Houseplants can transform any space, bringing vibrancy, texture, and a splash of nature indoors.
While we often celebrate flowering plants for their bright blooms, non-flowering houseplants also offer stunning visual appeal through their unique foliage, interesting shapes, and varying shades of green.
Here are 20 non-flowering house plants that will keep your living space looking lush and lively all year round.
1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plant is one of the most popular houseplants, and it’s easy to see why. Its tall, (1-3 feet) sword-like leaves with yellow or white edging make it a striking addition to any room.
The West African native tolerates low light, giving it the freedom to live in any room in the house. However, due to its air-purifying properties, most people prefer to keep it in the bedroom.
It’s a low-maintenance plant, only requiring watering at least once a month and it can thrive for a decade!
There are over 70 varieties of snake plants to choose from with different leaf patterns and shapes, and they are inexpensive too.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Also known as the Eternity plant, the ZZ plant has glossy dark green leaves lying gently on arching stems that complement various interior designs.
Native to Eastern Africa, the green plant grows 2-3 feet tall and is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
It’s nicknamed the ZZ plant because of its longevity and hard-to-kill nature. Often touted as “the king of indestructible plants” it prefers indirect sunlight and watering every 2-3 weeks.
The ZZ plant is also known to purify the air and can do wonders for your indoor environment. There are two more varieties, one with dark-purple foliage while the other has green leaves with white and yellow variegation.
3. Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Philodendron is a genus of lovely climbing and non-climbing plants with lush, green leaves that can add a tropical feel to your home.
A popular variety, the heartleaf philodendron has glossy heart-shaped leaves and draping vines that look adorable in a hanging basket.
It can tolerate low light and only requires watering when the top pot soil appears dry.
Whether you prefer the trailing or upright philodendron varieties, there is no ignoring this green beauty, no matter where you place it.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is a must-have for many homes. Whether it’s the several long arching leaves with a spider-like stance or the vibrant green or striped green and white colours, this plant is beautiful to behold.
While they do produce white small blooms, they quickly turn into plantlets that you can pot to grow your spider plant collection.
Place the plants in a hanging basket or container and place them preferably in a warm and humid place and they fill your room with the greenery greatness you love.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Chinese evergreen is a genus of plants that will beautifully compensate for colour in any room.
The varieties range from glossy dark green leaves to numerous colour combinations of silver, red, pink, cream, and purple, bringing an inviting elegance.
A mature Chinese evergreen plant can grow up to 1-3 feet tall and only requires watering every 5-10 days, making it a cool and trouble-free houseplant.
6. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The Prayer Plant is one of the most interesting tropical house greeneries you can have in your space. It has unique red or white patterns, contrasting the green to form attractive foliage.
It gets its name from its leaves which open and lie flat during the day and fold at night like hands in prayer.
7. Pinstripe Calathea (Calathea ornata)
Also showing off striking beauty like a close cousin is the Pinstripe Calathea. It has large intricately veined dark-green leaves with white or pink stripes and a maroon underside.
However, just as it is attractive, pinstripe calathea tends to also demand consistent care to thrive.
Make sure to place the plant where it can get bright but indirect light, fertilize it monthly, and water it regularly.
8. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Homeowners love Pothos for its quick growth and excellent climbing abilities, filling a room with shiny, exotic greenery.
Also nicknamed the “Devil’s Ivy” for withstanding unfavorable light and water conditions, Epipremnum aureum can live 5-10 years with minimal care.
To showcase its beauty, place it in a hanging basket from the ceiling or let it trail on a table or shelf.
There are other varieties, Marble Queen with a white and green pattern, Silver Satin with grayish-green and silver speckles, and more.
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
For plant parents looking for a house plant that’s majestic and attractive with little maintenance, the Ficus elastica is a perfect choice.
In the right conditions, it can grow up to 6-10 feet tall and spread up to 3 feet wide. The plant’s large, oval-shaped glossy leaves complete the towering look.
There are other smaller varieties like the Ficus congesta that can fit in smaller spaces without compromising beauty and sophistication.
10. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe vera is a beloved common houseplant. Its tall and spiky leaves can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide.
Place it on a window with bright indirect light and water it regularly to keep it healthy and you will enjoy fresh, crisp indoor air.
It goes dormant in winter which means it does not require any care. However, the resilient green plant will remain alive and well, if watered right in its active season.
11. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Would you like some plant that brings the beach vibe to the house? Then you can’t go wrong with the tropical parlor palm.
With the right care, the Central American native can grow up to 2-6 feet tall and spread 2-3 feet wide, providing a lush touch of evergreen in any room.
Apart from its attractive light-coloured fronds and thin trunks, the parlor palm can also purify the air and add humidity.
It prefers bright indirect light and requires regular misting and watering to thrive.
12. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
The Swiss cheese plant brings an exotic feel to your house with its towering height (3-8 feet) and large leaves about 35 inches long and 25 inches wide when mature.
The ovate, heart-shaped leaves develop holes and splits as they mature, resembling Swiss cheese, hence the name. You can grow it in a pot or allow it to vine if you prefer more height.
It requires medium to bright indirect light and water once every 1-2 weeks.
13. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Also known as sword fern, Nephrolepis exaltata is a popular houseplant that brings a laid-back lush tone to any room.
The quick-growing fern starts off upright but as the sword-shaped fronds mature, they arch downwards to about 4 feet. Apart from its attention-grabbing leaf arrangement, it also purifies air and adds humidity to the indoor air environment.
Water the plant every once a week or more in warmer climates to keep the fronds green and lively.
14. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus lyrata)
The Fiddle leaf fig tree is a towering plant (can grow 6-10 feet tall) that can make a great statement in your living room.
Its large, glossy, fiddle-shaped green leaves about 18 inches long and a sturdy upright stem give off an interesting big-tree charm.
This plant requires lots of bright indirect light and water when the top inch layer of soil is dry.
15. Elephant Ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
Xanthosoma, like many other Elephant Ear plants in other genera, are legendary fast-growing houseplants.
It may not produce large bright flowers but its lush bold foliage (that resembles elephant ears) provides enough tropical flair that is undeniable.
With some ample space, bright indirect light, and regular watering, you’ll enjoy the company of your houseplant for 5-10 years.
16. UFO Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Commonly known as the Chinese money or pancake plant, the UFO plant is an adorable house greenery that will look great in the limelight.
It has distinctive bright green shield-shaped leaves that appear to float on long slender stems resembling coins or UFOs. The round leaves make a dramatic presentation, especially due to their clump formation.
Bright indirect sunlight and a “drench and dry” watering approach are enough to keep this Chinese native bright and lively.
17. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Maidenhair fern is a light yet compact fern boasting delicate fan-like fronds balancing on wiry black stems.
It typically takes three years to mature, but it has a long lifespan of 15 years, assuring you of lasting tropical beauty to behold.
The West Indies native requires a spot with dappled light and also near a humidifier, and regular watering to guarantee its attractive splendour.
18. Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum)
Blue star fern boasts of lush foliage that spreads out, making it a popular hanging plant.
The large and lobed leaves about 12-50 inches long and 4-20 inches wide boast of captivating blue-green hue that changes depending on light intensity.
This fern is also low-maintenance as it thrives within the normal house humidity levels. Medium indirect light and consistently moist soil are some of the other conditions you need to meet to keep it healthy and thriving.
19. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
This houseplant is defined by its tall stems and rigid, sword-like leaves, perfect for a sunny corner in your living space.
The leaves are typically green but may have red, white, or yellow edges, forming an attractive umbrella-like rosette at the end of the stems.
The recipe for this large plant to thrive is simple; a big pot to accommodate the stems, watering every three weeks, and bright indirect light.
20. Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
Norfolk pine is an evergreen plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. The young plant has curved, needle-like leaves that turn scaly and bright dark green in maturity.
The leaves are densely arranged in a spiral manner, giving it an attractive symmetrical tiered appearance.
All it needs is a spot with medium light and watering once every two weeks, and you’re set to enjoy the soft and airy pine green vibe it brings all year round.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, incorporating these non-flowering house plants into your home decor can breathe new life into your interiors, purify the air, and even reduce stress. Enjoy the lush, evergreen beauty these plants bring, all without the need for blooms.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.