Are you looking for a quick way to add some life and color to your space?
There are more than 10,000 species of houseplants available commercially today, with options in just about any color and size to suit any space or level of expertise. With a little bit of care, these houseplants will give you rich colors — and all the other benefits of houseplants — for years to come.
If you have curious pets in your home, exercise caution. Place toxic plants on high shelves or in hanging baskets, or choose a pet-safe alternative.
* Rex begonias (also called begonia rex) are prized for their fascinating foliage, which boasts fascinating shapes and a range of saturated colors. Ideal for east or north-facing windows. Not pet-safe.
* With their splashy coloring and bushy growth habit, crotons are popular as houseplants or landscape plants in warmer climates. The multi-hued petra croton is easy to find in many garden centers, and prefers bright indirect light. Not pet-safe.
* The peperomia "Ripple Red" variety combines deeply textured leaves with splashes of dark green and wine red. Ideal for small spaces and prefers bright indirect light. Safe for pets.
* The rattlesnake calathea boasts a striking multi-hued green pattern on one side of each leaf and dark purple undersides, and is considered one of the easiest members of the prayer plant family to care for. This plant thrives in medium indirect light, appreciates a little extra humidity, and doesn't like to completely dry out. Safe for pets.
* Bird's nest hurricane ferns, a newer cultivar of the bird's nest fern, grows in an unusual swirling pattern, with a rich green color that contrasts nicely against saturated fall colors. As epiphytes, these ferns work well for mounted or kokedama plantings and make great conversation pieces. Safe for pets.
* Hypoestes, or the polka dot plant, boasts spotted leaves in white, pink, or red and works well in a container on its own or as an accent to other plants. Fittonias, a relative of the hypoestes, offer similar unusual foliage, but a generally larger growing habit. Both are safe for pets.
