Open Grow Guide

Houseplants

By Open Grow Guide Updated

Houseplant needs differ a lot from one species to the next, and this page is where you start before you pick one. It gathers the plants in this guide that can grow indoors in a pot, from compact tabletop ferns to trees people keep trimmed to a few feet tall. Some are grown mainly for their leaves, some for flowers, and some end up here because people also grow them as food or spice crops outdoors but keep a potted version inside. A plant lands on this list because it tolerates container life and indoor light, not because it is rare, trendy, or easy. Some names here, like pothos and snake plant, are common on windowsills. Others, like cacao and coffee, are less familiar as houseplants but still fit the same basic test: a pot, a window, and a spot out of harsh drafts. The list is not ranked and it is not a short list of favorites. It lists each plant in this guide that fits the houseplant category, in alphabetical order by scientific name. Each entry links to its own page, where you can read about light, water, temperature, and whether the plant is listed as toxic to cats or dogs. Some of those pages are still being filled in, so a few entries carry fuller care notes than others while more are added over time. Use the list to browse what is available, then open a plant's own page before you buy it or bring it indoors, since that page holds the fuller care and safety details. This page itself does not replace that step.

Lists in this category

Most-read plants here

  • viper's bowstring hemp (Dracaena trifasciata), whole plant

    Snake Plant

    Dracaena trifasciata

    Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light · Part shade · Zones 10a–12b

  • centipede tongavine (Epipremnum aureum), whole plant

    Pothos

    Epipremnum aureum

    Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 10a–12b

  • spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), whole plant

    Spider Plant

    Chlorophytum comosum

    Medium light; tolerates low light and bright, indirect light · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 9a–11b

  • parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans), whole plant

    Parlor Palm

    Chamaedorea elegans

    Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 10a–12b

  • horseradishtree (Moringa oleifera), whole plant

    Horseradishtree

    Moringa oleifera

  • Asian pigeonwings (Clitoria ternatea), whole plant

    Asian Pigeonwings

    Clitoria ternatea

    Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) · Zones 10a–12b · 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m)

  • tarovine (Monstera deliciosa), habit

    Monstera

    Monstera deliciosa

    Bright, indirect light; tolerates medium light and direct sun · Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 10a–12b

  • water yam (Dioscorea alata), whole plant

    Water Yam

    Dioscorea alata

    98.4 ft (30 m)

  • shameplant (Mimosa pudica), whole plant

    Shameplant

    Mimosa pudica

    Full sun · 3.3 ft (1 m)

  • Dutchman's pipe cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), whole plant

    Dutchman's Pipe Cactus

    Epiphyllum oxypetalum

    Bright, indirect light · Part shade · Zones 10a–11b

  • balsampear (Momordica charantia), whole plant

    Balsampear

    Momordica charantia

    Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) · Zones 9a–11b · 12–20 ft (3.66–6.1 m)

  • Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica), whole plant

    Arabian Coffee

    Coffea arabica

    Bright, indirect light · Part shade and full sun (part shade preferred) · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox also lists 10a-12b

  • holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), flower

    Holy Basil

    Ocimum tenuiflorum

    Full sun · Zones 9a–11b · 3 ft (0.91 m)

  • neem (Azadirachta indica), whole plant

    Neem

    Azadirachta indica

  • Peruvian groundcherry (Physalis peruviana), habit

    Peruvian Groundcherry

    Physalis peruviana

    Full sun · Zones 3a–9b · 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m)

  • devil's tongue (Amorphophallus konjac), whole plant

    Devil's Tongue

    Amorphophallus konjac

    Low light; tolerates medium light · Part shade, full sun and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 6a–11b

  • cacao (Theobroma cacao), whole plant

    Cacao

    Theobroma cacao

    Part shade · Zones 8a–10b · 24.9–29.9 ft (7.6–9.1 m)

  • royal poinciana (Delonix regia), whole plant

    Royal Poinciana

    Delonix regia

    Full sun · Zones 10b–11b · 35–40 ft (10.67–12.19 m)

  • peepul tree (Ficus religiosa), whole plant

    Peepul Tree

    Ficus religiosa

    25–40 ft (7.62–12.19 m)

  • Java plum (Syzygium cumini), whole plant

    Java Plum

    Syzygium cumini

  • Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), flower

    Madagascar Periwinkle

    Catharanthus roseus

    Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred) · Zones 9b–11b · 0.5–1.5 ft (0.15–0.46 m)

  • mango (Mangifera indica), whole plant

    Mango

    Mangifera indica

    Full sun · Zones 10b–11b · Sources differ: University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS); University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS)

  • miraculous berry (Synsepalum dulcificum), fruit

    Miraculous Berry

    Synsepalum dulcificum

  • rubber plant (Ficus elastica), leaf

    Rubber Plant

    Ficus elastica

    Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light and medium light · Full sun, part shade and full shade (part shade preferred) · Zones 9a–12b

How to choose

Start by matching a plant to the light you actually have, not the light you wish you had. A spot a few feet from a bright window suits far more plants on this list than a dim corner does. Next, think about how big the plant gets. Some entries here stay small in a pot, while others are trees outdoors that need regular pruning to stay houseplant-sized indoors. If you share your home with a cat or dog, open the plant's own page and check its toxicity notes before you bring it in. Some plants on this list are listed as toxic to pets by the sources cited on their pages, and others are not listed at all. Finally, pick one or two plants to start with, not several at once. Each species has its own watering and feeding routine, and a single page's notes are easier to follow than five at once.

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  • Written with AI assistance from the sources listed on this page. AI is never the source of a fact.

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