Over three-quarters (78%) of Brits own houseplants, yet many still struggle to care for them correctly. From finding the right spot in the home to understanding their individual light and water needs – being a plant-parent isn’t always easy.
To support both new and experienced plant-parents, we surveyed 1,000 UK adults to uncover their plant care habits, as well as analysing Google and TikTok search data to reveal the UK’s most searched-for houseplants.
We then partnered with gardening expert Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation to create a comprehensive houseplant guide, including a breakdown of the most suitable plants by room, the top pet-friendly plants, and generic plant care advice and common pitfalls.
Houseplant ownership statistics in the UK
From a survey of 1,000 UK adults, we uncovered that homes in the North East are green-havens, with two-thirds (65%) of residents stating they find it easy to care for houseplants. This was closely followed homes in the North West, with 58%.
On the flip side, residents in the East and West Midlands find it difficult to care for their houseplants, with 75% and 61% stating they find it challenging.
The UK’s most popular houseplants
It’s clear that houseplants are a popular addition in British homes, but with so many to choose from, which are the top varieties?
By analysing the last five years of Google Search Data, we revealed the most popular houseplants Brits are searching for the most.
Lucie has provided a brief overview of the top five plants, including what they are best known for:
1. Snake plant –“These plants are best known for their air-purifying qualities by removing common toxins from the air and releasing oxygen. They are also low-maintenance and can thrive with minimal care.”
2. Spider plant – “They are also resilient and known for their easy-care nature, so if you forget to water them, they should bounce back. They are best known for producing ‘spiderettes” or plantlets on long stems, resembling spiders on a web.”
3. Peace lily – “These plants are loved for their elegant white blooms and ability to purify the air in humid spaces like bathrooms. They are also popular for their relatively low-maintenance care and their ability to thrive in
various indoor conditions.”
4. Aloe vera – “They are an easy-to-care-for succulent that is also popular for their ornamental value and ability to thrive indoors with minimal maintenance. They are also known for their medicinal properties thanks to the gel found in their leaves.”
5. Devil’s Ivy – “Otherwise known as Golden Pothos, they are considered a great houseplant for beginners due to their adaptability and low-maintenance. They can also be grown as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or allowed to climb up a moss pole or shelf.”
Room-by-room houseplant placement guide
Not all houseplants suit all home environments due to differences in temperature, moisture, and light exposure found in different rooms.
A Lucie explains, “Each room of the home has its own mini microclimate, which we typically don’t tend to notice. The bathroom, for example, has the highest levels of moisture, while the living room usually has the greatest levels of light.”
From the survey, we found that the living room is the most popular location to keep houseplants, with 61% of Brits choosing this room.
This is followed by the kitchen, with 45%, and the bathroom, with 31%. Other rooms included in the bedroom, at 26%, and the home office, with 19%.
Best houseplants for bedrooms
Having plants in the bedroom can have several health benefits, including stress reduction and improved air quality. Both of these can contribute to a better night's sleep.
Three of the best plants include:
1. The bamboo palm – They are recognised for their air-purifying qualities and abilities to thrive in lower light conditions – particularly great for north-facing bedrooms.
2. English ivy – Are also great at absorbing air pollutants and air-purifying. They make a great addition to small bedrooms as they can hang down from bookcases or wardrobes.
3. Jasmine – Are known for their sweet scent produced from their flowers, which can help create a calming effect. Make sure to place them near a window to encourage flowering.
Best houseplants for living rooms
The living room typically receives the most natural light in the home and is where the heat can be most concentrated. Central heating can dry out rooms, leading to browning leaves or poor growth in humidity-loving plants.
Three of the best plants include:
1. ZZ plant – Are known for their glossy, dark green leaves and upright growth. They are also extremely low-maintenance and can survive long periods without water.
2. Birds of paradise – Are elegant plants best known for their vibrant, exotic flowers that resemble a bird in flight. They are also easy to care for since they require watering only when the soil is dry.
3. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) - These plants are a living room favourite, thanks to their large, hole-filled leaves and air-purifying properties. Needs only occasional care.
Best houseplants for bathrooms:
Bathrooms can be a challenging room for houseplants since they naturally offer higher humidity levels and reduced daylight levels. This however does make it a great location for tropical plants since it can mimic the native conditions.
Three of the best plants include:
1. Peace lilies – These plants thrive in humid conditions whilst being able to tolerate lower light conditions. Their ability to absorb moisture from the air can also help with humidity control and damp control.
2. Bromeliads – These plants are suited to the humidity of a bathroom, but they also require some air circulation through a bathroom fan, portable fan or a window. They also should be fed with orchid fertiliser as they require the same nutrients as orchids.
3. Chinese evergreen - Known as Aglaonema, these large-leaved plants will flourish even if you forget to water and feed them. They also love humidity and can tolerate very low light conditions.
Best houseplants for kitchens
The obvious choice for kitchen houseplants are fresh herbs. They are practical, aromatic and thrive off bright, indirect light, plus make a great addition to home-cooked meals.
The top three herbs to grow are:
1. Basil plants – These plants require ample sunlight and regular pruning to encourage bushy growth. Consistent watering also encourages healthy growth, but be careful not to overdue it.
2. Parsley plants – They also require a sunny spot to grow with a moderate amount of watering. You can begin harvesting leaves once the plant is well established, cutting stems above the second set of leaves.
3. Mint plants – These plants prefer indirect sunlight and a consistent amount of watering. They will also benefit from misting between waterings to ensure they don’t dry out.
Suitable pet-friendly houseplant for the home
Whilst houseplants make a great addition to any home, extra care needs to be taken for pet owners as not all of them are pet safe.
Despite this, we found that one in 10 Brits are unaware that some houseplants are toxic for pets.
To help avoid any accidents, Lucie has put together a list of the top ten pet-friendly houseplants for both cats and dogs:
1. Money tree – The braided trunk and lush green leaves also make it a popular and aesthetic choice for indoor spaces.
2. African violet – They are made up of colourful petals, from shades of deep blue to pastel pink, making them a striking inclusion in the home.
3. Calathea – These are evergreen plants with intricate patterned leaves and rich red details. They are also great at helping to purify the air.
4. Peacock plant – These plants are known for their striking, patterned foliage that resembles a peacock's tail feathers.
5. Parlour palm – These are a great choice for beginners and are made up of long, arching fronds with numerous leaflets, giving them a lush, tropical appearance.
6. Rubber plant – These plants are known for their glossy, large leaves, which were historically used in the production of rubber.
7. Polka dot plant – These are known for their brightly dotted leaves that can be various shades of pink, red, white, or even purple, contrasting with the dark green veins.
8. Spider Plant – They are best known for producing ‘spiderettes” or plantlets on long stems, resembling spiders on a web.
9. Chinese Money Plant – These plants are easily recognised by their round, coin-like leaves, and are also known to bring their owners wealth and good luck.
10. Orchids – These can come in several different varieties, and are known for their exotic and beautiful flowers, often associated with love, luxury, and refinement.
It is important to note that despite these plants being known as non-toxic to both cats and dogs, you still should discourage pets from eating the leaves or flowers, as this can still cause an upset stomach, vomiting, and some mouth irritation or swelling.
Houseplant care 101: The common plant care mistakes
Whilst there is an increase in plant ownership in British homes, there are common misconceptions when it comes to plant care as Lucie shares:
1. Watering issues – “Overwatering is a very common issue, with many people assuming houseplants require frequent watering. However, this all depends on the variety of the plant.
“Overwatering can cause root rot and fungal issues since the plant is sitting in soggy, water-logged soil all day. Common signs of this are yellowing leaves, mould and fungal growth, and mushy-to-the-touch stems.
“On the reverse of this, underwatering a plant starves it of moisture, causing stunted growth and even death. The tell-tale signs for this are dry/crispy leaves, wilting stems, and soil shrinkage (where it pulls away from the side of the pot).”
2. Soil issues - “Soil health greatly affects the growth and health of a plant, so it relies on the nutrients it provides. Again, different plants require different soil mixes, with the three main ones being all-purpose, aroid soil, and succulent soil.
“All-purpose soil mixes are designed to be lighter and fluffier than regular garden soil, allowing for better drainage and air circulation around the roots. These mixes often contain a blend of ingredients like compost, perlite, and vermiculite, which all provide essential nutrients for plant growth.”
“Aroid mix includes a higher percentage of compost and worm castings, which allows excess water to drain away quickly, keeping the roots healthy. The chunkier mix includes bark and perlite to create air pockets that allow for root aeration – essential to tropical plants.
“Succulent mix has an added mixture of coarse sand to help with increased drainage and the aeration of roots. This is especially important for desert-dwelling plants like cacti and succulents.”
3. Potting problems – “It’s crucial to make sure pots have drainage holes at the bottom, to prevent water from accumulating and causing root rot.
“You also may need to repot your plant if it grows out of its current pot size. Notable signs of this include the roots circling the bottom of the pot or even growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom.
“The best time of year to repot is during the springtime, as during autumn and winter, plants enter their dormant phase and are less likely to recover from repotting. Make sure to purchase a new pot that is only one or two inches wider than its previous pot and use fresh soil.”
How to look after houseplants while on holiday
During the holiday months, plants can typically survive short absences if you feed your plants enough water and move them away from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out.
To prevent horticultural heartbreak, Lucie shares some pointers to keep your indoor garden flourishing whilst you are away.
• The wick method
“This is a useful trick for single pot plants; simply use a large container to hold water and take some porous fabric or string to connect each pot to the water bath. The water is drawn down the piece of string and into the soil, creating a temporary water drip for the plant.”
• Capillary mats
“A capillary mat, usually made of felt, absorbs and holds water, which can be drawn up by the soil in pot plants positioned on top of the matting. This allows the plants to drink at their own pace. Simply place a sheet of matting on a tray or in the sink, with one end in water.”
• Relocate out of direct light
“If possible, move houseplants out of sunnier positions to a shadier or cooler spot in your home. This will help to reduce and slow down any water evaporation and prevent leaf damage. However, make sure they still receive adequate levels of daylight in their temporary location.”
• Group pots together
“By grouping plants all together, it helps create a mini microclimate. This helps to increase the humidity around the plants, helping to slow down water loss. Grouping larger and smaller plants together also helps to create some natural shade, slowing down evaporation and water loss.”
• Lean on support
“If you are going away for two weeks or longer, it's generally recommended to get someone you trust, a neighbour or family member, for example, to stop by and check on your houseplants for you or refill any self-watering containers.”
Whether you're an experienced plant-parent or just starting out, finding the right plants for your space is key to helping them thrive.
The benefits of owning houseplants
Helen Nyul, Group Head of Biodiversity at David Wilson Homes, has shared expert insights on the benefits of owning houseplants. As she explains:
“Houseplants aren’t just pretty décor; they’re little wellness boosters that work quietly in the background.
“Previously conducted research shows that surrounding yourself with greenery can lift your mood (a welcome bonus in the darker winter months), ease stress, and even give your productivity a boost – perfect if you’re working from home.
“But their benefits don’t stop there. Plants act as natural air purifiers, helping to filter out pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. They also increase humidity levels indoors, which can help keep pesky winter sore throats, dry skin, and even viruses at bay.
“In other words, a few leafy companions can make your home healthier, fresher, and a whole lot more inviting.”
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Methodology
Barratt Homes pulled Google search data from the previous five years to determine the most popular UK houseplants. This is accurate as of August 2025.
A survey of 1,000 respondents was also conducted in August 2025.
