13 Houseplants That Are Healthy to Keep at Home

Looking to breathe fresh life into your home? Houseplants are more than just beautiful decor—they also improve indoor air quality, enhance mood, and create a calming atmosphere. Whether you’re new to plant parenting or a seasoned green thumb, choosing the right houseplants can make a big difference to your health and home environment. From toxin-absorbing champions like Dumb Canes and Chrysanthemums to humidity-boosting Areca Palms and low-maintenance Cacti, these plants work quietly in the background to support your wellness.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up 13 of the healthiest houseplants you can keep at home. Each one is easy to care for and offers its own unique set of benefits, whether it’s purifying the air, boosting oxygen levels, or simply brightening up your living space. Discover which leafy companions are best suited for your home and why investing in these green wonders is one of the smartest wellness choices you can make.

Money Plants are Powerhouses When It Comes to Purifying the Air!

The Money Plant, also known as Epipremnum aureum or Pothos, is a beloved houseplant not only for its easy care but also for its potent air-purifying abilities. This trailing vine thrives in a wide range of lighting conditions, including low light, and can be grown in soil or water. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, Money Plants are effective in removing indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, making them a top pick for improving air quality.

Their waxy, heart-shaped leaves can grow quite large in ideal conditions and create a lush, green aesthetic that brightens any room. They also help maintain indoor humidity, reducing dryness in the air. With their low maintenance and hardy nature, Money Plants are perfect for beginners and make a great addition to homes or offices where air purification and visual appeal are desired.

Moth Orchids or Phalaenopsis Orchids Are Elegant and Easy to Grow

Moth Orchids, or Phalaenopsis, are among the most popular orchids for indoor settings, known for their elegant appearance and long-lasting flowers. These orchids typically have three to six thick, leathery leaves that alternate with a central flower spike, which can produce blooms that last for several months. Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, Moth Orchids prefer indirect light and high humidity but are surprisingly adaptable.

They are excellent air purifiers, helping to reduce airborne toxins and improve overall indoor air quality. With proper care, they can rebloom annually, making them a long-term investment in beauty and wellness. Despite their delicate look, Phalaenopsis orchids are hardy and beginner-friendly when placed in the right environment. Their graceful, butterfly-like flowers come in a variety of colors, adding an elegant touch to any room. Just ensure not to overwater, and your Moth Orchid can thrive for years.

King of Hearts Flowers Offer Unique Foliage and Graceful Blooms

The King of Hearts plant, often a variety of Dicentra or Bleeding Heart, is admired for its charming heart-shaped flowers that dangle over finely divided, fern-like foliage. These plants create a soft, romantic aesthetic in indoor gardens and are also excellent for shaded corners of the home. Although they are traditionally considered outdoor plants, they can thrive indoors with the right care—bright, indirect light and consistently moist, well-draining soil.

The flowers not only provide a striking visual, but the plant also contributes to indoor air quality by cycling oxygen and removing small amounts of toxins. Its compact growth and whimsical blooms make it an ideal accent for desks, side tables, or window sills. Regular deadheading of spent flowers encourages continued blooming. The King of Hearts plant adds a gentle elegance to your home and brings along the benefits of cleaner air and a calming ambiance.

Dumb Canes (Dieffenbachia) Are Vibrant and Air-Purifying

Dumb Canes, or Dieffenbachia, are striking tropical houseplants known for their large, patterned leaves and upright growth habit. These plants are popular for their bold foliage, which features dramatic green, white, and yellow variegation. More than just decorative, Dumb Canes are powerful air purifiers. They can remove harmful indoor pollutants like xylene and toluene, which are commonly found in household products and furniture finishes.

These toxins can cause dizziness or headaches, and having a plant like Dieffenbachia around can help mitigate these risks. While Dieffenbachia is beautiful and beneficial, it’s important to note that its sap is toxic if ingested, so it should be placed out of reach of pets and small children. Despite this, it remains a favorite for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in indoor conditions with filtered light and moderate watering. With care and placement, Dumb Canes add vibrancy and clean air to your living space.

Dendrobium Orchids Are Gorgeous and Versatile Bloomers

Dendrobium Orchids, particularly the hybrid Dendrobium phalaenopsis, are admired for their vibrant blooms and slender, cane-like stems. These elegant orchids are relatively easy to grow indoors and can produce spectacular floral displays several times a year with the right care. Unlike their Phalaenopsis cousins, Dendrobiums often have narrower leaves and more vertical growth. They require bright, indirect light and moderate humidity to thrive.

What makes them especially appealing for the home is their contribution to air purification—like many orchids, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night, making them perfect for bedrooms. These plants can also filter out airborne toxins, improving indoor air quality. With good drainage, regular watering, and occasional fertilization, Dendrobium Orchids reward you with stunning, long-lasting flowers. Their architectural form and colorful blooms make them both a decorative and health-conscious choice for any room.

Flamingo Lilies Are Exotic Beauties with Purifying Powers

Flamingo Lilies, also known as Anthuriums, are exotic tropical plants known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves and striking, waxy spathes in shades of red, pink, or white. Though not the easiest to care for, these plants are well worth the effort for their visual appeal and health benefits. They are known to be highly effective in removing airborne pollutants such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylene, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

These lilies prefer bright, indirect sunlight and consistent moisture, with high humidity levels to mimic their native tropical habitats. While their maintenance might intimidate beginners, once acclimated, Flamingo Lilies can bloom year-round. Their vibrant colors and structured form add an exotic touch to any indoor space, whether placed in a kitchen, living room, or bathroom. In addition to being a statement piece, they also enhance indoor air quality, making them a dual-purpose houseplant that combines beauty with wellness.

Rhapis Palm (Broadleaf Lady Palm) Is Adaptable and Elegant

The Rhapis Palm, or Broadleaf Lady Palm, is a refined and adaptable indoor plant that’s favored for its fan-shaped leaves and upright growth habit. Native to Southeast Asia, this palm thrives in indirect light and tolerates a range of indoor conditions, including varying humidity levels and different soil types. Its ability to purify the air is well documented, particularly in removing ammonia and other common household chemicals.

Unlike some tropical plants, the Rhapis Palm grows slowly, making it easier to manage in smaller indoor spaces. Its low maintenance nature and tolerance for neglect make it a top choice for both novice and experienced plant owners. The lush green foliage of this palm adds a fresh, natural vibe to interiors, while also quietly working to cleanse the air of toxins. With minimal pruning and simple care requirements, Rhapis Palms bring a calm, stately elegance to any room.

Areca Palms Are Decorative and Excellent Air Purifiers

Areca Palms are one of the most popular indoor palms, valued for their feathery, arching fronds and impressive ability to purify the air. Native to Madagascar, they thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and prefer moist, well-draining soil. These palms are especially effective at removing toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from indoor environments.

They also act as natural humidifiers by releasing moisture into the air, which can help with respiratory issues and dry skin. Areca Palms are non-toxic to pets, making them a safe choice for households with animals. Their elegant form makes them perfect for filling empty corners or creating green partitions within a room. With a bit of care—regular watering, occasional pruning, and moderate fertilizing—Areca Palms can grow into substantial, eye-catching plants that are as practical as they are beautiful.

Chrysanthemums Are Colorful and Toxin-Reducing

Chrysanthemums, often simply called “mums,” are not only celebrated for their colorful and abundant blooms but also for their exceptional ability to purify the air. According to NASA research, these flowers are among the top air-purifying plants, effective at removing a wide range of indoor pollutants, including benzene, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Mums prefer bright light and cooler indoor temperatures, making them suitable for sunny windowsills or breezy spots in the home.

While typically grown as annuals indoors, with proper care and pruning, they can rebloom. They require well-drained soil and should be watered regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Beyond their aesthetic value, Chrysanthemums promote cleaner air and a brighter atmosphere indoors. Their cheerful appearance also helps lift mood and reduce stress, making them a welcome addition to any home setting.

Pygmy Date Palm Adds Charm and Cleanses the Air

The Pygmy Date Palm, or Phoenix roebelenii, is a dwarf variety of palm that makes an excellent indoor plant due to its compact size and attractive, feather-like fronds. Ideal for containers, it adds a touch of the tropics to any room and is particularly valued for its air-purifying capabilities. This palm is effective at removing indoor air toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene and can also increase humidity, which benefits skin and respiratory health.

The plant prefers bright, indirect light and moist but well-drained soil. Though slow-growing, the Pygmy Date Palm is long-lasting and can be a beautiful, low-maintenance part of your indoor plant collection. It thrives in stable conditions and should be protected from drafts and extreme temperatures. With its graceful foliage and wellness benefits, this palm brings both elegance and cleaner air to your indoor spaces.

Scindapsus Is Unique and Hardy

Scindapsus, often confused with Pothos, is a visually stunning plant known for its velvety, heart-shaped leaves with unique marbling or silvery patterns. Popular varieties like Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’ or ‘Exotica’ bring a decorative flair to indoor spaces. This plant not only adds beauty but also acts as an air-purifier by absorbing indoor toxins like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Scindapsus thrives in medium to low light and prefers its soil to dry out between waterings, making it a low-fuss option for busy individuals.

It can be trained to climb or cascade from hanging baskets, adding visual interest to various parts of the home. These plants are relatively pest-resistant and can adapt to most indoor environments with minimal care. Their resilient nature and elegant appearance make them an excellent addition to any indoor plant collection, offering both aesthetics and practical air-cleaning benefits.

Cactus Is Ideal for the Forgetful Plant Owner

Cacti are some of the easiest houseplants to care for, perfect for those who prefer a “set and forget” approach. These desert natives come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are known for their water-retaining abilities. Cacti are not just decorative; they also contribute to better air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide at night and releasing oxygen, making them ideal for bedrooms.

Additionally, they can reduce radiation from electronic devices, which can be helpful in office spaces. They thrive in bright, direct sunlight and require infrequent watering—usually every 2–4 weeks, depending on the species and environment. Their thick skins and spines also protect them from pests, reducing maintenance concerns. Cacti add a unique architectural element to interior décor while providing health benefits, making them a great choice for beginners or frequent travelers who want greenery without the hassle.

Succulents Are Stylish and Surprisingly Beneficial

Succulents are widely popular for their cute shapes, varied colors, and compact size, often seen in kitchens, offices, or small apartments. Despite their reputation as mainly decorative, many succulent varieties are surprisingly good at improving indoor air quality. They absorb toxins and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, particularly beneficial during the night. This makes them a good fit for bedrooms or meditation spaces.

Succulents prefer bright light and need minimal watering—usually once every 1–2 weeks. Overwatering is the main reason they fail, so they’re ideal for people who might forget a watering or two. They come in a variety of forms including Aloe, Echeveria, and Jade Plants, all of which offer both visual interest and practical benefits. Their low-maintenance nature and clean design make them a modern favorite that also supports a healthier home environment.

Bottom Line

Houseplants do more than just add a pop of green to your space—they actively contribute to a healthier, happier home. With their air-purifying qualities, ability to reduce stress, and even potential to improve focus, these 13 houseplants are a must-have for any indoor environment.

Whether you want a low-maintenance option like a succulent or a lush, tropical vibe from a palm or orchid, there’s a plant for every lifestyle. Start small or go big—either way, your home (and your health) will thank you. Just remember: a little green goes a long way toward creating a naturally healthier home.

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