Basement plants are the most underrated of apartment essentials. Having a plant does more than just make your place look nice — it adds to the quality of your overall environment, and that mental boost can make a huge difference in your everyday life.
Basement plants are great if you want to decorate your home without spending a lot of money. While they are quite happy near a window, they also stand up to the artificial light given off by fluorescent lamps. Most likely, you could grow some plants in your basement.
Plants help us psychologically. They reduce stress, improve moods, and help us focus. All plants that benefit from lots of light also need lots of water. But there are some types of plants that don’t need quick drainage or sunlight. Basement plants are naturally good for the basement!
10 Best Plants for Basements
1. Pothos
The best plants for basements are those that don’t mind dark, cool, damp basements. One of the easiest and most popular plants to grow in basements is pothos. This is a great choice as it tolerates low-light conditions and is pretty hard to kill. It’s basically the plant you hate to love because it’s so easy to grow but you hate how common it is.
Grow Pothos in a hanging basket or on top of a bookshelf or cabinet. It trails nicely over the edge of the pot or container and can grow several feet long if given enough room. It’s also one of the few plants that will survive if you forget about it for a week or two, making it perfect for busy people who don’t have much time for plant care.
2. Bird’s Nest Fern
The bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is a low-maintenance, lush tropical that can be grown in the basement. It’s a durable plant that requires little care and can live for years. Bird’s nest fern leaves are wide, flat, and undivided with a frilly edge. They can reach up to 2 feet long and grow from a central rosette.
Bird’s nest fern is not just a type of fern but a name commonly used to refer to several types of ferns under the same family. The various types are characterized by their unique fronds that appear like bird’s nests, hence the name.
The fern is known to be easy to maintain even in low light conditions. It is also one of the few plants that can thrive in high humidity and moist soil conditions, which makes it an ideal plant for your basement.
3. ZZ Plant
When you think of the best plants for basements, you might not immediately consider a plant that grows in desert conditions. But the ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamifolia, can live in very low light and dry environments—perfect for those with a basement that doesn’t get much light.
The ZZ plant is also one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. It doesn’t require much water and can stay in the same pot for years.
It can thrive in low-light rooms and offices, especially if your space gets indirect sunlight.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plant, or Chlorophytum comosum, is a long-time favorite for its air-purifying ability. Spider plants grow fast and are easy to propagate. Keep them in a hanging basket or allow their long leaves to trail from a high shelf. They do best with bright indirect light and regular watering.
The spider plant is a classic among houseplants and with good reason. It’s one of the easiest houseplants to grow, is tough enough to withstand neglect, and grows quickly. The spider plant has long, thin leaves that are green on top and white underneath.
5. Snake Plants
Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or sansevieria trifasciata, snake plants are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They can tolerate a wide range of light levels, including fluorescent lighting. Snake plants also have the ability to purify the air, making them ideal for basements where air can often be stagnant due to lack of ventilation.
Another benefit of choosing this plant is that it requires little water, which is ideal for those who don’t have green thumbs or tend to neglect their plants. The snake plant grows tall with long leaves that resemble those of a blade of grass. These plants are available for purchase at most garden centers.
6. Lucky Bamboo
You might have heard that bamboo is actually a type of grass, not a tree. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is an indoor plant that’s popular because it’s so easy to grow. It can survive in poor lighting conditions, with little water, and from wide variations in temperature. It’s mostly grown in water, but it can also be grown in soil. Use well-draining potting soil or a mixture of sand and peat moss.
Lucky Bamboo is the most popular plant for the basement because it is easy to grow and appeals to all ages. The lucky bamboo traditionally has five stalks, which represent wealth and prosperity. But with this ever-versatile plant, you can use as few or as many stalks as you like.
7. Monstera
Monstera deliciosa is a great choice for beginners. It has large, glossy leaves that come together in a fan-like shape at the top of its stems. These leaves are sometimes called split-leaf philodendrons and are popular in nurseries and garden centers.
Monsteras do well in low light conditions and can tolerate dry air, which makes them a great plant for basements. The one thing to remember about monstera is that they have big root systems, so make sure you give them plenty of room.
8. English IVY
If you have a basement without any natural light and are looking for an easy-care plant, then English ivy is a perfect choice. This plant grows quickly, has pretty leaves that come in many colors, and does not require much water or maintenance.
Moreover, English ivy is one of the most common types of indoor plants. This type of ivy can be found in many gardens and even in the wild. It is low-maintenance and ideal for beginners. It is found under trees or on the ground.
The leaves of this plant look like miniature hearts and come in a variety of colors including green, white, brown, yellow, grey and purple. They have little teeth on their edges that allow them to grip onto surfaces as they grow up walls or across the ground. If you want to grow this plant indoors, make sure it gets plenty of light so it will thrive!
9. Orchids
Orchids are the best plants for basements and the most beautiful. They are also very easy to grow and are one of the easiest houseplants. They like indirect light and do not need much water. Orchids come in many varieties, some grown for their flowers and others for their foliage. Also, Orchids can be grown on a windowsill or under plant lights.
They are absolutely spectacular plants that thrive in low light and require minimal maintenance. Adding an orchid to your basement will create a tropical atmosphere, and will impress any guest who stops by. Orchids are also great air purifiers, which can help control musty basement odors.
10. Palms
Palms are probably some of the most popular houseplants around. They’re moisture-loving plants most often found in tropical regions, so chances are if you have a basement, it just might be their ideal environment!
However, Palms are one of the best plants for basements because they do not need too much light. The way to tell if your palm is getting enough light is to look at its leaves. If the leaves are yellow and droopy, your plant needs more light.
A palm’s biggest requirement is water, but make sure you don’t over-water it. Palms can handle soil that is a little bit on the dry side, but if it gets too dry, the plant will wilt and die.