Living in a bustling city, coming home is the most relaxing moment of the day. That’s why many office workers enjoy keeping green plants at home — not only are they pleasing to the eye, but they also help purify the air and elevate the overall atmosphere of the home. Below are a few carefully selected living room plants that are beautiful and also beneficial to your health.
Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
In recent years, the fiddle-leaf fig has gone viral online. Many film crews use it as an artistic prop in their scenes. Its upright shape creates a sense of tropical rainforest vibes, especially when paired with rattan or concrete planters. Thanks to the waxy coating on its leaves, it can absorb up to three times more light than ordinary plants, helping to create an oxygen-rich environment.
Care tips: Fiddle-leaf figs like bright, indirect light, so it’s best to place them on an east- or west-facing windowsill. Keep the soil slightly dry — water only when the top layer feels dry. During the growing season (April to September), feed them once a month with a balanced fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) to promote shiny foliage. If the plant is kept in too dark a place or watered too frequently, yellow spots may appear on the leaves. In that case, move it to a spot with better ventilation.
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The areca palm is a popular houseplant, especially in northern China. It has strong transpiration ability, which can increase humidity in a 10 m² room by 15–20%. Typically reaching a height of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, its yellow-green fronds resemble fans that sway gently in the breeze, bringing a natural tropical vibe indoors. Interestingly, the leaves can also be dried and brewed into tea, which is said to help stop bleeding and promote skin healing.
Care tips: Areca palms are tolerant of shade but also love bright, filtered sunlight. About two hours of indirect light per day is sufficient. Water thoroughly only after the top 2–3 cm of soil has dried out.
Umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola)
The umbrella tree, also known as the “dwarf umbrella tree,” is mainly grown for its ornamental foliage. It usually reaches 1 to 1.5 meters in height and pairs well with both Chinese-style and modern living room décor. In the plant world, it’s known as the “nemesis of secondhand smoke,” since the surface of its leaves is covered with tiny structures that can absorb nicotine particles.
Care tips: This plant thrives in warm, humid environments, with an ideal temperature range of 18–27 °C. Keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering. From late spring to early summer, apply a general liquid houseplant fertilizer about once a month to encourage healthy growth.
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