Plants that
finish a room.
One good plant does more than three small ones. Pick by the light you actually have, then by size. Every plant below says how much light it needs, how often to water it, and whether it is safe around cats and dogs.
Cats and dogs at home
Every plant here is on the ASPCA non-toxic list.
One plant that changes the room
Height and big leaves, for a bright corner.
- 01
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciataStrong vertical shape that fills an empty corner without taking floor space.
- Light
- Low
- Care
- Unkillable
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Tall and narrow
Water. Every 2–3 weeks; let the soil dry out fully.
Best for. Dark corners, bedrooms, beside a TV
Shop on Amazon → - 02
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifoliaGlossy leaves read as polished, and it shrugs off weeks of neglect.
- Light
- Low
- Care
- Unkillable
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Medium, bushy
Water. Every 2–3 weeks; it stores water in its roots.
Best for. Offices, hallways, rooms with one small window
Shop on Amazon → - 03
Pothos
Epipremnum aureumTrails down a shelf and softens hard lines fast.
- Light
- Medium
- Care
- Unkillable
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Trailing vine
Water. When the top inch of soil is dry, about weekly.
Best for. Shelves, the top of a bookcase, hanging planters
Shop on Amazon → - 04
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosumCheerful, fast-growing and one of the few classics that is safe for pets.
- Light
- Medium
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Small, arching
Water. Keep lightly moist; about weekly.
Best for. Kitchens, bathrooms, homes with cats
Shop on Amazon → - 05
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegansA soft, airy palm look in low light, and it is safe for pets.
- Light
- Low
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Medium, feathery
Water. When the top inch is dry; do not let it sit wet.
Best for. Living rooms and offices with soft light
Shop on Amazon → - 06
Peace lily
SpathiphyllumWhite blooms in low light, and it tells you when it needs water.
- Light
- Low
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Medium, full
Water. Weekly; it droops when thirsty and perks up after watering.
Best for. Bedrooms, bathrooms, shady corners
Shop on Amazon → - 07
Monstera
Monstera deliciosaBig split leaves make one plant read as a design statement.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Large, spreading
Water. When the top two inches are dry, about every 1–2 weeks.
Best for. A living room corner near a window
Shop on Amazon → - 08
Rubber plant
Ficus elasticaDark, glossy leaves look expensive and grow into a small tree.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Tall, upright
Water. When the top two inches are dry.
Best for. Beside a sofa, next to a bright window
Shop on Amazon → - 09
Fiddle leaf fig
Ficus lyrataThe designer favorite: huge leaves and real height. It hates being moved.
- Light
- Bright, some sun
- Care
- Fussy
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Tall tree
Water. When the top two inches are dry; keep it on a schedule.
Best for. A sunny living room corner you will not rearrange
Shop on Amazon → - 10
Bird of paradise
Strelitzia nicolaiThe biggest leaves on the list; it fills height like nothing else.
- Light
- Bright, some sun
- Care
- Some attention
- Pets
- Keep away from pets
- Size
- Very tall
Water. When the top two inches are dry.
Best for. Big rooms with tall ceilings and a sunny window
Shop on Amazon → - 11
Calathea
GoeppertiaPainted, patterned leaves add color without flowers, and it is pet-safe.
- Light
- Medium
- Care
- Fussy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Small to medium
Water. Keep evenly moist; use filtered water if leaf edges brown.
Best for. Bathrooms and humid rooms, homes with pets
Shop on Amazon → - 12
Boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltataA soft, lush shape that fills a stand or basket, safe for pets.
- Light
- Medium
- Care
- Some attention
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Full, arching
Water. Keep moist; it loves humidity.
Best for. Bathrooms, hanging baskets, plant stands
Shop on Amazon → - 13
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra elatiorHandles deep shade that kills most plants, and it is safe for pets.
- Light
- Low
- Care
- Unkillable
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Medium, upright
Water. Every 1–2 weeks; tolerates missed waterings.
Best for. The darkest corner in the house, homes with pets
Shop on Amazon → - 14
Peperomia
Peperomia obtusifoliaA neat little plant for small surfaces, safe for pets.
- Light
- Medium
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Small, compact
Water. When the soil is mostly dry, about every 1–2 weeks.
Best for. Desks, side tables, windowsills
Shop on Amazon → - 15
Hoya
Hoya carnosaWaxy leaves and star-shaped flowers, and it is safe for pets.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Trailing vine
Water. When the soil is fully dry.
Best for. Hanging in a bright window, high shelves
Shop on Amazon → - 16
Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvataA sculptural, playful shape that is very forgiving and safe for pets.
- Light
- Bright, some sun
- Care
- Easy
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Size
- Small to medium
Water. Every 2–3 weeks; it stores water in its trunk.
Best for. A sunny console or sideboard
Shop on Amazon →
Not sure where it goes?
Shoot your room. f-o-r-m tells you exactly where a plant would make the biggest difference, using what you already own.
Shoot your room · $5As an Amazon Associate, f-o-r-m earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results; prices and availability are set by the sellers. Care notes are general guidance for typical homes. Pet safety follows the ASPCA lists of toxic and non-toxic plants; if a pet eats any plant and seems unwell, call your vet.