Forget about futons, sliding barn doors, and faux plants. It’s 2023 and live indoor house plants are the current and practical trend. Besides looking pretty, what benefits do house plants really bring into your life?

It may help improve your mood and reduce stress. We’re no experts in psychology, but we sure do smile every time we see a beautiful plant nearby.

Plants may make you more productive and creative! Plants are quite creative and productive themselves, and can provide inspiration and motivation to those working nearby.

You may become a more caring and kind human being. It’s sort of like having pet, but it won’t wake you up at night or use the bathroom on your favorite shirt.

Are you sold yet? Let’s talk more about types of plants and their care needs.

Starting with some easy-going, low-risk, high-reward plants. As busy plant owners, you want something that brings beauty to a space, and requires little attention. Succulents, Pothos (Epipremmum aureum) and ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) have become commonplace everywhere from Home Depot to Walgreens. These are wonderful starter plants because they add color to your space, and won’t die on you if you forget to check in on them for a few days or weeks.

In the more medium-care range we have Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia) and Fish Tale Palm (Caryota urens). These all require a bit more attention to light and water requirements, but are perfect additions to your home. Depending on your space limitations, these may be a bit much. On the other hand, if you have a large open corner in your living room or kitchen, these will fill that space nicely and look great doing it.

In the WOW-factor category, we have some suggestions for easy-care, unique specimens to impress your friends. First, the Raven ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven), with its dark, metallic-looking leaves. It requires little attention and can fit in virtually any open space you have. Next, we have the Mandarin Spider plant (Chlorophytum amaniense). It has a stunning orange stems, and solid green leaves, giving the impression of a plant on fire. Both of these specimens can withstand varied temperature ranges and indirect sunlight.

Looking for more inspiration?

Visit our exhibit dedicated to house plants now until May 21st at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Our employees love house plants, and it shows! Make sure to pack your camera and a notepad, you’ll be planning a trip to your local garden center on the way home. Big thank you and shout out to Urban Planting Cleveland for lending us many healthy and gorgeous plants for display. Give them a visit!

Finally, thank you to our horticulturalist, Sommer Tolan, for helping me identify the plants pictured and teaching me a thing or two about caring for them!