Best Plants for Every Room in the House

I live in a decent sized apartment with my two fur babies and I hate to admit it, there’s a lot of blank space and bare walls. I’ve been researching apartment friendly wallpaper and other easy-to-install decor to help make it more lively, you know, give it some more life. And then it dawned on me, one thing that can give your space more life are indoor plants and trees!

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But living with animals and constantly traveling, I have to be cautious on which ones I bring in as well as which ones are easy to care for. So, I reached out to Certified Master Gardener, Chef and Culinary Alchemist, Coleen Janeway, to help put together the ‘Best Plants for Every Room’ and here are her suggestions.

The Living Room Showstopper: Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

• Best Room: The Living Room (near a bright, east- or west-facing window).
• The “Why”: Living rooms usually boast the best natural light and the most space, which this dramatic beauty desperately needs. With its massive, glossy, violin-shaped leaves, the Fiddle Leaf serves as a stunning focal point that instantly elevates your decor.
• The Benefit: Aside from its undeniable “wow” factor, its large leaf surface area makes it an excellent natural air purifier, helping to scrub everyday toxins from your main gathering space.
• Editor’s Pick: Costa Farms Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Kitchen Conversation Piece: UFO Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

• Best Room: The Kitchen (on a windowsill or countertop with bright, indirect light).
• The “Why”: Also known as the Chinese Money Plant, its quirky, pancake-shaped leaves floating on delicate stems bring a playful, energetic vibe to the heart of the home. It loves the slightly higher humidity often found near kitchen sinks.
• The Benefit: The UFO plant is famous for producing “pups”—tiny baby plants that pop up in the soil. This makes it the ultimate “friendship plant,” giving you a constant supply of easy-to-propagate gifts for friends who drop by for coffee.
• Editor’s Pick: Gilbert H. Wild and Son Chinese Money Plant

The Bedroom Sanctuary: Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

• Best Room: The Bedroom (even those dim, cozy corners).
• The “Why”: Snake plants are notoriously resilient and tolerate low light and forgotten waterings beautifully. They are the ultimate low-maintenance companion for a space meant for rest.
• The Benefit: Unlike most plants that release carbon dioxide at night, the Snake Plant continues to produce oxygen after the sun goes down. It also filters out common household toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, ensuring you breathe crisp, clean air while you sleep. So important!!
• Editor’s Pick: Arbor Day Foundation Snake Plant

The Bathroom Spa Essential: Orchids (Orchidaceae)

• Best Room: The Bathroom (perched on a vanity or ledge with filtered light).
• The “Why”: Many people struggle with orchids because they forget that these exotic beauties are tropical epiphytes. They love moisture. The steam from your morning showers mimics their native rainforest habitats perfectly.
• The Benefit: Orchids offer elegant, long-lasting blooms that add an instant “luxury spa” feel to an otherwise utilitarian room. They thrive on the humidity that would make other plants root-rot, turning your bathroom into a serene oasis.
• Editor’s Pitck: Westerlay Orchids

Another plant that has also piqued my interest in bringing more life into my home is actually a faux tree from Vert House, the Shady Lady Faux Olive Tree. Why do I like this? No maintenance. Real-real look, designed to last and best of all, pet friendly.

I once read that ‘plant people are happy people’ so I hope these suggestions and ideas put a little smile on your face today and help you too bring some life into your adobe.