The 15 Most Popular House Plants and How to Keep Them Alive

Plants add a touch of green to any interior space. But if you prefer real plants over their fake counterparts, you have to make sure you care for them correctly.

Here are 15 of the most popular house plants and some basic instructions for watering them and providing them with enough light. 

1. Aloe

Aloe plants don’t need water often, only once every 10-15 days. Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering. Then, let loose with water — then, let it dry. 

Keep aloe out in the sun as much as possible.

2. Succulent

Aloe is a form of succulent, so you can follow the exact same instructions above for basically any other succulent.

3. Snake Plant

Snake plants don’t need frequent watering, either. Once every 10-15 days should do. Like with succulents, wait until the soil is dry, then add a lot of water at once.

4. Peperomia

Peperomia needs more regular watering, every 5-10 days should do. When the solid is dry 2 inches deep, it’s time to water. If it takes too long to reach that level of dryness, the plant needs more sun.

5. Peace Lily

Peace Lilies require about the same instructions as Peperomias. However, they can tolerate a bit more moisture in the soil.

6. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Fiddle leaf fig trees need watering every 5-10 days, but like some of the previous plants, wait until the soil dries 2 inches deep. These plants enjoy a bit more dryness.

7. Parlor Palm Tree

Like other plants earlier on this list, parlor palm trees should be watered once soil dries to 2 inches deep. You can tell that they’re lacking sunlight if they dry out too slowly.

8. Spider Plant

Spider plants can tolerate moister soil, so keep them nice and watered every 5-10 days — when the soil is dry for 2 inches deep, of course. Check that they’re drying fast enough. Otherwise, they may be lacking in sunlight.

9. Citrus Tree

Growing citrus fruits? Make sure to water the plant once the soil has completely dried to 2 inches deep. Alternatively, if the plant is just starting to wilt or the leaves start curling, it needs water.

Citrus root dry fast. A terracotta pot may be helpful.

10. African Violet

If the African violet’s soil is dry to the touch, it’s time for some more water. Keep the soil moist, but don’t overdo it, or you could subject your plant to pathogens.

11. Ficus Tree

Water ficus trees every 5-10 days, or when the solid dries to 2 inches deep. Ficuses love the sun, so keep them in a sun-exposed area.

12. Philodendron

Philodendrons are much like several other plants on this list. Water them once the solid reaches 2 inches of dryness — and if it isn’t drying, then it needs some sun. 

13. Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis orchids are a bit more high maintenance. Give them a tiny spray every day or every other day. Then, once a week, run warm water through them and their soil. Let the water soak in the soil for a few hours.

14. Rubber Plant

Rubber plants need semi-regular watering — every time the soil dries 2 inches deep, it’s time for a refresh. These plants prefer dryness a bit more than some other plants.

15. Calathea

Calatheas need watering every 5-10 days. Look for the soil to be dry to 2 inches deep before watering. With that said, don’t mist them — it can subject your plant to foliar infections. Also, make sure your calathea is getting enough light.