40+ Best Indoor Plants in India

Snake plant, pothos, ZZ plant, areca palm, peace lily and spider plant are the easiest indoor plants for Indian homes: they cope with heat, low light and irregular watering. Below are 42 options with light needs, watering by season and pet safety, so you can match a plant to your room, balcony or air-conditioned cabin.

Quick facts

Plant (botanical name)	Light	Care level	Safe around cats and dogs (ASPCA)
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)	Low to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)	Bright indirect	Easy	Yes
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)	Bright indirect	Moderate	No – toxic
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)	Bright indirect	Moderate	Yes
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)	Bright indirect to shade	Moderate	Yes
Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)	Medium to bright indirect	Easy	Yes
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)	Low to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)	Medium to bright indirect	Easy	Yes
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)	Bright, some direct sun	Moderate	No – toxic
Lady's slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum)	Medium indirect	Fussy	Not listed – keep out of reach
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)	Four or more hours of sun	Easy	No – toxic
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)	Low to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus)	Bright, gentle morning sun	Moderate	No – toxic
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)	Low to medium indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Aloe vera (Aloe vera)	Bright, some direct sun	Easy	No – toxic
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)	Bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Ferns (class Polypodiopsida)	Indirect light, humid spot	Moderate	Most true ferns – yes
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)	Low to medium	Easy	No – toxic
Anthurium (Anthurium)	Bright indirect	Moderate	No – toxic
Money plant (Epipremnum aureum)	Low to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Warneckii dracaena (Dracaena fragrans 'Warneckii')	Bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)	Medium to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Azalea (Rhododendron)	Bright, cool spot	Fussy	No – highly toxic
Gerbera daisy (Gerbera)	Four to six hours of sun	Moderate	Yes
Tulsi / Indian basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)	Four to six hours of direct sun	Easy outdoors	Generally considered safe
Lavender (Lavandula)	Full sun	Fussy in humid plains	No – toxic
Donkey tail (Sedum morganianum)	Bright light, some sun	Easy	Yes
Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)	Bright indirect	Fussy	No – toxic
Bunny ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys)	Full sun	Easy	Not listed – glochids irritate skin
Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)	Bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)	Medium indirect, humid	Moderate	Yes
Dwarf umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)	Medium to bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Ginseng ficus bonsai (Ficus microcarpa)	Bright indirect, some morning sun	Moderate	No – toxic
Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)	Bright indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Lemon button fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)	Indirect light, humid	Easy	Yes
Paddle plant (Kalanchoe luciae)	Bright, some direct sun	Easy	No – toxic
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)	Medium indirect	Easy	No – toxic
Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)	Medium to bright indirect	Easy	Yes
Calathea (Calathea / Goeppertia)	Medium indirect, humid	Fussy	Yes
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)	Bright, some direct sun	Easy	No – toxic
Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)	Bright light, some sun	Easy	Yes
Begonia (Begonia spp.)	Bright indirect	Moderate	No – toxic

In this guide

• Quick facts: all 42 plants at a glance
• How to choose an indoor plant for your Indian home
• Do indoor plants really purify air?
• Best indoor plants in India (all 42)
• Season-by-season care in India
• Conclusion
• Frequently asked questions

How to choose an indoor plant for your Indian home

Indian homes have always had greenery on window sills and in courtyards. Indoors, the deciding factors are light, humidity and how often you can water.

1. Measure your light. A spot within a metre of an unshaded east or north window is bright indirect light. A room corner three metres from a window is low light: use snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, Chinese evergreen or peace lily there.
2. Check the heat. South and west windows in Delhi, Jaipur or Ahmedabad get scorching afternoon sun from March to June. Filter it with a sheer curtain, or pull leafy plants back a foot or two.
3. Allow for air conditioning. AC dries the air and chills leaves. Keep plants out of the direct blast and group them together, or stand pots on pebble trays, to raise local humidity.
4. Plan for the monsoon. Humidity rises, evaporation slows and most root rot happens now. Water far less, and never leave saucers full.
5. Think about pets and small children. Many popular houseplants are toxic if chewed. Use the table above and place toxic species on high shelves or hanging planters.
6. Insist on drainage. Every pot needs holes. Terracotta and unglazed ceramic pots dry faster, which suits succulents and humid coastal cities.

Coastal and southern homes (Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru) suit ferns, calathea, anthurium and palms because of the higher humidity. Dry northern winters suit succulents, snake plant and ZZ plant, with humidity trays for anything with thin leaves.

Do indoor plants really purify air?

Not to any meaningful degree in a normal room. The often-quoted NASA Clean Air Study (1989) tested plants in small sealed chambers, not in homes. Later reviews, including Cummings and Waring (2019), found that you would need an impractical number of plants to match the effect of simply opening a window or running an air purifier.

So enjoy plants for how they look and how they make a room feel, and treat any "removes benzene and formaldehyde" line, including the ones once common in lists like this, as laboratory shorthand rather than a promise for your living room.

Best Indoor Plants in India

1. Snake Plant

Botanical name: Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)

Known as mother-in-law's tongue, it has stiff upright leaves edged in cream or yellow. It is the most forgiving plant on this list and copes with dim corners, dry air and neglect, which makes it ideal for AC bedrooms and offices.

Snake Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Survives low light; grows faster and keeps stronger variegation in bright indirect light.
• Soil: Gritty, free-draining cactus mix, or potting soil cut with coarse sand.
• Water: Every 10–14 days in summer once the soil is dry throughout; roughly once a month in winter and much less during the monsoon. Rot from overwatering is the usual cause of death.
• Feeding: A dilute balanced feed once every six to eight weeks from spring to early autumn is plenty.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

2. Spider plant

Botanical name: Chlorophytum comosum

A spider plant throws out arching striped leaves and dangling plantlets you can snip off and pot up. It is one of the few popular houseplants that is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it suits family homes and hanging baskets.

Spider Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light. Direct summer sun scorches the leaves.
• Soil: Any good, free-draining potting mix.
• Water: Keep evenly moist in summer; let the top 3 cm dry out in winter.
• Feeding: All-purpose feed once a month from spring to early autumn.
• Tip: Brown leaf tips usually mean hard or chlorinated tap water. Use filtered, RO or collected rainwater.

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3. Weeping fig

Botanical name: Ficus benjamina

Slender branches of small glossy leaves rise from a grey trunk, giving a light, tree-like shape indoors. It is a fine indoor plant as long as you leave it in one place: moving it, draughts or a sudden change in light will make it drop leaves in handfuls.

Ficus Benjamina Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light, with an hour of gentle morning sun if possible. It tolerates medium light but thins out in deep shade.
• Soil: Free-draining potting mix.
• Water: Water when the top 2–3 cm is dry; reduce in winter and the monsoon.
• Feeding: Balanced liquid feed every three to four weeks in the growing season.
• Caution: Prune to size; the milky sap irritates skin and the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

4. Areca Palm

Botanical name: Dypsis lutescens

The areca palm, or butterfly palm, fills a corner with arching feathery fronds. It is pet-safe and one of the most popular large plants in Indian living rooms and lobbies.

Areca Palm Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light, not a dark corner. Some filtered morning sun is ideal; harsh afternoon sun bleaches the fronds.
• Soil: Rich, slightly acidic mix that drains freely; add coarse sand or perlite to stop it compacting.
• Water: Keep lightly moist in summer, never waterlogged. Let the top few centimetres dry in winter and the monsoon.
• Feeding: A palm feed higher in nitrogen and potassium, monthly from March to September.
• Tip: Brown tips come from dry air and salty or fluoridated water. Mist in dry northern winters and flush the pot occasionally with clean water.

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5. Boston Fern

Botanical name: Nephrolepis exaltata

The classic hanging-basket fern, with soft fronds that spill over the rim. It is pet-safe, but it demands humidity, so it does far better in Mumbai, Kochi or Kolkata than in a dry, air-conditioned Delhi bedroom.

Boston Fern Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light to light shade. Direct sun burns the fronds.
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich mix that still drains.
• Water: Never let it dry out completely in summer; mist daily or stand the pot on a pebble tray. Ease off in winter.
• Feeding: Water-soluble feed at half strength once a month in spring and summer.
• Tip: A bright bathroom or a shaded, screened balcony is the best spot in most Indian homes.

6. Baby Rubber Plant

Botanical name: Peperomia obtusifolia

Despite the name, the baby rubber plant is a peperomia, not a true rubber plant (Ficus elastica). It forms a compact mound of thick, glossy oval leaves, plain or cream-edged, and is non-toxic to pets. Slim flower spikes appear in warm months.

Baby Rubber Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Medium to bright indirect light; no direct sun.
• Soil: Light, airy mix; add bark or perlite for drainage.
• Water: The leaves store water, so let the top half of the pot dry before watering. Water every two to three weeks in winter.
• Feeding: Balanced feed at half strength once a month in summer.

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7. Pothos

Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum

The hardest houseplant to kill, and the one Indians call money plant. Train it up a moss pole, let it trail from a shelf, or root cuttings in a bottle of water on the kitchen counter. Heart-shaped leaves are splashed with creamy yellow.

Pothos plant care instructions

• Light: Low to bright indirect light. Variegation fades in deep shade, so give golden and marble varieties a brighter spot.
• Soil: General well-draining potting mix.
• Water: Let the top 3–4 cm dry between waterings; roughly weekly in summer, fortnightly or less in winter.
• Feeding: Ordinary houseplant feed once a month in spring and summer; none in winter.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs, so hang it out of reach.

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8. Grape ivy

Botanical name: Cissus rhombifolia

A forgiving climbing vine with scalloped, slightly glossy leaflets and curling tendrils. Train it up a trellis or let it trail. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a good alternative to pothos.

Grape Ivy Care Instructions

• Light: Medium to bright indirect light. It tolerates less, but growth slows.
• Soil: Airy mix of potting soil with bark, perlite or coco chips for aeration.
• Water: Moderate. Let the surface dry between waterings; overwatering causes leaf drop.
• Temperature: Happiest at 20–28°C, so it suits most Indian homes year round.
• Feeding: Diluted liquid feed monthly in the growing season.

9. Croton

Botanical name: Codiaeum variegatum

Crotons bring red, orange and yellow into a room without a single flower. Colour depends entirely on light, so they belong by the brightest window or on a bright balcony rather than in a dim corner.

Croton Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun. Colours turn plain green in shade.
• Soil: Rich, well-draining mix with plenty of organic matter.
• Water: Water when the top 2 cm feels dry; the plant sulks if it dries out fully or sits wet.
• Feeding: Slow-release feed three times a year, before spring, in midsummer and in early autumn.
• Caution: The sap irritates skin and the plant is toxic to pets. Expect some leaf drop for a few weeks after you move it home.

10. Lady's slipper orchid

Botanical name: Paphiopedilum species (subfamily Cypripedioideae)

Named for the pouch-shaped lip that looks like a slipper, these orchids flower in red, pink, purple, green or yellow, and a single bloom can last for weeks. Unlike most orchids they are terrestrial: in the wild they grow in leaf litter on shaded forest floors, not in deserts.

Lady's Slipper Orchid Care Instructions

• Light: Medium, filtered light of the kind an east window gives. No direct sun.
• Growing medium: Open, airy bark-based orchid mix, never garden soil.
• Water: Keep the mix lightly moist and never bone dry. Use RO, distilled or rainwater; salts in hard tap water burn the roots.
• Feeding: Orchid feed at quarter strength once a month in the growing season, flushing the pot with plain water every few weeks.
• Tip: They prefer 18–28°C and high humidity, so they are easier in Bengaluru, the hills and the north-east than in a hot, dry plains summer.

11. Jade Plant

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata

Plump, oval leaves on woody stems give the jade plant a miniature tree look, which is why it is such a popular beginner bonsai. In strong light the leaf edges blush red. Given good drainage it lives for decades.

Jade Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Four or more hours of direct sun; a south or west window or a bright balcony.
• Soil: Fast-draining succulent mix with coarse sand or grit.
• Water: Soak, then let the soil dry out completely. In the monsoon, water only when the leaves look slightly soft.
• Feeding: Balanced feed at quarter strength two or three times during spring and summer.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs.

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12. ZZ Plant

Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Glossy leaflets march up thick, upright stems that grow from water-storing rhizomes. The ZZ plant handles dim offices, long holidays and forgetful owners better than almost anything else, which makes it the default desk plant.

ZZ Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Low light is fine; medium to bright indirect light gives faster growth.
• Soil: Standard potting mix with added perlite or sand.
• Water: Only when the soil is dry right through, roughly every two to three weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Yellow stems mean too much water.
• Feeding: Diluted houseplant feed two or three times a year.
• Caution: All parts are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

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13. String of Pearl

Botanical Name: Curio rowleyanus (syn. Senecio rowleyanus)

Wiry stems strung with bead-like leaves spill from a hanging pot. It is low maintenance and drought-tolerant, but it is the least forgiving succulent here about wet soil and stagnant air.

String of Pearls Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light with an hour or two of gentle morning sun. Harsh afternoon sun shrivels the beads.
• Soil: Sandy succulent mix in a shallow pot with drainage holes.
• Water: Let the soil dry out fully, then water lightly; roughly every 10–14 days in summer, far less in winter and the monsoon.
• Feeding: Half-strength balanced feed once a month in the growing season.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs.

14. Peace lily

Botanical name: Spathiphyllum

Dark, glossy leaves and white spathes (the "flower" is a leaf-like hood around a spadix) make the peace lily one of the few plants that both flowers and tolerates a shaded room. It wilts dramatically when thirsty and recovers within hours of watering, which is handy for beginners.

Peace Lily Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Low to medium indirect light. Direct sun scorches the leaves; deep shade stops the flowers.
• Soil: Moisture-retentive but free-draining mix.
• Water: About weekly in summer, every 10–14 days in winter. Do not leave the pot standing in water.
• Feeding: Balanced feed once a month in spring and summer.
• Caution: Contains calcium oxalate and is toxic to cats and dogs; brown tips usually mean hard water or dry air.

15. Aloe vera

Botanical name: Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis Miller)

Thick, serrated, stemless leaves hold a gel long used in Indian households for minor burns and dry skin. Aloe thrives in Indian heat, shrugs off most pests and needs a sunny window sill or balcony rather than a dark room.

Aloe Vera Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright light with several hours of sun; a south or west window is ideal. Acclimatise it slowly to full sun so the leaves do not scorch.
• Soil: Sandy cactus and succulent mix. Terracotta pots are best because they dry quickly.
• Water: Soak, then let the soil dry completely, about every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Keep it under cover during heavy monsoon rain.
• Feeding: Not essential; one dilute feed in spring is enough.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs.

16. Lucky Bamboo Plant

Botanical name: Dracaena sanderiana

Despite the name it is a dracaena, not a bamboo. It sits in homes, shops and offices across India because Feng Shui links it with luck and prosperity, with different numbers of stalks said to carry different meanings. It grows happily in a vase of water with pebbles.

Lucky Bamboo Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light. Direct sun yellows the leaves.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained potting soil if you grow it in a pot; clean pebbles if you grow it in water.
• Water: Change the water every one to two weeks and keep the roots covered. In soil, keep lightly moist, never soggy.
• Water quality: Chlorine and fluoride turn the tips yellow or brown, so use filtered, RO or rainwater.
• Feeding: One drop of all-purpose liquid feed at each water change is plenty.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs.

17. Ferns

Botanical group: class Polypodiopsida

Ferns are among the oldest plant lineages on earth. They are vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds or flowers, and they bring a soft, layered green to shaded shelves and bathrooms. (The famous ability to pull arsenic out of soil belongs to one specific fern, the brake fern Pteris vittata, not to ferns in general.)

Fern Care Instructions

• Light: Indirect light from a north or east window; no direct sun.
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained mix such as coco peat with compost.
• Water: Keep consistently moist. Yellow fronds mean too much water, crisp brown fronds too little or air that is too dry.
• Humidity: Keep away from AC vents and fans; group pots together or use a pebble tray. Plastic pots hold moisture longer than terracotta.
• Feeding: Light feeder. Half-strength feed every six to eight weeks in the growing season; brown tips can mean overfeeding.

18. Chinese evergreen

Botanical name: Aglaonema

One of the toughest foliage plants you can buy, with lance-shaped leaves patterned in silver, grey, green, pink or red. It puts up with poor light, dry air and missed waterings, so it works in hotel lobbies and busy homes alike.

Chinese Evergreen Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Dark green varieties take low to medium light; pink and red varieties need bright indirect light to keep their colour. No direct sun.
• Soil: Free-draining mix kept evenly moist, not wet.
• Water: Water when the top 3 cm is dry; cut back sharply below 15°C.
• Feeding: Slow-release pellets or a diluted feed twice a year, at the start and end of the growing season. It is easily damaged by overfeeding.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs; protect it from cold draughts in north Indian winters.

19. Anthurium

Botanical name: Anthurium

Waxy red, pink or white spathes sit above a clump of leathery leaves, and a healthy plant flowers on and off through the year. Climbing types can be trained up a moss pole against a bare wall.

Anthurium Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light. It stops flowering in deep shade and burns in direct sun.
• Soil: Chunky, airy mix with bark and perlite, high in organic matter.
• Water: Keep lightly moist in hot, dry weather and water less in the monsoon. Mist or use a pebble tray in dry air.
• Temperature: 18–27°C suits it best.
• Feeding: Diluted high-phosphorus feed every two to three weeks in the growing season encourages flowers.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to keep dust and mites down.

20. Money Plant

Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum

In India, "money plant" almost always means golden pothos, the same species as entry 7, grown in soil or in a bottle of water and believed to bring prosperity. Two other plants share the nickname: the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides), which has the round coin-like leaves, and the jade plant (Crassula ovata).

Money Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light keeps the yellow variegation; it survives low light with plainer leaves. Avoid direct sun, which scorches it.
• Soil: Free-draining mix with sand and coco peat, or plain water with a stone to anchor the cutting.
• Water: Roughly weekly in summer, every 10–15 days in winter. In water culture, change the water fortnightly.
• Feeding: A light monthly feed in the growing season is enough. This is not a hungry money plant.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it away from cold draughts to prevent leaf loss.

21. Warneck Dracaena

Botanical name: Dracaena fragrans 'Warneckii' (formerly Dracaena deremensis)

Sword-shaped leaves striped in grey-green and white grow in tight rosettes on slim canes. It is an undemanding floor plant that handles a range of light levels and rewards you for leaving it alone.

Dracaena Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light is best; it tolerates medium light with slower growth.
• Soil: Good potting mix with added perlite. Do not overfeed, as salt build-up browns the leaf tips.
• Water: About once a week in summer when the top few centimetres feel dry; less in winter. Use filtered or RO water, since fluoride causes brown margins.
• Feeding: A balanced feed once or twice in spring and early summer is plenty.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs; site it away from busy corridors where the leaves get knocked.

22. Heart-leaf Philodendron

Botanical name: Philodendron hederaceum

The name comes from the Greek for "tree-loving", after the way these plants climb. Glossy, dark green heart-shaped leaves look good on a tabletop, a bookshelf or a hanging pot, and the plant copes well with a shaded room.

Philodendron Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Medium to bright indirect light; never direct sun.
• Soil: Moist, organic-rich mix that drains well.
• Water: Keep lightly moist, not soggy. Yellow leaves mean too much water, brown crisp edges too little.
• Feeding: Light feed once or twice across spring and summer; none in winter.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs. Pinch the tips regularly so it stays bushy rather than leggy.

23. Azalea

Botanical name: Rhododendron species

Azaleas are cool-climate flowering shrubs sold as seasonal pot plants. In India they do well in the hills (Ooty, Kodaikanal, Darjeeling, Shimla) and can be enjoyed indoors for a few weeks of bloom in the plains during winter, but they will not survive a hot summer in a living room.

Azalea Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light in the coolest room you have. The cooler the spot, the longer the flowers last; direct sun makes buds drop.
• Soil: Acidic, peat-rich mix. A clay pot helps drainage.
• Water: Keep evenly moist with soft water. Standing the pot in water for a minute once or twice a week works well; drain it fully afterwards.
• Feeding: An acidifying fertiliser after flowering, or a balanced 15-15-15 if you do not know your soil.
• Caution: Every part is highly toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses. Keep it well away from pets and children.

24. Gerbera Daisy

Botanical name: Gerbera

Showy, long-lasting blooms in almost every colour, and a favourite gift flower in India. It is non-toxic to pets, but treat it as a bright-balcony or window plant: it needs real sunlight to keep flowering and rarely lasts long in a shaded room.

Gerbera Daisy Care Instructions

• Light: Four to six hours of morning sun, with shade from harsh afternoon heat.
• Soil: Average to rich soil with excellent drainage.
• Water: Water at the base when the topsoil feels dry; keep water off the crown and leaves to avoid rot, especially in the monsoon. Water sparingly in winter.
• Feeding: Water-soluble feed monthly through the flowering season, or top-dress with compost.

25. Indian Basil

Botanical name: Ocimum tenuiflorum

Tulsi has been grown in Indian courtyards for thousands of years and is valued in Ayurveda. It is a sun plant rather than a true houseplant: give it a bright balcony, a window sill or a terrace, not a dim corner. The basil used in Italian and Southeast Asian cooking is a different species, sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum).

Indian Basil (Tulsi Plant) Care Instructions

• Light: At least four to six hours of direct sun.
• Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Water: Water when the topsoil is dry, daily in peak summer. Hold back during the monsoon and water sparingly in winter.
• Feeding: Compost or well-rotted manure once a season; chemical feeds are unnecessary.
• Tip: Pinch the growing tips and remove flower spikes to keep the plant bushy and leafy.

26. Lavender

Botanical name: Lavandula

Lavender is not a houseplant, and it is honest to say it is difficult in most of India. It wants full sun, gritty alkaline soil, moving air and dry conditions, so it does best in the hills, in Himachal and in dry north-western winters. Humid coastal air and monsoon rain cause rot.

Lavender Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Full sun on an open balcony, ledge or terrace.
• Soil: Gritty, free-draining mix. Add limestone gravel at the base of the pot and a tablespoon of lime for alkalinity.
• Water: Sparingly, only when the soil is dry; much less in winter. Keep it under cover in heavy rain.
• Feeding: A handful of compost at planting time is enough; rich feeding reduces the scent.
• Caution: ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Use a pot only slightly larger than the root ball to avoid soggy soil.

27. Donkey tail

Botanical name: Sedum morganianum

Plump blue-green leaves overlap along trailing stems that can reach a metre in a hanging basket, though they take years to get there. It is listed as non-toxic to pets and thrives on neglect, but the leaves knock off at the slightest touch, so hang it where nobody brushes past.

Donkey Tail Care Instructions

• Light: Bright light with gentle morning sun; light shade from fierce afternoon sun.
• Soil: Free-draining succulent or cactus mix.
• Water: Sparingly. Soak, then let the mix dry out completely; every two to three weeks in summer, monthly in winter.
• Feeding: A weak balanced feed once at the start of the growing season is ample.
• Tip: Fallen leaves root easily on damp compost, so you get free plants.

28. Fiddle leaf fig plant

Botanical name: Ficus lyrata

Big, violin-shaped leaves on an upright trunk make this the designers' favourite statement plant. Be realistic about it: the fiddle leaf fig is fussy, needs genuinely bright light, and drops leaves if you move it, overwater it or leave it in a draught.

Fiddle leaf fig plant care instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light close to a large window, with a little filtered morning sun. It will not thrive in a dim corner.
• Soil: Free-draining mix: roughly one part coco peat, one part perlite and two parts good potting soil.
• Water: When the top 3–5 cm is dry, water until it runs from the drainage holes, then empty the saucer. Roughly weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter.
• Feeding: High-nitrogen houseplant feed during the growing season, following the pack rate.
• Caution: Sap irritates skin and the plant is toxic to pets. Dust the leaves monthly and rotate the pot for even growth.

29. Bunny ear cactus

Botanical name: Opuntia microdasys

Flat green pads dotted with tufts of yellow glochids give this Mexican cactus its polka-dot nickname. The glochids are tiny barbed bristles that lodge painfully in skin, so keep it away from children and handle it with thick gloves.

Bunny Ear Cactus Care Instructions

• Light: Full sun. A sunny window sill or balcony rail is ideal.
• Soil: Sandy, sharply draining cactus mix.
• Water: Sparingly even while establishing: water only once the mix is completely dry, roughly every two to three weeks in summer and almost never in winter. Shelter it from monsoon downpours.
• Feeding: A single dilute cactus feed in spring; nothing more.

30. Dragon tree

Botanical name: Dracaena marginata

The slim, spiky dragon tree sold as a houseplant is Dracaena marginata; the Canary Island dragon tree, Dracaena draco, is a slow-growing outdoor specimen. Indoors, marginata reaches head height over several years and makes an easy architectural floor plant.

Dragon plant Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light. It survives medium light but grows sparse; direct sun scorches the leaves.
• Soil: Loose, well-draining mix with coco peat and perlite.
• Water: Little and seldom. Water when the top half of the pot is dry, using filtered or RO water to avoid brown tips.
• Feeding: A light balanced feed in spring; it is not a hungry plant.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs.

31. Prayer plant

Botanical name: Maranta leuconeura

Leaves patterned in light green, cream and red fold upwards at night like folded hands, which is how the plant got its name. It is non-toxic to pets, but it needs more humidity and care than pothos or a snake plant.

Prayer Plant Care Instructions

• Light: Medium, filtered indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the markings.
• Soil: Moisture-retentive but well-draining mix rich in coco peat.
• Water: Keep lightly moist; roughly weekly in summer and less in winter. Use RO or rainwater, as it is sensitive to hard water.
• Humidity: Needs it. Use a pebble tray or group it with other plants, and keep it out of AC airflow.
• Feeding: Diluted houseplant feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer; leaf burn means you are overdoing it.

32. Dwarf umbrella plant

Botanical name: Schefflera arboricola

Also sold as the Hawaiian umbrella tree, this shrubby plant has glossy leaflets fanning out like spokes. It back-buds readily, so it is one of the most popular species for beginners moving into indoor bonsai.

Hawaiian umbrella tree bonsai Care Instructions

• Light: Medium to bright indirect light; it tolerates lower light and low humidity better than most.
• Soil: Free-draining mix in a pot with generous drainage holes to prevent root rot.
• Water: Keep lightly moist through summer; let the surface dry between waterings in winter, without letting the pot dry out fully.
• Feeding: All-purpose houseplant feed every three to four weeks in the growing season, or two doses of slow-release pellets a year.
• Caution: Contains calcium oxalate and is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of children.

33. Grafted Ficus Bonsai

Botanical name: Ficus microcarpa

Ficus is the most popular genus for indoor bonsai because it grows fast, tolerates indoor conditions and heals well after pruning. The grafted ficus or ginseng style has a swollen, potato-like root base topped with small glossy leaves.

Grafted Ficus Bonsai Care Instructions

• Light: The brighter the better: bright indirect light with a few hours of morning sun keeps the leaves small and the tree compact.
• Soil: Around 60 per cent aggregate to 40 per cent organic matter for a ginseng ficus, using pine bark, lava rock and akadama, or a ready-made bonsai mix.
• Water: Moderate and regular. Water when the surface starts to dry, and stand the pot on a humidity tray of pebbles in dry weather.
• Feeding: Bonsai hold very little soil, so feed monthly in the growing season with a multi-purpose liquid feed at half strength.
• Caution: Ficus sap is an irritant and the plant is toxic to pets.

34. Asparagus Fern

Botanical name: Asparagus setaceus

Not a true fern at all, but a relative of edible asparagus with feathery, cloud-like foliage. It grows quickly and can be trained along a window or curtain rod. Small white flowers are followed by red berries.

Asparagus fern Care instructions

• Light: Bright indirect or filtered light; direct sun yellows the foliage.
• Soil: Loose, well-drained potting soil kept lightly moist.
• Water: Regularly in summer, letting the surface dry first; every two to three weeks in winter.
• Feeding: Diluted all-purpose feed monthly in the growing season.
• Caution: ASPCA lists asparagus fern as toxic to cats and dogs, and the berries are poisonous if eaten. The stems carry small spines, so wear gloves when pruning.

35. Lemon Button Fern

Botanical name: Nephrolepis cordifolia

A compact, neat fern with rows of small round leaflets that give off a faint lemon scent when crushed. It is more tolerant of dry air than a Boston fern, pet-safe, and perfect for terrariums, side tables and shaded entrances.

Lemon Button Fern Care Instruction

• Light: Filtered or indirect light; no direct sun.
• Soil: Loamy, slightly acidic mix that holds moisture but drains.
• Water: Keep the top layer moist, never soggy. Reduce in winter.
• Feeding: Half-strength feed every couple of months in the growing season.

36. Paddle Plant

Botanical name: Kalanchoe luciae (often sold as K. thyrsiflora)

Broad, flat leaves stack up like pancakes, and the edges flush deep red in strong light, which is why it is also called flapjack plant or desert cabbage. It stays small enough for a window sill pot.

Paddle Plant Care Instruction

• Light: Bright light with some direct sun brings out the red edges; too little light and it stays plain green and stretches.
• Soil: Rich but sharply draining succulent mix.
• Water: Treat it like a cactus. Let the soil dry out completely, then water thoroughly and drain. Keep it dry in the monsoon.
• Feeding: Half-strength balanced feed once a month from late winter through spring.
• Caution: Kalanchoes contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic to cats and dogs.

37. Dieffenbachia

Botanical name: Dieffenbachia seguine

Large leaves splashed with cream make dieffenbachia, or dumb cane, a popular living room and patio plant in India. It is easy to grow but must be sited carefully: the sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, and temporary difficulty in speaking, hence the common name. It is rarely life-threatening but very painful, so keep it away from children and pets and wash your hands after pruning.

Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane Care Instructions

• Light: Medium, filtered indirect light. Bright sun scorches the leaves.
• Soil: Well-drained mix with added sand or perlite.
• Water: Water thoroughly in summer once the top 3 cm is dry; much less in winter. It enjoys humidity.
• Feeding: A balanced feed such as 20-20-20, diluted, once a month in the growing season.

38. Peperomia

Botanical name: Peperomia species

More than 1,000 species sit in this pepper-family genus, from watermelon peperomia to heart-leaf types, P. obtusifolia and tiny 'Minima'. Most stay compact, have thick semi-succulent leaves, and are non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes them ideal for desks and shelves in pet homes.

Peperomia Care Instructions

• Light: Medium to bright indirect light; direct sun burns the leaves.
• Soil: Airy mix with perlite, sand or fine bark so the roots never sit compacted and wet.
• Water: Sparingly. The leaves store water, so let the top half of the pot dry out; overwatering causes stem rot.
• Feeding: Dilute liquid feed every six to eight weeks in the growing season is more than enough.

39. Calathea

Botanical name: Calathea (many species now reclassified as Goeppertia)

Bold leaf patterns earn calatheas nicknames such as peacock plant, zebra plant and rattlesnake plant. They are pet-safe and compact, which suits desks and offices, but they are the fussiest plant here about water quality and humidity.

Calathea indoors Care Instructions

• Light: Medium indirect light. Strong sun fades the markings.
• Soil: Light, aerated, well-draining mix.
• Water: Keep evenly moist, never soggy and never bone dry. Use RO, distilled or rainwater; fluoride and salts in tap water cause crisp brown edges.
• Humidity: High. Use a pebble tray or humidifier, particularly in dry north Indian winters and AC rooms.
• Feeding: Dilute feed every six to eight weeks in the growing season; they burn easily.

40. Kalanchoe

Botanical name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

A succulent that flowers for weeks in dense clusters of red, orange, pink, yellow or white, mostly from winter into spring. It is easy to grow and a popular gift plant for window sills and small pots.

Kalanchoe Care Instructions

• Light: Bright light with a couple of hours of gentle direct sun. Too much fierce afternoon sun scorches the leaves; too little and it will not flower.
• Soil: Free-draining mix, for example 60 per cent coco peat to 40 per cent perlite, or a cactus mix.
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings and water at the base, not over the flowers.
• Feeding: Balanced feed monthly in spring and summer; switch to a higher-phosphorus feed if flowering is poor. Stop in winter.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs; the cardiac glycosides can affect the heart rhythm if eaten.

41. Ponytail Palm

Botanical name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Despite the name it is not a palm; it is a succulent relative of asparagus that stores water in its swollen trunk base, or caudex. Long, thin leaves spray out of the top like a ponytail. It is pet-safe and almost impossible to underwater.

Ponytail Palm Indoor Care Instructions

• Light: Bright light, ideally with some direct sun. It tolerates medium light with slower growth.
• Soil: Fast-draining cactus and succulent mix.
• Water: Every two to three weeks in summer, once the soil is dry throughout, and monthly or less in winter. A soft, squishy trunk means rot from overwatering.
• Feeding: Two or three dilute feeds a year in spring and summer; none in winter.

42. Begonia

Botanical name: Begonia species

With more than 1,700 species, begonias cover everything from flowering wax types to dramatic patterned-leaf rex varieties. They add colour indoors near a bright window and on shaded balconies, provided the soil drains well.

Begonias Care Instructions

• Light: Bright indirect light. Keep them away from hot glass and direct afternoon sun.
• Soil: Light, fertile, well-drained mix. Root and stem rot in cold, wet soil is the main killer.
• Water: Water at the soil level when the surface feels dry, and keep water off the leaves to avoid powdery mildew in the monsoon.
• Feeding: Depends on the type: rhizomatous begonias suit a gentle water-soluble feed in spring, while tuberous begonias are hungrier and take a feed twice a month in the growing season.
• Caution: Toxic to cats and dogs, with the tubers the most toxic part.

Season-by-season care in India

Season	What to do
Summer (March–June)	Water more often, move plants back from hot south and west windows, mist humidity-lovers, and shift balcony plants into morning sun only. Do not repot in peak heat.
Monsoon (June–September)	Cut watering drastically, empty every saucer, improve airflow, and watch for fungus gnats, mealybugs and leaf spot. Move succulents and cacti under cover.
Post-monsoon and autumn (October–November)	The best time to repot, prune and take cuttings. Feed lightly while growth is still active.
Winter (December–February)	Water much less, stop feeding most plants, move tropicals away from cold draughts and open windows in north India, and give everything as much light as you can.

Conclusion

Start with two or three plants that match your light rather than your wish list: a snake plant or ZZ plant for a dim corner, pothos or a spider plant for a shelf, an areca palm or dracaena to fill a floor space, and a jade plant or aloe for a sunny window. Get the watering rhythm right for each season and the rest follows.

You can browse our indoor plants, air-purifying plants and bonsai range online, or visit the nursery at B-243, Sector 2, Greater Noida (8 am to 8 pm). For help choosing a plant for your room, message us on WhatsApp at +91 93155 69090 or use our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which indoor plant is best for low light in Indian homes?

Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, Chinese evergreen and peace lily handle low light best. They will not grow fast in a dark corner, but they stay healthy for months with occasional watering. Move them near a window for a few weeks each year to recover.

Which indoor plants are safe for cats and dogs?

Spider plant, areca palm, Boston fern, lemon button fern, peperomia, calathea, prayer plant, ponytail palm, donkey tail, grape ivy and gerbera daisy are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. Avoid pothos, peace lily, dieffenbachia, snake plant, aloe, kalanchoe and azalea if pets chew plants.

How often should I water indoor plants in India?

Check the soil rather than the calendar. In summer most foliage plants need water every three to seven days, in winter every 10–15 days, and during the monsoon far less because humidity is high and evaporation is slow. Succulents need watering only once the soil is dry throughout.

Do indoor plants actually purify the air?

Barely. The NASA Clean Air Study tested plants in sealed chambers, not homes, and a 2019 review by Cummings and Waring found houseplants have little measurable effect on room air. Ventilation and an air purifier do far more; keep plants for their looks and comfort.

Which plants survive in air-conditioned rooms?

Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, dracaena, Chinese evergreen and peperomia cope with the dry, cool air of AC rooms. Keep them out of the direct airflow, water a little less than you would in an un-cooled room, and group pots or use pebble trays to raise humidity.

Why do my indoor plant leaves get brown tips?

Usually dry air, hard water or a build-up of fertiliser salts. Spider plants, dracaenas, calatheas, palms and lucky bamboo are especially sensitive to fluoride and chlorine. Switch to filtered, RO or rainwater, flush the pot with plain water every few months, and raise humidity.

Which indoor plants grow well in hot Indian summers?

Snake plant, ZZ plant, aloe vera, jade, kalanchoe, croton, areca palm and pothos all tolerate 35–40°C indoors if they are shielded from direct afternoon sun. Water them more often, and shift thin-leaved plants such as ferns and calatheas to the coolest, shadiest spot.

Can I keep tulsi, lavender and gerbera indoors?

Not for long. Tulsi, lavender and gerbera all need four or more hours of direct sun, so they belong on a balcony, window sill or terrace. Bring them indoors briefly for display, then return them to sunlight before they stretch and stop flowering.

Sources

• NASA Clean Air Study (Wolverton, Johnson & Bounds, 1989): https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077
• Cummings & Waring (2019), "Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality", Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0175-9
• ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
• Royal Horticultural Society plant advice: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice
• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx