Popular houseplants and how to care for them
The plants most homes have, and what each one needs: light, water, and whether it is safe with a cat or a dog.
In short
- Easiest to keep
- Mini monstera, Monstera, Snake plant, Golden pothos, Chinese money plant, ZZ plant, Cast iron plant and Jade plant
- For a dim room
- Snake plant, Golden pothos, ZZ plant and Cast iron plant
- Safe with cats and dogs
- Chinese money plant, Calathea orbifolia, Cast iron plant and African violet
- Need the most sun
- Jade plant and Bird of paradise
Christi Miltz, CC0Mini monsteraRhaphidophora tetraspermaBright indirectEvery 7 daysToxic to pets
Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0MonsteraMonstera deliciosaBright indirectEvery 7 to 10 daysToxic to pets
zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0Snake plantDracaena trifasciataAlmost any lightEvery 2 to 4 weeksToxic to pets
Wikimedia Commons, public domainGolden pothosEpipremnum aureumLow to brightEvery 7 to 14 daysToxic to pets
Thalia M. Mite, CC BY 4.0Fiddle leaf figFicus lyrataBright indirectEvery 7 to 10 daysToxic to pets
Quackor, CC BY 3.0Chinese money plantPilea peperomioidesBright indirectEvery 7 to 10 daysSafe for pets
Флорист, CC BY 4.0ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifoliaLow to brightEvery 2 to 4 weeksToxic to pets
Greg III Espera, CC BY 4.0Calathea orbifoliaGoeppertia orbifoliaMedium indirectEvery 5 to 7 daysSafe for pets
frau-doktor, public domainCast iron plantAspidistra elatiorLow lightEvery 2 to 3 weeksSafe for pets
dinomariobob, CC0Jade plantCrassula ovataFull sunEvery 2 to 3 weeksToxic to pets
dinomariobob, CC0African violetStreptocarpus ionanthusBright indirectEvery 5 to 7 daysSafe for pets
The Great Walter, CC BY 4.0Bird of paradiseStrelitzia reginaeFull sunEvery 7 to 14 daysToxic to petsCompare their care
Light, watering and pet safety for each plant on this page. Watering is for spring and summer; most need less in winter.
| Plant | Light | Water | Difficulty | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini monstera | Bright indirect | Every 7 days | Easy | Toxic |
| Monstera | Bright indirect | Every 7 to 10 days | Easy | Toxic |
| Snake plant | Almost any light | Every 2 to 4 weeks | Easy | Toxic |
| Golden pothos | Low to bright | Every 7 to 14 days | Easy | Toxic |
| Fiddle leaf fig | Bright indirect | Every 7 to 10 days | Demanding | Toxic |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect | Every 7 to 10 days | Easy | Safe |
| ZZ plant | Low to bright | Every 2 to 4 weeks | Easy | Toxic |
| Calathea orbifolia | Medium indirect | Every 5 to 7 days | Demanding | Safe |
| Cast iron plant | Low light | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Easy | Safe |
| Jade plant | Full sun | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Easy | Toxic |
| African violet | Bright indirect | Every 5 to 7 days | Moderate | Safe |
| Bird of paradise | Full sun | Every 7 to 14 days | Moderate | Toxic |