10 best indoor plants for living room

A few potted plants in the living room can instantly beautify a space, improve the aesthetic and add visual interest. Plants contribute to psychological well-being. Fresh, blossoming plants radiate positivity and soothing vibes. Indoor plants in the living room can remove pollutants and toxins from the air, promote healing and stress reduction and reduce chronic health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Learn about the best indoor plants for your living room.

Table of Contents

See also: Lucky plants for the home: Plants that bring money and good luck

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all about: Spathiphyllum

Best indoor plants for living room #1: Areca palm

The areca palm is a low-maintenance, fast-growing plant. It brings a tropical touch and purifies the air. Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens or Butterfly Palm) break down carbon monoxide and chemicals found in paints and fuels and can brighten up any corner in your home. It must be kept in indirect sunlight as the leaves could turn yellowish-green in direct sunlight. As per Feng Shui, it leads to health, peace and prosperity. It eliminates negative energy and attracts positivity.

See Also: Ming Garden: Facts, use, benefits, growing and caring tips

Best indoor plants for living room #2: Spider plant

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an easy-to-grow and one of the most adaptable house plants. Spider plant is best known for its air-purifying ability. The leaves of spider plants can absorb toxic particles, such as mould and other allergens. The spider plant is named so because of its spider-like leaves, which droop from the mother plant like spiders on a web. Spider plants prefer partial shade. Although they can tolerate heavy shade, their development won’t be as robust. The leaves may become scorched by direct sunlight. Place the spider plant in the east or northeast of the home. These directions, according to Vaastu, signify growth, new beginnings and positive energy. If the living room space permits hanging plants, add spider plants to the living room window. The cascading nature of their foliage will make them look stunning.

Best indoor plants for living room #3: Peace lily

The peace lily is a dark green plant with a few coloured, hooded lily flowers. Spathiphyllum, better known as the peace lily, needs less sunlight and water. It is one of the best air-purifying plants. Ideally, keep it away from direct sunlight. The peace lily is a good choice for low-light spaces as it can thrive in shade or partial shade. It can tolerate fluorescent lights, making peace lily a good option for the living room table. Peace lilies like to be watered a lot at once but also need a chance to dry out afterwards. Watering it once a week is usually sufficient.

Best indoor plants for living room #4: Boston fern

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is an excellent house plant, which requires bright, filtered light and humid air. It is an ideal plant for hanging baskets as its cascading, green leaves trail out of the pot. The Boston fern plant needs indirect, bright light to thrive and is ideal for interiors as it cleans up the air by absorbing toxic VOCs from the air. This easy-to-care-for vine can help reduce mould in your home. Ensure that its soil is moist and limit exposure to direct sunlight to just four hours per day. As per Feng Shui, this plant radiates positivity.

See also: Ferns: Are they merely an ornamental plant? Know why you should plant it indoors

Best indoor plants for living room #5: Snake plant

The snake plant (Sansevieria) is low on maintenance and is often kept in corners of the living room. The snake plant is a succulent with long, tough, pointed green leaves with golden yellow edges. It is commonly known as the mother-in-law’s tongue. Snake plants are best for any space with low lights. According to Feng Shui principles, snake plants are associated with good luck. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and take special care not to overwater in winter. Avoid getting leaves wet during watering.

Best indoor plants for living room #6: Money plant

Money plants can be grown in soil as well as water. You can propagate the plant from a stem and grow it in water until it develops roots. If planted in soil, use well-drained soil that drains out excess water to avoid root rot. The plant is suitable for low and medium lights and can adjust in any given spot. A money plant (pothos) is known to bring wealth and good luck and help in overcoming financial obstacles. Money plants act as natural air purifiers as they filter the air toxins. Vaastu states that the money plant should be kept in the southeast of the living room They can be styled in hanging pots, wooden frames in a vertical garden, circled on a moss stick or can adorn a corner in a see-through glass container filled with water.

see also about: moss stick

Best indoor plants for living room #7: ZZ plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (or ZZ plant) is also called ‘Zanzibar gem’. The ZZ plant looks exotic and is tough. It thrives with minimum care. ZZ plants grow in medium to low indirect light and can be kept in the corners of the living room. The rhizomes save a lot of water so even if you forget to water this plant for a few days, it can stand tall. ZZ plant is admired for its stunning, glossy foliage. To keep the foliage nice and shiny, clean the leaves with a damp cloth. All parts of the plant are toxic if consumed. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Best indoor plants for living room #8: Rubber plant

The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is an easy-to-care, medium-sized houseplant with round, shiny leaves. It is a popular Vaastu-recommended indoor plant. The rubber plant represents wealth and fortune even in Feng Shui as its rounded leaves resemble coins. When placed in the home, it is believed to provide abundance. Keep this plant in the southwest of the living room for best results. The large leaves of the rubber plant absorb a large number of contaminants and purify the indoor air. Place the plant in a bright and well-lit spot that receives indirect or morning sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon. Use a well-drained potting mix and a container with proper drainage holes.

Read also: Know all about Ficus plant

Best indoor plants for living room #9: Aloe vera

Aloe vera is easy to maintain succulent, which is beneficial to health and beauty. It requires well-drained, sandy soil to thrive. Water it only when the soil looks dry. Aloe Vera house plants thrive in indoor settings. Ideally, keep it for an hour or two on the balcony, patio or on the window sill where it gets partial sunlight. Direct heat reflected from glass windows can damage the plant. Aloe vera absorbs toxins from paints, cleaning products, wood and paper products and fuel. It is believed that the energy aloe vera releases can fight bad vibes and add protective energy.

Best indoor plants for living room #10: Lucky bamboo plant

The lucky bamboo plant (Dracaena) is a low-maintenance plant available in different sizes. It easily grows in water, attracts positive energy and adds ornamental value. Change the water twice a week to replenish the oxygen in the water. Avoid keeping the plant under direct sunlight. The lucky bamboo plant brings good luck and fortune to the household. Usually, the lucky bamboo is placed in the east. The lucky bamboo container can be made more attractive with accessories like stones, coloured marbles, pebbles, gravel or shells. Arrange the bamboo in a group of eight or nine stalks to invite good luck. A pair of bamboo stalks attract love and a happy marital relationship, whereas three or six bamboo stalks ensure happiness in life.

Living room indoor plant arrangement and decoration ideas

Decorating the living room with plants is a wonderful way to add joie de vivre and greenery to the
Place the plants at different heights with small potted plants on shelves or cabinets. Plants make for excellent accent pieces in spacious homes.
When arranging indoor plants opt for a fancy pot of ceramic, fibre or terracottato match the
Use plants to segregate areas in the living room.
Create a plant corner with a mix of cascading ferns, spider plants and money plants. Arranging plants in the entry foyer, on a table by a window or clustered on the floor is a lovely way to create a decorative focal point
Vertical gardens are trending. Choose one of the walls and attach plant containers to Have a frame made with horizontal rows to place the plants.
Opt for bonsai for the living room. Similarly, terrariums can add a lovely green vibe to the décor.

See also: Top 10 low maintenance indoor plants and how to care for them

Indoor plants for living room: Care tips

Use balanced soil that would help the plants to grow.Use regular soil, compost, coir peat and vermicomposting in equal proportions.
Place them at a location that receives some amount of sunlight. However, this will depend on the type of plantas all of them do not require the same amount of sun.
At the time of purchase, be sure to check their care instructions from the nursery.
Prune your plants, as and when needed, to promote the growth of new leaves.
Underwatering may not kill the plants and can be dealt with but overwatering surely kills plants.
Keep the indoor plant’s leaves free of dust. Wiping them with a soft, damp cloth regularly helps the plant to grow.
Keep the indoor plants together rather than keeping them A clustered arrangement helps plants thrive better.
For pest problems, keep a bottle of neem oil handy as its anti-microbial properties help manage most pests.

See also: How to choose pots for indoor plants?

Indoor plants for living room: Benefits

Adding indoor plants to your living room not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space but also offers numerous benefits that contribute to your overall well-being. Here are some of the key advantages of having indoor plants in your living room:

Improved air quality: Indoor plants act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. They release oxygen during photosynthesis, creating a healthier and fresher indoor environment for you and your family.

Stress reduction: Research has shown that being around plants and greenery can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Indoor plants in the living room create a calming ambiance, making it an ideal space for unwinding after a long day.

Enhanced mood and productivity: Living with indoor plants can positively impact your mood and boost overall well-being. The presence of greenery indoors has been linked to increased productivity, focus, and creativity.

Humidity regulation: Certain indoor plants naturally release moisture through a process called transpiration. This helps regulate indoor humidity levels, creating a more comfortable and pleasant living environment.

Noise reduction: Indoor plants can act as natural sound absorbers, reducing background noise and creating a quieter living room space.

Visual appeal: Indoor plants add beauty and charm to your living room, instantly uplifting the décor and creating a soothing atmosphere.

Allergy relief: Some indoor plants, such as Peace Lily and Spider Plant, are known for their ability to remove allergens from the air, providing relief for allergy sufferers.

Connection to nature: Incorporating indoor plants in your living room brings a touch of nature indoors, fostering a sense of connection to the natural world, even in urban environments.

Better sleep: Certain indoor plants, like Lavender and Aloe Vera, emit calming scents that can promote better sleep and relaxation.

Low maintenance options: There are various indoor plant species that require minimal care, making them perfect for individuals with busy lifestyles or limited gardening experience.

Also check these indoor water plants

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Purnima Goswami Sharma

Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.

Email: [email protected]