Houseplant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular houseplants with care guides, traits, and placement tips.
Showing 76 of 134 species(49–72)
© Piwaiwaka / CC BY-SA 4.0Philodendron Xanadu
Thaumatophyllum xanadu
A mid-sized philodendron forming a dense mound of glossy, deeply lobed leaves. First spread from an Australian nursery, it was later described as a wild species.
© Daderot / Public domainPlatycerium alcicorne
Platycerium alcicorne
A staghorn fern from eastern Africa to Madagascar. African plants are glossy yellow-green and nearly hairless, while Madagascan plants are darker, hairier and have deeply ridged shields.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
One of the hardiest houseplants. Perfect for hanging or trailing. Many varieties including Golden, Marble Queen, and Neon. Grows in water.
Pothos 'Global Green'
Epipremnum aureum 'Global Green'
A Japanese-bred pothos with dark green leaves patched with lime green in a camouflage-like pattern. Selected from a sport of 'Marble Queen', it is a protected registered variety.
© Spnq / CC BY-SA 4.0Pothos 'Marble Queen'
Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'
A pothos whose green leaves and stems are marbled with white to cream. The white areas are extensive, which distinguishes it from the yellow-streaked golden pothos.
Pothos 'N'Joy'
Epipremnum aureum 'N'Joy'
A compact pothos with small, thin green leaves carrying bold patches of white to cream. The variegation has clear edges, unlike the fine marbling of 'Marble Queen'.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Pothos 'Neon'
Epipremnum aureum 'Neon'
A pothos whose whole leaves are bright yellow to lime green. There is no variegation; every glossy heart-shaped leaf glows with the same vivid colour.
Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica
Large thick glossy leaves are characteristic. Hardy and fast-growing. Many varieties including Burgundy and Tineke.
Rubber Plant Tineke
Ficus elastica 'Tineke'
A rubber plant with beautiful cream-green variegation. Pink new growth adds accent.
Sansevieria Cylindrica
Sansevieria cylindrica
A unique sansevieria with cylindrical leaves growing straight up. Sometimes sold braided.
Satin Pothos
Scindapsus pictus
Trailing vine with satin-sheen silver variegation. Similar to pothos but a different genus. Beautiful hanging display. Relatively drought-tolerant and easy.
Schefflera
Schefflera
A hardy houseplant with palm-like spreading leaves. A classic species easy for beginners.
© M. Fagg / CC BY 4.0Silver Elkhorn Fern
Platycerium veitchii
A silvery staghorn fern whose narrow fertile fronds, coated in white star-shaped hairs, rise in clusters. The upper edge of the shield frond is deeply cut into thin, finger-like lobes.
Snake Plant
Sansevieria
Distinctive sword-like upright leaves. Selected as NASA air-purifying plant. Minimal watering, one of the hardest plants to kill.
© Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0Snake Plant 'Moonshine'
Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine'
A snake plant whose sword-shaped leaves are silvery white to silver-grey all over. The banding is faint, and a narrow dark green edge outlines each leaf.
© Dinkun Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0Song of India
Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India'
A variegated form of Dracaena reflexa with narrow leaves edged in yellow to lime green, crowded in spirals at the stem tips. The stems grow in irregular curves. The variegation fades in low light.
© Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY-SA 4.0Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Plant with baby plants hanging from runners like paper cranes. Hardy with high air purification effect.
Syngonium
Syngonium podophyllum
A vine plant with beautiful arrowhead-shaped leaves. Interesting plant whose leaf shape changes as it grows.
Syngonium Pink Splash
Syngonium podophyllum 'Pink Splash'
A syngonium with beautiful pink splash-like variegation. Leaf shape changes with growth.
Tillandsia ionantha
Tillandsia ionantha
Iconic air plant needing no soil. Compact and easy to display. Leaf tips turn red when blooming. Simple misting makes it a beginner favorite.
© M108t / CC BY 4.0Tradescantia
Tradescantia
A trailing plant with beautiful purple and silver leaf colors. Fast growing and perfect for hanging.
Tradescantia Nanouk
Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk'
A tradescantia with beautiful pink-white-green tricolor. Fast growing and easy to propagate by cuttings.
© Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0Triangle Fig
Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii
An African fig with roughly triangular leaves. Sold as Ficus triangularis, it is now treated as a subspecies of Ficus natalensis.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Tupidanthus (Mallet Flower)
Heptapleurum calyptratum
An evergreen in the ivy family whose long petioles carry 7-11 large leaflets in a palmate spread. Sold under its old genus name Tupidanthus, with lush, drooping foliage.
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Houseplant FAQ
- How much do houseplants cost?
- Common Pothos and small Monstera cost 500-3,000 yen, variegated Monstera 10,000-100,000+ yen, and rare Philodendrons can reach tens to hundreds of thousands of yen.
- Can beginners grow houseplants?
- Pothos, Sansevieria, and Pachira are shade-tolerant and hardy, making them easy for beginners. Once you learn the watering schedule, they're hard to kill and great for indoor enjoyment.
- What should I check when buying houseplants?
- Check for well-established roots, leaves free of disease spots or pests, and no excessive stretching. After purchase, avoid sudden environment changes and acclimate gradually.
- Why do houseplants die?
- Root rot from overwatering is the most common cause. Water only when the soil surface is dry. Insufficient light is the next most common issue, so ensure proper brightness for your variety.
- How long do houseplants live?
- With proper care, houseplants can thrive for decades. Monstera and rubber plants commonly live for many decades, and you can propagate them through cuttings and division.