10 Trendy Houseplants: Will They Survive in Your Space?

Houseplants are having a moment and in an ideal world, you could have them all. However, some of the most trendy plants may not do well in the places you want them to. Here's a handy guide on how to keep houseplants happy and thriving.

By: Megan Sadler

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Getty/ mykeyruna

Photo By: iStock/agcuesta

Photo By: iStock/dinachi

Photo By: iStock/ Chansom Pantip

Photo By: iStock/mihalis_a

Photo By: Getty/Keith Beaty

Photo By: iStock/ Viktor_Kitaykin

Photo By: iStock / Tonglin Lin / EyeEm

Photo By: iStock/ patnowa

Photo By: iStock/ Ratth

Monstera

This gorgeous plant is the trendiest of all with its leaves appearing on art prints, upholstery, stationary and everything in between. It gives the room it inhabits a special tropical vibe, and for good reason, the Monstera plant is native to the Central American rainforest. It needs a warm climate, lots of sun and plenty of water. This plant can grow up to 30 feet high and needs frequent pruning so only bring it into your home if you have plenty of space and lots of direct light.

Also See: How to Care for Monstera, the Swiss Cheese Plant

Snake Plant

The snake plant is a fun accent for any room and it's a breeze to care for. These hardy little plants are tolerant to lots of different light environments, but they prefer mostly indirect light. Be wary of rooms with too much sun as they are susceptible to burning. And don't overhydrate, they don't need much water.

Also See: How to Care for a Snake Plant

Succulents

Succulents are all the rage whether they're included in terrarium arrangments, tiny pots or other cute decor. If you have a small space, they perch perfectly on window sills enjoying direct sunlight. But be careful, too much direct sun can cause sunburns. Other than that, succulents require little care. Learn more about succulent care here.

Calathea

Calathea Majestica, more commonly known as the peacock plant, is aptly named for its gorgeous feather-like leaves. Calathea prefers shade and a humid climate, but they don't like being heavily watered. If your space is low on direct sunlight and you have time to frequently water along with taking time to remove dust from the leaves, this plant is for you.

Areca Palm

The Areca Palm is a great alternative to a Monstera if your space doesn't have much direct sun. Arecas like indirect light and well-drained soil. Be careful not to overwater it and it will thrive in an area with less sun.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig requires lots of bright light. If your space is filled with tons of natural light flowing in from large windows and open spaces, this is the plant for you. They need little water, only requiring a sprinkle once their soil is completely dry. However, be cautious of chilly temperatures. The Fiddle Leaf Fig thrives in hot, humid climates so be sure to keep it away from doors and windows that may let winter winds wreak havoc. Read more on Fiddle Leaf Figs here.

Also See: How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus Elastica

This plant's gorgeous deep green leaves look great in any space, but they do require a considerable amount of sun. They like direct morning sun, but afternoon sun may be too harsh for them. They are also susceptible to dryness, so if you bring this plant into your space be prepared to water, water and water some more.

Cactus

Although they prefer similar conditions to succulents such as direct sun and not much water, cactus can handle much more direct light than succulents. These desert beauties can grow much larger than other succulents and sometimes even flower and produce fruit like the prickly pear pictured here. Choose this plant over small succulents to fill a larger space.

Pilea

Pilea plants love the sun. In fact, if you add this plant to your space you'll likely find yourself needing to rotate it often because it will bend its leaves towards the light source. This plant grows fast and will need to be repotted often. If you have a space with lots of sun and want to be highly involved with watering, repotting, trimming and other maintenance, then this whimsical plant is the one for you.

When in Doubt, Go Faux

If you're a notorious plant killer, or your space just isn't suitable for a live plant, opt for faux. Sometimes they look even better than the real deal, and high-quality fake fauna are often indistinguishable from their living counterparts. Read more from a pro on how to utilize this option here.

10 Trendy Houseplants: Will They Survive in Your Space?

Related To:

Shop This Look

Monstera

Snake Plant

Succulents

Calathea

Areca Palm

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Ficus Elastica

Cactus

Pilea

When in Doubt, Go Faux

20 Houseplants to Enliven Your Living Room 20 Photos

Houseplants That Make Your Home Feel Like a Tropical Paradise

10 Best Indoor Plants for Every Room of Your Home 10 Photos

10 Chic Ways to Style a Tray

Indoor Gardens That You'll Want in Your Home 12 Photos

Related Pages