Adding plants to your living room? It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to make your place feel fresher and more welcoming.
I’ve noticed that living room plants do more than just look pretty. They can actually help clean the air and give your space a cozy vibe.
They’re such a simple trick to make your home feel alive and inviting, even if you’re not a total plant person yet.
Picking out the right plants can feel a little overwhelming, I get it. There are so many options—whether you want a bold, leafy statement or just a few little succulents, you can find something that fits your style and your routine.
Honestly, a bit of greenery in the right corner can make any living room feel more relaxing for you and your guests.
Read more: 25 Indoor Plant Decor Ideas for Modern Women
1. Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig? It’s a classic. I love how tall it gets and those big, glossy leaves—seriously, it brings life to any room.
I water mine when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Don’t let it sit in water, though, or you’ll end up with root rot (learned that one the hard way).
Once a month during the growing season, I feed it a high-nitrogen fertilizer. That keeps it looking strong and healthy, at least in my experience.
2. Snake Plant
Snake plants are my go-to when I want something easy. They’re happy in low light or bright, indirect light, so you can stick them pretty much anywhere.
Their tall, stiff leaves have this cool shape that stands out. Plus, they help clean the air, which is a win in my book.
If you want a plant that won’t give you any trouble, snake plants are perfect. They don’t need a lot of water and grow at their own chill pace.
3. ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant is a favorite of mine for its simple, clean look. Its shiny leaves catch the light, and honestly, it’s almost impossible to mess up caring for it.
This plant stores water in its roots, so I only water when the soil is bone dry—usually every few weeks. It’s super forgiving if you forget.
I like putting mine on shelves or tables. It’s got this quiet style—never flashy, just effortlessly cool.
4. Kentia Palm
Kentia Palms are surprisingly easy to care for and look good in almost any living room. They do best in bright, indirect light, but if your place is a little dim, they’ll still hang in there.
This palm can get pretty tall—sometimes up to 10 or even 20 feet if you let it. I water mine regularly, but I always make sure the soil drains well, so the roots don’t get soggy.
They’re tough and can handle life indoors or outdoors. For me, they bring a nice tropical touch without demanding much.
5. Rubber Plant
Rubber plants just have this fresh, elegant vibe. Their big, shiny leaves look fancy, but they’re not fussy at all.
They like bright, indirect light. Too much sun can scorch the leaves, so I keep mine near a window with sheer curtains.
I water when the top inch of soil dries out, maybe every week or two. That seems to keep it happy and healthy.
Bonus: Rubber plants help clean the air, so your room feels fresher.
6. African Violet
African violets are just lovely for a little burst of color. They don’t take up much space and prefer bright, indirect light with a steady temperature—around 70°F seems to work best.
Their blooms come in all sorts of colors, from violet to cream and gold. I love how they fit perfectly on shelves or small tables.
I always water from the bottom to keep the leaves dry. They seem happier that way.
7. Umbrella Plant
The Umbrella Plant is such a fun one—its leaves actually look like little umbrellas. It brings a bright, full look to the room.
It grows well indoors and can get up to 6 or 9 feet tall if you let it. I keep mine near a window with plenty of indirect light.
It likes the room warm, somewhere between 60 and 75°F. And if you mist it now and then, it’ll thank you with lush growth.
8. Hoya
Hoyas are such a breeze to care for. They like bright, indirect light and only need a drink when the soil dries out.
Some have thick, waxy leaves that almost look fake (in a good way), and a few even bloom with little fragrant flowers. I’ve found they’re happy indoors or on a covered patio, and they don’t need much pruning.
9. Spider Plant
Spider plants are just fun. They look awesome in hanging baskets or on shelves, with their long leaves spilling over the sides.
They’re easygoing—give them bright, indirect light and water when the soil feels dry. I like that they grow both up and out, so they fill empty spaces in a cool way.
They help clean the air, too. Their green-and-white striped leaves always add a fresh pop to the room.
10. Peace Lily
I love having a Peace Lily around. The white flowers look elegant, and it’s great for cleaning the air.
It’s fine in low light, so I tuck mine in a corner or by a window without direct sun. Water when the soil dries out and mist the leaves for a little humidity boost.
The Peace Lily brings a calm, peaceful energy to any spot.
11. Philodendron
Philodendrons are easy—just how I like my plants. They love bright, indirect light and a bit of warmth, somewhere between 15-27°C.
Some types climb, so I give mine something to grow up. The leaves come in all sorts of shapes and colors, so you can really play with style.
If you want a plant that looks good and feels cozy, you can’t go wrong with a philodendron.
12. Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa is a showstopper with those big, split leaves. It grows pretty fast and gives the room a fresh, jungle vibe.
I feed mine a balanced fertilizer (like 20-20-20) in spring and summer. Repotting in early spring helps the roots stretch out.
It likes bright, indirect light. I keep mine near a window but out of direct sun—nobody wants crispy leaves.
13. Boston Fern
Boston Ferns have these soft, feathery leaves that just make a room feel fresh. They can grow up to 20 inches long and really fill out a space.
They like indirect light and regular watering. I mist mine to keep it happy, especially if the air gets dry.
If you want zero maintenance, there are some decent fake Boston Ferns out there. They still brighten up a room, no watering needed.
14. Bamboo Palm
Bamboo Palms bring a chill, tropical vibe. Their soft, arching leaves and upright stems look neat but not too stiff.
They do best in bright corners, just not in direct sunlight. I check mine for pests like spider mites now and then and handle them fast if I spot any.
This plant’s easy to style and fits with almost any decor. If you want something that feels a little like a vacation, the Bamboo Palm might be your new favorite.
15. Dracaena Marginata
I love having a Dracaena Marginata in my living room. The long, thin leaves with red edges just look cool—kind of dramatic, honestly.
It grows slowly, so I don’t end up repotting it every year. Usually, I only need to do it every 2 or 3 years, which is a relief.
This plant likes bright, indirect light, but it won’t complain much if you put it somewhere dimmer. I water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, which ends up being every week or two for me.
That routine keeps me from going overboard with watering.
16. Pothos
Pothos is just so easy to care for, and honestly, it looks good in pretty much any living room. I appreciate how flexible it is—it’ll grow in low light, or thrive in bright spots if that’s what you’ve got.
The leaves come in all sorts of shapes and colors, which makes things more interesting. I usually go for a potting mix with some perlite to keep drainage on point.
If you’ve got a humid kitchen or bathroom, pothos will be happy there too. That kind of versatility is hard to beat.
17. Calathea
Calathea is a favorite of mine because those patterned leaves are just wild. It brings color and energy to a room without being over the top.
This plant prefers bright, indirect light, so I keep mine near a window but out of direct sun. It’s definitely a humidity lover, so sometimes I’ll run a humidifier nearby or just let it hang out in the bathroom for a bit.
I water it regularly, but I try not to drown it. If I see brown tips on the leaves, I know it’s time to rethink my care routine.
18. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen is one of the easiest plants I’ve dealt with. It does just fine in low or medium light—perfect for those spots that don’t get much sun.
The leaves show off cool patterns in green and silver. They add a pop of color, and I don’t have to fuss over them too much.
If you want a plant that looks good and helps clean the air, this one’s a no-brainer. I keep mine in a small pot and water it once a week, give or take.
19. Alocasia
I can’t get enough of Alocasia’s bold, tropical vibe. The leaves are big, heart-shaped, and sometimes have a glossy shine or wild patterns.
Some of these plants get pretty tall—mine’s pushing six feet indoors, which is kind of impressive. I make sure it gets bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Alocasia loves humidity, so I’ll mist the leaves or turn on a humidifier nearby. Watching this plant grow always feels rewarding, even if it’s a bit dramatic sometimes.
20. Parlor Palm
I like the Parlor Palm. It adds a soft, elegant touch to my living room.
Its feathered leaves grow slowly. Eventually, it can reach about 4 feet tall.
This palm does well in low to moderate light. That makes it easy to tuck into all sorts of corners.
The plant prefers temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees. It’s fine with normal home humidity, so you don’t need to fuss much.
I keep mine away from cold drafts. It’s pretty sensitive to frost and chilly temps—definitely not a fan of winter breezes.
This palm is also pet safe, which is a relief if you’ve got animals zipping around.
