Houseplants not only add beauty to our interior decor, but they also help make our indoor air more healthy. Some houseplants are fairly common, while others are more unusual, but definitely deserving of a place in our homes.
Swipe through to learn about underrated houseplants.
The silver dollar plant is a fleshy succulent that produces attractive, flat, round leaves. It can be a climber, but can be trimmed up into a more bushy form. This Madagascar native is drought-tolerant but does need regular watering during the summer growing period.
Photography: Pinterest/myrareplants.com
Spider plants were all the rage a few years back but deserve a permanent place in our homes. Not only are they beautiful—especially the variegated types— but they also clean indoor air by absorbing chemicals including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
While the typical split-leaf monstera is a mainstay in many households and offices, the Swiss cheese variety is seen less often. The hole-y leaves on this easy-care plant offer visual interest to your houseplant collection. Water this one every 1-2 weeks, letting it dry out between waterings.
For a splash of bright color, consider Stromanthe ‘Triostar’. The long tri-colored leaves show off brilliantly in magenta, dark green and cream. Native to the Amazon jungle, this tropical beauty can grow 2 to 3 feet tall and prefers bright, indirect light.
Photography: Pinterest/Magic Valley Gardens
Peperomia plants can tolerate periods of dryness and a variety of lighting conditions. The watermelon peperomia has a fun, watermelon-like pattern and coloration on its leaves. This compact plant is native to South America.
The mistletoe cactus has an interesting form, featuring thin, pencil-like foliage that cascades beautifully. Rhipsalis baccifera is native to tropical regions and can tolerate lower light levels than many houseplants. This one can dry out completely between waterings.
Photography: Pinterest/The Stem
The baby rubber plant is a small plant perfect for small spaces. It likes indirect, bright light and is happy to dry out between waterings. The plant features shiny, succulent-like leaves and small green-white flowers.
Photography: Pinterest/Gardening Chores
Have you thought about growing an olive tree as a houseplant? Consider Olea europaea ‘Wilsonii,’ a non-fruiting tree that will survive indoors for many years. Put it in a bright, sunny spot and water it deeply once a week.
Photography: Pinterest/Garden Goods Direct
Everyone and his brother, it seems, has a fiddle-leaf fig. Break away from the pack and try a rock fig. This beauty sports leaves with a silvery shimmer and stunning red veins. It grows best in a small pot, which encourages its interesting, partially aboveground root formations.
If you have a big corner to fill, consider an umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola). This underrated plant is undemanding, though it does like bright, indirect light and weekly waterings. Indoors, this beauty can grow to 6 feet tall. If you have pets, however, choose a different plant, as umbrella plant is toxic to cats and dogs.