If you’ve ever wandered through the plant section at Trader Joe’s, you know how easy it is to toss a little green something into your cart. But are those plants actually worth your money?
Turns out, quite a few of them are genuinely good picks — whether you’re just starting out or already have a house full of them. Let’s talk about which ones deserve a spot in your home.
1.) Pothos
Pothos is one of those plants that’s almost impossible to kill, which makes it a great pick for beginners or anyone who forgets to water regularly. It grows well in low to bright indirect light and doesn’t need much attention to thrive.
Let it trail from a shelf or train it to climb — either way, it fills a space nicely. Water it when the soil feels dry, and it’ll reward you with fast, steady growth year-round indoors.
2.) Snake Plant
Snake plants are one of those “set it and forget it” houseplants that almost anyone can keep alive. They do well in low to bright indirect light and only need watering every two to three weeks — even less in winter.
Hardy in zones 9–11 outdoors, they’re mostly grown as houseplants everywhere else. They handle dry air, low humidity, and the occasional missed watering without complaint. If you tend to forget about your plants, this one’s a solid pick.
3.) Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig is one of those plants that looks like it belongs in a design magazine, and Trader Joe’s often sells them at a surprisingly reasonable price compared to other garden centers.
It does best in bright, indirect light and needs well-draining soil. Water it only when the top inch of soil feels dry, and avoid moving it around too much — it hates change.
Best kept as an indoor plant in most zones, it thrives in warm, stable conditions year-round.
4.) Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa, also called the Swiss cheese plant, is one of those houseplants that looks like it should cost way more than it does. Those big, split leaves are hard to miss, and the plant grows surprisingly fast once it gets comfortable.
It does best in bright, indirect light but can handle lower light without too much fuss. Water it when the top inch of soil dries out. It thrives in zones 10–12 outdoors, but indoors it works almost anywhere.
5.) String of Pearls
String of Pearls is one of those plants that looks way cooler than it is difficult to grow. The long, trailing stems covered in little round leaves make it a fun pick for a hanging pot or a shelf where it can spill over the edge.
It does best in bright, indirect light and only needs watering every couple of weeks. It thrives in zones 9–12 but works great as an indoor plant anywhere. Just don’t overwater it.
6.) Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are a solid pick if you want something that looks good without a lot of fuss. They do well in bright, indirect light but can handle lower light better than most houseplants. Just avoid placing them in direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and wipe the large leaves down occasionally to keep dust off. They grow well indoors year-round in any hardiness zone, making them a reliable, low-maintenance choice.
7.) Peace Lily
Peace lilies are a solid pick if you don’t have a lot of natural light at home. They actually do well in low-light spots, which makes them great for apartments or darker rooms.
They like to be kept moist but not soggy, and they’ll tell you when they’re thirsty by drooping slightly. They do best indoors in most climates (zones 11–12 outdoors), so think of them as a permanent houseplant. Bonus: they help clean indoor air too.
8.) Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of those plants that practically takes care of itself, making it a smart pick for beginners or anyone who tends to forget about their plants for weeks at a time. It thrives in bright, indirect light and only needs watering every two to three weeks.
Hardy in zones 9–11, it does best indoors in cooler climates. Keep it in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering — that’s really the only way to mess it up.
Bonus: snap off a leaf and use the gel on minor burns or dry skin.
9.) Spider Plant
Spider plants are one of those hard-to-kill houseplants that just about anyone can keep alive. They do well in indirect light and don’t need much water — just let the soil dry out a little between waterings.
What makes them fun is the little “baby” plants they eventually shoot out on long stems. You can snip those off and root them in water to grow even more plants. Solid pick for beginners or anyone who forgets to water regularly.
10.) Jade Plant
Jade plants are one of those houseplants that basically take care of themselves. They store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, which means you can forget to water them for a couple of weeks and they’ll be totally fine. Bright indirect light is their sweet spot.
These slow-growing succulents can live for decades with minimal fuss. Water them deeply, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. They thrive in zones 10–11 outdoors but do great inside anywhere year-round.
11.) Philodendron
Philodendrons are some of the easiest houseplants you can own, which makes them a solid pick up at Trader Joe’s. They’re happy in low to medium light and don’t need much attention to stay healthy.
Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, and they’ll reward you with steady, leafy growth. They do well in typical indoor temperatures and don’t need high humidity.
If you tend to forget about your plants, this one will forgive you pretty easily.
12.) ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is one of those hard-to-kill houseplants that actually looks like you’re putting in effort. Its thick, waxy leaves grow on arching stems, giving it a full, polished appearance without much fuss.
It thrives in low to bright indirect light and only needs watering every two to three weeks. It handles drought well because it stores water in its roots. Best kept indoors in most zones, it’s a solid pick for beginners or busy plant owners.
13.) Succulents Assorted
Trader Joe’s often has a nice mix of assorted succulents at really affordable prices, and they’re a solid pick whether you’re new to plants or just want something low-maintenance.
These little guys do best in bright light and only need watering every week or two — less in winter. They prefer well-draining soil and don’t love sitting in water.
Most common varieties are hardy in zones 9–11 but work great as indoor plants anywhere with a sunny windowsill.
14.) Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise is one of those plants that looks like it belongs in a fancy hotel lobby — and honestly, it kind of does. It grows big, bold leaves that fan out in a really satisfying way, making it a great statement piece for a sunny corner.
It thrives in bright indirect light and only needs watering every week or two. It does best in zones 10–12 outdoors, but grows well inside almost anywhere. Just give it space to spread out.
15.) Calathea
Calatheas are known for their patterned leaves, and Trader Joe’s usually carries a few varieties at solid prices. They’re a good pick if you want something that looks interesting without a lot of fuss.
These plants do best in medium to low indirect light, making them a natural fit for rooms that don’t get much sun. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and they’ll be happy.
One thing to note — they’re sensitive to tap water. Try using filtered or distilled water to keep the leaves from getting brown edges.
16.) Orchids
Orchids have a reputation for being fussy, but Trader Joe’s Phalaenopsis orchids are actually pretty easy to keep alive. They do well in bright, indirect light — think near a window but out of direct sun — and only need watering about once a week.
The trick is to let the roots dry out between waterings and avoid letting water sit in the pot. These do best indoors in any zone, typically blooming for several months at a time.
17.) Dracaena
Dracaena is one of those plants that just works in almost any indoor space. It has long, strappy leaves that grow in a fun, spiky shape, and it comes in a bunch of varieties with different colors and sizes.
It does really well in low to medium light, which makes it great for apartments or offices. Water it lightly — let the soil dry out between waterings. It’s sensitive to fluoride, so filtered water is ideal. Hardiness zones 10–12 outdoors.
18.) English Ivy
English Ivy is a classic trailing plant that looks great in hanging baskets or climbing up a trellis. It grows well in indirect light and can even handle low-light spots that most plants would struggle in.
Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and keep it away from direct sun to avoid scorched leaves. It’s hardy in zones 4–9, making it a solid outdoor ground cover in milder climates too.
19.) Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are one of those plants that look like they cost way more than they do. They have long, arching fronds that give any space a full, lush feel without much effort on your part.
They do best in bright, indirect light and love humidity, so a bathroom or kitchen window is a great spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and mist the leaves occasionally. These are best grown indoors in most zones, though they thrive outside in zones 9–11.
20.) African Violet
African Violets are one of those plants that just work well indoors, making them a solid pick from Trader Joe’s. They bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white, and they don’t need a ton of space to thrive.
Keep them in bright, indirect light and water from the bottom to avoid spotting the leaves. They prefer indoor temperatures between 60–80°F, so no special setup is needed.
Best of all, with the right care, they’ll rebloom throughout the year.
21.) Croton
Crotons are some of the most colorful houseplants you can find, with leaves splashed in yellow, orange, red, and green. They make a real statement on a sunny windowsill without much effort on your part.
These plants love bright, indirect light and need to be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. They do best in warm, humid conditions, so keep them away from cold drafts. Hardy in zones 11–12 outdoors, they thrive as houseplants everywhere else year-round.
