6 Fascinating Plants That Will Perk Up Your Lifeless Room

So, you’re thinking about doing some redecorating. And, in addition to switching up your wall art and accent pillows, maybe you want to introduce some new greenery into your life. There are literally hundreds of houseplants to choose from, so where do you start? First let’s rule out the usual suspects: Everyone and their mother has a spider plant or a peace lily. Lovely as they may be, they’re probably not the showstoppers you’re looking for. For something dramatic and just a little bit out of the ordinary, check out these six sculptural beauties.

The holes in this plant’s leaves aren’t a sign it’s being devoured by caterpillars. On the contrary, Monstera, sometimes dubbed the Swiss cheese plant, or Swiss cheese vine, has uniquely perforated leaves with an antique lace vibe. You can train this eye-catching tropical vine up a pole or along a mantle or window frame. Make sure it has bright to moderate light and water it two times a week.

This plant might look a bit odd when you spot it the garden center with its thick sawed off stems and pokey little leaves. But bring it home and give it a little love and it will soon flourish into a grand statement piece. An excellent option for beginners, spineless yucca can grow up to eight feet high and isn’t prone to sprawl so you can tuck it neatly against the wall. Give it bright sunlight, cooler temperatures, and water it twice a week.

This lovely specimen with pairs of heart-shaped leaves and tiny purple flowers is gorgeous in a hanging basket. The wide spacing between the leaves adds to the drama of the trailing stems. Don’t let its delicate look fool you, though: It’s actually quite hardy and can withstand periods of drought (er, inconsistent watering). It likes bright to moderate sunlight and water only when dry, once to twice per week.

Though not technically a palm like the name implies (it’s a cycad, a group of hardy prehistoric plants), the sago palm compliments beachy California decor styles—or any decor, really. Its feathery fan of leaves can spread to five feet across and slowly develops a short pineapple-shaped trunk. Give it bright light (but not direct summer sun) and only water sparingly, about once a month. (Also, please know sago palm is toxic to pets and humans!)

At first glance, this little succulent looks more like a smooth sculpture than a plant. Its pale green orbs of leaves grow close together in stumpy stems for a otherworldly effect. It’s great for windowsills or rounding out a workspace or coffee table, and if you’re lucky you might catch some spiky yellow-red flowers in winter and spring. Put it somewhere it’ll get bright light and water cautiously, about once per month.

There are several popular varieties of this easy-care and eye-catching species. ‘Gold capella’ Schefflera have petal-shaped leaves of deep green highlighted with splotchy yellow and can really brighten up your spice. Tall and slender, it can reach up to six feet. Provide it with bright to moderate light and water a couple of times per week, or when the soil surface is dry, and you’ll have a beautiful houseplant for years to come.