Fast Growing House Plants

Brighten your home with some beautiful fast growing house plants and grow your own urban jungle. Nurturing and caring for your house plants and watching them grow in response to your loving attention provides a great distraction from the busyness of life.

The joy of seeing new leaves appearing is very rewarding for the young and old alike, and is great for boosting one’s gardening confidence!

When you are choosing the best plants for your home you need to consider how much light, water and nutrients they will require. If you’re a beginning gardener, some plants are much hardier and easier to care for than others, they’re great plants to get started with. It’s not uncommon to lose a plant here or there, overwatering is often the culprit, but it helps to start with a plant that will be easier to care for and be able to survive a little neglect, or over-loving. If you are new to indoor gardening, here are a couple of our favorite fast growing house plant collections to get your started.

House Plant Collections

Air Purifying Plant Collection	House Plant Collection
3 of the following: Parlor Palm Snake Plant Aralia Peace Lily Schefflera Peperomia Marginata Dieffenbachia Pothos	Includes the following: Spider Plant Snake Plant Parlor Palm
4" decorative pots easy care plants great air purifiers plants chosen from a seasonal range	4" grower's pots easy care plants bright, indirect light or low light
4.3/5 2823 reviews	4.4/5 357 reviews

Fast Growers

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Moderate Growers

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Slower Growers (but longer life span)

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The Benefits Of Fast Growing House Plants

Not all plants grow at the same rate. Some plants in ideal conditions will grow quickly, doubling in size and outgrowing their pots in no time, whilst others, even if they are given ideal conditions will grow at a slower rate. This can be useful information to know when you are buying plants for your home. Do you want something that you can buy large for a particular space and know it won’t outgrow that space, or do you love to watch the new leaves regularly sprouting?

Buy Smaller, Cheaper Plants

One of the main benefits of fast growing house plants is that you can buy smaller, cheaper plants. If you provide them with the right conditions they will soon catch up to the more expensive, larger sized plants in nurseries.

Better Air Purification

Many houseplants have the potential to be great air purifiers. The more leaves they have, the more they will photosynthesise and the more oxygen they will be producing. There are specific houseplants that have been identified by NASA as being valuable air filters in that they can remove common volatile organic compounds from the air. Investing in fast growing house plants that are also great air purifiers may have the desired effect of helping to purify the air in your home.

Plant Propagation

If you enjoy plant propagation, having fast growing houseplants means you may need to be pruning and cutting your plants back. And for many plants, those leaves and stems you prune back can be grown into new plants. Perfect for creating that urban jungle you’ve been longing for or sharing with friends and family.

An important thing to remember is that many plants have a growing season and a resting season. Usually in the warmer months plants are ready to grow and if given sufficient light, water and the odd fertilizer, they will reward you with new growth each year. During the resting season, it’s important to give your plants a rest. Stop the fertilizer and cut back on the watering.

Finding The Right Fast Growing House Plants

The size of plant you like to buy, your budget and where you want to keep your plant will all affect the plant you end up choosing. The goal here is not necessarily to have the largest plant with trailing vines or leaves stretching skyward, but to have healthy houseplants that you enjoy and that are thriving in your home.

We are excited to have selected our favourite fast growing house plants, and others, for you to begin your urban jungle. Many of these plants are also nearly indestructible house plants.

All indoor plants do require light for photosynthesis. It is important to find the right light for your house plants. Some plants are more tolerant of low light conditions than others, think about the floor in the rainforest and plants that would thrive there. Some plants are able to grow quite happily under fluorescent lighting. Plants in low light may not grow as fast as those in bright, indirect light, but they can always be helped along by LED grow lights if you have a particular plant you really want to grow in a particular spot and the light isn’t quite right.

We hope you find plants you love and information to keep your house plants alive and thriving. Click the Plant Care Guide for further detailed information. Enjoy browsing!

Fast Growing House Plants Suitable For Low Light

Plant	General Care Information	plant care Guide	Check Price
Spider Plant	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry and allow the water to drain through. Don’t water too frequently. Fertilizing: A half-strength liquid fertilizer may be used during the growing season. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Can grow happily in just water. Produces plantlets that can be propogated.
Peace Lily	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly before watering and ensure good drainage to keep the soil moist but not wet. Fertilizing: Low requirements for fertilizer, use a liquid fertilizer every 1 – 3 months. Toxicity: Yes – can cause vomitting and diarrhoea if ingested Tips: Increased light will promote flowering, but keep out of direct sunlight. Remove dust from leaves by wiping with a soft damp cloth.
Cast Iron Plant	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Allow soil to almost dry out before watering, it’s drought tolerant and too much water will do more harm than good. Fertilizing: Low fertilizer requirements, use a half strength liquid fertilizer every couple of months. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Ensure it is potted in well-draining soil, repotting can upset it.
Pothos	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Will bounce back from underwatering, but not overwatering. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilizing: Low fertilizer requirements, use a half-strength liquid fertilizer sparingly if the soil quality is poor. Toxicity: Moderate, may cause burning sensation in mouth and can be toxic to pets. Tips: Use a well-draining potting mix. Can be grown in water, just cut below a leaf node, pop in water and watch for the roots to grow.
Snake Plant	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings and water infrequently. Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer for succulents. Toxicity: Mildly toxic to people and pets if ingested. Tips: Avoid overwatering.
Zanzibar Gem	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Don’t overwater, less is better. Allow the top soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilizer: Low requirements for fertilizer, half-strength liquid every couple of months during the growing season. Toxicity: Poisonous if ingested and can cause skin irritation. Tips: Pot in well-draining soil.
Madagascar Dragon Tree	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater it, better to be a bit dry rather than soggy. Fertiliser: Monthly application of half-strength fertilizer during spring and summer. Toxicity: Sap may cause skin irritation or vomitting/diarrhoea if ingested. Tips: Turning your dragon tree a little every week will help it to continue to grow upright rather than bending towards the light. The leaves will also catch dust so wiping them down or taking it outside for a little ‘shower’ every now and then will be beneficial.
Boston Fern	Ease of Growing: Medium Watering: Regularly water to keep soil moist, but allow water to drain away. Large plants can dry out quickly. Daily misting with water , or using a humidifier can help to create higher humidity, which it likes. Water and mist with room temperature water. Fertilizer: Half-strength fertilizer every 2-4 weeks from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Turn every now and then to ensure even growth. Avoid placing near an AC or heating vent.
Chinese Evergreen	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Water thoroughly and drain well so the soil Is moist, but not soggy. Fertilizer: Low requirements, feed monthly with half-strength liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Toxicity: Sap is toxic to pets and small children. Tips: Grows quite happily in just water. Avoid direct sunlight and AC vents.

Fast Growing House Plants Suitable For Bright, Indirect Light

PLANT	General Care information	plant care Guide	Check Price
Heartleaf Philodendron	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Keep the soil lightly moist Fertilizer: A half-strength liquid fertilizer can be applied every few weeks whilst the plant is growing. Toxicity: Moderate, may cause burning sensation in mouth and can be toxic to pets. Tips: Can be trained to climb a moss pole, keep the leaves clean by wiping with a soft damp cloth.
Areca Palm	Ease of Growing: Medium Watering: Keep the soil moist with a thorough watering and allow it to dry out a little before watering again. Fertilizer: During the growing season, apply a palm fertiliser ever 2 months or so as they have low fertilizer requirements. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Can be pruned by removing tallest fronds if it gets too large.
Fiddle Leaf Fig	Ease of Growing: Medium Watering: Water thoroughly and allow the surface to dry out a little before watering again. Ensure the soil is well-draining and don’t let them sit in excess water. Fertilizer: Half-strength liquid fertilizer about every 2 months during the growing season. Toxicity: Can cause skin irritation and vomiting and diarrhoea. Tips: They can take a little while to settle in to their new home. Keep the large leaves clean by wiping with a damp cloth and misting the leaves will be beneficial for the plant.
Aloe Vera	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Avoid overwatering. The soil only needs to be slightly moist and allow it to drain freely. Water the soil, not the plant. Fertilizer: Low requirements, a succulent fertiliser can be used. Toxicity: Ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Tips: The gel from the leaves is often used to soothe minor burns and sunburn.
Jade Plant	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings (not till its completely dry) and then water thoroughly ensuring the excess water drains away.  Fertilizer: Can be fed with a half-strength succulent fertilizer during the warmer months.  Toxicity: Mildly toxic to people, poisonous for pets Tips: Pot in a succulent potting mix in a large pot because it will become quite top heavy.
Chinese Money Plant	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Allow the soil surface to dry out and then water thoroughly ensuring good drainage. Fertilizer: Low requirements, half-strength fertilizer every 1-2 months. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Leaves will grow towards the light so rotating your plant a little each week will encourage even growth. Keep leaves dust free by wiping with a soft, damp cloth.
Swiss Cheese Plant	Ease of Growing: Moderate Watering: Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and then give it a good soak, allowing water to drain away freely.  Fertilizer: During the growing season (spring to fall) apply a liquid fertilizer monthly.  Toxicity: Severe burning in mouth if ingested and sap may cause skin irritation. Tips: As it grows, the Swiss Cheese Plant will need support, such as a moss stake, as it is a natural climber.
English Ivy	Ease of Growing: Very Easy Watering: Keep the soil moist, it doesn’t like to dry out or be waterlogged.  Fertilizer: Fertilize with a high nitrogen liquid fertilizer through spring and summer.  Toxicity: If ingested can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, sap may cause skin irritation. Tips: Cool conditions are best so avoid placing it near heating vents. It will grow indoors under fluorescent lighting.
Stromanthe Tricolor	Ease of Growing: Medium Watering: The soil needs to be kept moist but soggy soil will more than likely result in root rot so a well-draining potting mix is advised. Allow the soil surface to dry out before rewatering, thoroughly water and drain excess water away.  Fertilizer: Half-strength liquid fertilizer once a month is all that is required from spring to fall.  Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Turn plant regularly to promote even growth and avoid AC and heating vents as it doesn’t like temperature fluctuations.
Button Fern	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Ferns do like to be watered from the bottom. Plant this in a pot with drainage holes and allow it to sit in water to soak the water up from the bottom. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, this fern prefers less water than most ferns.  Fertilizer: Feed monthly throughout the year with a fern fertilizer.  Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Avoid direct sunlight, will grow under fluorescent light.
Ponytail Palm	Ease of Growing: Easy Watering: Low water requirements, allow the soil surface to dry out and then give it a good drink (about once a week) but make sure excess water can drain away freely. Fertilizer: Half-strength liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks during the growing season. Toxicity: Non-toxic Tips: Best grown in a cactus potting mix. Water the soil not the plant.

General Plant Descriptions

Fast Growers

Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)

The lovely glossy, green, heart-shaped leaves of the philodendron make a beautiful climbing or trailing plant that will grow best in bright, indirect light (avoid direct sunlight) but will also tolerate low light (although growth may be slower) and fluorescent light. To create a fuller plant the leaf tips can be pinched off just above a node to encourage new growth to branch out.

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

A beautiful statement plant for a spacious room! The large, glossy, dark green leaves develop the cut edges as they mature, creating the characteristic leaf shape that is so well recognised. To create ideal growing conditions a cool-mist humidifier can be used to increase the humidity and wiping the leaves with a damp cloth will keep them dust free. The Monstera likes to be in a brightly lit room with indirect or filtered light rather than direct sunlight.

Moderate Growers

Slower Growers (but longer life span)

Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

A visually appealing house plant, with beautiful glossy foliage, this plant requires very little attention making it an ideal plant for beginners. It can tolerate various light levels and doesn’t require regular fertilizing if planted in an enriched potting mix. It may not be one of the fastest growing plants in the list but it is easy to grow indoors.

Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

With tall stems and long thin leaves, the dragon tree is a strikingly beautiful feature plant, perfect for a family room or lounge room corner where it will reach up rather than out. It will grow in low light or bright, indoor light and is a house plant that has been popular for many years, probably due to it’s hardy nature. There are a variety of leaf colours available to suit your decor. The dragon tree is also on NASA’s list of top air purifying plants so it will help freshen the air!

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Boston fern is a popular house plant for a number of reasons. It’s attractive, lush green fronds provide air purifying benefits, although it isn’t a fan of smoke or draughts. It’s one of the easier ferns to care for and is relatively cheap to purchase. Because it likes a higher humidity, this is a great plant to try in the bathroom. It will tolerate lower light levels but does do better with more moderate light.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema hybrids)

The Chinese evergreen is easy to care for and tolerates low light well, even growing under fluorescent light. A great plant for beginners, it provides a bushy, dense splash of colour to your home and there are a variety of colours to choose from. It does like to be in a warmer environment, generally speaking if you are comfortably warm, it will be fine too.

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutascens)

A beautiful palm that can add some lovely greenery to an indoor space. Given the right conditions it can grow quite tall. Palms can take a little while to adjust to their new environment so let it settle for a few weeks when you bring it home and don’t repot it unnecessarily. Palms are not the fastest growing of indoor plants so you many want to purchase a larger plant if you want it to fill a bright space in your home. Areca palms made NASA’s list of plants that purify the air, so these are great plants to have in your home.

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle leaf figs are so dramatic and provide a beautiful statement plant in your home. They have become a very popular house plant in recent years and love to grow in a place with bright, filtered light. It’s advisable to turn them regularly to encourage uniform growth. They don’t handle low light conditions well at all and getting the balance right with watering can be tricky in the beginning. Leaves dropping can be a sign of overwatering or underwatering but they are fairly hardy and will bounce back from underwatering better than from overwatering.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera is a house plant that has been grown for many years, in many homes for its medicinal purposes. But a well-cared for aloe vera is also a strikingly beautiful plant in its own right. The long, fleshy leaves with faint white spots look great in a wide, shallow pot on a well-lit table or windowsill. It doesn’t like direct sunlight though and can get burnt leaves from overexposure to direct sun.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

A Jade plant is a long-living succulent that is a great indoor plant for a warm spot in your home. It’s not one of the fastest growing house plants, but give it the right conditions and it will have a long, happy life. The most important thing is to provide it with plenty of light, it will even be OK with direct sunlight for a couple of hours a day. Jade plants have been known to do quite well indoors under artificial lighting too. This is one plant that you can turn into many, as it is easy to propagate. If pieces break off, just allow these to dry out for a couple of days and then pop into some damp potting mix and wait.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

A beautiful house plant, with lovely bright green, round leaves that seem to float in the air. Pilea will be happy in a bright, well-lit place (best to avoid direct sunlight) but it won’t cope with low light conditions. When you get the conditions right this truly is a fast growing house plant and is also easy to propagate so you can share it with friends or have it all around the house! A great plant for the beginner and more experienced indoor gardener. It’s growth will slow in winter so water it less, just to keep the soil moist and don’t be worried if a couple of leaves drop off. 

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is a fast growing house plant that has the additional benefit of being on NASA’s list of top air purifying plants. Great for the home and office. The variegated English ivy requires moderate light levels whilst the green-leafed variety can grow in lower light, however its growth won’t be as fast. The more light the faster the growth will be, and the more the air is purified. To encourage a bushier plant prune the tips. The trailing branches are lovely in hanging pots or can be trained to climb a moss stake for a more upright version.

Stromanthe Tricolor (Stromanthe sanguinea)

The strikingly colored leaves of Stromanthe make it a beautiful house plant for your urban jungle. Direct sunlight may burn the leaves but bright, indirect light will help to enhance the leaf color. These beauties love a more humid environment so if you have a well-lit bathroom, this could be a great plant to choose. You can also increase the humidity by misting the leaves.

Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

A long-lasting fern that is easy to care for. It’s not the fastest growing fern but it will be with you for a long time given the right conditions. The trailing fronds with little round leaves grows beautifully in a hanging basket or on a shelf in bright, filtered light. This plant will continue growing through winter, just be sure to allow it to drain after watering. 

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

An interesting house plant with long curvy leaves atop a thick stem, this technically doesn’t make the fast growing house plant list, but it is easy to care for and long living so we think it is worth having here. It will tolerate a low light spot but the more light it gets, the more it will grow, so a brighter spot is preferable.

Tips For Healthy Fast Growing House Plants

Hopefully you have found some inspiration for your home to add beautiful house plants to bring nature inside. Some general care tips that might be helpful:

• Don’t overwater your house plants, soggy soil will encourage root rot for most house plants.
• Water with room temperature water. 
• Ensure to pot your plants in a well-draining potting mix in a pot with holes for drainage.
• Be careful with self-watering pots as they can result in waterlogged soil without you realising it.
• When repotting house plants, find a pot that is just a bit bigger than the existing one, use fresh potting mix, and it won’t need feeding for the first 3 months. 
• You can restrict the size of some house plants by limiting the pot size and cutting back on the feeding. 
• Large leafy plants in smaller pots will require more water than smaller plants because they have more leaves to photosynthesise.
• Generally reduce the water during winter, plants grow less and therefore require less water.
• Fertilizer is usually only needed during the growing months of spring and summer.
• Plants that are toxic will usually taste bad to pets.

A soil moisture meter can be a very helpful tool to help take the guesswork out of watering your plants. If you are interested to learn more about caring for your fast growing house plants, you might find our Guide To Taking Care Of Indoor Plants helpful.