Skip to content

Top Navigation

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Food
  • Home
  • Life
  • Health
  • Money
  • Style and Beauty
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • News
  • Shop

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Real Simple

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Best Places to Buy Vegetable Seeds Online

      Because there's never been a better time to start a vegetable garden. Read More Next
    • 7 Must-Read Books by Black Authors

      Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and prepare to dive into a new title. Read More Next
    • A Guide for How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      There are three common ways you canĀ measureĀ your ring size right at home so you can finally get your ring measurement right, for good. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    Not all dairy is created equal.Ā 
    • Recipes
    • Real Simple Cooking School
    • Cooking Tips & Techniques
    • Shopping and Storing
    • Kitchen Tools and Products
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home

    Easy Homemade Carpet Cleaners to Tackle Every Stain

    Made with products you probably have on hand
    • Organizing
    • Cleaning
    • Decorating
    • Gardening
    • Home Improvement
    • Quick Fix
    • Real Simple Home
  • Life

    Life

    See All Life

    10 Captivating Podcasts for the True Crime-Obsessed

    If you’re hungry for stories of true crime, download any of these podcasts to get your mystery fix on the move.
    • Family
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Wedding Planning
    • Travel Ideas
    • Adulting
    • Get It Done
    • Waste Less, Live Better
  • Health

    Health

    See All Health

    30 Healthiest Foods to Eat Every Day

    • Preventive Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health Coach
    • Crisis Coping
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Healthy Eating
  • Money

    Money

    See All Money

    11 Small Ways You Can Help Stimulate the Economy

    Your dollars may be worth more than you realize.
    • Money Confidential Podcast
    • Saving Money
    • Money Made Simple
    • Spending
    • Money Etiquette
  • Style and Beauty

    Style and Beauty

    See All Style and Beauty
    • Clothing
    • Skincare
    • Shoes
    • Hair
    • Clothing Care
    • Makeup
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    PowerPoint Parties Are the Socially Distant Party Trend You Have to Try: Here’s How to Host One

    Presenting a new way to party together—virtually.
    • All Holidays
    • Easter
    • Gifts
    • Mother’s Day
    • Passover
    • Entertaining
    • Father’s Day
    • Home for the Holidays
    • Come Together
    • Hanukkah
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s Day
  • News
  • Shop

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Real Simple
  2. Home Organizing
  3. Gardening
  4. Indoor Gardening
  5. How to Choose a Plant for Every Room in Your House

How to Choose a Plant for Every Room in Your House

By Sarah Yang
Updated March 21, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo

A little bit of greenery can transform a space—and breathe new life into a room. It’s one of the easiest ways to update your house without having to spend a fortune on new furniture or overpriced décor accents. But not all houseplants are created the same—and that means they all won’t thrive in any old place. To choose a plant for a specific spot in your home, you’ll want to keep two things in mind: plant care and your home’s décor aesthetic. Certain houseplants have different needs when it comes to sun exposure and humidity levels, so you won’t want to put a plant that needs full sun in a windowless bathroom, or an air plant in your sun-drenched living room, when it prefers indirect light. Additionally, you don’t want a plant to stick out like a sore thumb and ruin a whole room’s décor style. A cactus in a serene bedroom? Doesn’t quite say peace and tranquility. Fortunately, there are more than enough houseplant varieties to suit any kind of dwelling and design style. Christopher Satch, The Sill’s in-house plant expert, shares his plant picks for every room in your home—from your living room to your child’s bedroom. And for those who lack a green thumb, Satch also gave us his best maintenance tips so you won’t end up with sad, dead greenery. There’s good news for those who go out of town a lot or just don’t have the time to look after something daily: most of these plant recommendations are low-maintenance and require only weekly or monthly watering.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Living Room

Credit: thesill.com

Make a statement in a space that gets a lot of foot traffic. “The living room is your respite from the outside, as well as your cozy collaboration space with friends and family,” Satch says. “Show off your elegant side with a bird of paradise or rubber tree plant. Or, show off your colorful and fun side with philodendrons, begonias, or cacti and succulents.” Choose plants based on what kind of sun exposure your living room gets. For general reference, there are four kinds of exposure: bright, direct light (full sun); bright, indirect light (partial shade); medium, indirect light; and low, indirect light.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Bird of Paradise: bright light to full sun; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased light
Rubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Philodendron: bright to low, indirect light; water weekly
Begonia: low light to full sun
Cacti or succulents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Kitchen

Credit: thesill.com

“The kitchen is a source of water and, although it’s not as humid as the bathroom, it’s more humid than the rest of the house,” he says. “Counter space is also limited, so hanging things will be optimal.” Another good option: Potted herbs on your windowsill, which are both decorative and useful (just grab a couple of sprigs to sprinkle onto dishes).

Recommended plants and care tips:
Ferns: moderate to low, indirect light; weekly waterings; high humidity
Air plants: bright to moderate, indirect light; daily spritzing; high humidity
Herbs: full sun; regular watering when dry (usually every few days)
Trailing pothos: bright to low, indirect light; water weekly

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Dining Room

Credit: thesill.com

For the dining room, Satch suggests the same lineup of plants you’d choose to display in the living room—that’s because both rooms are places where family and friends congregate. Mix things up: If you chose a rubber tree in the living room, try a begonia in the dining room. Either way, make the space feel special by selecting greenery that’s eye-catching and ready to impress.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Bird of Paradise: bright light to full sun; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Rubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Philodendron: bright to low, indirect light; water weekly
Begonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly increasing intervals with increased light
Cacti or succulents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Bedroom

Credit: thesill.com

Your bedroom is meant to be a restful sanctuary, so add a bit of greenery to create a peaceful atmosphere. “Plants have been shown to boost moods, decrease stress and anxiety, and filter toxins,” Satch says. For the bedroom, he recommended varieties that can improve indoor air quality. But don’t go overboard with your selections—an uncluttered space is a calmer space. One or two plants, max, will suffice.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Snake plant: bright to low, indirect light; water monthly
Rubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Spider plant: moderate, indirect light; water weekly

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Bathroom

Credit: thesill.com

The bathroom is a spot in your house that has a distinctly different temperature and environment than any other room. Go with tropical plants for this space, since the environment in the bathroom is similar to what these varieties are used to: low light levels, high humidity, and warm temperature. “Think of the environment that the space itself provides as a helping hand to keep your houseplants healthy and happy,” Satch says.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Ferns: moderate to low, indirect light; weekly watering; high humidity
Air plants: bright to moderate, indirect light; daily spritzing; high humidity
Pothos or philodendrons: moderate, indirect light; water weekly; regular humidity

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Kid’s Room

Credit: thesill.com

“It’s never to early to show the kids about the wonders of nature,” Satch says. “Having a plant in the bedroom can spark creativity and teach responsibility. Colorful, responsive plants will be key in this mission.” Just make sure the plants are kid-friendly—you wouldn’t want to place a spiky cactus in the room, so opt for a succulent instead.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Begonia or Fittonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased light
Neon pothos: bright to low, indirect light; water weekly
Succulents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Home Office

Credit: thesill.com

Pick a plant you wouldn’t mind staring at when you’re searching for inspiration or creativity. Plus, if you believe in certain superstitions, Marimo moss balls and jade plants are thought to bring good luck. Satch recommends Marimo moss balls (they’re not moss, but a spherical form of algae) for rooms that get low to medium light; and a jade plant or begonia for a home office with medium to high light.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Begonia or Fittonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Marimo moss: low to medium light; it doesn’t require much maintenance other than a swirl every other day, and a change of water every week
Jade plant: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Front Porch

Credit: thesill.com

Make a good first impression—Satch recommends begonia, mint, basil, chamomile, or ferns. Mint and basil give off an inviting scent, while begonia and chamomile have beautiful flowers that provide a warm welcome. “If you have a place to hang plants that’s shaded, always hang ferns—they love the shade and a moist atmosphere,” he says. “Otherwise, in the sun, hang basil, mint, begonias, or chamomile, and don’t forget to water daily in the summertime heat.” Sunny locations can dry plants out, so check the soil regularly—keep in mind that hanging baskets dry out faster than pots do. And watch out for outdoor pests, too.

Recommended plants and care tips:
Begonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased light
Mint, basil, chamomile: bright light; when the temperature is greater than 78 degrees, water daily; on cooler days less than 68 degrees, water once a week; water every other day otherwise; deadhead the chamomile
Ferns: moderate to low, indirect light; weekly watering; high humidity

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sarah Yang

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 Living Room
2 of 8 Kitchen
3 of 8 Dining Room
4 of 8 Bedroom
5 of 8 Bathroom
6 of 8 Kid’s Room
7 of 8 Home Office
8 of 8 Front Porch

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Shop | Real Simple Logo

  • Indoor Plants
  • Plant Stands
  • Terrariums
  • Succulents & Cacti
  • Hanging Planters
  • Wall Planters
  • Gardening Tools
  • Pruners & Shears
  • Silk Flowers
  • Vases
  • Shop More Next

Real Simple may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

Real Simple Logo

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Real Simple is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.realsimple.com

View image

How to Choose a Plant for Every Room in Your House
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.