1. African Violet
The African violet, Streptocarpus subg. Streptocarpella sect. Saintpaulia, is a compact flower with a whorl of fuzzy foliage that’s spherical or coronary heart formed, inexperienced on high, and sometimes purplish on the underside.
Blossoms in shades of blue, orange, pink, purple, crimson, or yellow, typically bicolored or fringed, perch atop the leaves and are the star attraction.
African Violets
Vegetation might obtain mature dimensions of six to 24 inches tall and extensive, desire wealthy, loamy soil, and have reasonable water wants.
A temperature vary of 65 to 80°F, in location with shiny, oblique gentle, and roughly 80 p.c humidity is good.
A four-pack of African violets from the Optimara sequence in four-inch pots is out there from Optiflora by way of Amazon.
Please see our information to rising African violets for extra particulars.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, aka A. barbadensis, is an evergreen tropical succulent with a really brief stem. It shops water in fleshy, pointed, serrated foliage.
Younger leaves are inexperienced and flecked with white. Indoor vegetation are unlikely to flower, however these outdoor produce a stalk roughly three ft tall and greenish-yellow blossoms.
Aloe leaves have gel-like facilities that comprise anti-inflammatory properties. This gel has been lengthy utilized in natural medication to deal with burns and stings. The leaves additionally comprise a layer of latex that will trigger an allergic response in some folks.
Aloe Vera
When grown indoors, count on mature heights of 1 to a few ft with an expansion of two to a few ft. Vegetation desire unfastened, sandy soil and have low water wants.
Set in a shiny spot, the perfect temperature for cultivation is 55 to 85°F. Aloe doesn’t require humidity, so a mean indoor humidity between 30 and 50 p.c is appropriate.
You’ll find aloe vera vegetation in one-gallon pots accessible from Quick Rising Timber.
Our information to rising aloe has full cultivation particulars.
3. Anthurium
Anthurium, Anthurium spp., is a tropical perennial epiphyte that adheres to different flora for help in its native setting.
Some species produce leaf variations referred to as “spathes” which might be brightly coloured and punctuated by a central “spadix” or fleshy stalk with many tiny blossoms.
Spathe colours could also be variegated and embody shades of gold, inexperienced, purple, crimson, yellow, and white.
Observe that this species is poisonous to people and animals so be cautious about placement when you have curious children and pets.
Pink Coronary heart Anthurium
Count on a mature top of 12 to 24 inches with an expansion of 5 to 12 inches. Anthuriums desire a unfastened, ethereal potting medium such as you would use for a cactus or an orchid. Water wants are reasonable.
Present a setting with shiny gentle and a temperature vary of 78 to 90°F throughout the day and 70 to 75°F at night time. A moist atmosphere of fifty p.c or increased is greatest.
You’ll find crimson anthurium vegetation accessible from Quick Rising Timber.
See our information to rising anthurium for extra data.
4. Areca Palm
Tropical areca palm, Dypsis lutescens, aka bamboo palm, makes a daring assertion in house decor with its a number of stems and slender, feathery, inexperienced foliage fronds.
Count on mature dimensions of 5 to eight ft tall and three ft extensive. Areca palms desire organically wealthy soil and have reasonable water wants.
Areca Palm
The most effective setting has shiny, oblique gentle, daytime temperatures within the 75 to 85°F vary, nights above 65°F, and humidity of at the very least 45 p.c.
Areca palms can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
Our information to rising areca palm has extra particulars.
5. Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus, aka vacation cactus, Schlumbergera spp., is a flowering tropical succulent.
In its native rainforest house, it grows with out soil as an epiphyte, counting on tree bark and different pure components for help.
The foliage is exclusive for its segmented cladodes. Multi-petaled, tubular flowers seem on the arching terminal ends in shades of orange, pink, purple, crimson, salmon, white, and yellow.
Christmas Cactus
Mature dimensions are one foot tall and two ft extensive. Christmas cacti desire organically wealthy soil and have low to reasonable moisture wants.
Supreme bright-light rising environments have daytime temperatures round 70°F and nights within the 60 to 65°F vary. Excessive indoor humidity of over 50 p.c is greatest for these vegetation.
Christmas cacti can be found from Wayfair.
See our Christmas cactus rising information for cultivation particulars.
6. Espresso Plant
The espresso plant, Coffea arabica, options shiny, darkish inexperienced foliage and produces crimson fruits that cluster alongside its woody stems, every containing one to 2 espresso seeds or “beans.”
Indoor cultivation is much less more likely to lead to flowering and fruiting than vegetation rising outdoor.
Espresso Plant
Mature dimensions could also be six ft tall and three ft extensive. Indoor vegetation are often smaller and simple to prune. Espresso vegetation desire loamy, organically-rich soil and have reasonable water wants.
They like ample shiny gentle, cool temperatures within the 64 to 72°F vary and excessive humidity over 50 p.c.
Espresso vegetation can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
See our espresso plant rising information for extra data.
7. Croton
Tropical croton, Codiaeum variegatum, boasts showy variegated foliage in daring and shiny inexperienced, orange, crimson, and yellow hues.
There could also be inflorescences of tiny, white star-like blooms. Observe that crotons are poisonous to folks and pets.
Mature heights are two to 6 ft tall and extensive. Crotons desire organically-rich soil and have reasonable water necessities.
Supreme indoor circumstances are 60 to 85°F, shiny, oblique gentle, and humidity over 50 p.c.
‘Petra’ Croton
C. variegatum ‘Petra’ presents spectacular variegation and mature dimensions of seven to 10 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft extensive.
‘Petra’ is out there from Quick Rising Timber.
Our croton rising information supplies cultivation particulars.
8. Donkey’s Tail
Donkey or burro’s tail, Sedum morganianum, is an evergreen succulent with trailing strands of fleshy blue-green leaves with a whitish forged.
Blooming indoors is uncommon; when it happens, clusters of tiny pink or crimson star-like blossoms seem on the terminal ends of the foliage.
Donkey’s Tail
Donkey’s tails can develop to 4 ft lengthy with a one-and-half-foot unfold. They like well-draining cactus and succulent potting medium and have low to reasonable water wants.
Retaining pots outdoor in a sunny spot throughout the heat summer time months and in a location between 50 and 69°F within the winter might promote blooming.
Donkey’s tail is out there from the CTS Air Plant Retailer by way of Amazon.
Our donkey’s tail rising information has extra data.
9. Dwarf Clementine
Tropical dwarf citrus timber make wonderful houseplants with shiny inexperienced leaves, aromatic blooms, and scrumptious fruit.
Clementine, Citrus x clementina, is a hybrid created by crossing a mandarin orange with a candy orange. It has aromatic white blossoms.
‘EasyPeel’ is a dwarf clementine with a mature top of roughly eight ft and an expansion of 4 to 6 ft.
Indoor vegetation are often smaller and are simple to prune to maintain at a compact dimension. The best soil is organically wealthy and sandy.
‘EasyPeel’ Dwarf Clementine
To develop clementines, present shiny gentle and keep a temperature between 65 and 70°F throughout the day and 55 to 60°F at night time. Preserve the humidity above 50 p.c.
‘EasyPeel’ dwarf clementine timber can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
See our information to rising dwarf citrus timber for extra data.
10. Dwarf Meyer Lemon
One other dwarf citrus tree you could like is the Meyer lemon, Citrus x limon ‘Meyer,’ with its shiny inexperienced leaves and scented white flowers.
Believed by many in culinary circles to be one of the flavorful lemon varieties, it’s really a hybrid cross between a citron and a mandarin or pomelo.
Mature heights are six to 10 ft tall with an expansion of 4 to 5 ft, however indoor vegetation are usually smaller and are simple to prune. Domesticate in sandy loam. Moisture wants are low.
Dwarf Meyer Lemon
A shiny, sunny daytime placement with common family temperatures, nights round 65°F, and humidity above 50 p.c will maintain the plant blissful.
Dwarf Meyer lemon timber can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
11. Elephant’s Ears
Elephant’s ears, Alocasia spp., have shiny inexperienced leaves accented by distinguished white veins.
They’re lengthy, pointed, and resemble the ears of the majestic Asian pachyderms of their native lands. Observe that these vegetation are poisonous to folks and pets.
Species fluctuate, however usually, indoor vegetation develop between one and 6 ft tall and one to 4 ft extensive. Elephant ears develop greatest in a soilless potting medium with reasonable moisture.
They require temperatures of 60°F or increased and humidity of at the very least 50 p.c.
Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ is an exemplary elephant ears cultivar that options velvety leaves in a green-black hue. Mature dimensions are one to 2 ft tall and extensive.
Black Velvet Alocasia
Whereas they thrive in shiny gentle, just be sure you keep away from direct solar placements as this will burn the foliage.
Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ is out there from Quick Rising Timber.
See our information to rising alocasia for cultivation particulars.
12. Flaming Katy Kalanchoe
Flaming Katy kalanchoe, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, aka Christmas kalanchoe, is a succulent species with fleshy, waxy, scalloped leaves and tiny, multi-petaled flowers in vivid shades of orange, pink, purple, crimson, yellow, and white.
Please be aware this plant is poisonous to folks and pets.
Mature dimensions are six to 18 inches tall and extensive. Domesticate it in cactus and succulent potting medium with low moisture.
Flaming Katy Kalanchoe
The best temperature vary is 60 to 75°F, with common humidity, in a shiny, sunny location. Flaming Katy could also be vulnerable to leaf spot ailments if it’s grown in overly humid circumstances.
Flaming Katy kalanchoe is out there from Walmart.
Study extra about rising flaming Katy in our information.
13. Haworthia
Haworthia, Haworthia spp., is a fleshy, stemless succulent with pointed, speckled foliage resembling an aloe.
Whereas blooming will not be assured when it’s cultivated indoors, haworthia might produce a raceme or flower stalk adorned with tiny, star-like white flowers.
The mature top ranges from three to twenty inches, relying on the species. Widths measure one and a half to 12 inches.
Haworthia
Vegetation thrive in succulent and cactus potting soil and have low water wants.
Present a brightly-lit atmosphere with temperatures within the 75 to 90°F vary and 30 to 50 p.c humidity.
Haworthias can be found from Hirt’s Gardens by way of Amazon.
Our information to rising haworthia has extra data.
14. Fortunate Bamboo
Fortunate bamboo, Dracaena sanderiana, options inexperienced bamboo-like stems with lance-shaped leaves.
Indoor cultivation is much less more likely to produce the clusters of tiny, white, tubular blossoms, however they could seem. Observe that this species is poisonous.
Fortunate Bamboo
Count on mature dimensions of 1 to a few ft tall and one to 2 ft extensive. Domesticate in water or cactus and succulent potting combine. Vegetation have reasonable water wants.
Fortunate bamboo likes a shiny placement and might face up to temperatures starting from 50°F to the excessive 90s. The typical house temperature and humidity are appropriate.
Fortunate bamboo is out there from Wayfair.
Our information to rising fortunate bamboo has extra data.
15. Moth Orchid
The moth orchid, Phalaenopsis spp., is a tropical epiphyte that adheres to bark or rocks within the rainforest. It’s one of many simpler orchids to develop.
Wax-like brown, orange, pink, yellow, white, or bicolored flowers cluster alongside gracefully arching racemes protruding from leathery inexperienced basal foliage.
Mature dimensions are as much as three ft tall and a foot extensive. These vegetation desire a unfastened bark orchid potting medium and reasonable water.
Moth Orchid
A shiny spot with an indoor temperature of roughly 80°F and nights dropping to about 65°F is good. The humidity needs to be within the 40 to 70 p.c vary.
You’ll find moth orchids in a wide range of colours in two-inch pots accessible from Hirt’s Gardens by way of Walmart.
Try our information to rising moth orchids for extra data.
16. Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, aka elephant’s foot, will not be a real palm however a relative of agave and asparagus.
It has recurved, fountain-like foliage and a novel water-storing caudex – an enlargement on the base of the trunk that resembles a pachyderm foot.
Open air, mature specimens produce clusters of pink or white flowers above the foliage, however that is unlikely indoors.
Ponytail Palm
Mature dimensions are 4 to eight ft tall with an expansion of three to 5 ft.
Indoors, they need to high out at 4 ft tall, on common. Ponytail palms desire gritty soil and have low to reasonable water wants.
A shiny location with a temperature of about 70⁰F and low humidity within the 30 to 50 p.c vary of the common wholesome house are greatest.
Ponytail palms can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
Learn our information to rising ponytail palms to study extra.
17. Rex Begonia
Tropical rex begonia, Begonia x rex-cultorum, is prized for its artistically variegated foliage with bumps, ridges, ruffles, a silvery shimmer, and colours starting from pink and crimson to maroon and purple, in addition to lavender and lime inexperienced.
Count on mature dimensions of six to 18 inches tall and extensive. Rex begonias desire a unfastened, peat-based potting medium and have reasonable water necessities.
Concord’s ‘Pink Robin’
The best temperature is 70°F throughout the day and 60°F at night time with 50 p.c or extra humidity. Present shiny, oblique gentle. Observe that this species is poisonous to pets and other people.
B. x rex-cultorum Concord’s ‘Pink Robin’ options shiny and darkish crimson leaves and is out there from Wayfair.
Study extra about rising rex begonia right here.
18. Shamrock
Shamrocks, Oxalis spp., have inexperienced, purple, or variegated heart-like foliage and pink, crimson, white, or yellow flowers.
Botanically they aren’t true shamrocks (Trifolium spp.) however bear a likeness to the three-lobed leaves.
Mature heights vary from six to 18 inches tall with an expansion of 12 to 24 inches. Shamrocks do greatest in organically wealthy, moisture-retentive soil and have a reasonable want for water.
Shamrock Vegetation
Sunny spots with daytime temperatures of 70 to 75°F and 50 to 60°F at night time are greatest. Warmth stress and untimely dormancy might happen at temperatures above 80°F. The best humidity is above 50 p.c.
A mix bundle of purple Oxalis triangularis and inexperienced O. regnellii is out there from KCT Backyard by way of Amazon.
See our shamrock rising information for particulars.
19. Sweetheart Hoya
Succulent sweetheart hoya, Hoya kerrii, is an epiphyte that adheres to different vegetation in its native tropical habitat.
Noteworthy for its thick inexperienced heart-shaped leaves, this vining species will seemingly produce wax-like, cream-colored flowers indoors.
Mature dimensions might attain 10 ft lengthy and one to 2 ft extensive. An ethereal orchid potting medium or a really coarse, unfastened cactus and succulent soil, and low to reasonable water swimsuit this species.
Sweetheart Hoya
The best rising atmosphere has temperatures within the vary of 65 to 80°F and by no means decrease than 60°F. The humidity needs to be within the 25 to 49 p.c vary.
Sweetheart hoyas can be found from California Tropicals by way of Amazon.
See our sweetheart hoya rising information for extra data.
20. Venus Flytrap
The carnivorous Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, dietary supplements its weight loss plan with passing bugs that set off the hairs in its hinged, jaw-like foliage.
It could reward you with flower stalks bearing clusters of tiny white blossoms.
Mature heights are six to 12 inches with an expansion of six to eight inches. Vegetation do greatest with acidic, nutrient-poor soil and constant moisture.
Venus Flytrap
Venus flytraps desire shiny gentle and temperatures starting from 70° to 95°F throughout the rising season and tolerate a dip as little as 40°F throughout winter dormancy.
The best humidity is roughly 50 p.c.
Venus Flytraps can be found from Joels Carnivorous Vegetation by way of Amazon.
Study extra about Venus flytraps right here.
21. Weeping Fig
The weeping fig, Ficus benjamina, aka ficus tree, has a number of intertwining trunks and shiny inexperienced or variegated foliage. The branches progressively arch with maturity for a cascading presentation.
It could attain as much as 14 ft tall with an expansion of 4 ft; nonetheless, pruning is an choice to maintain it extra compact. Domesticate in commonplace potting soil and supply reasonable water.
Weeping Fig
The temperature needs to be within the 75 to 85°F vary throughout the day and 60 to 75°F at night time, with humidity between 50 and 75 p.c.
Braided weeping fig timber can be found from Quick Rising Timber.
See our information to rising weeping figs for extra data.
Shiny-Mild Plant Friends
With 21 bright-light houseplants to select from, all that’s left to do now could be make room close to your sunniest home windows or beneath develop lights and begin cultivating your favorites.
Caring for houseplants is therapeutic and exactly what’s wanted after a protracted, onerous day. Kick off your footwear, activate some music, and revel in time along with your plant buddies.
What bright-light houseplants are your favorites? Inform us why within the feedback part beneath.
In case you loved studying about bright-light houseplants, we advocate the next guides subsequent:
© Ask the Specialists, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for extra particulars. Initially revealed November 25, 2023. Final up to date October 30, 2025. Product photographs by way of California Tropicals, CTS Air Plant Retailer, Quick Rising Timber, Hirt’s Gardens, Joels Carnivorous Vegetation, Optiflora Retailer, Terrain, Walmart, and Wayfair. Uncredited photographs: Shutterstock.
