Benjamin Wong
Gardening enthusiasts will never see their passion falling short within just around the perimeters of their fairy tale gardens. As indoor plants are getting trendy these days, gardeners old and young out there are looking forward to placing their green thumbs whenever they can even within their confined spaces.
We are blessed to be living in a tropical climate. Still, there are a plethora of houseplants’ species that are adequately equipped to survive in less-than-tropical environments such as air-conditioned rooms. Plus, plants just make timeless decor for your home.
Whether you are a staunch indoor plant-lover or a beginner, we are here to recommend the best indoor potted plants that you can easily buy online and have them delivered right up to your doorstep!
Table of Contents
- 16 Best Indoor Plants To Have in Malaysia
- Quick tips on taking care of indoor plants
- How plants affect interior design
- Ways to style indoor plants - Interior Designer Tips
- Common mistakes for interior design and indoor plants
Let’s have a peek at the best indoor house plants recommended for specific purposes:
16 Best Indoor Plants in Malaysia
- Best indoor plant overall - Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Best indoor plant for office - ZZ Plant / Snake Plant
- Best indoor plants for Feng Shui - Lucky Bamboo / Jade Plant
- Best indoor plants for low-light - Golden Pothos / Spider Plant
- Best indoor plant for bedroom - Areca Palm / Peace Lily
- Best large indoor plant - Monstera Delicosa
- Best tall indoor plants - Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) / Rubber Fig
- Best small indoor plant - Tillandsia Fuego Air Plant / Nerve Plant
- Best hanging indoor plant - Spanish Moss Air Plant / Satin Pothos
Our guest expert's top pick:
Table of Contents
The fiddle-leaf figs have made a statement as ‘The’ indoor plant among houseplant fans due to their unique and big leaves. They boast a beautiful and architectural posture in any part of the house especially when given the space to grow.
These plants prefer a warm and humid environment with plenty of sunlight. They require just the right amount of water as well, with the soil needed to be kept consistently and evenly moist. These plants are especially sensitive to their new environment and would need some time to adjust to their new home.
- Light: Bright to moderate indirect light / shaded and direct
- Water: When soil is almost dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, loose, rich potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Best indoor plants for the office:
ZZ plants are ideal for offices and homes. Their waxy and smooth leaves radiate sunlight and brighten confined spaces. They can tolerate being unattended too for some time as they are known to be drought-tolerant. And if you don’t have lots of sun at your place, know that they can survive under low-light conditions.
A bonus is that they are known to be an air purifier as they are able to remove numerous amounts of airborne toxins.
Caring for ZZ plants is a piece of cake! This succulent does not require complicated potting soil mix; just a well-draining one will suffice. They will also need a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once every month upon watering. Do keep in mind that they do not require plenty of water nor sunlight.
- Light: Bright to low indirect light
- Water: when soil is dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, succulent/sandy potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Snake Plants are one of the most popular and hardy species of houseplants. They can be left aside for days and still look fresh with their sharp leaves standing proud and tall. They are also known to keep the air inside confined spaces clean and free from toxins.
Snake Plants can grow in both bright environment or dark spaces. They prefer indirect sunlight but can be trained to take on direct light. Typically, they are grown in a loose, well-drained potting mix; particularly sandier soils. They should be watered only when the soil gets dry, as this plant is known to be prone to root rot caused by overwatering.
- Light: Bright to low light, preferably indirect
- Water: When soil is dry / when leaves are getting pale-coloured or wrinkly
- Soil type: Loose, well-draining, succulent/sandy potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Best indoor plants for Feng Shui:
Belonging to the Dracaena family, Lucky Bamboo plants have been a fundamental symbol in Feng Shui and as indoor plants for a long time. They symbolize both luck and prosperity; making them popular indoor plants in many homes these days.
These plants thrive best with indirect sunlight and can be grown in either soil (kept moist) or water (have a sufficient amount to cover their roots). They should also be repotted when their roots start to outgrow the container.
- Light: Bright and indirect
- Water: When soil is almost dry / change once a week
- Soil type: Well-draining, rich potting soil
- Pet/Children-friendly: No for animals
With their round and shiny little leaves, Jade plants are fairly resilient and adaptable in growing indoors. Their hardy nature means easily achieving a long lifespan as well.
Because they are succulent plants, they require a good soiling system that can drain thoroughly, as excessive moisture encourages the occurrence of fungal diseases. Upon planting jade plants, it is advisable to wait within several days to a week before watering to allow the roots to settle and recuperate from any damage.
As for light, jade plants will do well with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Light: Shaded direct/bright indirect
- Water: When soil is almost dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, succulent/sandy potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No for animals
Best indoor plants for low light:
The Golden Pothos, or Money Plant, is known to be very versatile and are one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. These plants are suitable indoors as they are able to filter gaseous toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
Being a creeping/trailing plant, letting them grow with bright and indirect sunlight will reward you with a luscious, jungle-like potted plant. Still, they are popular as a low-light tolerant plant.
Also drought-tolerant, they only need to be watered when the soil is dry. As these plants are toxic when consumed, it is advisable to keep them away from pets and children.
- Light: Bright to low, indirect
- Water: When soil is dry / when leaves start drooping
- Soil type: Well-draining potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Spider plants are easy-to-grow indoor plants and they were known to be a favourite in Victorian-era households. These ‘spiderrettes’ blossom in a variety of conditions and is relatively easy to care for except for some common minor problems such as brown tips.
Spider plants need a soil-based, well-draining potting mix with sufficient moisture. They need to be kept under bright to moderate, indirect sunlight. At the early growth period, these plants need to be watered occasionally. Once they are fully developed, it is advisable to water them moderately.
- Light: Bright to moderate, indirect
- Water: When soil is almost dry
- Soil type: Well-draining potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
Best indoor plants for bedroom:
Their thin, lengthy leaves are what makes Areca Palms an elegant statement to any living space. They also have advantageous air purification benefits which makes them suitable as bedroom plants. So if you are suffering from a cold or sinus problem, these plants release moisture into the air to aid in better breathing while snoozing.
To care for these plants, the perfect soil is a well-draining, peat-based or rich potting mix. Yes, they require moist soil but do not condone overwatering nor allowing these plants to sit in a water-clogged potting mix. Instead, water them with distilled or collected rainwater when the soil or potting mix dries out.
- Light: Bright to moderate indirect light / shaded and direct
- Water: When soil is almost dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, rich potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
Due to their big leaves and “lily” flowers, the Peace Lily makes for a nice house plant with easy-care requirements. They have a reputation for being dramatic and will tell you that they are thirsty by dropping their leaves as if they are dying.
Peace lilies are package-worthy plants as they purify the air by removing toxins as well as increase the humidity in the air in the bedroom. This helps to decrease allergies and calms any issues of dry throats or sinus problems.
Naturally found under big trees in their natural habitat, peace lilies do not require even moderate sunlight. Just like how morning sun is important to us, so it is for the peace lilies as well. They are to be watered when the soil is about to dry out.
- Light: Moderate to low indirect light
- Water: When soil is almost dry / when leaves are drooping
- Soil type: Well-draining, rich potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: Mildly toxic
Best large indoor plants:
Ah, an interior designer’s favourite; Monstera Deliciosa plants are known for their peculiar and punctured-leaves. When given a moss pole to climb on, this plant will reward you with a lush forest look to your living space. As such, they do best with a wide space area, instead of being confined in a closed corner.
As a creeping plant naturally found on trees, they can thrive in direct or indirect sunlight. Sunlight needs to be balanced, as too much will turn the leaves yellow, yet too little will cause the new leaves to grow towards the dark rather than the light. So, exposing these plants to indirect sun is the best option. They are also drought tolerant.
- Light: Moderate to low light, preferably indirect
- Water: When soil is dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, loose potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Best tall indoor plants:
Money trees with their odd-looking and twisted trunks are believed to bring good luck and financial success to its owner. Still, these plants are suited for indoors with their lean and tall growth, giving off a nice tropical feel.
They thrive well when given medium to bright, indirect sunlight. Slightly drought-tolerant, they require thorough but irregular watering. Money plants are also known to be safe for pets.
Besides, they rather be placed in the same position than moved about frequently. Like most plants, overwatering and overexposure to sunlight can cause problems to money plants, so be wary of that.
- Light: Bright to moderate light
- Water: When soil is dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, succulent/sandy potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
Rubber figs are very common indoor plants found in both homes and offices. They resemble a typical tree with a single trunk and their leaves branch out like canopies. The leaves are oval, dark and glossy, making them easy to blend into any kind of living space.
They are typically easy plants to look after as they grow well even under low light. Because their leaves can hold an amount of water, watering should only be done when the soil becomes slightly dry. Do be careful of shifting their positions frequently or to a place with little light and colder temperatures.
- Light: Bright to low light
- Water: When soil is almost dry
- Soil type: Well-draining, aerated potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No - the sap is mildly irritating to the skin
Best small indoor plants:
Being an air plant, Tillandsia Fuego plants do not need soil to thrive. Instead, their sturdy hair-like roots aid in mounting the plant onto trees in their natural habitat. This means they only need water, light and well-ventilated areas to thrive.
Although slow growers, they will flower in a couple of years, with their leaves growing into and remaining a vivid, cherry-red colour throughout their lives.
These plants can be grown in an artificial setting as well, though they need to be regularly misted. They also need to have sufficient 12-hour exposure to either filtered or artificial sunlight.
- Light: Moderate to low, indirect light
- Water: When leaves are dramatically curled inwards
- Soil type: Not needed
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
Nerve plants are called such due to their veined-like pattern on their deep-green leaves. The veins can come in an assortment of colours; ranging from silvery-white (the most common), red, pink, white to green.
Although easy to understand its needs (just water when the leaves droop), these plants are quite temperamental and delicate to grow as indoor plants. They require very high and constant humidity. Plus, they do not condone stagnant conditions, and are thus, best as terrarium plants.
Additionally, they are also sensitive to strong and direct exposure to sunlight. Still, these plants are very affordable, common and non-toxic at all.
- Light: Moderate to low, indirect light
- Water: When soil is almost dry / when leaves are drooping
- Soil type: Well-draining, rich potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
Best hanging indoor plants:
The Spanish Moss plants are known to be very easy plants to care for, requiring minimal attention compared to other variations of air plants. Its name was initially derived from the nickname: “Spanish Beard”.
Like succulents, these plants do not need to be watered regularly. Thus, once a week will do; depending on the dryness of the area it’s in. They do prefer bright and indirect sunlight.
Spanish mosses look best when you let them trail/grow long, and make nice ornaments for outdoor trees.
- Light: Bright to moderate indirect/shaded and direct
- Water: When leaves are dramatically curled inwards
- Soil type: Not needed
- Pet/Children-friendly: Yes
The Satin Pothos plants are adorned with big, heart-shaped leaves that are splotched with a satin sheen of silvery grey colours. Thanks to their compact growth in nature, the colours of the Satin Pothos makes for a beautiful household plant to have in any themed living space.
Like other Pothos plants, these ones cannot be overwatered. Therefore, they prefer to be watered when the soil dries out. While tolerant of low light, they do best when kept under bright and indirect sunlight. This is because direct, harsh sunlight will burn the leaves, whilst too little light will cause the leaves to lose their silvery spots (variegated look).
- Light: Bright to low, indirect, preferably bright
- Water: When soil is dry / when leaves start drooping
- Soil type: Well-draining potting mix
- Pet/Children-friendly: No
Quick tips on taking care of indoor plants
- Quick rule: water only when the soil is dry or almost dry. For plants that like water, it is important to know that the soil should be moist and not soaking wet. To simply put, there should not be any water sitting on the top of the soil as it can attract fungus and flies/gnats.
- Most indoor plants thrive best with indirect, shaded sunlight no matter how well they do in the dark. You’ll need to find a balance between giving enough light (to dry the soil) and enough water. In fact, many indoor plants exposed to prolonged direct sunlight can get burns on their leaves. To be sure, just note down the light requirements for each plant.
- It is also important to ensure that the pots of these indoor plants have proper drainage holes at the base for water to drain out easily. If water gets trapped in the pot for too long, it can lead to root rot whereby it’ll be difficult to save a plant from dying.
How plants affect interior design:
- Plants bring natural beauty to our living spaces; they make any interiors look lively. Not only that, but plants also give comfort and welcoming air to the space.
- In fact, they've been proven to reduce stress when our eyes just have a glance at them.
- Of course, the one important thing that plants do is to help clean the air we breathe by absorbing toxins and acting as little oxygen factories.
- Besides all the benefits above, plants also complement the interior aesthetically and add colours to spaces.
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Ways to style indoor plants - Interior Designer Tips
Here are some very important key elements to elevate your living spaces with plants, according to our guest expert.
Know your room
- Take a good look around your room and determine where you'd want to put the plants.
- Also, check which part of the space needs a living decorative piece and which doesn’t.
- Understand your choice of plant's sizes and colours. If you aren't sure, ask for an opinion on which colour and size would fit best.
Don’t overdo it
- As much as we know you love your plant, try not to let them take away the attention of the interior.
- This means not choosing a plant that's too big or grows too fast (unless you want it to) as it can overpower and underwhelm your living spaces.
- A plethora of redundant objects will create cluttering, and this includes the presence of your plant.
- Besides being a huge plant or a fast grower, it may end up being unpleasant to look at, and upkeeping it will be a challenge.
- It's best to be focused and use only one type of plant as a centrepiece. A well-chosen plant as a centrepiece can do wonders to keep the room as one.
Size does matter
- Large plants work great as a statement while small plants are best used in cosy corners.
- Mixing sizes randomly can bring good aesthetic results but it's mostly when done on purpose.
- Got an empty corner? Fill it with the right-sized plants to cover up the visual void. You'll never go wrong by putting a plant in an empty corner if the furniture is big.
Remember to think about maintenance
- Lucky us, there are plenty of easy to grow indoor plants in the market.
- It's important to remember not to just go for the aesthetic value, but also think about its maintenance in order to avoid painful gardening mistakes in the long run.
- Our editor's trick: choose one plant at a time. Overwhelming yourself with a lot of plants at once can hinder you from fully understanding how to care for a plant.
Common mistakes for interior design and indoor plants:
Cluttering
- It can be easy to go all the way and realise that everything just doesn't match.
- One way to avoid this; get all of your pots in the same colour or tone. This helps to bring a sense of uniformity to all the plants.
- Another temporary trick is to group several plant stalks, add them into a vase and place it in the corner of a room. This works well with taller indoor plants.
- In addition to the vase trick, you can also place smaller plants beside the vase using heightened plant stands.
Wrong size and shapes
- A bigger plant doesn’t always mean better decoration for your space.
- That's because they’re hard to move around. But you don’t want them to be too small either.
- Ask yourself, do you want an accent piece or a bold statement? Go with a few small ones for the former, and a single big one for the latter.
"Strange" placement
- Tall plants at the walkway in the office isn’t always a good idea.
- After all, they're supposed to elevate the space and not brush up people’s faces whenever someone walks past it.
- Moreover, you should consider the condition of your space, particularly on the humidity level and available sun exposure too!
Poor upkeeping
- What can make an otherwise beautiful plant, ugly? It's unkempt weeds or almost dying plants. They are just horrendous.
- They are unpleasant to the eyes and have a bad odour that you want to avoid.
- To avoid this, just do weekly checks and cut off any dying or intrusive leaves at the base with scissors. It's important to cut with a sharp clean pair of scissors to avoid damage from metal rust.