Best Indoor Plants You Can Buy For Your New Zealand Home

Not every indoor space is blessed with sunlight, especially interior offices or south-facing rooms with little exposure. The good news is that many beautiful, low-maintenance plants not only survive but thrive in low-light or even artificial-light conditions. Below is a curated list of the best indoor plants that need little to no direct sunlight—perfect for offices, bathrooms, or dim apartments.

• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) This plant stores water in its rhizomes, meaning it can go weeks without watering. It thrives in low light, including fluorescent office setups, making it one of the top choices for beginners. Its glossy green leaves also add a modern touch to dull corners.
• Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Often called "impossible to kill," this plant tolerates low light and infrequent watering. It continues to purify air and release oxygen at night, making it a great choice for windowless bedrooms or offices.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) This plant doesn’t just tolerate low light—it prefers it. Its drooping leaves signal when water is needed, and the white spathes add elegance even in dim environments.
• Philodendron (Heartleaf) This vining plant handles poor lighting with ease and grows quickly. It’s a classic trailing option for bookshelves and cabinets, even far from natural windows.
• Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) True to its name, this hardy plant handles neglect, dry air, and dark rooms. It’s ideal for shaded offices or hallways where other plants would struggle.
• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) With foliage that ranges from deep green to vibrant red-edged leaves, Chinese Evergreen adjusts well to low light. It’s known for its resilience and ability to handle indoor air pollution.
• Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) A slow grower that thrives in medium to low light, this palm remains compact and lush. Its air-purifying qualities and ease of care make it ideal for desks or reception counters.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Another office favorite, pothos is nearly indestructible. It can grow in water, soil, or hanging baskets and thrives even under fluorescent lights.
• Dracaena With its dramatic foliage and easy care, Dracaena does well in office corners or hallways. It prefers indirect light and rarely needs repotting.
• Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana) his visually striking plant thrives in low light and high humidity, making it suitable for bathrooms without windows.
• Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum) With arrow-shaped leaves and various color options, this low-light-loving plant brightens office desks and needs minimal care.
• Ferns (Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern) These do well in indirect light and love humidity, making them ideal for shaded bathrooms and kitchens.

These indoor plants do more than just sit pretty—they actively improve the air you breathe. Whether by producing oxygen more efficiently or filtering out common indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, the following plants are among the top performers for purifying the air and boosting oxygen indoors.

• Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Known as one of the few plants that release oxygen at night, the snake plant is ideal for bedrooms. It also filters out formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Its upright sword-like leaves require little maintenance and thrive in low light.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) This tropical plant doesn’t just flower indoors—it removes mold spores and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. It thrives in shaded spaces and gives off a significant amount of moisture, improving room humidity.
• Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) A powerful humidifier and oxygen producer, the Areca palm is great for dry indoor climates. Its feathery fronds add a tropical feel while filtering out carbon monoxide and airborne toxins.
• Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) This tough, glossy-leaved plant is a top choice for absorbing airborne chemicals, especially formaldehyde. It grows well in medium to bright indirect light and also helps humidify indoor air.
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) Beyond its skin-soothing gel, aloe purifies the air by removing formaldehyde and benzene, often found in cleaning products. It’s also an oxygen powerhouse and thrives in bright, sunny windows.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Pet-safe and prolific, spider plants are excellent at reducing carbon monoxide, xylene, and formaldehyde. They’re also known for boosting oxygen output and are easy to propagate.
• Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) Boston ferns are great natural air humidifiers and formaldehyde filters. Their lush fronds absorb airborne pollutants and increase oxygen, making them great for bathrooms or kitchens with indirect light.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) This fast-growing vine is great for filtering benzene and carbon monoxide. It thrives in low light, and its cascading vines make it a perfect shelf or hanging plant.
• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) Popular in NASA’s Clean Air Study, the bamboo palm is a great carbon monoxide and formaldehyde absorber. It also adds moisture to dry rooms and brings a calm, zen feel to indoor spaces.
• Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) Rare among flowering plants, gerberas release oxygen at night and remove trichloroethylene and benzene. They prefer sunny windows and are perfect for offices or bedrooms needing a cheerful boost.

If you’re looking to brighten your space with color and charm, flowering houseplants are the perfect choice. These indoor bloomers are not only beautiful but also easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners.

• Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) This plant produces heart-shaped, waxy red or pink “flowers” year-round. It prefers bright indirect light and moderate watering. A single bloom can last up to 6 weeks, adding a pop of vibrant color to any shelf or desk.
• African Violet (Saintpaulia) Compact and low-growing, African violets thrive in consistent warmth and moderate light. With proper care, they flower continuously in shades of purple, pink, or white, and are perfect for small pots or windowsills.
• Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) This flowering succulent produces clusters of vibrant red, orange, pink, or yellow blooms. It thrives in bright light and needs very little water. Great for kitchens, offices, and sunrooms.
• Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.) Elegant and exotic, moth orchids are surprisingly easy to maintain. With proper watering and indirect light, they bloom for 2–3 months straight and rebloom once or twice a year.
• Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) This versatile flowering plant adapts to a range of light conditions and produces non-stop blooms. Its foliage is often just as colorful as its flowers, making it a double win for aesthetics.
• Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) Named for its red, tube-like flowers that resemble lipstick, this trailing plant blooms best in bright indirect light. It adds a playful, tropical feel to shelves or hanging baskets.
• Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) This seasonal bloomer produces bursts of pink, red, or white flowers around the holidays. Unlike desert cacti, it prefers a bit more moisture and does well in filtered light.
• Bromeliad (Guzmania spp.) Bromeliads are show-stoppers with their long-lasting flower spikes and colorful rosettes. They do well in average indoor humidity and need very little attention—just water in the central cup.
• Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) If you want both flowers and fragrance, jasmine is your plant. It blooms profusely in late winter and early spring, filling your room with a sweet scent. It grows best in bright light and cooler temperatures.

Whether you’re aiming to relax after a long day, breathe cleaner air, or simply bring a bit of life into your space, the right houseplant can transform your bedroom into a restful retreat. The following indoor plants are not only beautiful—they also promote better sleep, purify the air, and thrive in typical bedroom conditions.

• Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) With bold, upright leaves and the ability to produce oxygen at night, snake plants are a top choice for bedrooms. They tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making them perfect for even the most forgetful plant parent.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.) Lavender doesn’t just belong in your skincare—it brings its relaxing scent into the bedroom as well. Its soothing fragrance helps reduce stress and anxiety, and a sunny windowsill is all it needs to flourish indoors.ompact and low-growing, African violets thrive in consistent warmth and moderate light. With proper care, they flower continuously in shades of purple, pink, or white, and are perfect for small pots or windowsills.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) This graceful plant with white blooms thrives in low to medium light and boosts humidity levels, which can help ease dry air in bedrooms. It’s also known for removing indoor air pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Low-maintenance and soothing in more ways than one, aloe vera improves air quality and thrives on bright light and minimal water. It’s a great choice for sunny bedroom corners and requires almost no upkeep.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Perfect for rooms with little natural light, the ZZ plant thrives in dim conditions and barely needs watering. Its glossy leaves bring a sculptural, modern touch to nightstands or shelves.
• English Ivy (Hedera helix) Known for its trailing vines and air-purifying abilities, English ivy works beautifully in hanging pots or high shelves. It’s particularly effective at reducing airborne mold—a bonus for allergy-prone sleepers.
• Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) This bold, sculptural plant brings a tropical vibe to any bedroom. Though it prefers bright light and a little more attention, it can make a stunning statement in a well-lit corner.
• Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) For those willing to give a little extra care, gardenia offers sweet-scented blooms that can fill a bedroom with perfume. It needs moderate light and consistent moisture—but the fragrance is worth it.
• Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) If you want both flowers and fragrance, jasmine is your plant. It blooms profusely in late winter and early spring, filling your room with a sweet scent. It grows best in bright light and cooler temperatures.
• Wax Plant (Hoya spp.) This low-maintenance trailing plant produces sweet-smelling blooms and thrives with bright, indirect light. Its thick, waxy leaves and occasional clusters of flowers make it a standout choice for windowsills or hanging planters.