Air-purifying
English Ivy: Charming Indoors, a Menace Outdoors
A classic trailing vine that prefers cooler rooms, bright indirect light, and higher humidity. Spider mites are its nemesis in warm, dry air; regular showers help.
TrulyVerdant
Field notes and growing guides for plant people
Air-purifying
Snake Plant: The Plant You Cannot Kill (We've Tried)
The nearly unkillable upright plant that tolerates low light, dry air, and weeks without water. Let the soil dry completely; that is the entire care guide.
Air-purifying
Tradescantia Zebrina: Purple, Striped, and Growing Faster Than You Can Keep Up
A fast-trailing vine with silver-striped leaves and purple undersides that roots from any broken stem. Bright indirect light keeps the color; pinch often to keep it full.
Humidity-loving
Cissus Discolor: A Begonia Impersonator With Velvet Leaves and Big Ambitions
A velvet-leafed climbing vine that impersonates a rex begonia. It wants warmth, bright indirect light, consistently moist soil, and humidity above 60%.
Easy
Dracaena Marginata: The Dragon Tree That Looks Expensive and Costs Nothing to Keep
A tall, architectural dragon tree with red-edged leaves that tolerates medium light and infrequent watering. Fluoride in tap water is the main cause of brown tips.
Humidity-loving
Parlor Palm: The Palm That's Perfectly Happy Indoors (Unlike Most Palms)
The rare palm that is happy indoors: slow-growing, pet-safe, and tolerant of lower light. It prefers lightly moist soil, filtered water, and a bit of extra humidity.
High-maintenance
String of Pearls: A Necklace That Dies if You Water It on a Schedule
A trailing succulent of pea-shaped beads that needs bright light on the top of the pot, gritty soil, and watering only when completely dry. Overwatering turns it to mush.
Humidity-loving
Maranta: The Prayer Plant That Folds Its Hands Every Night
A low, spreading prayer plant with red-veined leaves that fold up at night. Pet-safe, but sensitive to tap water and dry air; give it filtered water and 50%+ humidity.
Air-purifying
Pothos: The Plant We Already Told You to Buy
The indestructible gateway houseplant: trails, climbs, grows in water, and survives low light and neglect. Water when dry, hang it out of pets' reach, and enjoy.
High-maintenance
Maidenhair Fern: The Most Beautiful Plant That Will Ever Break Your Heart
A delicate, lace-like fern that crisps the moment its soil dries. It needs constantly moist soil, indirect light, cool temperatures, and humidity above 60%.