At this point we present 12 easy-care and robust houseplants that will also transform your home into a green oasis. From lush flowering shrubs to fast-growing climbing plants, there is a suitable plant for every taste.
Easy-care flowering plants
Most flowering houseplants come from tropical or subtropical regions, since the greatest variety of shapes and colors could develop here due to the favorable climate. We have limited ourselves to vigorous and uncomplicated species that are easy to flower.
Solid Leaf (Spathiphyllum)
There are around 40 different types of single leaf, also known as leaf flags, which vary in height. The popular variety Spathiphyllum wallisii, of which there is even a fragrant variety with 'Mauna Loa', is particularly vigorous.
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: Colombia, Venezuela
Poisonous: yes, for humans and pets
heyday: March to September
growth height: depending on the species up to 120 centimeters
Location: light to semi-shady, also tolerates darker locations very well, warm all year round
Watering and fertilizing: water moderately, use warm water, reduce the amount of water in winter, fertilize slightly between March and October (every 14 days)
Further care: spray or shower off frequently, repot in spring if necessary
Pests and diseases: Scale insects and spider mites from dry air
Particularities: is very suitable for hydroponics
Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)
Anthuriums are one of the most popular indoor plants. They are easy-care tropical plants that bloom tirelessly all year round and can grow quite large with a growth height of up to 100 centimeters and a corresponding girth.
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: Middle and South America
Poisonous: yes, they contain substances that irritate the mucous membranes
heyday: all year round
growth height: up to 100 centimeters
Location: warm and bright all year round, but not sunny
Watering and fertilizing: keep evenly moist all year round, do not use cold water, fertilize in small doses between March and September
Further care: ensure high humidity, spray or shower regularly, repot in spring
Pests and diseases: Curling of the leaves and spider mites in dry air and direct sun, leaf spots, root rot, aphids and scale insects occasionally occur
Tip: When spraying flowering indoor plants, always cover the flowers, otherwise they will get unsightly brown spots.
Sturdy green plants
If you are looking for easy-care and robust indoor plants that also tend to grow large and thus create a jungle feeling in your living room at home, you have a much larger selection of green and leaf ornamental plants.
This division into green and flowering plants is actually not correct from a botanical point of view, because almost all of the plants presented here produce flowers in their natural habitat - apart from a few exceptions. On the other hand, the subdivision makes sense, since these species have decorative value due to their often large and showy leaves. The flowers, on the other hand, are usually rather inconspicuous and only rarely appear in indoor culture.
Alocasia / Elephant Ear (Alocasia)
Arrow leaf, Alocasia cuprea
The giant-leaved arrowhead (Alocasia macrorrhizos), also known as elephant's ear because of the characteristic shape of its leaves, grows particularly luxuriantly. This and other Alocasia species are best housed in a spacious greenhouse or a large flower window, as the magnificent exotics need a lot of space.
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: South East Asia
Poisonous: yes, especially the leaves of some species contain hydrocyanic acid
growth height: up to 200 centimeters
Location: partially shaded to shaded, over 20 °C all year round, if possible a little cooler in winter (not below 17 °C!)
Watering and fertilizing: keep well moist in spring and summer, water sparingly in winter, avoid waterlogging, fertilize sparingly every 14 days between March and August
Further care: ensure high humidity, repot every two years
Pests and diseases: Rotting of the rhizomes due to too cool temperatures / draughts
Balsam apple (Clusia rosea)
Source: Forest & Kim Starr, Starr 070221-4679 Clusia rosea, Edited from Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
With good care and a sufficiently large planter, this species is one of the fastest growing indoor plants: growth heights of up to three meters are not uncommon in warm greenhouses. On the windowsill and in a correspondingly small pot, the plant naturally stays smaller. The balsam apple rarely forms pink, fragrant flowers that are reminiscent of camellias.
Family: Guttiferae, Guttiaceae
Homeland: Tropics and subtropics of South America
Poisonous: Yes, skin and mucous membrane irritation and allergic reactions are possible
growth height: up to 300 centimeters
Location: light to semi-shady, no direct sun, warm all year round (not below 18 °C)
Watering and fertilizing: always keep slightly moist, water moderately, fertilize slightly every 14 days during the growth period
Further care: spray more often, repot in spring if necessary
Pests and diseases: rare
Notice: The balsam apple was shipped to Europe as early as 1692, but is still very rarely found in indoor culture. The easy-care and robust plant lives in its home on and between rocks.
Tree Friend (Philodendron)
From the group of bushy or climbing philodendron species there is a large number of vigorous and robust houseplants. Probably the two most important varieties for indoor cultivation are the blushing tree friend (Philodendron erubescens) and the climbing philodendron (Philodendron scandens).
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: South America
Poisonous: yes, poisonous to both humans and animals
growth height: depending on the type and variety up to 150 centimeters
Location: light to semi-shady, warm all year round (not below 18 °C)
Watering and fertilizing: always keep slightly moist, fertilize every 14 days between March and August
Further care: spray more often, repot if necessary, pruning possible
Pests and diseases: Scale insects and thrips from indoor air that is too dry, root rot from wet, cold feet
Particularities: does not tolerate any leaf polish
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia)
The Dieffenbachia is a very easy-care and robust plant, as long as it is in a suitable location. In addition, the species is one of the favorite indoor plants of international breeders: there is a wide range of different varieties, including those with variegated or almost white leaves.
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: Tropical Central and South America
Poisonous: yes, in all parts, juice is irritating to skin and mucous membranes
growth height: depending on the type and variety up to 200 centimeters
Location: light to semi-shady, no direct sun, warm all year round
Watering and fertilizing: keep moist all year round, water less often in winter, fertilize weekly in low doses in summer
Further care: spray or shower off regularly, cut back older plants to prevent bare foliage, they will sprout again
Pests and diseases: Spider mites, thrips and aphids from dry heating air, root rot from standing too wet and fungal diseases from unsuitable site conditions
Tip: If the location is too dark, the leaves of the varieties with variegated foliage turn green and lose their pretty color.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
Dragon tree, Dracaena deremensis
When looking for vigorous indoor plants, you should definitely consider the large group of dragon trees. These plants, also known as dracenes, are easy-care and robust agave plants, of which a large number of types and varieties are commercially available. Especially pretty for the living room are:
- Marginated dragon tree, 'Dracaena marginata': narrow, arching overhanging leaves, cultivar 'Tricolor' with pink-cream-green striped leaf patterns
- Fragrant dragon tree, 'Dracaena fragans': fragrant dragon tree, broad, green-yellow or green-white striped leaves
- Snake Lily, 'Dracaena sanderiana': white-yellow or silver-grey striped leaves
- 'Dracaena reflexa': olive green foliage with cream colored leaves
- 'Dracaena deremensis': blue-green leaves edged with white
Family: Agavaceae, Agave Family
Homeland: Canary Islands, tropical and subtropical Africa, Madagascar, Asia and Southeast Asian islands
Poisonous: not toxic to humans, but slightly toxic to animals (especially dogs, cats, rabbits)
growth height: depending on the type and variety up to 200 centimeters
Location: light to semi-shady, but not full sun, warm all year round
Watering and fertilizing: always keep evenly slightly moist, avoid waterlogging and dry bulbs (leaf fall!), fertilize every two weeks between March and August
Further care: Spray more often, repot every two years
Pests and diseases: brown leaf edges, scale insects and spider mites from dry heating air, withered leaf tips from poor watering, root rot from too much water
Particularities: Place variegated varieties as bright as possible so that the leaves do not turn green
Dragon tree, Dracaena marginata
Tip: Dragon trees do not tolerate leaf spray spray, which is often used on indoor plants, but can be cut back at any time if necessary.
Monstera deliciosa
Beautifully trimmed leaves and impressive growth have made the Monstera one of the most popular indoor plants. The robust and easy-care creeper needs a framework or an epiphyte trunk to which it can hold on. The numerous aerial roots must not be injured or removed.
Family: Araceae, Araceae
Homeland: Mexico
Poisonous: all parts of the plant contain substances that irritate the skin and mucous membranes
growth height: can be several meters high
Location: bright, but not directly sunny, between 18 and 22 °C all year round, likes high humidity
Watering and fertilizing: keep moderately moist all year round, between March and August fertilize every 14 days in low doses
Further care: Wipe / shower leaves regularly, spray more often, repot if necessary
Pests and diseases: Scale insects and spider mites from dry air
Particularities: also thrives in the shade
Ficus Species (Ficus)
In the Ficus group there are many houseplants that are as robust as they are easy to care for. The most prominent species is probably the birch fig (Ficus benjamina), which, like the related rubber tree (Ficus elastica), grows as high as a room and is available in many green and variegated varieties. Other beautiful species are:
- Violin fig, 'Ficus lyrata': is only suitable for high and large rooms or entrance halls in the long run
- Congo fig, 'Ficus buxifolia': the box-leaved rubber tree, very fast-growing
- Bengal fig, 'Ficus benghalensis': grows very tall, has beautifully shaped, leathery leaves
- 'Ficus rubiginosa': brown-red rubber tree, likes it cooler and can grow up to four meters high
Ficus Benjamini
Family: Moraceae, mulberry family
Homeland: tropics and subtropics
Poisonous: some species (e.g. Ficus benjamina) slightly toxic to humans and domestic animals
growth height: depending on the type and variety up to several meters
Location: very bright but not sunny, room temperature all year round, high humidity
Watering and fertilizing: water moderately, rarely in winter, avoid waterlogging (leaf fall!), fertilize every 14 days in summer
Further care: spray more often, repot if necessary, pruning promotes branching in some species
Pests and diseases: Scale insects, spider mites, thrips from dry heating air, leaf fall in winter as a result of too cool and wet winter conditions
Ray's Aralia (Schefflera)
The Schefflera is one of the fastest-growing houseplants, which can reach several meters in height with a suitable location and good care.
Schefflera arboricola, radiate aralie, scheffleria
Family: Araliaceae, Araliaceae
Homeland: Taiwan, Northeast Australia, New Guinea
Poisonous: yes, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and pets
growth height: depending on the variety and location up to several meters
Location: light to semi-shady, as cool as possible in winter at 16 to 18 °C
Watering and fertilizing: always keep slightly moist, fertilize every 14 days between March and August
Further care: Spray or shower off regularly, repot if necessary
Pests and diseases: Scale insects when the winter is too warm and air-dry, leaves fall when the temperatures are too cool
Particularities: Growth can be limited by pruning or pinching
Non-toxic foliage plants
If you have small children or pets, it is important to have houseplants that are harmless. That is why you will find two non-poisonous species at this point.
Elephant foot (Beaucarnea recurvata)
In its Mexican homeland, the elephant's foot, also known as the bottle tree, grows as a shrub up to ten meters high with many shoots and develops hanging leaves that are almost two meters long. Of course, the robust and easy-care houseplant does not reach the same dimensions with us, but with good care it can also grow in pots or tubs and form leaves up to 60 centimeters long.
Family: Agavaceae, Agave Family
Homeland: Mexico
Poisonous: no
growth height: up to 150 centimeters, with good care even higher
Location: light to full sun and airy, light and cool in winter (not below 10 °C)
Watering and fertilizing: water moderately in summer, keep almost dry in winter, avoid waterlogging, fertilize every four weeks from May to October
Further care: repot every two to three years, ensure drainage in the pot
Pests and diseases: Spider mites and scale insects from too warm a winter place
Particularities: Place outdoors in a rain-protected spot in summer.
Tip: You can achieve good pot drainage with all indoor plants by choosing a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom and filling in broken clay or granules as the bottom layer. Always remove excess irrigation water from the cachepot or the saucer.
Cobbler palm (Aspidistra elatior)
Family: Liliaceae, Liliaceae
Homeland: China and Japan
Poisonous: no, harmless to humans and pets
growth height: up to 100 centimeters
Location: light to shady, never sunny, fresh all year round and rather cool (not below 10 °C), keep variegated varieties lighter and warmer
Watering and fertilizing: keep moderately moist, do not allow to dry out, avoid waterlogging, water little in winter, fertilize every two weeks between March and August
Further care: repot in spring if the pot is rooted
Pests and diseases: Root rot due to waterlogging, leaf burns due to the bright sun, scale insects and spider mites in too warm winter places
Tip: The plant loves to be outdoors in the summer, for example on the balcony or terrace.