My Houseplant Collection: Every Plant I Own and How I Care for Them - Part 1

Hi, I'm Haylee, and a few years ago I started my journey into collecting plants. My love for plants actually began long before that. I’ve always enjoyed spending time in the garden and connecting with nature since I was little. However, as life got busier and responsibilities piled up, that passion took a back seat.

After stepping away from an overwhelming job and creating more space in my life, I found my way back to plants. This time, though, it felt different. I was in a place where I could slow down, learn, and truly appreciate the beauty and complexity of plants in a whole new way. My curiosity grew, and my connection with plants deepened.

What started as a few plants quickly turned into a growing collection. Today, I have nearly 40 houseplants, each with its own personality, story, and lessons to teach me.

I wanted to share a little glimpse into my collection, the plants I’ve grown to love, and some of the things I’ve learned along the way.

Why I Love Collecting Houseplants

For me, collecting houseplants has become so much more than bringing greenery into my home. Plants have become a reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the process of growth. They have brought a sense of calm and purpose into my everyday life while teaching me lessons that extend far beyond plant care.

Plants I am Growing Indoors

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig in a grey pot with Pothos growing around the bottom.

My fiddle leaf fig is one of the most rewarding plants in my collection. I rescued it from my dad’s office when it was struggling with only two yellow leaves barely hanging on. I brought it home, re-potted it, trimmed it back, and gave it the bright light and care it needed to recover.

After creating the right environment, it completely transformed and started pushing out new growth faster than I expected. Watching it come back to life reminded me how much a change in environment can impact growth.

Elephant Ear 'Colocasia'

Elephant Ear 'Colocasia'

I found a small baby rhizome growing in the ground and decided to carefully remove it and pot it indoors, hoping I could grow it as a houseplant.

I wasn’t sure how it would adjust, but it quickly proved how resilient and fast-growing a Colocasia can be. Within just a couple of months, it has already pushed out three brand-new leaves, and each new leaf has grown larger than the last. Watching it transform from a tiny rhizome into a beautiful tropical plant has been such a rewarding experience.

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera Deliciosa 'Swiss Cheese Plant' sitting in a clear pot on top of a wooden desk.

I recently repotted my Monstera deliciosa and moved her closer to my south-facing windowsill, and she’s already rewarded me with a beautiful new fenestrated leaf. I’m planning to add a moss pole soon so she can climb and grow in a way that more closely mimics her natural habitat.

Monstera 'Thai Constellation'

Monstera Thai Constellation in a pint plant pot growing on a moss pole.

I have had this plant for a little over a year and a half, and I started with it when it was just a tiny tissue culture. Watching it grow from such a small beginning into a more established plant has been such a rewarding experience.

At first, it seemed like it was growing quickly, putting out new leaves and making steady progress. However, growth slowed down during the winter months, even with the help of grow lights. After moving to a south-facing apartment and placing it closer to the window, I noticed a big difference. It began producing larger, healthier-looking leaves and seemed much happier in its new environment.

The extra natural light has really helped bring out its growth and allowed it to continue developing into the beautiful, variegated Monstera I hoped it would become.

Syngonium 'White Butterfly'

Syngonium 'White Butterfly' placed in a clear pot sitting on top of a wooden desk.

I have had this plant for a little over a year, and it has quickly become one of my favorites, especially when it comes to growth speed. When I first brought it home, it only had one or two small leaves, but watching it grow and develop into a fuller plant has been incredibly rewarding.

I currently have it placed in a corner that receives plenty of bright morning light with some natural shade during the afternoon. This spot seems to be the perfect balance for it, and it has responded really well by producing healthy new growth.

For soil, I am using a mix of 40% perlite and 60% regular potting soil, which provides good drainage while still retaining enough moisture to support healthy roots. So far, my Syngonium ‘White Princess’ seems very happy in this setup and continues to be one of the fastest-growing plants in my collection.

Golden Sedum

Golden Sedum.

Golden Sedums are part of the succulent family, and I have grown them both indoors and outdoors. As long as they receive 6+ hours of direct sunlight, they tend to thrive and reward you with beautiful, compact growth.

I didn’t always have a strong appreciation for succulents, but my boyfriend has always been a big fan. After spending more time learning about different varieties, I started to appreciate them more, and the moment I found this Golden Sedum, I was hooked. The plump, vibrant leaves are easily my favorite feature and are what make this plant stand out.

Like many succulents, Golden Sedums store water in their leaves, allowing them to tolerate periods of drought. I let the soil completely dry out between waterings and then give it a deep drink, which helps mimic the natural conditions they are adapted to.

Money Tree 'Pachira Aquatica'

Money Tree placed in a white pot.

I have had my Money Tree for a couple of years now, and for almost a year it barely grew at all. Once I moved it into a spot with bright, direct light, it completely took off. It has been growing incredibly fast ever since, and I will probably need to repot it soon to give the roots more space.

It is planted in a light, airy soil mix consisting of 30% cocoa chips, 20% perlite, and 50% regular potting soil. This combination provides plenty of drainage while still retaining enough moisture for healthy root growth.

One of my favorite things about this plant is the shape of its leaves. Their glossy, hand-like appearance gives the Money Tree such a unique and elegant look, making it one of my favorite plants in my collection.