Confession time: I love houseplants… but I’m not known for keeping them alive. I bring home armfuls of lush, leafy beauties, dot them around the house with the care of an interior stylist, and yes—I even name them (don’t judge me). But despite my best intentions, the outcome is often the same.
Sooner or later, leaves wilt, stems slump, and once-cheerful flowers end up on the floor. And instead of doing the sensible thing, like figuring out why this keeps happening, I just buy more plants. Rinse, repeat, regret. But not this time.
In my quest to stop this horticultural heartbreak, I finally did some digging (literally and figuratively) and discovered that where you place your plants is just as important as how often you water them. Turns out, our little leafy companions are a bit like people—each with their own likes, dislikes, and non-negotiables when it comes to light, temperature, and airflow.
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So, I’ve put together a guide to help match your houseplants with the perfect spot in your home. Whether it's a sun-drenched windowsill or a cosy bathroom nook. Because with just a bit of know-how, we can all go from plant killers to proud plant parents. Here’s what you need to know to help your indoor garden truly flourish.
Snake plant = low light
Snake plants are a go-to for beginners thanks to their near indestructibility. With sleek, sword-like leaves, they’re perfect for jazzing up a dull shelf or bare corner. They also need very little water (every 2–4 weeks, depending on your home's humidity).
As a bonus, they’re excellent natural air purifiers, filtering out toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and xylene, which is great if you live in a city or near heavy traffic.
But despite their tough reputation, snake plants still have needs. They do best in bright, indirect light, so a few feet back from a sunny window is ideal. While they can handle lower light, too much direct sun can scorch their leaves. Keep them away from radiators, fireplaces and draughty windows, and aim for stable indoor temperatures between 15–27°C.
Cacti = south-facing windows
Cacti are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it houseplant. Ideal for busy people or frequent travellers, they store water in their thick stems and thrive on neglect.
As desert natives, they need as much light as possible. Place them in the brightest spot you’ve got, ideally a south, or west-facing window where they’ll get several hours of direct sun. They also appreciate good airflow.
If your cactus looks pale, stretched, or starts leaning, that’s a sign it needs more light. Avoid damp, dark spaces like bathrooms or basements, I’m moving mine off the bathroom windowsill as we speak.
Orchid = behind the curtain
Orchids are famously one of the chicest plants, and have a reputation for being hard to care for. What can I say, beauty is high maintenance. Orchids need plenty of light, but not direct sun. A spot near an east- or south-facing window is ideal, but make sure it’s filtered (like through a sheer curtain) to avoid burning the leaves. Luckily, orchids are really good at telling us how they’re feeling. If the leaves turn dark green, your orchid probably needs more light. Yellowish can mean it’s getting too much.
Orchids (especially Phalaenopsis) love humid environments, making bathrooms a surprisingly good home, as long as there is enough filtered light. A steamy shower can help mimic their native tropical conditions. But make sure to keep orchids away from air conditioners, radiators and chilly windows. They prefer a stable temperature between 18–24°C. And if it’s on a windowsill in winter, move it back a bit to avoid cold glass.
Monstera deliciosa = bright hallways
The Monstera, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a firm favourite for good reason. It retains moisture well, can tolerate some shade, and is relatively low maintenance.
That said, they thrive in bright, indirect light. A north or east facing window works well, or place them a few feet back from a sunnier one. Direct sunlight can scorch their iconic leaves.
These plants love to grow, so give them space to spread out. Add a moss pole or trellis if you want to encourage structured, vertical growth. Living rooms and hallways are perfect—especially as their lush vibe helps soften modern interiors and bring calm to busy spaces.
Chinese evergreen = shady corners
Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) are some of the most forgiving plants you can own. They tolerate low light, dry air, irregular watering, and even a bit of neglect, making them perfect for plant newbies, office desks or forgetful owners.
Unlike the other plants on this list, Chinese evergreens aren't too fussed about light. These plants thrive in low to medium indirect light. They're perfect for shady corners, hallways, bedrooms, or north-facing rooms where other plants wouldn’t survive. So they’re great for those awkward spots that need life but don’t get much attention. Chinese evergreens prefer warmth and don’t like cold air or sudden temperature drops. Ideal temperature range is 18–27°C. So keep them away from chilly windows in winter or strong AC vents/fans.
Spider plants = bathrooms
Spider plants are both practical and pretty. They help remove common household pollutants like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, and they’re also pet-safe, which is a big win for cat and dog owners.
They like bright, indirect light, so an east- or north-facing window is ideal. Too much sun can scorch the leaves, but too little can stunt their growth.
They’re happy in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, or bedrooms, as long as there’s some natural light. Their love of humidity also makes them great candidates for bathrooms (especially with a window). Spider plants love to drape and dangle too. Hanging them in macrame planters, placing them on plant stands, or perching them on shelves allows their cascading pups to shine. Just ordering a hanging basket for the bathroom...
Cast Iron Plant = windowless spaces
If you’ve got a gloomy corner where other plants fear to tread, the Cast Iron Plant is your hero. As the name suggests, it’s tough as nails. Tolerant of neglect, low light, fluctuating temperatures, and inconsistent watering. Basically, it thrives where more delicate houseplants would throw in the towel.
It’s ideal for windowless hallways, north-facing rooms, shady living rooms, or offices with minimal natural light. In fact, too much sun can actually harm it, causing the leaves to bleach or brown at the edges.
Keep it in temperatures between 13–24°C, water it only when the top couple of inches of soil feel dry, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and glossy. Its dark green, strappy leaves add understated elegance, making it a stylish and stress-free addition to almost any space.
Aloe vera = sunny windowsills and patios
Aloe vera is the medicinal multitasker of the plant world. Great for treating minor burns and skin irritations, it’s practically a green first-aid kit.
It loves bright, direct sunlight, so pop it on your sunniest windowsill. Aloe also thrives outdoors in summertime (just bring it inside before the temperature drops below 13°C).
It prefers warmth (ideally 18–26°C) and dry conditions, so avoid overwatering and keep it away from draughts. They look especially at home in the warmth of a kitchen, convenient when you burn yourself cooking and need a quick dab of natural relief.
Peace lily = bathroom shelf
Peace lilies are elegant, air-purifying and surprisingly easy to care for. They bloom repeatedly with very little effort, and their sculptural white flowers can last for weeks.
They thrive in medium, indirect light, and love humidity, so bathrooms (with a window) are a great choice yet again. Since they release oxygen at night, they’re also great in bedrooms for easy breathing.
They’ll tell you when they’re thirsty by drooping dramatically, but don’t worry, they perk right back up after a drink (same). Keep them between 18–26°C, and place them on a stand or shelf to help airflow, and to show off their blooms.
Rubber plant = living rooms
If you want a statement plant, stop scrolling. With broad, glossy leaves in shades of deep green, burgundy, or variegated pinks, it’s like having a piece of living sculpture in the room.
Rubber plants do best in bright, filtered light, near a south- or east-facing window with a bit of distance.
They’re great in living rooms or offices, where there’s space for their upright form to shine. Keep them away from draughts, radiators, or cold spots, and rotate regularly to encourage even growth. They prefer a consistent environment, so pick a spot and stick with it!
Indoor plant saviours
Summit 116-12 Quick Kill Mosquito Bits, 8-Ounce
Multi-Mite 2kg Bucket Feed Grade Diatomaceous Earth
