Houseplants are a must for us this time of year, when everything outside is cold and gray, and the ground is frozen so we can’t get our hands in the dirt. Indoor plants not only add beauty to your home, but they can also help to filter the air, and bring us a little bit of much needed color and joy during the winter.

In general, there are two major classes of houseplants seen in stores today: tropicals and succulents. Succulents are characterized by their fleshy, “juicy” foliage, which is designed to store moisture. This feature, in general, makes succulents more tolerant of dry conditions (or forgetful plant parents), while tropicals tend to want more water.

Some houseplants are quite tolerant of low light situations, while others require bright light for a longer duration. The light requirements of a houseplant depend on the specific variety of the plant, and aren’t so easily generalized between succulent and tropical.

We’ve compiled a short list of houseplants that work in various conditions, to help you decide which plant friends might be a happy addition to your home. Look at the natural lighting in your home (is it an east or west facing window? is sunlight filtered by trees or other structures?). Note where the vents are located (plants near air vents will tend to dry out faster). Decide where you have space and assess those specific spots to see what plant will match the conditions.

Each houseplant has its own set of requirements when it comes to light and water. Putting the right plant in the right place will set you up for success from the start!

Low Light, Low Water

• Aloe vera
• Jade (Crassula sp.)*
• Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)*
• Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)*
• Snake plant (Sansevieria sp.)*

Low Light, Medium/High Water

• Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum)*
• Philodendron*
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)*
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)*

*will also tolerate bright, indirect light

Bright Light, Low Water

• Agave, Century Plant
• Bridal Veil (Gibasis geniculata)
• Bromeliad
• Staghorn Fern (Platycerium sp.)
• Hoya
• Kalanchoe

Bright Light, Medium/High Water

• Anthurium, Red Peace Lily
• Croton
• Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
• Holiday Cacti (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter)
• Cyclamen
• Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia sp.)
• Dracaena
• Asparagus Fern      *High water*
• Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
• Tri-Color Ginger (Stromanthe sanguinea)
• Jasmine, Chinese Star     *High water*
• Umbrella grass (Cyperus sp.)    *Very High Water*

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules for taking care of your houseplants. Each plant is unique, and varying environmental conditions create “microclimates” in the different areas around our homes.  Pay attention to your houseplants, learn to recognize signs of thriving or stress and understand that you can’t treat all your plants the same. On that same token, don’t feel overwhelmed about how much you need to know beforehand; many plants are resilient and will often survive the journey while you learn how to best take care of them.

Come down to the garden shop to check out our selection of houseplants in person. Talk to our associates about their favorite houseplants. Hang out in our glasshouse for a few minutes and get your plant fix. And don’t be afraid to jump head-first into becoming a Plant Person 🙂