15 Ornamental Plants for Home and Garden

Ornamental plants in home and garden beautify the surrounding. Below we mention some of the best ornamental plants for Home & Garden!

Ornamental plants can transform any space; be it home or garden, indoors or outdoors. Grow ornamental plants in a container if you lack space and also if you want to protect the houseplant come winters in temperature zones. Growing ornamental plants in home and garden adds greenery and homey feel to otherwise bleak spaces. Here are the best picks for ornamental plants you can grow in Home & Garden.

Ornamental Houseplants for Home and Garden

First on the list are the ornamental houseplants that you can grow in pots. Houseplants have been used for a long time for decorative purposes. Below are some of the best ornamental houseplants for containers.

1. Snake Plant

Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, it’s one of the most forgiving houseplants on the list. It can survive from bright light to any dark corner of the house and is also drought resistant. The long lance-shaped foliage is variegated and grows upright anywhere from 6 inches to 8 feet tall.

2. Asparagus Fern

Botanical Name: Asparagus aethiopicus

It’s a fast-growing plant with needle-like soft and fuzzy foliage that grows well in a container. Asparagus is not actually a fern and is a member of the Liliaceae family. Decorate the balcony, deck, or patio with this ornamental plant, or place it near a well-lit window.

3. Peace Lily

Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii

The peace lily is a stunning ornamental plant for homes and offices, having glossy lance-shaped leaves. The beautiful white flowers of peace lily is actually a hooded leaf bract that covers the flower. Requiring minimal care, it grows well in medium to bright indirect light. As per NASA’s clean air study, Peace lily also removes pollutants from the surrounding air!

4. Peperomia

Botanical Name: Peperomia sp.

With more than 1000 Peperomia species out there, you’ll surely find one that suits your needs. The foliage range from heart-shaped to narrow and come in green, red, to silver-gray hues. Place it on the tabletop, balcony, or even terrariums as it has a spread of only 6-12 inches. Check out this detailed post on how to grow Peperomia Rosso!

5. Cast Iron Plant

Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior

Another forgiving ornamental plant on the list, the Cast iron plant, lives up to its name. The deep green lance-shaped leaves grow to 2 feet in length are around 4 inches wide. It’s a slow grower that can tolerate low lighting conditions.

Ornamental Flowers for Home and Garden

Next on the list are the ornamental flowers that can beautify any space. Apart from the flowers mentioned below there are ornamental flowers that can be used as cut flowers as well. Check out this list of best plants and cut flowers for vases to know more such flowers!

6. Roses

Botanical Name: Rosa

There is no way that roses won’t be on the list when it comes to ornamental plants. These beautiful and fragrant flowers come in many hues, such as red, purple, white, pink, yellow, and orange. Fill up the spaces on the deck patio and even stairways with this wonderful, glorious flower.

7. Hibiscus

Botanical Name: Hibiscus

Bring the tropical feel at home by planting hibiscus in the container. Some varieties can tolerate cold to some extent, and those that can’t, you can easily move indoors. Hibiscus syriacus and Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis are the most widely cultivated ornamental cultivars of hibiscus.

8. Begonia

Botanical Name: Begonia

Begonia makes up for one of the largest genus of flowering plants with more than 2000 flowering plant species. In colder regions, it’s grown as an indoor ornamental plant. In areas with mild winters, grow it outdoors in bright light to enjoy the beautiful blooms.

9. Anthurium

Botanical Name: Anthurium

Native to the tropical rainforest Anthurium is grown as a houseplant and landscaping plant. The colorful heart-shaped flowers and large leathery foliage are the selling points of Anthurium. It can tolerate low lighting, but to promote blooming, place the plant in bright indirect light.

10. Geranium

Botanical Name: Pelargonium x hortorum

Blooming in red, white, pink, and even salmon geraniums are popular bedding plants. You can also grow them in pots and hanging baskets both in indoor and outdoor spaces. Make sure that they receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight for prolific blooms.

Ornamental Cacti & Succulents for Home

Cacti add variety to any space and require little to no care, making it ideal for any space. By growing ornamental cacti in the container, you’ll be able to protect it come winter. Succulents also make up for a large ornamental collection of plants, among which many grow in pots as well. Fun fact “all succulents are cacti, but not all cacti are succulents.” Below are some of the best ornamental cacti and succulents for pots.

11. Christmas Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii

When everything is covered in snow in the festive season, the Christmas cactus adds color to the surrounding. Depending on the variety, blooms come in red, lavender, rose, purple, white, peach, cream, and orange. Unlike other cacti, it does not like arid conditions and thrives in humidity and moisture.

12. Prickly Pear Cactus

Botanical Name: Opuntia

Apart from having ornamental value, some prickly pear cactus cultivars also produce edible fruits. It requires adequate sunlight and a warm temperature to grow, making it ideal for the container in cold regions. Segmented stems made up of wide, flat, and thick pads are covered in spines and add a raw appeal to the cacti!

13. Peanut Cactus

Botanical Name: Chamaecereus silvestrii / Echinopsis chamaecereus

Native to Argentina, the peanut cactus steals the show with cylindrical stems and reddish-orange blooms. Once you grow peanut cactus multiplying, it is easy from the offsets it produces. This ornamental cactus blooms from late spring to early summer.

14. Aeonium

Botanical Name: Aeonium spp.

Also known as the tree houseleeks, Aeonium is a small genus that includes around 35 species of succulents. The rosette of large leaves is ideal for adding a majestic feel to both indoor and outdoor displays. Also, it has a shallow root system its also on our list of best plants for shallow pots!

15. Agave

Botanical Name: Agave spp.

Agave is a perfect succulent for containers, with almost all agave cultivars suitable for containers. Another advantage of growing agave in the container is that it loves to remain pot-bound. Artichoke agave, Blue glow agave, and Foxtail agave are the best agaves for the container.

Ornamental Herbs

Apart from having culinary use, herbs are also great for adding a bit of greenery to the surrounding. By growing herbs in pots, you’ll have easy access to them and protect the herbs from frost. Rosemary, Basil, Mint, Chives, Thyme, Coriander, Parsley, and Oregano are some of the herbs, to begin with!