To choose a plant for a specific spot in your home, you’ll want to keep two things in mind: plant care and your home’s aesthetic. Certain houseplants have different needs when it comes to sun exposure and humidity levels; so you won’t want to put a plant that needs full sun in a windowless bathroom or an air plant in your sun-drenched living room when it prefers indirect light. Additionally, you don’t want a plant to stick out like a sore thumb and ruin a whole room’s décor. A cactus in a serene bedroom? That doesn’t quite say peace and tranquility. Fortunately, there are more than enough houseplant varieties to suit any dwelling and design style. Christopher Satch, an in-house plant expert at The Sill, shares his plant picks for every room in your home—from your living room to your child’s bedroom. And for those who lack a green thumb, Satch also gives us his best maintenance tips so you won’t end up with sad, dead greenery. There’s good news for people who travel a lot or just don’t have the time to look after something daily: Most of these plant recommendations are low-maintenance and require only weekly or monthly watering. Recommended plants and care tips:Bird of paradise: bright light to full sun; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightRubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightPhilodendron: bright to low, indirect light; water weeklyBegonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightCacti or succulents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel Recommended plants and care tips:Ferns: moderate to low, indirect light; water weekly; high humidityAir plants: bright to moderate, indirect light; daily spritzing; high humidityHerbs: full sun; regular watering when dry (usually every few days)Trailing pothos: bright to low, indirect light; water weekly Recommended plants and care tips:Bird of paradise: bright light to full sun; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightRubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightPhilodendron: bright to low, indirect light; water weeklyBegonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightCacti or succulents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel Recommended plants and care tips:Snake plant: bright to low, indirect light; water monthlyRubber tree: low light to full sun; water weekly, increasing intervals with increased lightSpider plant: moderate, indirect light; water weekly Recommended plants and care tips:Ferns: moderate to low, indirect light; weekly watering; high humidityAir plants: bright to moderate, indirect light; daily spritzing; high humidityPothos or philodendrons: moderate, indirect light; water weekly; regular humidity Recommended plants and care tips:Begonia or Fittonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightNeon pothos: bright to low, indirect light; water weeklySucculents: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel Recommended plants and care tips:Begonia or Fittonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightMarimo moss: low to medium light; it doesn’t require much maintenance other than a swirl every other day, and a change of water every weekJade plant: bright light; water monthly, or whenever it starts to shrivel Recommended plants and care tips:Begonia: low light to full sun, but prefers bright light; water weekly, increasing watering intervals with increased lightMint, basil, chamomile: bright light; when the temperature is greater than 78 degrees, water daily; on days less than 68 degrees, water once a week; water every other day otherwise; deadhead the chamomileFerns: moderate to low, indirect light; water weekly; high humidity
