Forget boring old cacti, these indoor house plants can survive careless care-taking and will make you look like the gardener you never were! From aloe vera to snake plant and fiddle leaf figs, here are 18 of the best indoor plants to grow in Malaysia – we’ve also included plant pictures for easy referencing. Time to spruce up your home with different types of flower plants and indoor plants.
This article was updated on 18 February 2021.
For centuries, humans have been trying to bring the outdoors indoors, and through trial and muddy carpets, have discovered a number of easy plants to grow different types of flower plants and indoor plants that can survive being confined to the same living spaces as us. No matter how lively artificial plants look, nothing beats having living plants at home.
Here’s a list of interior plant ideas every green thumb can keep indoors without much fuss (even for new plant parent!), be it a small house plant or an indoor tree. Check out the different types of beautiful house plants here – we’ve also included all the necessary plant care, scientific plant names and images of plants for easy referencing. Transform your home into an indoor garden today!
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1. Money plant (Epipremnum Aureum)
Why get a money plant: Not to be confused with Chinese Money Plant, Pothos (the other common name for Epipremnum Aureum is Jade Plants) have air-purifying “feature” that can absorb and strip toxins like formaldehyde from materials in the home such as carpets and fabric sofas. Plus, this plant is super easy to care and grow – just snip off a small part of the stem and chuck it into water.
How to care for money plant: Probably the easiest indoor house plants to care for, the money tree can produce stems that trail eight feet or longer, so just cut them when they get too long and your beautiful plant will continue to look full and healthy.
The plant’s versatility allows it to grow in soil or even just in a bowl of water. Just change the water once a week and use distilled water as tap water may contain harsh chemicals. For potted Pothos, just water and trim regularly.
Where to place money plant: Water-based Pothos are recommended for air-conditioned rooms. The small indoor potted plants can be placed almost anywhere in the home. It can tolerate low light. Utilise the beauty of its long trailing stems by placing it in a hanging basket, hanging planter or let it creep around a pillar.
Check out our guide on growing money plant at home.
2. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
Why get an English ivy: It adds a vintage feel to your home, mostly because it’s commonly found in old English cottages. The English Ivy plant benefits include filtering out airborne mould that causes sinus irritations and other ailments.
How to care for English ivy: This houseplant loves moist soil and cooler room temperatures, making it ideal for air-conditioned rooms. Just like any vine or creeper plant, simply trim off leaves and stems if the plant outgrows its intended style. It also develops poisonous berries when reproducing so be sure to remove them all.
Where to place English ivy: The English Ivy is best placed high above to let its leaves dangle or creep down. Hanging it high also keeps it away from pets or toddlers as this plant is extremely poisonous if ingested.
3. Spider Plants (Chlorophytum Comosum)
Why have a spider plant: Also known as Spider Ivy, these otherworldly-looking house plants add visual interest to any living room. Its long stem-like leaves tend to dangle downwards, resembling spider legs. Aside from that, spider plants have a ton of benefits like producing oxygen whilst purifying the air in your home and removing air pollutants like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and xylene. On top of that, they’re also edible, making them one of the few plants safe for pets and kids.
How to care for spider plant: Spider Plants like their soil moist so don’t overwater them. If the plant is in an air-conditioned room, then water it twice daily to prevent the soil dry; if it’s sitting in room temperature, then once a day will suffice. Monitor the moistness of the soil for the first few days just in case. If leaves turn brown, then just trim them off.
Where to place spider plant: Bright indirect sunlight works ideally but spider plant can survive under the spotlight. Hang it up or put it on top of a cupboard and let its leaves dangle down.
4. Snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
Why have a snake plant: Fondly known in Asia as ‘Mother In Law Tongue’ (we can only assume because the plant has a sharp-shaped leaf that looks like a sharp tongue), this is the easiest plant to grow. Its unique shape and colour will add character to any boring space in your home. The snake plant is also another great indoor air-purifying plant to have at home. According to a NASA experiment, a single plant removed 31,294 micrograms in a 24 hours exposure.
How to care for snake plant: This plant can endure all types of lighting conditions and doesn’t require much water. Just snip off dried bits and you’re done for the month!
Where to place snake plant: Everywhere! Given its survivalist nature, you can put this baby anywhere. Because its leaves grow upright, you can squeeze it into tight corners or narrow spaces between furniture.
Learn how to grow a snake plant here.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why have a peace lily: Unlike the rest of the non-flowering plants, the Peace Lily is not only more uncommon than a vase of roses, they’re also sturdier! Perfect if you’re looking for indoor flowering plants to grow in Malaysia. The flower name, peace lily, has different meanings, but it’s commonly associated with peace, innocence, hope, rebirth and beauty.
How to care for peace lily: Pretty simple, just trim off any dry leaves and ensure that its soil is always moist.
Where to place peace lily: Peace lilies prefer low humidity and low light, making it great for rooms with fewer windows, in fact, it’s one of the best bedroom plants. You can plant in a small pot in the master bedroom or in a vase full of water on the dining table; this plant is versatile.
Read: 9 cosy indoor garden ideas and decor inspiration
6. Dumb Canes (Diffenbachia)
Why have a dumb cane: If you’re looking for green house plants in house, the leaves of this cutest interior plant can grow to a foot long, giving your home a tropical look.
How to care for dumb cane: This plant prefers room-to-warmer temperatures and medium-to-low lighting. If the plant gets too wide, just…you guessed it…trim the leaves.
Where to place dumb cane: Dumb Canes are perfect for gloomy corners of the living room. It’s big, bright green leaves will perk the corner up in bright indirect light conditions.
7. Figs (Ficus Benjamina)
Why have figs: This indoor tree has shiny leaves to add cheer to any indoor space. Plus its stems can be “braided” or entwined to create a unique look. Oh, and did we mention you have over 800 varieties of Ficus to choose from?
How to care for figs: Depending on its variety, most Ficuses prefer wet leaves and dry roots so just spritz water onto the leaves and water if the soil is dry to the touch. Oh, and the occasional snip here and there of course.
Check with your local nursery on how to braid the stems.
Where to place figs: This bad boy loves the sun, so putting it near a window or balcony for full sun exposure. Plus depending on the variety, it can grow pretty tall too.
8. Areca palm (Dypsis Lutescens)
Why have areca palm: Fancy living in a lush tropical setting? Then the Areca Palm (also known as chrysalidocarpus lutescens or Bamboo Palm in Asia), is your plant. It can grow up to seven feet high so you can make this beauty a centrepiece.
How to care for areca palm: It likes indirect light and is drought tolerant so water it on alternate weeks. If you want it to grow to its maximum potential, then plant it in a bigger pot. If not, just leave it in a smaller.
Where to place areca palm: The hall, dining area, kitchen, foyer, bedrooms, and anywhere you can imagine, really! Put it in the corner of your living room and let it grow tall – you’ll enjoy its bright greens during the day and the moody shadows it casts at night. Or, better yet, place it in the kitchen as your kitchen plants as it thrives in bright indirect light places.
9. Rubber tree (Ficus Elastica)
Why have a rubber tree: Want to create a huge visual impact in your living room? This easy indoor and outdoor plant grow into an eight-foot-tall tree! It’s also one of the toughest tall houseplants with high transpiration rate (that means it frequently releases moisture into the air).
How to care for rubber tree: If you prefer a small home plant, just trim your Rubber Tree into a shrub shape by pruning any long stems.
Where to place rubber tree: Somewhere with ample room for the tree to grow, like the hall or even the balcony. It’s great for filling awkward corners in the home.
Read more: Best plants for indoors in 2021
10. Aloe Vera
Why have an aloe vera: If you’re looking for indoor plants for health benefits, look no further than here. Aloe vera is one of the most loved decorative house plants by everyone. Not only is it the perfect plant for home, but it also boasts a whole host of benefits like heals burns and improves skin conditions. NASA also recently did a study and they found out that aloe vera helps remove air pollutants. It’s also one of the best house plants for oxygen production. You can also put it in the office as your office plants. It’s low maintenance and doesn’t need much attention.
How to care for aloe vera: Aloe vera is a type of succulent and like all succulents, they do best in dry conditions. Don’t water it on a daily basis or you’ll risk killing it. Just water it once every 3 weeks for a healthy aloe vera.
Where to place aloe vera: If you want your aloe vera plant to thrive, you should place in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light.
11. ZZ plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
Why have a zz plant: If you’re living in a house without much natural light, then you should consider getting the zz plant. Though it’s a slow grower, it’s definitely one of the easier ones to care for. You can literally put it in a dim corner and it will still survive.
How to care for zz plant: The zz plant isn’t fussy about where it’s displayed but a little bit of light is always welcomed of course.
Where to place zz plant: The zz plant can grow up to 2 metres tall so make sure to put it somewhere more spacious.
12. Chiense evergreen (Aglaonema)
Why have a Chinese evergreen: Tired of seeing green? Add colours to your indoor garden with Chinese Evergreen. Its colourful patterned leaves are not only easy on the eyes, but they’re also extremely easy to care for. They can also be a great office plant as the size’s not too large.
How to care for Chinese evergreen: For Chinese evergreens to thrive, you need to place it in a place with high humidity. Dry air is a big no-no. Make sure the soil’s moderately moist and only water it when the soil is dry. Make sure leave the soil to dry before watering it.
Where to place Chinese evergreen: Putting it directly under direct sunlight will kill the beautiful plant. Instead, you should place it in a shady area with partial shade or filtered light.
13. Yucca
Why have a yucca: Want to bring the outside in? Grow a pot of yucca plant indoor. This indoor tree is drought-tolerant and pest-resistance, making it one of the easiest plants to grow. Aside from that, it also adds aesthetic value to your home, in fact, this is the best big houseplants you can get for your home.
How to care for yucca: You don’t need to do much to keep a yucca plant happy and thriving. Just water sparingly.
Where to place yucca: Like most home plants, yucca grows better in a partly shaded area that receives bright, indirect light.
Read more: 11 indoor plant decor ideas to spruce up your home
14. Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
Why have a baby rubber plant: Don’t confuse this with rubber tree, they’re actually unrelated to each other. The only reason why Peperomia obtusifolia is nicknamed the baby rubber tree is because they both have waxy leaves. This low maintenance plant is great for those who don’t want to commit to having big trees at home as it’s a small indoor plant and can be placed anywhere at home.
How to care for baby rubber plant: Water once or twice a week to keep it hydrated.
Where to place baby rubber plant: Baby rubber plants prefer to live in a medium to bright light condition. You can place it on the window sill or near the balcony, but never ever under direct sunlight.
15. Air plant (Tillandsia)
Why have an air plant: Tillandsia, or commonly known as air plant or hanging plant, is having a moment. They’re low-maintenance, doesn’t require any soil to live and they come in all shapes and sizes, making it incredibly enchanting.
How to care for air plant: As mentioned above, air plants do not need soil to grow. Just put them in a bowl of water and let them bloom.
Where to place air plant: While it’s true that air plants can live in any setting, they do have one requirement and that is good lighting. They need to be planted in a place with bright, indirect sunlight.
16. Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
Why have a fiddle leaf fig: The fiddle leaf fig is, without a doubt, the most popular indoor house plants or trees to have right now. Place this violin-shaped indoor plant in the living room and it’ll spruce up your space instantly. bright
How to care for fiddle leaf fig: Unlike the other two fig varieties in the list, ficus lyrata is a bit tricky to care for. Water your fig plant until water flows out of the drainage hole in the pot so it’ll be fit as a fiddle!
Where to place fiddle leaf fig: Place it in a bright, sunny area so that it can take in sunshine throughout the day.
Read more: 12 indoor plants for low light
17. Asperagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)
Why have an asparagus fern: First thing you should know about asparagus fern is that it’s technically not a fern. Surprise! And unlike most common ferns out there, this fluffy green house plant has a higher tolerance and can survive in both bright and dark corners.
How to care for asparagus fern: This thirsty plant loves water. So keep the plant well watered in all conditions and it’ll grow healthily.
Where to place asparagus fern: However, this home decorating plant is a little fussy with its placement. Keep it in shady places and out of bright direct light.
18. Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius)
Why have a pandan plant: Native to Malaysia, pandan is probably one of the most versatile plants out there as it can be used as natural food colouring and flavouring, made into a drink, and repel cockroaches.
How to care for pandan plant: Since they’re tropical plants, they prefer living in places with lots of shades and high in humidity. But be careful not to soak the pot of plant with water or it’ll die. Mist it frequently to keep the moisture level higher.
Where to place pandan plant: Place it near a window so that it can enjoy some sunlight without getting scorched. You may also position bigger and taller plants near the pandan to shade it from the sunlight – if you decide to have it outdoor.
What you need to know before bringing indoor plants home
- Measure the allocated area before heading to the nursery.
- Most of these plants listed below come in many varieties, be sure to ask your local nursery for advice.
- The amount of water needed varies from each home plant, and it also depends on the humidity and temperature of the allocated spot in your home.
- If in doubt, save this article and show it to the nursery.
- Real houseplants are better than artificial ones. It’s tedious, but the payoff is huge.
This article was originally published as 9 indoor plants you can’t kill (so easily) by atap.co and is written by Matt Ho, additional content by Stephanie Yap.
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