The 7 Most Popular House Plants of 2022, According to Plant Pros

Cats and dogs might have ruled the internet for years—and they're most certainly here to stay—but judging by #PlantTok and the #plantfluencer life, plants might very well outpace pets in popularity. Whether you're just dabbling in the plant parent world or are already on a mission to collect them all, consider bringing some of the most popular house plants of 2022 into your space. We asked plant pros to reveal which house plants are trending right now and how to take care of each one. You can have a trendy house plant and help it thrive.

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Silver Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Brandtianum)

The philodendron family is robust, and most of its members require low to medium maintenance. One of the most popular philos right now is the philodendron brandtianum, also known as the Brandi Philo. It has olive green streaks among its almost iridescent silver heart-shaped leaves.

"This vining, epiphytic, highly-sought-after species can be trained to grow up, rooting into a moist surface, or simply allowed to cascade out of a pot or hanging basket," notes Jayson Opgenorth, director of horticulture for LiveTrends Design Group. He adds, "Brandi is a great 'learner plant' that tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, allowing you to test and trial different light and care conditions."

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Well-draining soil

• Water: Keep moist but not wet; mist often

• Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 50 to 60%

Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia Maculata)

Native to Brazil, the begonia maculata grows on a cane-like stem with long emerald green leaves and a smattering of silver spots. The back of the leaf is red, and the plant flowers with dense clusters of white blooms. It almost has a cartoonish aesthetic, making it the star of any space.

"As this plant thrives in humidity, it's considered high-maintenance. However, with great care, this plant will reward you with stunning leaves," says Carrie Waggoner, the experiential and workshops manager at Flowers for Dreams. "It can sometimes be hard to find, as it's not available all year. Keep your eye out at home improvement stores, and if you see it in a shop, snap it up!"

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Light potting soil or sandy loam

• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; don't mist

• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 20 to 50%

Black Velvet Alocasia (Alocasia Reginula)

No matter which variety of alocasia you choose, this popular houseplant is bound to make a wow-worthy statement in your home. Each features unique leaves with striking veining and essentially doubles as a piece of sculptural art.

There's the 'Dragon Scale' alocasia with its almost turtle-like design, the 'Gray Dragon' with its silvery hue, and the 'Purple Sword' with its narrow, deep green leaves. All are worthy of any plant collection, says Benjamin Futa, CEO of The Botany Shop.

However, one of his favorites for 2022 is the Black Velvet variety, which features saturated green leaves and contrasted white veining. He says, "It's one of the most popular at the moment, and can be found in plant shops, nurseries, and online platforms like Etsy.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Coarse, well-draining

• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist occasionally

• Temperature: 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 60 to 75%`

Bird's Nest Anthurium (Anthurium Superbum)

Colloquially known as a bird's nest anthurium (not to be confused with the bird's nest fern)  the dazzling anthurium superbum is recognized by its waffled, shiny, ironclad leaves. Opgenorth tells us it originates in Ecuador, and is an excellent "gateway plant" for those who want to get more comfortable growing other members of the anthurium genus.

"Some distinctive characteristics are its bronze-colored new foliage and beefy, above-soil structural roots," Opgenorth says. "A superbum is a slow-growing species and is endangered in its native habitat, so verify it is not collected from the wild and grow one yourself to keep the genetics alive," he adds.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Light, well-draining soil

• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often

• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 65 to 80%

Ficus Audrey (Ficus benghalensis)

The ficus Audrey isn't just a lush, pretty plant to behold. It's also considered a holy plant in its native country, India. This one might look a bit familiar to you, especially if you're familiar with the ficus lyrata, also known as the fiddle-leaf fig.

"Ficus Audrey has deep green, oval-shaped leaves with dramatic yellow veins. In nature, these plants grow into tall banyan figs with impressive root systems and hanging aerial roots," Waggoner notes. "While ficus lyrata is known to be fussy, Audrey, in contrast, is more tolerant and easier to care for."

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

• Soil: Light, well-draining soil

• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often

• Temperature: 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Homalomena Selby (Homalomena hybrid)

If you're seeking rich yellow and green tones and leaves with ornate markings, look no further than the eye-catching homalomena plant ($35, bumbleplants.com), a compact grower well-suited for indoor care. This coveted houseplant is harder to come by compared to others on this list, but that only makes the hunt more exciting.

"Native to the humid rainforests of Southeastern Asia, its beautifully mottled yellow to dark green foliage provide a fantastic show. And the almost leathery feel of the foliage speaks to its durability," Opgenorth says.

Care Tips: 

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Soil: Light well-draining soil

• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often

• Temperature: 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 50 to 70%

Sweetheart Plant (Hoya Kerrii)

The hoya kerrii is a beautiful, vining succulent native to Thailand. A quick look at the heart-shaped design will tell you how this popular houseplant got its name. "Sweetheart plants are a nice, low-maintenance option that likes to dry out completely in between waterings," Waggoner notes. To that end, this slow-growing beauty is more at risk of being over-watered than under-watered.

Like some of the other popular houseplants on this list, the hoya kerrii can be tricky to find at big-box stores. However, Waggoner says you'll likely have good luck looking at boutique plant shops or on Etsy.

Care Tips: 

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Soil: Airy, well-draining soil

• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; mist occasionally

• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit

• Humidity: 40 to 70%