What are indoor plants scientific names? The scientific names of indoor plants are standard botanical names used to correctly identify different houseplants.
Indoor plants bring color and life to homes, workplaces, schools, and many other rooms. A plant can also have a scientific name. That name lets people refer to the same plant in many countries. Regular common names may change depending on location, but the scientific label remains the same.
This indoor plants guide lists one hundred popular indoor plants. It also includes their botanical names. The list is split into five groups. You can find flowering indoor plants. There are foliage indoor plants too. Other sections cover succulents and cacti, palms and fern-like plants, and climbing or trailing plants.
Table of Contents
Each table shows the common name and the indoor plants scientific name. The guide also covers why scientific names matter. You will learn how botanical names can make it easier to spot a plant correctly.
What Are Indoor Plants Scientific Names?
Indoor plant scientific names are set botanical names. They are meant to identify a plant species. Many scientific names use binomial nomenclature. This system uses two parts to name a plant.
One part is the genus. The other part is the species. Take the rubber plant as an example. Its scientific name is Ficus elastica. Ficus is the genus. Elastica points to the species.
Common names are fine for daily talk. Still, they can cause mix-ups. One common name might match more than one plant. Scientific names give a clearer match for botanists, gardeners, students, researchers, and plant collectors.
Indoor Plants Scientific Names List
We can group common houseplants by growth habits and features. The following five categories provide a useful list of scientific names for 100 common indoor plants.
1. Flowering Indoor Plants Scientific Names
Flowering indoor plants are grown for their flowers or colorful blooms. Many can grow indoors when they receive suitable light, temperature, water, and humidity.
| Common Indoor Plants Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| African Violet | Streptocarpus ionanthus |
| Anthurium | Anthurium andraeanum |
| Moth Orchid | Phalaenopsis spp. |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum wallisii |
| Kalanchoe | Kalanchoe blossfeldiana |
| Christmas Cactus | Schlumbergera truncata |
| Wax Plant | Hoya carnosa |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen persicum |
| Begonia | Begonia × hiemalis |
| Bromeliad | Guzmania lingulata |
| Crown of Thorns | Euphorbia milii |
| Gerbera Daisy | Gerbera jamesonii |
| Cape Primrose | Streptocarpus spp. |
| Flamingo Flower | Anthurium spp. |
| Lipstick Plant | Aeschynanthus radicans |
| Goldfish Plant | Nematanthus gregarius |
| Gloxinia | Sinningia speciosa |
| Persian Violet | Exacum affine |
| Jasmine | Jasminum polyanthum |
| Amaryllis | Hippeastrum spp. |
2. Foliage Indoor Plants Scientific Names
These plants are picked for their leaves. You may see leaves of many shapes. Some have stripes. Others show plain colors. Leaf size also varies a lot, and it is a big reason people choose them.
| Indoor Plant Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Dracaena trifasciata |
| Rubber Plant | Ficus elastica |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Ficus lyrata |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa |
| Chinese Evergreen | Aglaonema commutatum |
| Spider Plant | Chlorophytum comosum |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
| Cast Iron Plant | Aspidistra elatior |
| Prayer Plant | Maranta leuconeura |
| Nerve Plant | Fittonia albivenis |
| Peperomia | Peperomia obtusifolia |
| Croton | Codiaeum variegatum |
| Dumb Cane | Dieffenbachia seguine |
| Corn Plant | Dracaena fragrans |
| Swiss Cheese Plant | Monstera adansonii |
| Calathea | Goeppertia orbifolia |
| Arrowhead Plant | Syngonium podophyllum |
| Chinese Money Plant | Pilea peperomioides |
| Alocasia | Alocasia macrorrhizos |
| Prayer Plant Red Maranta | Maranta leuconeura |
3. Indoor Succulents and Cacti Scientific Names
Succulents hold water in fleshy parts. That can be leaves, stems, or roots. Cacti fall inside the wider succulent group. Many can live indoors if they get enough light and are watered carefully.
| Common Indoor Plant Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Aloe vera |
| Jade Plant | Crassula ovata |
| Zebra Haworthia | Haworthiopsis attenuata |
| Panda Plant | Kalanchoe tomentosa |
| Burro’s Tail | Sedum morganianum |
| String of Pearls | Curio rowleyanus |
| String of Hearts | Ceropegia woodii |
| Echeveria | Echeveria elegans |
| Christmas Cactus | Schlumbergera truncata |
| Easter Cactus | Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri |
| Barrel Cactus | Echinocactus grusonii |
| Bunny Ears Cactus | Opuntia microdasys |
| Fairy Castle Cactus | Acanthocereus tetragonus |
| Moon Cactus | Gymnocalycium mihanovichii |
| Crown of Thorns | Euphorbia milii |
| Pencil Cactus | Euphorbia tirucalli |
| String of Bananas | Curio radicans |
| Living Stones | Lithops spp. |
| Haworthia | Haworthiopsis spp. |
| Gasteria | Gasteria spp. |
4. Indoor Palms and Ferns Scientific Names
Palms and ferns are both common indoors. Palms often look tropical, with long leaves. Ferns tend to form softer fronds. Those fronds can look split or airy.
| Common Indoor Plant Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Areca Palm | Dypsis lutescens |
| Parlor Palm | Chamaedorea elegans |
| Kentia Palm | Howea forsteriana |
| Lady Palm | Rhapis excelsa |
| Bamboo Palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii |
| Cat Palm | Chamaedorea cataractarum |
| Chinese Fan Palm | Livistona chinensis |
| Sago Palm | Cycas revoluta |
| Ponytail Palm | Beaucarnea recurvata |
| Majesty Palm | Ravenea rivularis |
| Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exaltata |
| Bird’s Nest Fern | Asplenium nidus |
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum raddianum |
| Kimberly Queen Fern | Nephrolepis obliterata |
| Staghorn Fern | Platycerium bifurcatum |
| Button Fern | Pellaea rotundifolia |
| Lemon Button Fern | Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’ |
| Rabbit’s Foot Fern | Davallia fejeensis |
| Holly Fern | Cyrtomium falcatum |
| Brake Fern | Pteris cretica |
5. Indoor Climbing and Trailing Plants
Climbers and trailers are favorites for rooms. They can grow from hanging baskets. They also work on shelves and near trellises. Some use supports to reach upward. Their growth habit helps decorate a home.
| Common Indoor Plant Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Golden Pothos | Epipremnum aureum |
| Heartleaf Philodendron | Philodendron hederaceum |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix |
| String of Turtles | Peperomia prostrata |
| String of Nickels | Dischidia nummularia |
| String of Pearls | Curio rowleyanus |
| String of Hearts | Ceropegia woodii |
| Arrowhead Plant | Syngonium podophyllum |
| Hoya | Hoya carnosa |
| Satin Pothos | Scindapsus pictus |
| Rhaphidophora | Rhaphidophora tetrasperma |
| Heartleaf Philodendron | Philodendron hederaceum |
| Creeping Fig | Ficus pumila |
| Swedish Ivy | Plectranthus verticillatus |
| Lipstick Plant | Aeschynanthus radicans |
| Wax Ivy | Senecio macroglossus |
| Turtle Vine | Callisia repens |
| Inch Plant | Tradescantia zebrina |
| Wandering Dude | Tradescantia fluminensis |
| Boston Ivy | Parthenocissus tricuspidata |
Common Houseplants Scientific Names

Some of the most searched common houseplants scientific names include:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Dracaena trifasciata |
| Money Plant / Pothos | Epipremnum aureum |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe vera |
| Spider Plant | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum wallisii |
| Rubber Plant | Ficus elastica |
| ZZ Plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
| Jade Plant | Crassula ovata |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Ficus lyrata |
These plants have become common choices for indoor growing, but their care requirements are not the same. Light, water, humidity, temperature, soil, and potting drainage can all affect plant growth.
FAQs
What are indoor plants scientific names?
Indoor plants scientific names are standardized botanical names used to identify different houseplants accurately.
What is the scientific name of a snake plant?
The scientific name of the snake plant is Dracaena trifasciata.
What is the scientific name of a money plant?
The common money plant or golden pothos is scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum.
What is the scientific name of aloe vera?
The scientific name of aloe vera is Aloe vera.
Why are scientific names important for indoor plants?
Scientific names help us identify plants correctly because common names can differ between countries and regions.

