- Interior plants range in size and offer a variety of leaf shapes and colors.Jill Fromer/Photodisc/Getty Images
Interior plants bring nature indoors through a variety of leaf colors and shapes. The types of plants that can be used indoors range from small plants suitable for windowsills to medium-sized indoor trees. Interior plants differ in the amount of light they require and should be placed in locations as close to ideal as possible. - Chinese evergreens are tolerant, slow-growing plants with a shrubby appearance. They are known for their large, showy leaves that range in color from cream with green markings to dark green. They prefer shady locations.
A classic plant valued since the Victorian Age, the long, arching fronds of the Boston fern makes it ideal for hanging baskets. Boston ferns require high humidity and low light and should be misted often. Boston ferns can grow to large sizes; plants can be divided to control size.
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is a tough plant adaptable to many conditions. Although it prefers little sunlight, it does well in indirect light. Plants form clumps of 18- to 30-inches-tall, sword-shaped leaves that are dark green with light green or yellow leaf margins. - Ideal for hanging baskets, spider plants have been in cultivation for over 200 years. Their 1- to 2-foot-long leaves are solid green or green with a creamy white border. Spider plants produce plantlets on long, arching stems that can be removed to start a new plant or left on the stem to grow. They can grow in both bright and low light settings, although they prefer indirect light.
Umbrella trees are sturdy, tree-like bushes that can reach up to 8 feet tall. Leaves are composed of leaflets that form a compound leaf similar in appearance to an umbrella. Pruning can control the plant's height.
Dumb canes are valued for their large, variegated leaves that can reach 2 feet long. They will wilt in too much light; place them in shady spots with diffuse light. The leaf color and variegation differs with the variety of dumb cane; however, the leaves vary from mostly cream with green margins to green with white spots. The stems and leaves of the plant are poisonous; the plant should not be placed where it may be a hazard to either pets or children. - Often used as Christmas trees, Norfolk Island pines are ideal indoor evergreens. The branches are arranged in upward, symmetrical tiers with a new set grown annually. Norfolk Island pines are native to the South Pacific and are used as landscape plants in warm climates. They prefer bright, indirect light.
Weeping figs are used widely as small- to medium-sized trees in an indoor landscape. Figs adapt to a range of conditions, but prefer bright light. The plants drop their leaves when they are exposed to drafts or relocated. With proper care, figs can be long-life plants.
English ivy is a climbing plant that can be trained onto trellises or topiaries. The plant's cascading branches can also be enjoyed from a hanging basket. English ivy requires high humidity during the winter and benefits from frequent misting. Although English ivy prefers bright sunlight during the winter, it should be protected from harsh sunlight in the summer.
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