Top 10 Houseplants

"Anthuriums are favorites because of their bold, tropical-looking flowers," says Justin Hancock, consumer marketing and digital specialist at Costa Farms. "Traditionally they come in shades of pink, red and white, but newer hybrids also come in purples, chocolate and streaked bicolors. They like warm, humid conditions and bright light. In favorable spots like that, each flower can last a couple of months. There aren’t a lot of plants you can say that about."

Though Justin Hancock, of Costa Farms says croton isn't the easiest houseplant to grow, he loves its boldness. "This tropical loves bright light and good humidity—if you have those conditions, then it’s tough to find another plant with more dazzling foliage," he says. "Outdoors in the tropics, these plants grow as large landscape shrubs; indoors crotons stay a much more manageable size. But if you want to grow one big indoors, you can with a large pot."

"Lucky bamboo is one of those fun, easy houseplants that are great for beginners," says Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. "It doesn’t need a lot of light and watering isn’t hard to figure out—just keep its pot moist."

Lucky bamboo crosses the line between houseplant and art. "When young, the plant’s architectural, bamboo-like stems are the highlight, especially when they’re woven or formed in fun shapes," Hancock says. "But let it grow and the large leaves lend it a much more luxurious feel. If you want to feed your lucky bamboo to give it a little more color and help it grow faster, use a fertilizer for aquarium plants."