In today's fast-paced world, bringing a touch of nature into our homes can help us to slow down and find joy in caring for houseplants. Creating an indoor jungle is an exciting way to breathe life into your living spaces. Lush greenery not only enhances your decor but can also offer a way to practice mindfulness and care in our everyday lives. This article will guide you through my top 5 plants for cultivating an indoor jungle vibe and how to nurture them, so that they can nurture you in return.  

The Benefits of Creating an Indoor Jungle 

An indoor jungle offers more than just aesthetic appeal. It can provide several other benefits: 

Stress Reduction
The presence of greenery can reduce stress levels and enhance overall well-being. 

Increased Productivity
Indoor plants can create a more soothing and inspiring environment, helping to boost productivity and creativity. 

Natural Humidifiers
Plants release moisture into the air, increasing indoor humidity and reducing dryness—a welcome relief for those of us with dry winter climates. 

Visual Appeal
An indoor jungle adds a vibrant, natural touch to your home or office. 

Selection Criteria for Indoor Jungle Plants 

When selecting plants for your indoor jungle, consider factors such as light, space, and care requirements. Low light conditions can present an especially challenging environment for plants, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Check out my Top 5 Best Houseplants for Low Light list for some ideas.  

Regardless of whether your space is flooded with light or seems somewhat dim, assess it for which areas of your home offer not only the space for your plants to thrive but also might help to visually create an appealing environment for you when clustering plants. 

After assessing your space and creating a design plan, it’s time to curate your collection. While all of these plants may not work in your home, I offer them as a starting point for adding serious jungle vibes. 

Top 5 Plants for Your Indoor Jungle 

Monsteras

Monstera Deliciosa is famous for its unique split leaves and has become a symbol of the reinvigorated indoor jungle movement. This plant is relatively low-maintenance, and it thrives in indirect sunlight but can be quite happy in most indoor environments. With its iconic foliage, it's a fantastic starter plant for your indoor jungle. And if you already have this one in your collection, or just want something a little more unusual, consider adding some of its cousins! Monstera adansonii, also known as the Swiss Chees plant, has smaller leaves but grows quickly. Monstera ‘Peru’ has luxuriously thick, rumpled foliage and Monstera ‘Siltepecana’ has delightfully beautiful blue-gray and silvery leaves. 

Ficus Indoor Trees

The Fiddle Leaf Fig has become a favorite among indoor plant enthusiasts. Its large, glossy leaves add a strong dose of jungle vibes to any space. These plants can grow into rather large indoor trees, adding loads of biomass to your space. But if you’ve tried the classic Fiddle Leaf Fig and found it too temperamental for your space, I’d recommend trying Ficus umbellata instead. It also grows rather large, very quickly, offering similar jungle vibes with a little less attitude. Ficus altissima and Ficus elastica are other cousins of the classic Fiddle Leaf Fig worth considering for your houseplant collection. 

Philodendron Plants

Philodendron are a huge family of plants offering so much variety for your indoor jungle! There are so many different types of philodrendron that choosing the right plants for your collection can easily feel overwhelming for the beginner houseplant parent. But, on the whole, philodendrons can be versatile and easy to care for, making them perfect plants for beginners. Their heart-shaped leaves come in just about every hue imaginable. Several varieties can adapt to low light conditions or sunny windowsills, making them suitable for almost any room in your home. The luxuriously velvety leaves of Philodendron ‘micans’ is a fun and easy starter plant. Philodendron ‘brasil’ and Philodendron ‘cordatum’ help round out a starter collection. For advanced collectors, Philodendron goeldii has super cool finger-like leaves and Philodendron ‘Silver Sword’ has some of the most beautiful silver foliage of any plant in my collection.

Snake Plants

The Snake Plant, or Sansevieria, is a resilient plant that can tolerate low light and some neglect but thrives in bright light and is happy enough in a full range of lighting conditions. Its striking upright leaves make it an eye-catching addition to your indoor jungle. There are classic varieties like Laurentii and Zeylanica that make an excellent starting point for the beginner. More novel varieties like the Shark Fin or Whale Fin snake plant offer voluptuously wide and thick leaves while Sayuri has elegant silvery stripes on its leaves and Starfish Snake Plants radiate their leaves like, well, a starfish! 

Peace Lilies

Peace Lilies are renowned for their beautiful white blooms, glossy green foliage, and dramatic personalities! They’re one of the few plants that can really thrive in low to moderate light, though a little morning or afternoon light won’t usually hurt them. They are especially easy for the beginner plant parent to maintain because they will let you know when they are thirsty—they’ll collapse their leaves overnight, leaving you to think they are on the verge of death! But, with a good drink they’ll be happy and perky again in a matter of hours. Larger left varieties or clumps of mature plants are usually perfect additions to just about any bright corner of your indoor jungle. 

Caring for Your Indoor Jungle 

General maintenance of your indoor jungle includes regular watering, monitoring your indoor natural light, as well as temperature and humidity levels. Regularly dust your plant’s leaves with a soft, damp cloth to keep them free from debris and looking lush. And keep a close eye on them for pest pressure, especially in the winter months when many houseplants are most vulnerable. Establishing a regular weekly care schedule is one of the easiest ways to make your plant care rituals into a mindfulness practice that I find to be one of the most rewarding aspects of creating and tending to my own indoor jungle. 

Indoor Jungle Design Tips 

When crafting your indoor jungle, begin by clustering plants together, which not only fosters a verdant, jungle ambiance but also aids in elevating humidity levels around your plant clusters. Opt for decorative pots and planters that echo your room's aesthetic, ensuring that your botanical space feels integrated and harmonious with the other design choices you’ve already made for your space. Add layers of visual interest by playing with diverse plant heights and textures. Don't be shy to get creative with vertical space — incorporate shelves, elevate some plants on stands, or even dangle a few beauties from the ceiling with hanging planters. This approach not only showcases your collection but also optimizes the use of your room’s space for plants. 

What's the key? Applying principles from the world of design to your indoor plantscape. Among the most effective of these principles is the "Rule of Three." For an overview of how to apply the Rule of Three when decorating with houseplants, check out the article below!

Creating a lush indoor garden that seamlessly integrates into your home decor can feel like a challenge, but armed with the right knowledge and tools, you can transform your space into a lush sanctuary.

Troubleshooting Common Plant Issues 

In the journey of plant parenthood, encountering a few hiccups is part of the course. If you notice the leaves of your plants turning yellow, it might be a sign of overwatering--it's a hint to reevaluate and tweak your watering routine. Meanwhile, if the leaf tips are going brown, your plant could be yearning for more water or a more humid environment, as dry air can also be the culprit. For more help on these issues, check out the article below.

And always remember, vigilance is key: routinely inspect your plants for any unwanted guests. If you discover pests, act swiftly, leaning on natural remedies or a gentle insecticidal soap to restore harmony and balance in your indoor jungle oasis. 

Conclusion 

Bringing the allure of the jungle into your home is a delightful way to create a soothing and vibrant environment. The top 5 plants and plant families mentioned in this article are just the beginning of your indoor jungle adventure. Experiment, learn, and watch your indoor oasis flourish! 

FAQs 

1. How often should I water my indoor jungle plants? 
   • The watering frequency varies depending on the plant species, so you’ll need to research the specific needs of each plant and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Generally, however, I recommend checking on your plants weekly. If you find they require more frequent watering, it may be a sign it’s time to repot them into a larger container. If they take longer to dry out, they may be in a pot too large for them already and you could be at risk of overwatering.
2. Can I keep an indoor jungle in a low-light room? 
   • Yes, there are several low-light-tolerant plants perfect for such spaces. In addition to those noted already, check out my Top 5 Best Houseplants for Low Light.
3. What are the benefits of having an indoor jungle at home? 
   • An indoor jungle at home serves as a sanctuary of serenity and rejuvenation amidst our busy lives. Beyond their aesthetic allure, the presence of greenery indoors may also contribute to improved mental well-being, reducing stress, anxiety, and even fatigue. Moreover, tending to plants can be a therapeutic exercise, cultivating mindfulness and a sense of accomplishment. In essence, an indoor jungle transforms a home into a restorative oasis, blending beauty with healthy living practices.
4. What are the benefits of having an indoor jungle at the workplace? 
   • An indoor jungle at the workplace offers a myriad of advantages, both aesthetic and functional. Beyond enhancing the visual appeal of the office space, the presence of greenery has been linked to enhanced cognitive function, reduced stress, and heightened employee well-being. In essence, an indoor jungle not only beautifies the workspace but also fosters an environment conducive to productivity, creativity, and overall employee morale.
5. Are indoor jungle plants safe for pets? 
   • Some plants are toxic to pets, while others are considered generally safe. Check out these Pet Friendly Plants as a starting point if you’re worried about the safety of your pet pals.
6. How can I prevent overwatering my indoor jungle plants? 
   • Ensure that the pots have proper drainage, and always allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering. Also, using a premium potting soil mix can help make it easier to manage overwatering. For most tropicals, check out How to Make the Best Potting Soil for Indoor Plants. For ferns, check out this article on Crafting the Ultimate Fern Potting Mix.