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We Found the 20 Best Indoor Trees and Plants to Turn Your Home Into a Lush Escape

Plant parents, rejoice!

Headshot of Annabel IwegbueBy Annabel Iwegbue
indoor plants
cottonbro studios/Pexels

So, you're thinking about becoming an indoor plant mom, are ya? Allow me to break down why you should jump right in wholeheartedly. First things first: You know that whole "getting fresh air" thing? It turns out you don't even need to step outside to get it done! With an adorable plant friend, you can improve your indoor air quality by making the forest come to you (in, you know, a super scaled-back sense), studies show. There are also mental health benefits: looking after plants can improve your stress levels, and strengthen your attention skills. (It's real! Science says so!) Impressed? I sure am.

Whether you're prepping to dive headfirst into the horticultural game or just looking to update your existing lineup of greenery, I've rounded up some gorgeous foliage that deserves a spot in your space. From mini succulents to low-key trees, these indoor plants are here to provide your home with the added nature boost it both needs and deserves.

Our top picks for the best indoor trees and plants of 2023:

  • Red Prayer Plant

    a perfect table topper

    Bloomscape Red Prayer Plant

    $49 at Bloomscape
    Read more
  • Money Tree

    this grand indoor tree

    Costa Farms Money Tree

    Read more
  • Madagascar Dragon Tree

    this funky, tropical tree

    Florida Foliage Madagascar Dragon Tree

    Read more
  • Little Swiss Monstera Plant

    this adorable plant that pops

    Costa Farms Little Swiss Monstera Plant

    Read more
  • Lavender Tree

    this sweet-smelling mini tree

    Bloomscape Lavender Tree

    Read more

Read on for all the info you need as you embark on your home gardening journey, including some plant-care tips you should def keep in mind. Prepare for your divine, earthy plant-parent era to officially begin.

a perfect table topper

Bloomscape Red Prayer Plant

Red Prayer Plant
a perfect table topper

Bloomscape Red Prayer Plant

$49 at Bloomscape

Give your living room a taste of the tropics! This species is native to the Brazilian rainforest, so you’ll want to ensure the soil stays damp. Otherwise, just plop it in a well-lit spot in your home and watch it thrive!

Size7-12 inches
Maintenance Spritz the leaves once a week
LightBright, indirect sunlight and high humidity
CareFeed it an all-purpose fertilizer once a month, but only after it's been watered. Do not add any fertilizer product to dry soil.
this grand indoor tree

Costa Farms Money Tree

Money Tree
this grand indoor tree

Costa Farms Money Tree

This statement-making indoor tree makes for a great decorative piece, plus it’s said to bring good luck! When you tend to it, just make sure you give it at least two or three cups of water to keep it extra lush and hydrated.

Size11 x 11 x 16 inches
Maintenance Water once a week
Light Bright, indirect light
CareFeed it fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer seasons. Trim off any dead leaves and branches throughout the year as needed.
this funky, tropical tree

Florida Foliage Madagascar Dragon Tree

Madagascar Dragon Tree
this funky, tropical tree

Florida Foliage Madagascar Dragon Tree

Now look at this beaut! Dragon trees are bursting with personality, plus they're sturdy as hell. Indoors, these trees can grow a few feet tall, but be sure to keep them away from brightly lit areas to avoid the leaves getting burnt.

Size4 feet
MaintenanceWater once every 5-7 days in spring/summer, and once every 1-2 weeks in the winter
LightPartial shade
CareWhen necessary, cut off any dead leaves that appear at the bottom of the plant.
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this adorable plant that pops

Costa Farms Little Swiss Monstera Plant

Little Swiss Monstera Plant
this adorable plant that pops

Costa Farms Little Swiss Monstera Plant

We love anything inspired by cheese. Enough said. This Monstera grows like a dream, and at one-to-two feet tall, it’s the perfect “tree” alternative for plant buyers who aren’t working with a whole lot of space. This is another species that loves some damp soil, so make sure your watering is consistent and Bob’s your uncle.

Size12 inches
Maintenance Water once a week
LightBright, indirect sunlight
CareFertilize this plant once a month. If dust collects on the leaves, gently wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
this sweet-smelling mini tree

Bloomscape Lavender Tree

Lavender Tree
this sweet-smelling mini tree

Bloomscape Lavender Tree

Yes, it does smell amazing. Yes, it does bloom gorgeously. Yes, you do need one. It’ll take a couple of months for it to reach that luscious full bloom, but once you’re there, you can periodically snip off the stems to make room for even more growth. This classic herb is really the gift that just keeps on giving.

Size16-24 inches
Maintenance Water one to two times a week
LightDirect sunlight
CarePrune the leaves frequently with scissors to maintain the original shape (and to collect some lovely, aromatic lavender stems).
this adventurous plant option

Wekiva Foliage Dragon Tail Plant

Dragon Tail Plant
this adventurous plant option

Wekiva Foliage Dragon Tail Plant

The dragon tail is technically a vine, so, with time, you'll have some lengthy green stems to add texture to your space. Watch it become a new staple.

SizeUp to 9 feet
MaintenanceWater every 10-14 days
LightBright, indirect light
CareWipe the leaves with a microfiber cloth as needed to keep them shiny. Fertilize once a month during the spring/summer seasons.
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this cutesy, minimalist option

The Sill Olive Tree

Olive Tree
this cutesy, minimalist option

The Sill Olive Tree

Credit: The Sill

While it won't sprout any actual olives, this tree is perfect for all of the minimalist havens out there. It loves the sunlight (it hails from the Mediterranean, after all!), so pop it by a window and watch it live its best life.

Size6-16 inches
MaintenanceWater once a week
LightBright light
CarePrune any branches that grow in the center to maintain shape.
this serene plant dream

Costa Farms Peace Lily

Peace Lily
this serene plant dream

Costa Farms Peace Lily

Gorgeous, gorgeous girls need lilies all around them to fit their vibe. Especially a peace lily like this one, that literally blooms all year long.

Size 1-3 feet
MaintenanceWater once a week
Light Bright, indirect sunlight
CareFeed it fertilizer every two weeks in the spring/summer. If you have a dry home, mist the leaves regularly.
this cool indoor bonsai

Arcadia Garden Products Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ginseng Ficus Bonsai
this cool indoor bonsai

Arcadia Garden Products Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ok, so there's a long-standing tradition/art form when it comes to bonsai trees, and it involves training the roots to grow in cool ways through pruning. If you're (understandably) not ready to jump into bonsai training with a full-sized tree, tending to this adorable ginseng ficus is the perfect starter experience.

Size13 inches
MaintenanceWater once a week
LightBright light
CareFor every six new leaves that emerge, trim off two to three. You can manipulate the plant into a cool new shape by doing this.
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this low-maintenance plant

The Sill ZZ Plant

ZZ Plant
this low-maintenance plant

The Sill ZZ Plant

Other than having a stellar name, this plant is great because you only need to water it every few weeks. Semi-hands-off parenting, FTW.

Size9-12 inches
MaintenanceWater once every 2-3 weeks
LightMedium-bright light
CareWipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
this patterned cutie

Bloomscape Neon Prayer Plant

Neon Prayer Plant
this patterned cutie

Bloomscape Neon Prayer Plant

Stylish patterns come naturally to the cool prayer plant. Pair it with a fun pot or planter and you've got yourself a gorg accent piece.

Size10-15 inches
MaintenanceWater once every 1-2 weeks
LightLow-bright indirect light
CareMist the leaves once a week to keep 'em shiny.
this prickly beaut

The Sill Cuddly Cactus

Cuddly Cactus
this prickly beaut

The Sill Cuddly Cactus

Credit: The Sill

Now that the whole cowboy aesthetic is back and in action, it's only right that our plants adhere to the trend. Get Western with a cutesy mini cactus like this one.

Size5-8 inches
MaintenanceWater every 2-3 weeks
Light Bright light
CareDilute fertilizer (1 part plant food, 4 parts water) and feed it 1-2 times a year.
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this plant for the love

The Sill Hoya Heart

Hoya Heart
this plant for the love

The Sill Hoya Heart

Now 21% Off
Credit: The SIll

C'mon, it's a HEART-SHAPED LEAF! If that doesn't melt your own heart, IDK what to tell you. That's nature showing its love.

Size2-3 inches
MaintenanceWater every 2-3 weeks
LightDirect light
CareThis plant is drought-tolerant, so allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions.
this caffeinated cutie

The SIll Coffee Plant

Coffee Plant
this caffeinated cutie

The SIll Coffee Plant

This is indeed the same plant that sprouts our beloved coffee beans! The household version prob won't produce any morning caffeine resources, but it does look amazing, so tap in.

Size5-10 inches
MaintenanceWater once every 1-2 weeks
LightBright, indirect light
CareFertilize with a half-diluted mixture once a month. Mist the leaves regularly.
this supreme hanging plant

Dahing Plants Hanging Hoya Hindu Rope

Hanging Hoya Hindu Rope
this supreme hanging plant

Dahing Plants Hanging Hoya Hindu Rope

This is essentially as much of an art piece as it is a plant. The unique shape and growth pattern are such conversation starters, and it's just generally the perfect hanging plant. There are levels to this one!

Size6-15 inches
MaintenanceWater once every 10-14 days
LightIndirect bright light
CareCut off the dead growth once a year—just avoid cutting the flower stalks while you're trimming.
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this fruity pick

Bloomscape Bromeliad Pineapple

Bromeliad Pineapple
this fruity pick

Bloomscape Bromeliad Pineapple

There's a SpongeBob reference to be made here, but I'm going to choose maturity. Let's just appreciate this sick pineapple plant for what it looks like at its full maturity: a home fit for a jovial sponge (sorry, had to).

Size12-16 inches
Maintenance Water every 1-2 weeks
Light Partial, bright indirect light
CareTo ward off critters, wipe the leaves with cotton wool that's been soaked in insecticide.
this plant with luck to spare

JM BAMBOO Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo
this plant with luck to spare

JM BAMBOO Lucky Bamboo

Credit: Lowe's

Look! Another plant that brings good luck! The more good juju, the better. The stalk grows pretty quickly, so you'll have a statuesque, spiraling bamboo in no time. (Note: you'll have to go to Lowe's to pick this one up.)

Size 26 inches
MaintenanceWater every 7-10 days
LightIndirect sunlight
CareWater with distilled or bottled water. Chemicals found in tap water (like chlorine) can cause it to brown quicker.
this leafy wonder

Costa Farms Ponytail Palm House Plant

Ponytail Palm House Plant
this leafy wonder

Costa Farms Ponytail Palm House Plant

Look at that luscious, voluminous foliage! It's honestly giving Pantene commercial. According to Costa Farms, this plant is "virtually indestructible," so beginner plant parents might wanna check this one out first.

Size15 inches
MaintenanceOnce every two weeks
LightIndirect sunlight
CareCut off any brown tips you see, but only remove up to ⅕ of the leaves at a time.
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this long-living green queen

Lively Root English Ivy Glacier

English Ivy Glacier
this long-living green queen

Lively Root English Ivy Glacier

You're probably used to seeing this plant grow along walls, but it also looks beautiful when potted. BTW: These vines can survive up to 30 years, but no pressure or anything. You don't have commitment issues, right?

Size6-8 inches tall
MaintenanceWater once a week
LightBright indirect light
CarePrune it as needed during the spring/summer months.
this colorful classic

West Elm Live Aglaonema Plant

Live Aglaonema Plant
this colorful classic

West Elm Live Aglaonema Plant

Credit: West Elm

This plant has colorful, widespread foliage, and dare I say it's exactly what your home needs. Plus, its easy care requirements are a lazy girl's dreams.

Size14 inches
MaintenanceOnce every two weeks
LightBright indirect sunlight
CareDust the leaves regularly to avoid pests and keep everything shiny.
Headshot of Annabel Iwegbue
Annabel Iwegbue

Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan who covers lifestyle, beauty, and astrology. Just, you know, all of the things. Before joining Cosmo, she wrote for Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and, also find her on Instagram and Twitter. (Both platforms are dedicated to her love for Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter).

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