Inspiration for planty homes is everywhere these days but it can be hard to know where to start – especially if you aren’t super confident in your abilities to keep them all alive (you can do it!) So we decided to share this top 10 list. If you’re after a jungle in your living room, this list will help you get there.
Monstera Deliciosa
There are quite a few different types of Monstera available but Deliciosa is the quintessential jungle defining houseplant. If you can only get one – get yourself one of these! Small juveniles leaves will develop into split leaves over time and watching each leaf unfurl is always interesting.
☀️ Can enjoy a variety of light but east or west facing windows are ideal.
💧Water when dry and avoid excess water in the pot.
🪨 Likes a well draining yet rich soil mix. Roots can grow fast so be prepared to re-pot.
🍽️ Feed a standard tropical houseplant fertilizer during periods where the plant is pushing new growth.
Golden Pothos
If the dream is to have vines hanging down your book case or to train them around windows then Pothos is your guy! Available in several colours (Golden, Marble Queen, Cebu blue.) Pothos is a wonderful beginner plant because they’re super easy to propagate – you’ll learn a lot from growing pothos and they’ll fill in your jungle easily and on budget.
☀️ Low light tolerant but will grow faster with more light.
💧Water when dry and avoid excess water in the pot.
🪨 Likes a well draining yet rich soil mix.
🍽️ Feed a standard tropical houseplant fertilizer during periods where the plant is pushing new growth.
Dracaena
A dracaena can be found in many sizes, colours and forms to suit any room! If you’re looking for a tree type that won’t break the bank you can’t go wrong with dracaena PLUS they’re super easy care, set and forget type plants. Remember to water them if they look droopy and that’s pretty much it.
☀️ Low light tolerant but will grow faster with more light.
💧Water when dry and avoid excess water in the pot.
🪨 Likes a well draining yet soil mix and a smallish pot size.
🍽️ Feed a standard tropical houseplant fertilizer during periods where the plant is pushing new growth.
Spider Plant
Lush full baskets of baby bearing spider plants were the look of retro jungle growers everywhere. Spider plants are fairly easy care and sharing their baby spiderettes is fun!
☀️ Bright indirect light will encourage more growth.
💧Allow to dry nearly all the way between waterings.
🪨 Enjoys a well draining tropical houseplant soil.
🍽️ Fertilize monthly through the growing season.
Philodendron Rudolph
The philodendron family is very diverse and you’ll likely find more than one variety for your jungle. Whether you’re looking for a floor plant or a climbing vine, philodendron will have what you need.
☀️ Philodendrons can enjoy gentle direct sun (east or west exposure) or bright indirect light.
💧Allow them to dry between waterings. Most will wilt when thirsty and perk up again after a drink.
🪨 Provide an airy, rich, substrate such as house plant soil amended with extra perlite and / or orchid bark.
🍽️ Fertilize once per month during the growing season with a standard houseplant fertilizer.
Snake Plants
There are many varieties of snake plants on the market today. Most have strappy upright leaves but some have cylindrical shapes. These are fantastic low maintenance additions to any jungle.
☀️ Enjoys bright light and can handle direct sun if acclimated over time.
💧Water only when very dry.
🪨 Enjoys a cactus type soil mix.
🍽️Snake plants are light feeders, a houseplant fertilizer once every few months should do.
ZZ Plant
It’s hard to beat a ZZ plant for ease of care. Requiring water only once a month or so and adaptable to most light sources this plant will seemingly do nothing and then all of a sudden shoot out a new branch.
☀️ Can enjoy bright and even direct light if acclimated over time but will do well nearly anywhere.
💧Allow to dry completely between waterings – these can go 3 or 4 weeks especially if they’re in lower light spaces.
🪨 A cactus type soil is perfect for ZZs and you could even amend it with some larger stone or lava rock.
🍽️ These plants are light feeders. A standard houseplant fertilizer a few times per year will suffice.
Fishbone Cactus
While they’re technically called a ‘cactus’, fishbone cactus or Epiphyllum anguliger are more of a jungle cactus which means they are often better suited to indoor life than their spiky cousins.
☀️ Can enjoy bright indirect light to medium light
💧Allow to dry between waterings but these are not desert cactus and will need regular watering.
🪨 Any houseplant soil with some extra perlite added should be fine.
🍽️ Feed once per month during the growing season with a standard houseplant fertilizer.
Hoya Carnosa
Hoya are grandma’s plant re-invented for today as now we have many more varieties to choose from. These can be grown in hanging baskets or trellised into interesting displays. A hoya bloom is the ultimate reward!
☀️ Hoya can enjoy bright direct light for part of the day – east / west is ideal.
💧Allow hoya to dry between waterings but avoid leaving to sit dry for long periods.
🪨 Provide a well draining soil mix.
🍽️ Offer a standard houseplant fertilizer once a month through active growth periods.
Schefflera Plants
Schefflera are a plant that’s in it for the long haul. If you like the idea of growing a small table top plant into a giant tree this is the plant for you!
☀️ A bright east or west facing room is a great location for this plant.
💧Allow to dry between waterings.
🪨 Standard houseplant soil will do fine for this plant.
🍽️Fertilize once a month with an all purpose fertilizer during the growing season.
We hope that helps you get started on your own indoor jungle. Of course, there are many wonderful houseplants out there but these are tried and true plants for beginners who want a full and lush look without too much struggle out of the gate. Happy growing!
