The “stay-at-home” sensation brought by pandemic lockdown has made people turn their homes into green sanctuaries. They are popularly known as the “plantitas” and “plantitos” as collectors of indoor plants in the Philippines. This also marked the rise of plant selling on the social media market.
An indoor garden can be a fortress from the outside world, and for many people, it’s a source of joy. Apart from being an essential component of every interior design, scientific basis shows that houseplants boost moods, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants making for a healthy and happy you.
From easy-to-care-for to absolutely stunning, these types of indoor plants are guaranteed to delight every corner of your crib. Here are the good options for everyone who is starting their plant journey!
Here are a few pointers to help your green friends thrive:
- Water only when soil is dry or almost dry. Different plants have different watering needs so it is necessary to know your plants.
- Exposure: You may place some indoor plants at the brightest part of the room, while others just need a medium to low light. Beware of too much sun.
- Healthy roots mean healthy plants. Potholes are very important to allow water in the soil to drain freely and an adequate supply of air for plant roots.
Add these 10 best indoor plants that will fill the perfect spot in your workplace and home.
10 Best Indoor Plants in the Philippines
Table of Contents
Often seen in most offices, you can never go wrong with this plant. It is a low-maintenance indoor plant that requires less water and less light. So basically, this plant is doing best when you forget it a little.
The ZZ grows smooth, with shiny leaves that range from bright lime to emerald green. Many cultures believe a ZZ plant symbolizes prosperity and friendship making it a great housewarming gift.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Can tolerate indirect light. Not suited for intense, direct sun.
- Water
Water every 2-3 weeks allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Water more often in brighter light and less often in low light.
- Soil
Use a well-draining pot. Mix in perlite or lava rocks for soil aeration.
- Precautions
ZZ plants can be irritating to house pets and humans if the foliage is consumed. The best practice is always to keep houseplants out of reach of small children and pets.
Attracting positive vibes, lucky bamboo is a household plant known to increase feng shui. According to Chinese traditions, each number of stalks represents a different fortune. Having two stalks represent love; three stalks have happiness, wealth, and long life; five stalks and above represent wealth.
The lucky bamboo plant can be grown hydroponically or in soil. It grows best in bright light.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Give it plenty of light. Place the plant in a bright room to increase its longevity.
- Water
Filter your water. If growing in water, filtered or distilled water is the best option.
- Soil
Keep the soil moist but not soak. If grown in water, keep the water level high to cover the roots
- Precautions
Toxic for fur babies if consumed, non-toxic to humans, however.
An air-purifying indoor plant known for its heart-shaped green leaves with variegation in yellow. It has a reputation as one of the easiest houseplants to take care of.
Here’s a fun fact about pothos plants: they can be easily propagated in water and be able to filter gaseous toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
Very important:
- Sunlight
They can tolerate medium to low indirect light, not suited for intense, direct sun.
- Water
Water every 1-2 weeks allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil
Use a well-draining pot. Mix in perlite or lava rocks for soil aeration.
- Precautions
They can be irritating to cats, dogs, and humans if consumed.
Bedrooms are meant to be the most relaxing place in the whole house. It must be a haven to recharge your battery, and our green friends can go along in achieving that sense of serenity. Putting plants not only beautifies the room but can also purify the air giving a fresh night sound sleep.
With its exotic-looking leaves, this palm plant will bring a tropical vibe to your room. Areca palms act as a natural humidifier which is ideal for those who suffer sinus problems during the night.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Requires a very good light but not too much direct sun exposure
- Water
Watering every 2-3 days is often needed
- Soil
Moist and well-drained
- Precautions
Non-toxic
Peace lilies can be a perfect houseplant for your condominium unit. They easily brighten up living space and effectively purify the air. Putting this plant in the living room can give a calming and relaxing effect.
Here’s a plant care tip: The wide leaves tend to be a dust magnet so frequent washing or wiping the leaves helps them absorb sunlight better. The plant will droop a bit when thirsty, telling you when it needs a drink.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Can thrive in shade or partial shade, can also tolerate fluorescent lights
- Water
Water the plant about once a week
- Soil
Peat-based potting mix
- Precautions
Mildly toxic to animals and plants, wash hands after handling the plant to avoid skin irritation
The heart-shaped leaf philodendron is an evergreen perennial vine. It is one of the easiest houseplants to handle, even the first-timer houseplant owners will have no trouble growing them.
Philodendron plants are the best fit indoors because they can filter gaseous toxins in the air. In good indoor condition, this plant can grow up to 10 feet long.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Thrives in medium indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light.
- Water
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil
Loose and well-drained soil that is high in organic matter
- Precautions
Poisonous; non-lethal sap causes skin irritation and burning of the mouth if ingested
This plant favors a warm and humid environment making it ideal for indoors. One fascinating feature of the plant is the natural leaf holes that eventually open up as they mature.
Monstera deliciosa is also one of the most effective at reducing air pollutants.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Thrives in bright to medium indirect light.
- Water
You only need to water every one to two weeks
- Soil
Use good quality potting soil with peat moss that drains easily.
- Precautions
They can be irritating to cats, dogs, and humans if the foliage is consumed.
This tiny “tree” can grow up to six feet depending on how big the pot is. The braided trunks are thought to trap fortune as associated with the Chinese practice of Feng Shui.
Money tree plants are easy to care for. They only require regular pruning and can tolerate artificial lighting. This plant is also marked as one of the most effective filters of harmful pollutants.
Very important:
- Sunlight
They prefer bright, indirect light
- Water
Water every one to two weeks
- Soil
Maintain nutrient-rich potting soil with good drainage; add some sand and gravel for extra porousness
- Precautions
Non-toxic to humans and animals
Tillandsia Fuego is a type of many air plants that are now trendy for they are used as hanging garden decor. The roots require no soil, instead, they extract moisture from the air.
This small plant sometimes called the sky plant can be put in pots. But most air plants are mounted on pieces of bark or driftwood leaving them suspended in the air.
Very important:
- Sunlight
They like bright indirect light
- Water
Light misting is required since it does not grow in soil; soak in water 1-2 hours weekly
- Soil
No soil type is required
- Precautions
Non-toxic to animals and humans
Another air plant that has gray hairlike strands can create a majestic atmosphere at home. Spanish moss gets its moisture and nutrients through sunlight, water, and air.
Here is a fun fact about Spanish moss: It is not a moss at all. It is a flowering plant belonging to the family of pineapple and succulents.
Very important:
- Sunlight
Place Spanish moss in the bright light
- Water
Spray water at least twice weekly
- Soil
No soil is required
- Precautions
Non-toxic
What are indoor plants?
Indoor plants grow indoors. These kinds of houseplants are primarily for decorative purposes, but studies have shown that they can also have psychological benefits. They also aid in the cleansing of indoor air. By absorbing volatile organic compounds, some species and the soil-dwelling microbes associated with them help to reduce indoor air pollution. While such contaminants are normally poisonous to humans, they are absorbed by the plant without causing harm.
Our top 5 picks of indoor plants
Below are the 5 lists of indoor plants to start your plant journey. Be a certified plantita and plantito!
Peace Lily - Because of their white flowers that bloom wonderfully, peace lilies are one of the most popular decor plants in offices and living spaces. These plants can absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that harm humans. They can also absorb excess moisture in bathrooms and toilets, preventing mold and mildew.
ZZ Plant - We strongly advise you to begin your plant journey with the ZZ Plant, one of the best indoor plants in the Philippines and requires the least maintenance.
Lucky Bamboo - Lucky bamboo is thought to bring good fortune. Two stalks indicate love, three stalks represent happiness, wealth, and long life, and five stalks above represent wealth. Aside from that, lucky bamboo can draw positive energy, which benefits your family's well-being.
Money Tree - This plant can provide better air quality, as it can naturally purify the air of pollutants such as xylene, formaldehyde, and other toxins. The money tree is pet-friendly, durable, and doesn't require to be watered frequently to twice a week should be plenty.
Pothos - This plant will undoubtedly capture eyes and make heads turn even if you have it placed at the corner of a room! Pothos is a great choice because it's easy to maintain and adapt to various conditions.
Where to buy indoor plants in the Philippines?
After listing all the plants you want for your home and workplace, are you ready to become a certified plantita or plantito? We are introducing these online stores that will surely complete your plant journey.
- Tierra
- Nest Plant Studio
- Shopleaf Plant Studio
- Unbeleafable
- Pots for Plants
- Spruce Plant Shop
- Plant Culture PH
- Cainta, Philippines
- [email protected]
Whether starting a garden from scratch or trimming down an existing landscape, this shop will work with your green thumb.
Their 35 years of landscape design and horticulture experience will help you conceptualize and execute your space to reflect your personality and specific needs.
Tierra delivers your chosen plants straight to your doorway. Their plant services include plant maintenance, plant styling, and landscape.
Customer Review:
"Thank you po, for a quick tour of your "rare" collections and very helpful tips for being a plant parent." - Nad Lang
- NPS@instagram
Nest Plant Studio offers various plants and pot designs that you can mix and match however you want.
The pots collection they sell is made eco-friendly, lightweight, and durable. You can also choose from designed pots in various colors.
Customer review:
“Congratulations Nest Plant Studio! We are thrilled to be part of your vision for #Kundiman! You got us at “jungle” and “lush” so grateful for this memorable opportunity!” - Solen Heussaff
Shopleaf Plant Studio also offers durable eco pots as well as a variety of plants that they frequently announce once available. They deliver free of charge within Metro Manila with a minimum purchase of Php 5,000 and up,
Customer review:
“Fast delivery and packaged very well. The product looks really good.” -Derek D.
- 35 St. Jude, Lopez Village, Paranaque City
- 09177128496
- [email protected]
Noted as one of the rising indoor plant shops in the Philippines, they focus only on indoor plants from tabletops to hanging plants.
The owners of this shop believed that many should appreciate nature and their goal is to bring a pot of nature into every part of your home.
Customer review:
“What an incredible service - not only do they have amazingly interesting plants at reasonable prices but their packaging was next level.” - Nina Boshoff
- Unit 3 & 4, CW Home Depot Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Tagaytay Pulong Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Laguna
- 09278516675
- [email protected]
This shop is the first e-commerce business that delivers higher-grade ceramic pots in the Philippines. Their plants can also be a perfect match for any home decor and furniture.
Customer review:
“Love this tall Venetian fiberglass pots, super lightweight, I will order again.” -Victoria E.
- 170 Dos Castillas St. Brgy Pasadena, San Juan City
- [email protected]
This plant shop sells solid-colored pots in different colors complemented with a selection of plants. For a plant lover, this shop offers all gardening supplies and accessories for indoor gardens.
They also make a perfect gift for your friends!
Customer review:
“So happy with my plants from Spruce Plant Shop they all look healthy especially the heartleaf philodendrons and rubber plants. The packaging is very nice with care cards too. Perfect for gift giving. Highly recommended.” -Alexander Sarmiento
- 8339 Dr. A. Santos Ave. San Antonio, Paranaque City
- 09081747255
- [email protected]
The shop offers diverse colorful collectible succulents. Most of these are imported Korean succulents. Apart from the succulents, the shop also sells fruits and vegetable seeds, dried flowers, and pots and accessories.
In addition, a dried flower arrangement is also offered which is perfect for gifts and home decor.
Customer review:
“One-stop shop for all your plant needs.” -Aiza May
Conclusion
Indoor plants not only improve the overall beauty of a space, but studies show that they also improve emotions, stimulate creativity, reduce stress, and remove contaminants from the air, resulting in a healthier, happier you.
Start to think green and live in a greener environment. Having plants around you will make you happy, and so will nature!