12 Houseplants You Don’t Have Yet (But Need to Add to Your Collection ASAP)

• Why We Love It: Shiny black leaves with purple undersides; new plant genus
• What It Needs: Medium to bright indirect light; water when top of the soil feels dry to the touch

Amazing fact: This plant is the first new genus introduced in houseplants for decades (Psst: If botany class was forever ago, a genus is a biological classification of plants with similar characteristics). The glossy, rounded leaves are striking, especially when contrasted against a white pot. 

• Why We Love It: Handsome, upright form with bright coral bracts
• What It Needs: Bright indirect light; water when soil is slightly dry

Related to pineapples, bromeliads have become more popular in recent years because they come in many unique varieties with colorful bracts in the center of the plant. This variety boasts sunset-like shades of coral. Though bromeliads are not particularly long-lasting plants (they bloom only once), most produce “pups” around the mother plant, which can be cut off to propagate baby plants. 

• Why We Love It: Striking zig zag-patterned foliage
• What It Needs: Bright, indirect light; water every 1 to 2 weeks when dry

This plant has been around for a while, but it’s only in the last few years that it’s become more widely available. The fun foliage, which are actually stems, look amazing draping from hanging baskets. Rarely, it also will show off night-blooming flowers if it receives the right conditions.

• Why We Love It: Stunning green- and white-striped foliage
• What It Needs: Bright, indirect light; water when top few inches of soil feels dry

This is another plant that’s been out for a few years, but it’s only recently become widely available. The upright, bushy form and pretty, striped foliage make it an eye-catching accent plant. 

• Why We Love It: Teeny edible oranges, glossy foliage, fragrant flowers
• What It Needs: Lots of bright light; water when surface soil slightly dry to the touch

Although people have been growing citrus trees indoors for centuries, you may not realize how much fun it is to grow one of your own! This dwarf tree, a cross between a mandarin orange and kumquat, bears edible fruit. Calamondin orange is the easiest citrus tree to grow indoors. With its shiny leaves, globe shape, fragrant white blossoms year-round, and tiny bright oranges, this is a must-have for your collection.

• Why We Love It: Interesting texture, bright green fronds, great for lower-light areas
• What It Needs: Medium to bright indirect light; keep it slightly moist, not sopping wet

The twirling fronds of this handsome fern make it a conversation starter. Unlike many other types of ferns, this one will take low light, though it prefers medium to bright indirect light for best growth.

• Why We Love It: Fly-eating plant that resembles a succulent
• What It Needs: Full sun; keep in a dish of water because they are bog plants

You’ve heard of the Venus flytrap, but did you know there are a whole bunch of other carnivorous plants? This one has sparkly leaves that catch bugs, like those annoying fungus gnats that always show up around your other houseplants. It’s a great plant for newbies.

• Why We Love It: Spotted, multi-colored leaves with wavy edges
• What It Needs: Bright, indirect light; water when top inch of soil feels dry

A type of Calathea, this lesser-known variety has colorful, spotted foliage with wavy edges that make it a real showstopper. The leaves also open and close in response to light, so it’s often called prayer plant because its leaves fold up at night.  It will tolerate low light, but its vivid coloring will fade. 

• Why We Love It: Easy to grow; pretty, patterned leaves
• What It Needs: Moderate to bright indirect light

Sourced from Japan, this plant is just as easy to grow as your pothos variety. With striking light green leaves that have darker edges, it’s a great choice to add color to rooms with medium light. It’s more tolerant of low light than many houseplants, but it will grow larger, more dramatic leaves in bright light. 

• Why We Love It: Velvety-textured leaves, easy to grow
• What It Needs: Low to bright indirect light; water when soil feels dry to the touch

Native to the Caribbean, this lesser-known vining philodendron has soft, touchable leaves with a burgundy-meets-bronze-y hue. It’s a great plant for new plant parents. 

• Why We Love It: Gorgeous variegated foliage
• What It Needs: Medium to bright indirect light; water when top of soil is dry to touch

This beautiful, variegated plant is also called wax plant due to its thick, waxy leaves. It looks amazing vining out of planters over end tables or bookcases. Hoyas don’t like overwatering, so be sure to let it dry out before giving it a drink, and keep it away from drafts.