A Guide to Houseplants & Herbs for Each Room in Your Home

Houseplants and kitchen herbs are one of the easiest ways to bring colour, texture and a sense of calm into your home. The right plants can help create a fresher, more welcoming space, while herbs can make your kitchen feel more practical and inviting. The key is choosing plants that suit each room’s light, warmth and humidity levels.

Here’s how to choose the best houseplants and herbs for every room in your home.

Best Houseplants for Your Living Room

Brighten up your living room with some of the following houseplants:

Tips & Info for Each Living Room Houseplant

Read on below for some handy tips and fun facts on each of the recommended houseplants for your living room!

Anthurium

Latin Name: Anthurium andraeanum

Common Name: Anthurium / Flamingo Flower

Location: Place in a warm room with bright, indirect light. Keep away from cold draughts and direct sunlight.

Watering: Water when the top layer of compost feels dry. Avoid letting the plant sit in water.

Soil: Use a well-drained houseplant potting mix.

Native: Native to tropical regions of Central and South America.

Top Tip: Anthuriums like a steady, warm temperature, making them a great choice for living rooms. Mist occasionally or place near other houseplants to help maintain humidity.

Spathiphyllum

Latin Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii

Common Name: Spathiphyllum / Peace Lily

Location: Place in a warm room with bright, indirect light. Keep away from cold draughts and strong direct sunlight.

Watering: Keep the compost lightly moist, watering when the top layer starts to feel dry. Avoid letting the plant sit in water.

Soil: Use a well-drained houseplant potting mix.

Native: Native to tropical regions of Central and South America.

Top Tip: Spathiphyllum likes a steady, warm temperature, making it a good choice for living rooms or bedrooms. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and healthy-looking.

Ficus

Latin Name: Ficus elastica

Common Name: Ficus / Rubber Plant

Location: Place in a warm room with bright, indirect light. Keep away from cold draughts, radiators and strong direct sunlight.

Watering: Water when the top layer of compost feels dry. Avoid overwatering and do not let the plant sit in water.

Soil: Use a well-drained houseplant potting mix.

Native: Native to tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia.

Top Tip: Ficus plants like a steady, warm temperature, making them a good choice for living rooms. Wipe the leaves regularly to keep them dust-free and glossy.

Best Houseplants for Your Bedroom

Wake up each morning feeling fresh with the help of these houseplants:

Tips & Info for Each Bedroom Houseplant

Read on below for some handy tips and fun facts on each of the recommended houseplants for your bedroom!

Peace Lily

Latin Name: Spathiphyllum Sweet Silvio

Common Name: Peace Lily

Location: Bright location, no direct sunlight

Watering: Avoid over-watering, keep soil moist

Soil: Well-drained soil

Native: Native to tropical Asia and South America

Fun Fact: Excellent plants for cleaning the air

Rubber Fig

Latin Name: Ficus Robusta

Common Name: Rubber Fig

Location: Keep out of direct sunlight

Watering: Let the soil dry out between watering

Soil: Well-drained potting mix

Native: Native to Asia

Top Tip: Use leaf shine to keep these plants looking their best

Snake Plant

Latin Name: Sansieveria Trifa. Laurentii

Common Name: Snake Plant

Location: Perfect for most locations

Watering: Minimal watering required

Soil: Free-draining soil mix

Native: Native to tropical West African region

Fun Fact: Slow growing plant

ZZ Plant

Latin Name: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Common Name: ZZ Plant

Location: Perfect for most locations

Watering: Minimal watering required

Soil: Well-drained potting mix

Native: Native to the East African region

Fun Fact: Also known as the 'Eternity Plant' as they are extremely difficult plants to kill

Best Houseplants for Your Bathroom

Make sure the air in your bathroom is kept fresh and clean with these houseplants:

Tips & Info for Each Bathroom Houseplant

Read on below for some handy tips and fun facts on each of the recommended houseplants for your bathroom!

Prayer Plant

Latin Name: Calathea Mix

Common Name: Prayer Plant

Location: Perfect for most locations

Watering: Water more often in bright light

Soil: Well-drained potting mix

Native: Native to South American rainforests

Fun Fact: The leaves on the Calathea then to fold together at night, which is why it is commonly referred to as the 'Prayer Plant'

Spider Plant

Latin Name: Chlorophytum Atlantic

Common Name: Spider Plant

Location: Bright location, no direct sunlight

Watering: Water regularly

Soil: Well-drained soil

Native: Native to the tropical regions of Southern Africa

Fun Fact: Easy to grow!

Aloe Vera

Latin Name: Aloe Vera

Common Name: Barbadensis

Location: Direct sunlight

Watering: Minimal watering required

Soil: Succulent and Cacti compost

Native: Native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

Fun Fact: This plant has many medicinal purposes

Boston Fern

Latin Name: Nephrolepsis Exaltata

Common Name: Boston Fern

Location: Warm and humid, perfect for a bathroom!

Watering: Water regularly

Soil: Well-drained soil

Native: Native to humid forests through Mexico and South America

Top Tip: Mist the plant once a week to increase its humidity

Best Herbs for Your Kitchen

While there are a number houseplants suitable for kitchens, why not do something a little different and use this room to grow herbs instead? Perfect for adding to a variety of homemade dishes too!

Tips & Info for Each Kitchen Herb

Basil

Fragrant: Yes

Position: Full sun

Soil: Well-drained

Exposure: Sheltered

Rosemary

Fragrant: Yes

Position: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Exposure: Exposed or sheltered

Thyme

Fragrant: Yes

Position: Full sun

Soil: Well-drained

Exposure: Exposed or sheltered

Sage

Fragrant: Yes

Position: Full sun, partial shade

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Exposure: Sheltered

Best Plants for Your Kitchen

Kitchens can be warm, bright spaces, making them a great spot for houseplants that can cope well with heat. Orchids, Sansevieria, succulents, Kalanchoe and Aloe are all good choices for kitchen windowsills, shelves or worktop corners.

Tips & Info on Each Plant for Your Kitchen

Orchids

Latin Name: Orchidaceae

Common Name: Orchid

Location: Warm and bright, perfect for a kitchen windowsill with indirect light.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the growing medium to almost dry out between watering.

Soil: Use specialist orchid compost with good drainage.

Native: Native to tropical regions around the world, including Asia, Central America and South America.

Top Tip: Orchids cope well in warm kitchens, but avoid placing them too close to hobs, ovens or direct heat. Use orchid feed to help encourage healthy growth and flowering.

Sansevieria

Latin Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Common Name: Sansevieria / Snake Plant

Location: Warm and bright, perfect for a kitchen windowsill or shelf with indirect light.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the compost to dry out between watering.

Soil: Use cacti and succulent compost with good drainage.

Native: Native to tropical regions of West Africa.

Top Tip: Sansevieria copes well in warm kitchens and is very low maintenance. Avoid overwatering, as it prefers drier conditions and should not sit in water.

Succelent

Latin Name: Various species

Common Name: Succulents

Location: Warm and bright, perfect for a sunny kitchen windowsill or shelf.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the compost to dry out between watering.

Soil: Use cacti and succulent compost with good drainage.

Native: Native to dry regions around the world, including parts of Africa, Central America and South America.

Top Tip: Succulents cope well in warm kitchens and prefer drier conditions. Avoid overwatering and make sure they are planted in a pot with good drainage.

Kalanchoes

Latin Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Common Name: Kalanchoe

Location: Warm and bright, perfect for a sunny kitchen windowsill or shelf.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the compost to dry out between watering.

Soil: Use cacti and succulent compost with good drainage.

Native: Native to Madagascar and tropical regions of Africa.

Top Tip: Kalanchoes cope well in warm kitchens and add a lovely pop of colour. Avoid overwatering and remove faded flowers to encourage fresh growth.

Aloe

Latin Name: Aloe Jurassic Chamelon

Common Name: Aloe / Aloe Jurassic Chamelon

Location: Bright indirect sunlight, ideal for a kitchen, living room or bathroom.

Watering: Water every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the compost to dry out between watering.

Soil: Use indoor potting mix, or a free draining cacti and succulent compost.

Native: Native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Top Tip: This Aloe is low maintenance and loves light, making it a good choice for a warm kitchen. Avoid overwatering and keep it in a bright position.

Shop Our Wide Range of Indoor Plants & Herbs at Woodies

Whether you are looking for a statement plant for your living room, an easy care option for your bedroom, a humidity loving plant for your bathroom or fresh herbs for your kitchen, there is a houseplant to suit every space. With the right compost, pot, feed and watering routine, your indoor plants can thrive and bring long lasting greenery into your home.

Shop our wide range of indoor plants and plant care essentials at Woodie’s or explore our ideas & advice section for more inspiration.

FAQs - Houseplants & Herbs

Where should I place houseplants in my home?

Choose a spot based on the plant’s light, warmth and humidity needs. Living rooms often suit plants that like steady warmth, bathrooms suit humidity loving plants, and kitchens can work well for heat tolerant plants and fresh herbs.

Can houseplants be kept in bathrooms?

Yes, many houseplants do well in bathrooms because they are naturally humid. Calathea and Boston Fern enjoy moisture in the air, while Spider Plant is an adaptable option and Aloe Vera works well in a bright bathroom spot.

Can I grow herbs in my kitchen?

Yes, kitchens are a great place to grow herbs, especially if you have a bright windowsill. Basil, rosemary, thyme and sage are practical choices that can be used in a variety of homemade dishes.

Which houseplants are easiest to care for?

Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Spider Plant, Sansevieria, Aloe and Succulents are all low maintenance options. They are good choices if you want indoor plants that do not need frequent watering.

What compost should I use for indoor plants?

Most indoor plants can be planted in houseplant potting mix. Orchids need specialist orchid compost, while Aloe, Sansevieria, Succulents and Kalanchoe are best suited to cacti and succulent compost with good drainage.

How often should I water houseplants?

Watering depends on the plant, room temperature and light levels. Boston Fern needs regular watering, while Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Aloe and Succulents need much less. Always check the compost before watering.

Why are some plants better suited to certain rooms?

Different rooms have different conditions. Bathrooms are usually more humid, kitchens are often warmer and brighter, bedrooms tend to suit easy care plants, and living rooms often have a steadier temperature.

How do I stop myself from overwatering houseplants?

Check the compost before watering and only water when the plant needs it. A watering indicator or moisture meter can help you understand when the compost is dry enough to water again.