal first-aid plant right at home!

This succulent is super easy to care for and adds a modern touch to any living room. Just remember to let it dry out between waterings!

  • Aloe Vera Barbadensis: The classic variety known for its medicinal properties.
  • Aloe Aristata: This one features smaller, spiky leaves and a unique rosette shape.
  • Aloe Black Gem: With its dark leaves and compact size, it’s a trendy choice for any decor.

11. Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm is a charming little plant known for its graceful, feathery fronds. It’s perfect for adding a touch of tropical flair to your living room without taking up too much space. Plus, it’s super easy to care for!

This plant thrives in low to medium light, making it ideal for those spots in your home that don’t get a ton of sunshine. It’s a great option for adding greenery without the fuss!

  • Chamaedorea Elegans: The classic Parlor Palm variety with lush, arching fronds.
  • Chamaedorea Metallica: This one has a slightly more metallic sheen to its leaves, adding a unique touch to your decor.

12. Cast Iron Plant

The Cast Iron Plant lives up to its name! It’s truly one of the toughest houseplants around, able to tolerate neglect, low light, and even some bad air quality. With its long, strap-like leaves, it has a rugged charm that can fit perfectly in any living room.

This plant is great for those who may not have the best track record with houseplants. Just give it a little water occasionally, and it’ll thrive in your space without much hassle!

  • Aspidistra Elatior: The classic variety with dark green leaves that can withstand a lot of neglect.
  • Variegated Cast Iron Plant: This one features lovely variegation, adding a bit more visual interest to your space.

13. Croton

Croton plants are known for their vibrant, colorful leaves that can really make a statement in your living room. These plants are like nature’s artists, with leaves that come in shades of green, yellow, red, and orange.

While they do prefer bright, indirect light and a bit more humidity, their stunning appearance makes them worth the extra care! They can bring a lively touch to your decor, making any space feel more vibrant.

  • Petra: This variety has bold, multicolored leaves that make it a real standout.
  • Gold Dust: Known for its speckled leaves, Gold Dust adds a unique flair to the classic Croton look.
  • Mrs. Iceton: With its narrow leaves and bright colors, this one is perfect for those who love a pop of color!

14. Calathea

Calathea plants, often referred to as prayer plants, are known for their stunning leaf patterns and colors. These beauties can really add a unique touch to your living room while creating a serene atmosphere.

They prefer indirect light and higher humidity, making them feel right at home in a cozy living room. The leaves often fold up at night, giving them their unique ‘prayer’ nickname. They’re truly a treat for the eyes!

  • Calathea Medallion: Known for its striking leaf patterns resembling a medallion.
  • Calathea Ornata: This one features beautiful pink stripes running down the leaves, making it a favorite!
  • Calathea Rattlesnake: With its wavy leaves and unique patterns, it’s a fun choice for adding texture.

15. Monstera

The Monstera, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is famous for its unique perforated leaves that look stunning in any living room. This plant can grow quite large, creating a dramatic focal point in your space.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and loves humidity, making it feel right at home in a cozy living room environment. Plus, its ability to purify the air makes it both beautiful and beneficial!

  • Monstera Deliciosa: The classic variety known for its big, split leaves.
  • Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma): A smaller version with similar leaf shapes, great for compact spaces.
  • Variegated Monstera: This rare variety features unique white and green patterns on its leaves, making it a collector’s dream!

16. Areca Palm

The Areca Palm is a fantastic choice for adding a tropical vibe to your living room! Its feathery fronds create a lush, inviting atmosphere, and it’s also great for improving indoor air quality.

This palm loves bright, indirect light and regular watering, making it a bit more high-maintenance than some others on this list. But with its stunning presence, it’s worth the extra care!

  • Dypsis lutescens: The classic Areca Palm, known for its graceful fronds and easy care.
  • Butterfly Palm: This variety features even more arching fronds, adding an elegant touch to your decor.

17. Prayer Plant

The Prayer Plant, known for its unique habit of folding its leaves at night, brings a whimsical touch to your living room. Its beautiful leaf patterns and colors make it a visual treat!

This plant loves humidity and indirect light, making it perfect for cozy, humid spaces. Plus, its unique behavior gives it a bit of personality, which can be a fun talking point!

  • Maranta Leuconeura: The classic variety with stunning leaf patterns.
  • Red Prayer Plant: This one features beautiful red veins, adding a pop of color.
  • Giant Prayer Plant: A larger variety that makes a bold statement in any room.

18. Bamboo Palm

The Bamboo Palm is a lovely, elegant plant that can bring a touch of the tropics into your living room. Its tall, slender stems and arching fronds create a beautiful look, and it’s also great at cleaning the air!

It prefers indirect sunlight and regular watering, making it a great fit for indoor living. Plus, its graceful appearance can soften any space and make it feel more inviting.

  • Chamaedorea Bambusoides: The classic Bamboo Palm with a graceful appearance.
  • Chamaedorea Elegans: This one is smaller and more compact, perfect for tabletops!

19. Oxalis

Oxalis, or the shamrock plant, is a cute little addition to any living room! With its clover-like leaves and charming flowers, it adds a playful charm to your decor.

This plant loves bright, indirect light and regular watering, making it a great fit for a sunny spot in your living room. Plus, its unique leaf shape can be a fun conversation starter.

  • Oxalis Triangularis: Known for its striking purple leaves that really stand out.
  • Oxalis Regnellii: This variety features green leaves and lovely white flowers.
  • Oxalis Iron Cross: Named for its unique leaf shape resembling a cross, it’s both fun and beautiful!

20. Money Plant

The Money Plant, or Pothos, is often associated with good luck and prosperity! Its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines make it a delightful addition to any living room.

This plant is super easy to care for, thriving in a variety of light conditions. Plus, it’s believed to bring positive energy into your space, which is a nice bonus!

  • Golden Pothos: With its lovely golden variegation, it’s a classic choice.
  • Neon Pothos: This vibrant variety adds a fun pop of color.
  • Marble Queen: The beautiful marbling on its leaves is simply stunning!

21. Burro’s Tail

Burro’s Tail, or Sedum morganianum, is a lovely succulent known for its trailing stems adorned with plump, succulent leaves. It’s perfect for hanging baskets or on a shelf, adding a touch of whimsy to your living room.

This plant prefers bright light and infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance addition to your decor. Plus, its unique appearance makes it a fun conversation starter!

  • Sedum morganianum: The classic variety known for its gorgeous trailing habit.
  • Variegated Burro’s Tail: This variety features variegated leaves, adding an extra layer of interest.

22. Hoya

Hoya, or Wax Plant, is a beautiful and unique addition to your living room. With its thick, waxy leaves and stunning star-shaped flowers, it’s a showstopper!

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to dry out between waterings, making it another low-maintenance option. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might be treated to some fragrant blooms!

  • Hoya Carnosa: The classic variety known for its lovely flowers and easy care.
  • Hoya Publicalyx: This one features darker leaves and stunning blooms.
  • Hoya Australis: Known for its beautiful, fragrant flowers, it’s perfect for adding a bit of charm to your space.

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