15 best indoor plants for your home

Banana trees. If you’re looking to take your greenery obsession to the next level, go large. An indoor tree like a banana palm will add a sense of drama to your home – not to mention turn it into a tropical paradise.

Ivy, pictured to the right, in its many forms is a climber that grows in bright to low light away from draughts. Water when dry and dust leaves. Prune to control size. Poisonous to pets.

Pin-stripe calathea (Calathea ornata ‘Sanderii’) enjoys a brightly lit spot out of direct sunlight. Water when dry, dust leaves and mist daily to maintain humidity to avoid leaf spots.

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) needs bright indoor light. Allow potting mix to dry out between watering. Keep the large leaves dust free, repot this vigorous plant as needed and prune to keep compact.

A distant cousin of the fiddle leaf fig, the long leafed fig (Ficus longifolia) is set to be the new favourite in Australian homes. “The long leaf fig is a real performer indoors and makes the most perfect indoor tree,” says Richard Unsworth, director of Sydney nursery Garden Life.

Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sanseveria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’), pictured in the back corner of this elegant apartment, a rugged indoor plant for a well-lit spot out of direct sun. It has rigid upright leaves. Only water when dry.

Fiddle leaf figs love a light and sunny position. Try to avoid dark corners and hot western sun coming in from a window. Avoid air conditioning and blasts of warm air from central heating where you can. Only water when soil is dry to touch.

Prayer plant (Calathea spp.) needs a bright but not direct light. Water regularly but don’t allow pot to stand in water. Leaves may move through the day or close. Remove dead leaves to keep the plant tidy.

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), sitting on the stand in this leafy Melbourne home, enjoys a well-lit spot away from of direct light. Allow potting mix to dry out slightly between watering. Mist and dust leaves. Remove spent leaves and repot occasionally. Support climbing branches. Height: 3m.

Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), sitting on the far right of this adorable line up, is a striking foliage plant that’s almost indestructible. It needs a well-lit spot but survives long periods without water as it grows from a rhizome. Only water when dry.

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia ‘Tropic Marianne’) is a striking lime-green and white plant for bright but not direct light. Leaves grow on cane-like stems that can be pruned. Water when dry and mist occasionally. All plant parts are poisonous.

Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) suits a well-lit, sheltered spot indoors. Water regularly but don’t allow pots to stand in water. Prune out dead fronds and repot every few years.

Peace or Madonna lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is one of the best indoor flowering plants for a bright indoor spot. Water when dry and remove spent flower and leaf stems. This popular indoor plant is poisonous to pets.

Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) prefers a brightly lit spot indoors out of direct sunlight. Water and mist regularly. Keep leaves dusted. Plants can have long-lasting yellow or orange flowers.

Boston fern. Boston ferns make the perfect hanging plants and, thanks to their generous proportions, are perfect for creating a lush botanical display. They prefer moist soil, indirect sunlight and humid conditions, making them the perfect bathroom plant – just make sure they plenty of light.