Fast-Growing Indoor Plants: 8 Species That Show Progress Quickly

Common Causes

1. 1

   Pothos

   Pothos is probably the fastest-growing common houseplant under indoor conditions. In ideal conditions (bright indirect light, consistent moisture, monthly fertilizing during growing season) it can put out 2-3 new leaves per week and grow 12-18 inches per month. It can be trained up a moss pole or left to trail.

   How to fix it: Give it the brightest indirect light you can. Water consistently and fertilize monthly from spring through summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Prune long vines to redirect energy to new growth.

2. 2

   Tradescantia

   Tradescantia (inch plant or spiderwort) earned its common name from the observation that it seems to grow an inch per day. It is one of the fastest trailing plants available, and stems left in water propagate in a matter of days. The trade-off is that it gets leggy if not pinched regularly.

   How to fix it: Provide bright indirect light for the fastest growth and best leaf color. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Pinch back tips every few weeks to encourage bushy, vigorous growth.

3. 3

   Heartleaf Philodendron

   Heartleaf philodendrons grow quickly in medium to bright indirect light, often producing a new leaf every 1-2 weeks during the growing season. They can be trained up a moss pole (which encourages larger leaves) or left to trail. They are also some of the easiest plants to propagate; any stem cutting with a node roots readily.

   How to fix it: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Insert a moss pole and mist it regularly if you want the plant to climb and produce larger leaves.

4. 4

   Monstera deliciosa

   Monsteras are one of the fastest large-leaf tropical plants for indoors. Under good conditions, they can unfurl a new leaf every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer, with leaves getting progressively larger and more fenestrated (developed splits and holes) as the plant matures. Young plants have small, solid leaves; the iconic splits appear as the plant grows.

   How to fix it: Provide bright indirect light and a moss pole to climb. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Fertilize monthly during the growing season. The faster the growth, the larger and more fenestrated the leaves become.

5. 5

   Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

   Spider plants grow quickly in a wide range of light conditions and produce long arching stems called stolons that develop small plantlets (spiderettes) at their tips. A well-established plant can produce dozens of spiderettes per year, making it one of the most prolific propagators in the houseplant world.

   How to fix it: Place in bright to medium indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Once spiderettes develop roots, cut them from the stolon and pot in moist potting mix.

6. 6

   Aloe Vera

   Aloe vera grows faster than most people expect, producing new leaves from the center and eventually offsetting (producing baby plants around the base called pups). In bright indirect light with good drainage, it pushes a new leaf every few weeks in summer. The pups can be separated and potted once they have their own roots.

   How to fix it: Place in bright indirect to gentle direct light. Water only when the soil is completely dry. Aloe grows fastest in summer; reduce watering significantly in winter when growth slows.

7. 7

   Wandering Dude (Tradescantia fluminensis)

   Closely related to Tradescantia zebrina, Wandering Dude grows slightly faster with smaller, solid green or green-and-white leaves. It is even more forgiving of inconsistent watering than its purple counterpart and can fill a hanging basket or trailing planter within a single growing season.

   How to fix it: Treat like Tradescantia zebrina: bright indirect light, water when the top inch is dry, pinch back regularly. Can be propagated at any time by placing stems in water.

8. 8

   Snake Plant

   Snake plants grow slowly compared to the others on this list, but they are worth mentioning because their growth rate in good conditions surprises many owners who have only seen neglected specimens. In bright indirect light with monthly fertilizing, they can push out 2-4 new leaves per growing season and gradually produce offsets.

   How to fix it: For faster growth, move to the brightest indirect light available and fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Do not overwater; soggy soil is the main growth inhibitor. Repot every 2-3 years to refresh the soil.