Beyond the Orchid: 12 Houseplants to Liven Up Your Decor

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Nothing adds more beauty and comfort to our homes and offices than the lush flowers and foliage of indoor plants. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, cubicles... There really isn't a space a houseplant can't enliven. Bringing plants into your home is aesthetically pleasing and - amazingly - plants can offer strong health benefits as well.

Multiple studies have proven that indoor plants keep you healthier and happier, offering both psychological and physical health benefits that include improving your mood, reducing fatigue, lowering stress and anxiety, improving office performance and focus, boosting healing and pain tolerance, minimizing the occurrence of headaches by improving air quality and easing dry skin and respiratory ailments due to dry air.

Here are 12 houseplants to liven up your decor:

Aglaonemas aka Chinese Evergreen. This one is 'Spotted Star' but they come in a bunch of different colors. This tender plant is adapted to low light conditions; bright indirect light is best and moist, well-draining soil.

Aglaonemas aka Chinese Evergreen. This one is 'Spotted Star' but they come in a bunch of different colors. This tender plant is adapted to low light conditions; bright indirect light is best and moist, well-draining soil.

Calatheas are part of the 'prayer plant' family, Marantaceae. This is 'White Star'. Calatheas thrive in medium to bright indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings.

Calatheas are part of the 'prayer plant' family, Marantaceae. This is 'White Star'. Calatheas thrive in medium to bright indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings.

Cordyline fruiticosa or Ti plant. Given a spot in bright, indirect light, with moist soil from spring through fall, and a humid environment, Ti plant thrives indoors as a houseplant.

Cordyline fruiticosa or Ti plant. Given a spot in bright, indirect light, with moist soil from spring through fall, and a humid environment, Ti plant thrives indoors as a houseplant.

Crassula ovata or Jade Plant. This succulent is a hardy fellow and has two main requirements for a healthy long life, which is water and plenty of light. You can also trim this into a bonsai or break off branches and replant to multiply them.

Crassula ovata or Jade Plant. This succulent is a hardy fellow and has two main requirements for a healthy long life, which is water and plenty of light. You can also trim this into a bonsai or break off branches and replant to multiply them.

Dracaena require less water than most indoor plants. Keep them hydrated by misting the leaves with water and keeping the soil lightly misted (never soggy) as well with good drainage. Always allow the top soil to dry out before watering.

Dracaena require less water than most indoor plants. Keep them hydrated by misting the leaves with water and keeping the soil lightly misted (never soggy) as well with good drainage. Always allow the top soil to dry out before watering.

Philodendron 'Monstera'. There's a lot to love about philodendrons. Their name means "love tree". Most types can withstand dark corners as well as sparse watering (once a week).

Philodendron 'Monstera'. There's a lot to love about philodendrons. Their name means "love tree". Most types can withstand dark corners as well as sparse watering (once a week).

Pilea peperomiodes or Chinese Money Plant. This little green friend grows best in a shady spot with weekly watering. Also, you can replant the offshoots that sprout from the base of the stem and make more.

Pilea peperomiodes or Chinese Money Plant. This little green friend grows best in a shady spot with weekly watering. Also, you can replant the offshoots that sprout from the base of the stem and make more.

String of Hearts, also known as Ceropegia woodii, is a gorgeous trailing succulent to add to any living space. Once you get the hang of their care, String of Hearts Succulent is one of the most tolerant houseplants. Let the soil dry in between waterings and then provide a deep watering.

String of Hearts, also known as Ceropegia woodii, is a gorgeous trailing succulent to add to any living space. Once you get the hang of their care, String of Hearts Succulent is one of the most tolerant houseplants. Let the soil dry in between waterings and then provide a deep watering.

Scindapsus pictus aka Satin Pothos. Satin pothos is a vine that will latch onto its surroundings—that can be a pole, a trellis, other plants, a wall, or a piece of furniture; pruning will encourage new leaf growth and make it fuller. It likes indirect light and water only when the top 2" of soil are dry.

Scindapsus pictus aka Satin Pothos. Satin pothos is a vine that will latch onto its surroundings—that can be a pole, a trellis, other plants, a wall, or a piece of furniture; pruning will encourage new leaf growth and make it fuller. It likes indirect light and water only when the top 2" of soil are dry.

Spathiphyllum or Peace Lilly. If you're prone to overwatering, try Spathiphyllum. Peace lilies like to have their feet wet. With enough light, they'll also produce their spade-shaped flowers throughout the year.

Spathiphyllum or Peace Lilly. If you're prone to overwatering, try Spathiphyllum. Peace lilies like to have their feet wet. With enough light, they'll also produce their spade-shaped flowers throughout the year.

Sansevieria trifasciata or Snake Plant. Snake plant is tough to kill. They can go for a month without water. The leaves are typically stiff, sharp, and spikey, which is why its second name is Mother-in-Law's Tongue.

Sansevieria trifasciata or Snake Plant. Snake plant is tough to kill. They can go for a month without water. The leaves are typically stiff, sharp, and spikey, which is why its second name is Mother-in-Law's Tongue.

Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the giant white bird of paradise prefer moist, well draining soil, and you should mist more than you should water. This one is a beauty, but not pet friendly if ingested.

Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the giant white bird of paradise prefer moist, well draining soil, and you should mist more than you should water. This one is a beauty, but not pet friendly if ingested.

Looking for houseplants in West Los Angeles? Try these spots:

  • Rolling Greens, 5828 Jefferson Blvd in Culver City rghomeandgarden.com

  • Hashimoto Nursery, 1935 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles www.hashimotonursery.com

  • Xotx Tropico, 1528 S. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles xotxtropico.com

  • Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery (more than just bonsai), 1905 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles yamaguchinursery.com

  • The Sill, 8125 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles thesill.com

If you're still looking for orchids, we have two suggestions to help you scratch that itch:

Pac 8 Orchids 3532 Overland Ave. Los Angeles or Orchid Fever 10242 Culver Blvd, Culver City

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Cecilie Korst+, orchids, florists, bouquet, flowers