Some houseplants are slow and steady. Others? They grow like they're on a mission. If you're looking for greenery that fills a space fast and doesn't ask for much, you’re in luck. These low-maintenance, fast-growing plants basically do the hard work for you. They're perfect for beginners, busy folks, or anyone who wants quick plant success without the stress. Let’s meet low-effort houseplants that grow like they mean it.
1. Spider Plant
Spider plants are speedy growers who love sending out baby "spiderettes" on long arching stems. They're forgiving, need little water, and can handle indirect light like a champ. Their striped leaves add flair to shelves or hanging pots. They even clean the air as they grow. Just snip off the pups and replant to multiply the magic. Easy, fast, and fun.
2. Pothos
If plants had a fast-forward button, it’d be the pothos. With trailing vines that can grow several feet in a season, this plant thrives on neglect. Low light? No problem. Forget to water? It’ll bounce back. Bonus: It’s super easy to propagate in water. One vine can become a jungle in no time. It’s a top pick for instant greenery with minimal effort.
3. Snake Plant
The snake plant is famous for being nearly indestructible—and it grows faster than you'd expect. Its upright, sword-like leaves shoot up quickly with just occasional watering. It tolerates low light but grows faster with a bit of bright, indirect sun. It also purifies the air as it grows. A sculptural, fast friend for any corner. It's hard not to love.
4. ZZ Plant
Shiny, deep green leaves and a slow-to-steady pace make the ZZ plant a winner. While it may not look fast-growing initially, it surprises you with regular new shoots once it settles in. It thrives in low light and dry air, making it ideal for offices and darker rooms. It’s a resilient beauty that just keeps going. Water occasionally and watch it do its thing. Low effort, big payoff.
5. Peace Lily
Peace lilies grow quickly and reward you with beautiful white blooms—even indoors. They’re happiest in moderate, indirect light and slightly moist soil. When they’re thirsty, their leaves droop (then perk back up after watering—so helpful!). With the right care, they produce fresh growth often. They also help filter indoor air. Elegant and fast-growing? Yes, please.
6. Bamboo Palm
Need a tropical vibe in no time? Bamboo palms shoot up fast and add instant jungle flair. They thrive in indirect light and like regular watering. The feathery fronds grow tall, filling up vertical space quickly. Great for offices and living rooms alike. These palms bring height and greenery with little effort. They’re also known to thrive for years with just basic care indoors. Their resilience makes them perfect for a low-maintenance tropical charm.
7. Tradescantia (Wandering Jew)
Known for vibrant purple-and-green foliage, Tradescantia grows fast and trails beautifully. Give it bright, indirect light, and watch it stretch out quickly. It’s also super easy to propagate from cuttings. Pinch back the stems to keep them full and bushy. This one adds bold color and speedy growth to any room. A showstopper with minimal effort. Its vibrant leaves look especially striking in hanging baskets. You’ll love how quickly it fills up space with color and life.
8. Philodendron
Classic and versatile, philodendrons grow quickly in just about any environment. Their heart-shaped leaves climb or trail, depending on the variety. Though bright light speeds things up, they tolerate low light and drought. These plants are eager to grow and easy to trim. Perfect for shelves, hanging baskets, or climbing poles. It’s a houseplant staple for a reason. They’re also excellent for purifying the air in your home.
9. Monstera Deliciosa
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, monstera grows large, dramatic leaves fast. With enough space and indirect light, it takes off quickly. It loves a humid spot and appreciates regular watering. The iconic leaf holes develop as they mature. Before long, you’ll have a statement plant that screams tropical jungle. And all with surprisingly little effort. It's also easy to propagate by stem cuttings, making it a plant that keeps on giving.
10. Rubber Plant
The rubber plant grows fast when it’s happy—and it’s easy to keep happy! Just give it bright, indirect light and water when the soil is dry. New leaves unfurl regularly in the growing season, adding height and fullness. Its glossy green (or burgundy) leaves make a stylish statement. Prune the top if you want a bushier shape. It’s a bold beauty that grows with ease. Its sturdy stems also make it a great candidate for indoor pruning and shaping.
11. Chinese Evergreen
Tough and adaptable, the Chinese evergreen doesn’t just survive—it thrives. These plants grow steadily in low to medium light and like slightly moist soil. Varieties come with colorful streaks of red, pink, or silver. They’re fast growers once they settle in. They handle dry indoor air well. Color and speed in one tidy plant. They’re also known to adapt well to artificial light, making them office-friendly too.
12. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
This plant earns its name from the powerful sap, so handle it carefully—but it grows fast. Dumb cane produces large, lush leaves with striking patterns. It likes bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil. Keep it in a warm spot, and it’ll reward you with height and drama. Great for making a leafy statement quickly. Just keep it out of reach of pets and kids. It can grow several feet tall soon with the right care. Brighten up any indoor spot with its bold presence.
13. Coleus (Indoor)
Coleus isn't just for outdoor beds—it thrives indoors too. Known for its wild, colorful leaves, it grows quickly with regular watering and light. Pinch back stems to keep it bushy and full. It's a favorite for plant parents who like variety. Coleus can go from a small starter to a vibrant filler in just weeks. Its dazzling patterns make it a standout in any room. Plus, it’s easy to grow from cuttings if you want more. Talk about instant gratification!
14. Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
The Purple Passion Plant stands out with its deep green leaves covered in velvety, bright purple fuzz. It grows fast in bright, indirect light and enjoys consistently moist soil. As it matures, it produces trailing stems perfect for hanging baskets. Its unusual texture and vibrant color make it an eye-catcher with very little upkeep. You can pinch it back to encourage bushier growth and keep the shape compact. It’s ideal for anyone who wants dramatic color without fuss.
15. Mint (Indoor Herb Garden)
Yes, it’s an herb, but mint grows crazy fast indoors with light and water. It’s perfect for kitchen windows and adds a fresh scent and flavor. Just be sure to pot it alone—it’s a space hog. Clip leaves often to encourage more growth. You’ll have more mint than you know what to do with. It has great looks and tasty perks. It also naturally repels pests, making it useful beyond the kitchen. Keep the soil moist and watch it thrive with almost no effort.
16. Begonia
Begonias are fast, floriferous, and come in endless varieties. Many houseplant types like Rex or Angel Wing begonias thrive indoors. They like medium-light and slightly moist soil. You’ll see new leaves and even flowers pop up quickly. Their leaf colors and textures are eye-catching, Fast-growing, and full of personality. They’re also great for adding a splash of brightness to dim corners. With so many types to choose from, you’ll never get bored.
17. Prayer Plant
The prayer plant gets its name from how its leaves fold up at night—and yes, it grows quickly too. It likes indirect light and consistently moist soil. Its striking patterns and movement make it a favorite. New leaves roll out often during the growing season. Keep it humid and it will reward you fast. A little drama with easy care. Its fascinating leaf movements make it a great conversation piece. Plus, its compact size is perfect for tabletops or shelves.
18. Hoya
Hoyas, or wax plants, may seem slow initially, but once they take off, they grow. Their thick leaves trail beautifully, and they can surprise you with fragrant flowers. They like bright, indirect light and infrequent watering. Once rooted, they send out long vines quickly. Low effort, high charm. It's a long-term favorite that pays off. These trailing vines can span across shelves and windows in no time. They also produce clusters of waxy, star-shaped flowers when mature.
19. Dracaena Marginata
Dracaena marginata, also known as the dragon tree, is a striking, upright plant that grows tall with minimal effort. Its slender stems and spiky, variegated leaves bring any room a modern, architectural look. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can adapt to lower-light spots too. Water will steadily shoot up with new growth when the soil dries out. It's also known for improving indoor air quality. Perfect for clean lines and low maintenance. This is a solid pick if you’re after height and structure without the fuss.
20. String of Hearts
This lovely trailing plant grows quickly with the right care. It likes lots of indirect light and prefers to dry out between waterings. Its heart-shaped leaves grow on delicate, cascading vines. New growth appears frequently during spring and summer. It also roots easily from cuttings. Romantic and fast-growing—it’s a charmer. Its vines can quickly trail over shelves or cascade beautifully from hanging pots. It becomes a graceful indoor feature with just a little sunlight and space.
21. Cast Iron Plant
True to its name, the cast iron plant is nearly indestructible. It grows best in low to moderate light and tolerates neglect like a pro. While not the fastest on the list, it's steady and stress-free. Given a consistent routine, it surprises you with fresh foliage. It is ideal for dark corners or busy plant parents. Tough and timeless. It's perfect for those who travel often or forget to water. This hardy plant quietly thrives in corners others can't handle.
22. Swedish Ivy
This plant isn’t a true ivy, but it sure acts like one. It grows fast, trails well, and loves bright, filtered light. Its rounded, scalloped leaves are soft and glossy. You can propagate it easily in water. It adds a lush look to shelves and hanging pots in no time. Easygoing and eager to grow. It grows even faster with occasional trimming and regular watering. This plant brings cheerful, full greenery without demanding attention.
23. Alocasia Polly
Alocasia Polly has striking arrow-shaped leaves and a fast growth habit in the right setting. It thrives in bright, indirect light and warm, humid rooms. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. It pushes out new leaves often, especially in spring and summer. The bold look is dramatic yet low-maintenance. It is a tropical treat for indoor gardeners. The sculptural look adds a bold accent to any indoor plant setup. Its striking foliage makes it feel like a living work of art.
24. Turtle Vine (Callisia repens)
Turtle vine is a vibrant, fast-growing trailing plant with tiny, round green leaves and a slight purple hue underneath. It grows quickly in bright, indirect light and appreciates regular, moderate watering. The soft, delicate vines spill beautifully over the edges of pots or hanging baskets. It’s easy to trim and even easier to propagate from cuttings. This plant brings a touch of whimsy to windowsills and shelves. It is perfect for anyone who loves trailing plants, as it has charm and minimal maintenance.
25. Umbrella Plant (Schefflera)
Umbrella plants grow tall and full with little fuss. They like bright, indirect light and a good soak when dry. The leafy canopies add structure and elegance. Prune them to shape or let them go wild. You’ll be surprised at how fast they fill a corner. Simple and stunning, umbrella plants are a great choice for adding instant volume to empty corners. Plus, they're tough enough to adapt to changes in environment or light.
26. Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
The Fishbone Cactus is a funky, fast-growing succulent with zigzag-shaped leaves that spill beautifully from pots. It thrives in bright, indirect light and only needs occasional watering, making it super low-maintenance. Unlike many cacti, it enjoys a bit more humidity and grows faster when kept in warm, cozy spaces. The foliage adds instant character and visual interest. With the right care, it can even produce stunning night-blooming flowers.
27. Fast-Growing Ferns (Like Boston Fern)
Ferns may seem delicate, but many—like the Boston fern—are quick growers in the right setting. Give them filtered light and high humidity, and moisten the soil. They’ll reward you with frilly, fast-expanding fronds. Great for hanging baskets or pedestal planters. A little care brings a lot of green. Ferns grow fast and lush when they’re happy. They also help purify the air and add a soft, calming texture to any room. Just a bit of misting and filtered light will keep them thriving year-round.
A Jungle That Grows with Ease
These fast-growing houseplants aren’t just easy—they’re empowering. With little effort, you can transform your space into a green escape that feels fresh, vibrant, and alive. Whether you’re decorating your first apartment or upgrading your plant collection, these low-maintenance growers are ready to shine. They fill your home with energy and beauty, from windowsills to hanging baskets. Best of all, they’re a daily reminder that growth doesn’t have to be complicated!