A 6-foot braided trunk is eye-catching in any room, but this plant’s biggest selling point is the good fortune it’s said to bring to you and your wallet. Keep your money tree in indirect sunlight (a.k.a. near a window, but not in front of it) and away from the vent, since intense gusts of hot or cool air will damage the leaves. 

Olive trees typically live eight to nine years in a pot (score!) as long as they can get all the sunlight they want. Letier even recommends moving your tree outside (let’s just call that your arm workout for the day), onto your patio or balcony or wherever it’s sunny to soak it all in. If its branches start blocking the TV, don’t be afraid to prune it to help it keep its shape. 

Despite its nickname (mother-in-law’s tongue), this plant isn’t fussy (and, even better, won’t insult your cooking). In fact, it’s so easy to care for, Joyce Mast, Bloomscape‘s resident plant mom (and the company founder’s actual mom) assures it’s the perfect starter plant.

While it grows best in indirect sunlight, the snake plant will make do in most conditions, including dimly-lit spaces. The pièce de résistance? It’s a desert plant, so it doesn’t need much watering. I’m talking up to four weeks without water, people. So, go ahead and take that vacay. Your snake plant will be waiting for you when you get back. 

This is the type of plant that likes being the center of attention, so make sure you give it plenty of room to grow (in every direction). If you give it the bright, yet indirect sunlight, Mast says it deserves, it’ll quickly grow up to 3 feet tall and just as wide. 

As it grows, “its leaves will develop long ribbons and holes, resembling Swiss cheese, giving it a distinct, graphic appearance,” she explains. But before you confirm your order, know this: The Monstera’s not pet-friendly, so if you’ve got furry roommates, opt for something else.

Speaking of pet-friendly plants, try this palm on for size. It “loves a bright spot, but be sure to avoid bright sun rays on its fronds,” says Mast. (For the uninitiated, that would be its leaves.) And if you want to really feel like a plant pro, instead of only watering it when you see its soil has dried out, spray it with a little mist every now and again, since it likes humidity, she adds. Your palm with thank you. 

Yeah, yeah, everyone’s got this one, but that doesn’t mean the IT plant isn’t a good option. After all, it’s “tall and dramatic,” says Mast. The fact that “it isn’t bushy makes it a [sleek] interior design addition.” 

And though you’ve probably heard what makes it so great already, I’ll break it down for you anyway: First, it can fill up any sad corners or drab walls in your home since it can grow between 4 and 5 feet. Next, it purifies the air by taking in formaldehyde. And finally, even if you’re not working with the perfectly warm and humid temps this plant loves, it’ll still manage to survive. Talk about a hustler. 

The Norfolk Pine is beauty and she’s grace with her “lacy, delicate appearance,” says Mast. This look is especially “popular during the holidays as an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree, but makes an elegant statement all year round.” And even though it’s called a pine, this plant is actually native to the tropical South Pacific.

To keep yours looking fresh, position it for “bright, direct sun,” advises Mast. A bit of extra humidity will help this plant to thrive indoors, too, she says, so mist it occasionally.

“The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world,” says Mast. Once you do the hard work of getting this hefty plant into your house, you won’t regret it since it’ll add “a rich, tropical flair to your space.

“Don’t stress about keeping it upright, either. Bird of Paradise adapts to pretty much all conditions from low, to indirect, to super bright sunlight. Just be sure to mist it from time to time—while this plant is easygoing, it still needs a little humidity since it’s native to the tropics.

Meet Lisa. This plant doesn’t mind that window in your apartment that faces a wall because it thrives in low light, artificial light, and indirect sunlight as it grows to its comfy 5 to 8 feet. Worried you’ll forget to water it? Don’t be, says Juliette Vassilkioti, co-founder of My City Plants. This plant doesn’t need much—just hydrate it about every 10 to 14 days. And all you have to keep it looking its best is trim it now and again. 

High ceilings? This is the plant for you. In addition to making do with pretty much any growing conditions (artificial lighting, low lighting, bright, indirect lighting), it’s also an air purifier. Yup, say goodbye to the chemicals released by household cleaning products. Your corn plant will suck it right up. And if that wasn’t enough—it only needs water about every two weeks. What it does need, though, is regular trimming, as it grows more than 6 feet tall. 

If the braided stem of the money tree isn’t quite dramatic enough for you, opt for the dragon tree. Vassilkioti promises it’s skilled in “removing harmful chemicals from the air, and doubles as a strong and unique focal point.” Just keep it out of direct sunlight, and give it about 75 ounces of water every 14 days. It doesn’t get much easier than that. 

Trying to dress up your space? Go for this 7-foot-tall “bold and striking plant with straight angular edges,” says Vassilkioti. “This plant doubles as artwork and is a great addition to a modern minimalist interior as a stand-alone plant.” Other than being a top-notch decor element, the yucca plant removes toxins from the air, it’s pet friendly, and it’s drought-tolerant. What more could you ask for? 

Lush foliage and a commanding shape make the majesty palm a prime choice (and if you’ve got pets, they’ll love it, too). And while it doesn’t quite call for backbreaking maintenance, you’ll have to keep it in a sunny spot, water it pretty regularly, mist it, and trim it. Set a reminder in your phone to care for it and watch it reach its peak of 5 to 10 feet. 

Yeah, this plant is pretty and all, but if you ask Mast, its best feature is toughness, “making it perfect for the forgetful plant owner,” she says. “This hardy plant is able to survive for months without water and will grow well [up to 3 feet!] in any light except the direct sun. It is relatively a slow grower, so do not be concerned about repotting very often.” Sounds easy enough, right?

Who said all your plants had to be green? The burgundy rubber tree’s “thick, glossy leaves that range from a rich burgundy red to almost black” are a 3-foot-tall decor standout, says Mast, and they can handle most indoor conditions. “It is strong and sturdy but doesn’t like change—so pick a bright spot and let it do its thing.” 

Ease your way into that plant-lady life with this starter floor plant. At 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall, it’s not extra-large. Plus, it’s slow-growing and fairly compact compared to other palms, so it won’t get unruly. “The parlor palm will do best in bright, filtered light, but will readily adapt to low light as well,” says Mast. “Added bonus: It is a pet-friendly plant.”

The umbrella tree’s “dark green glossy leaves drape down” like a bunch of small, well, umbrellas, says Mast. “This is not a narrow plant so make sure it is placed in a spot it can grow to its full potential,” she adds. It’s a hefty one, but this plant has the power to make any space (even dimly lit ones) feel more sophisticated. Plus, it’s a fast grower, so you’ll feel like an accomplished plant parent in no time.

If the name didn’t tip you off, this plant is big—like, very big. Like, 5 feet tall big…and wide. Its “striking emerald green foliage with bright lemon-yellow striping down the center of the firm leaves” will liven up any space, says Mast.

What’s more: It sucks allergens out of the air, and since it doesn’t crave a ton of attention, it’s the perfect plant for beginners to earn their green thumbs.

“This incredible houseplant makes a huge impact,” says Mast. “This jungle giant is not only beautiful, but also a very forgiving, adaptable, and low-maintenance houseplant.” Translation: No stressing about keeping it alive as long as you give it bright, indirect light and water it when you remember to. 

Plus, this bushy beauty is an air purifier, too. 

Longevity with this plant is practically a given. Mast even calls it one of “the easiest indoor plants around.” It does well in low-light interiors and fluorescent lighting, but will make do in any environment. Warning: Its leaves will appear lighter if you keep it in bright light, but, don’t worry, that’s expected.