Skip to main content

4 fast-growing indoor plants anyone will love

Whether you’re in a small space like an apartment or have room for an indoor garden, there’s just something about indoor plants that bring life to any room. They can be small enough to accent a desk, large enough to act as a focal point of the room, and almost anywhere in between. The best part is that there’s such a wide variety of indoor plants to choose from!

Many people will look for fast-growing indoor plants to accent their space, getting more instant gratification and decoration than one that can take several years to mature. Even within that niche alone, there are tons of plants that grow fast, making it easy to choose one that fits in best with your space.

Related Videos
A potted pothos plant on a table
sweetlouise/Pixabay

Desert candle cactus

A desert candle cactus (or Euphorbia acrurensis) has ribbed stems with small oval-shaped leaves. They are native to South and West Africa, but they make beautiful indoor houseplants when cared for properly. The desert candle cactus can grow up to anywhere from 5 to 8 feet tall if you give it the space, so make sure you’re prepared to one day go from a small accent plant to one that becomes a talking point at every house party.

Desert candle cacti love bright, indirect light, so find a space in your home with that type of lighting. Occasionally, you may see the desert candle start to lean toward its lighting source. This is common for many plants, and all you’ll need to do is rotate it slightly about once a week.

It will only need water every three to four weeks. The desert candle stems will become soft and the top inch of the soil will be dry when it’s time to water. Keep in mind that it’s easier to salvage an underwatered cactus than an overwatered cactus. So, if there’s ever any doubt in your mind about if it’s time to water, it’s best to hold off until you’re sure.

Spider plant

Spider plant with spiderettes

Spider plants are one of the most common houseplants. They have few problems, as they can grow in an array of different conditions and are one of the easiest plants to take care of. There are solid and variegated varieties of the spider plant, each one producing its own babies (or spiderettes) that can be grown and used for propagation. Since spider plants are so tough, and one of the more fast-growing houseplants, they’re perfect for beginner gardeners or those new to indoor houseplants. They can be hung or in a pot on a plant stand, providing a lot of options for how to incorporate them into your space.

Spider plants prefer to be watered occasionally during their one-year growth to maturity; after that, they require moderate watering (without allowing the roots to become soggy, as that could lead to rot). Part of why they’re such a good houseplant for almost anyone is that they do well in a wide temperature range — from 55 to 80 F.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos is another indoor plant that grows fast and is easy to take care of. The plant is known for its heart-shaped leaves, which can be green or variegated, and can eventually grow to be up to 10 feet long. Its other name, devil’s ivy, is a nod to how fast and furious this hardy plant grows. A bonus of having golden pothos in your home is that not only does it liven the space, it also has the ability to filter formaldehyde from your air and improve the quality.

When caring for your golden pothos, keep in mind that it loves bright, indirect sunlight but is able to survive in medium to low indirect light. You may not have as many leaves or as much growth in a slightly darker space, but you’ll still be able to keep the pothos alive! Also, be sure that you plant your pothos in a pot with good drainage as they don’t like to sit in stale water/soil, which can cause the roots and plant to rot. The golden pothos should only need to be watered every one to two weeks, so use that as a rule of thumb and adjust accordingly.

Jade plant

Small potted jade plant
Olga Miltsova/Shutterstock

Jade plants are popular succulents with thick wood-like stems and oval leaves — almost resembling miniature tree trunks. Jade plants grow about 2 inches during their yearly growing season, usually reaching maturity around 6 inches tall. They’re thought to bring good luck to their owners, earning them alternative names like “lucky plant” and “friendship plant.”

Jade plants don’t demand much from their caretakers. Overwatering can kill the plant, so you’ll want to follow the soak-and-dry method that’s used with most succulents. Once every two weeks, water the jade until it begins to drain out the bottom of the pot, then wait for the spilt to become dry before watering again. In colder months, the time between watering will space out farther as the plant goes into a period of dormancy. Jade plants should also be kept in bright, indirect light to avoid any burning of the leaves.

As you can see, most of these fast-growing indoor plants prefer indirect light, making them perfect for beginner houseplant owners and gardeners or people who live in a less-lighted space that still want to bring the outside in.

Looking for more? Learn all about indoor plant care during springtime with our top tips!

Editors' Recommendations

Easy hoya plants to add to your indoor plant collection
Common hoyas and how to care for them properly
Hoya pubicalyx

With straightforward care, glossy leaves, and gorgeous blooms, hoyas, or wax plants, are one of the most beloved houseplants out there. These semi-succulent plants can thrive even through occasional periods of neglect. They seldom need more than well-draining potting mix and thorough watering, which makes them ideal for plant enthusiasts who want something beautiful, yet low maintenance. Ahead, we've rounded up the easiest hoya plants to add to your collection, breaking down care requirements for each.

Hoya pubicalyx
Native to the Philippines, the hoya pubicalyx is relatively unfussy. Its speckled flat green leaves look great trailing from a hanging basket. As long as you fertilize throughout the growing season and keep your plant in indirect sunlight, you should see relatively quick growth. When it’s time to bloom, the pubicalyx will push out dusty pink, star-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. You should water your plant when the soil dries out and the leaves feel slightly limp — remember to dump out excess water to prevent root rot.

Read more
Do ZZ plants cause cancer? Here’s the definitive answer
ZZ plants can be toxic to people and pets, but this is usually mild
Woman waters ZZ plants

 

The ZZ plant is a terrific option for those in need of a new leafy companion that thrives in low light and isn't picky about watering or maintenance. It's attractive and easy to care for, but if not handled properly, the ZZ plant can be toxic to people and pets. In fact, rumors have circulated in some corners of the internet that ZZ plants can cause cancer.

Read more
Are these common houseplants safe for your cat? Read this guide to find out the scoop
Which houseplants to avoid if you have a curious cat
Indoor plant collection

Bringing new plants into your home is an exciting part of being a gardener, but you may not be the only one taking an interest in your plants. If you have a curious kitty, you might need to worry about them chewing on your houseplants. This isn’t great for your plants, of course, but it can also harm your cat! While some plants are harmless to chew on, others are toxic. If you want to know if your houseplants are safe for cats, you’re in luck. Here’s a list of some of the most common houseplants and how safe they are for cats.

Cat-safe houseplants
Spider plants are low-maintenance houseplants safe for your cat to nibble on. While you should still try to keep your kitty from eating too much of it, this is more for the plant’s sake than theirs.

Read more