Best Indoor Plants for Your New Jersey Home

The ongoing pandemic makes this winter feel longer than usual, and the cold gray weather doesn’t help. Do you miss the greenery of your lawn in summer? Consider adopting a houseplant! They also brighten your space while you wait for the return of spring. Check out our pick of the best indoor plants!

Common Houseplants

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Native to Africa, this is a favorite in the houseplant scene. While it is mainly an ornamental plant, local cultures once used its fibers to create bowstrings! It tolerates low light and doesn’t need regular watering. In fact, it only needs watering every few months in winter, which makes this a great choice for someone just starting out collecting houseplants.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Unlike other houseplants, Peace Lilies have beautiful white blossoms that resemble a tear shape. They naturally grow on the floor of the tropical rainforest and like humidity and partial sun or shade. If properly cared for, you’ll enjoy this plant for years. Consider getting a larger pot to allow your plant to expand horizontally as needed.

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

A member of the grass family, lucky bamboo is one of the easiest and most fun houseplants to have. You can shape it as it grows, so it creates spirals, a heart, or a woven lattice! It’s great for smaller places, like apartments, since it mainly grows straight vertically. Plus, it prefers semi-shade, so you don’t have to clear windowsill space for it.

Guiana Chestnut (Pachira Aquatica)

Commonly known as a “money plant,” you’ll recognize it in stores by its braided trunk. Money trees are durable and can tolerate various conditions, though they do best in bright indirect sunlight.

Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera)

This little gem not only looks cool, it feels cool – but only on burns, that is! Slice off the bottommost leaf and squeeze out the clear gel when you’ve got a sunburn or accidentally burn yourself in the kitchen for some natural soothing relief. The medicinal benefits make aloe vera one of the top indoor plants to own!

Pet-safe Houseplants

Always be sure to check a houseplant’s toxicity to dogs and cats before bringing one into your home! Below are a few common houseplants that are easy to find at your local nursery and safe for pets.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)

While there is some debate about the efficacy of houseplants’ ability to remove toxins from the air, a NASA study did confirm that spider plants can filter out formaldehyde and xylene. This plant’s ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and conditions makes it a good choice for beginners.

Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula)

This plant is safe for dogs and cats – insects, not so much. The Venus Fly Trap is great because it adds a bit of funkiness to your home while eating pesky flies that make their way inside.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Pet-safe and easy to cultivate, Areca Palms add a touch of the tropics to your home with their characteristic fronds. They’re on the larger size of common houseplants, so this plant is perfect for corners near windows or other spaces where you’d like a taller piece of decor.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis)

Due to its sometimes droopy branches, Boston Ferns are often placed in hanging baskets and planters. Boston Ferns like damp soil and will need daily misting during the drier months of winter.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

If you’re ever in doubt about the safety of a houseplant, the ASPCA has an extensive database you can search to ensure your plant won’t harm your furry friend.

When Spring Returns, Call Harvest Lawn

Houseplants can tide you over until spring, but when spring arrives, and you can frequent your backyard again, call the experts at Harvest Lawn. Our lawn care program will get your grass to peak condition, and our pest control protects your family.