Easy to grow and soothing to the eyes, they do not require much attention. Here is a collection of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants.
Japanese Plants are associated with serenity, tranquility, and calmness, which have psychological benefits and are believed to reduce stress, anxiety, and negativity in the environment. Check out the Best Indoor Japanese Plants to induce the perfect blend of peace and greenery in your house.
Find the Best Blue Houseplants here
Best Indoor Japanese Plants
1. Japanese Stone Crop
Botanical Name: Sedum ellacombianum
USDA Zones: 4 – 8
The Japanese Stone Crop is a herbaceous perennial plant that sprouts yellow flowers. It grows best under full sunlight and partial shade in well-drained, rich, sandy, or gravelly soils. Be careful not to have extremely rich soil, which can lead to weak growth. The plant spreads slowly and is tolerant to drought and heat. It is one of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants you can grow.
2. Azalea Bonsai
Botanical Name: Rhododendron indicum
USDA Zones: 7 – 8
This broadleaf evergreen shrub grows slowly and sprouts hot pink or often red or burgundy flowers. It can grow almost 2 – 3 inches in well-drained, moist, loamy, organic soil with an acidic pH under direct sunlight for 2- 6 hours.
It is a poisonous plant and contains grayanotoxin, which is released from almost all parts of the plant.
3. Japanese Bamboo
Botanical Name: Pseudosasa japonica
USDA Zones: 6 – 9
The Japanese Samurai is grown for its ornamental grass. Japanese Bamboo can be grown easily in a container as a houseplant. It requires full sunlight during the day, partial shade, and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. The evergreen plant has average water needs and is tolerant to heavy shade. It is one of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants you can grow.
4. Japanese Maple Plant
Botanical Name: Acer palmatum
USDA Zones: 5 – 8
The Maple Plant is a woody, deciduous shrub native to Asia with low maintenance requirements that can also be grown as a houseplant. It grows best under full sunlight and half-shade. Slightly acidic, loamy, well-drained, moist soil with a good amount of organic matter is required.
5. Japanese Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
USDA Zones: 11 -12
Spathiphyllum is a genus of almost 40 flowering plants known as Peace Lily. This herbaceous perennial plant is popularly grown as an indoor plant. Grow it in moist soil with high organic content and water it after the topsoil is dry with room-temperature, chlorine-free water.
Provide bright indirect light for 2- 6 hours and deep shade. The plant sprouts white or cream-colored showy flowers.
6. Japanese Fern Tree
Botanical Name: Filicium decipiens
USDA Zones: 10 – 12
The Japanese Fern Tree is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Its ornamental fern-like deep green foliage with a silvery sheen has made a standard houseplant.
It is a low-maintenance plant that can quickly fill a room with lush, vibrant greenery if grown in moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil under full sunlight and partial shade.
7. Japanese Larch Bonsai
Botanical Name: Larix kaempferi
USDA Zones: 4- 7
True to its name, this plant originated in Central Japan. It is a woody deciduous tree that can also be grown as a houseplant. The bark of this slow-growing pyramidal plant peels off in long strips.
Plant the Bonsai in a spot that receives full sunlight, i.e., six or more hours during the day, in well-drained, moist soil, in a humid environment. Water the soil when it is dry to the touch.
8. Japanese Aralia
Botanical Name: Fatsia japonica
USDA Zone: 7 – 10
Native to Korea and Japan, this plant is a broadleaf, evergreen woody shrub with green glossy and leathery leaves which can grow in cordate, filiform, oblong, or palmatisect shapes. It grows best in well-drained, moist soil with high organic content.
Clay, loam, or sand of almost all pH levels will work well. Keep it under direct sunlight for 2 -6 hours and give deep shade for 2 hours. It is one of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants you can grow.
9. Ficus Bonsai
Botanical Name: Ficus retusa
USDA Zones: 10 – 11
Ficus Bonsai is a perennial woody plant with evergreen, elliptic leaves that are tolerant to humidity and drought. It thrives in full sunlight and partial or dappled shade in a well-drained soil mix of clay, sand, or loam.
Water according to the season to keep the soil moist. Prune the Bonsai regularly to maintain its shape.
10. Japanese Spindle Plant
Botanical Name: Euonymus japonicus
USDA Zones: 6 – 9
The Spindle Plant, commonly known as Japanese Euonymus, is a compact evergreen shrub or tree native to Japan and Korea. It is a hardy perennial woody species popular for landscaping because of its vibrant green foliage.
This plant needs bright, filtered, and full sunlight for 6 hours, well-draining, and moist potting soil like clay, loam, or sand. Water it when the topsoil is dry.
11. Japanese Holly Fern
Botanical Name: Cyrtomium falcatum
USDA Zones: 6 – 10
The Japanese Holly Fern is native to Eastern Asia and Vietnam. It is grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive evergreen foliage, which has spores that grow darker as the plant grows.
This plant grows best in filtered sunlight and partial shade. Plant it in well-drained, moist clay, sand, or loam humus-rich soil.
12. Sprenger’s Asparagus
Botanical Name: Asparagus densiflorus
USDA Zone: 9-11
Asparagus Fern is a woody erect, perennial herb with arching branches. Its terminal branchlets are very narrow, flat, and needle-like and form in clusters of three. This plant looks beautiful with its bell-shaped yellow-green flowers and bright red berry fruits.
It grows well in loamy soil and prefers bright indirect light. It is one of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants you can grow.
13. Sugi
Botanical Name: Cryptomeria japonica
USDA Zone: 5-8
The Japanese Sugi is a slender, pyramidal, evergreen conifer with horizontal branching. It is best grown in moist, rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It is an easy-to-maintain plant due to its quality of not having any serious insect or disease problems.
14. Japanese Painted Fern
Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum
USDA Zones: 3-8
This easy-to-grow plant is best suited to grow in regions with cold temperatures. It is one of the best ornamental plants due to its variegated foliage that comes in multiple colors giving it a striped appearance. It grows best in loamy, well-drained soil with good organic matter content.
15. Japanese Bird Nest Fern
Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus
USDA Zones: 10-11
This indoor Japanese plant got its common name from its tightly curled leaves, growing from a brown rosette in the center. When these leaves are young, their unfurled fronds resemble eggs in a bird’s nest, giving it the name.
Due to its low light adaptability, Birds’ Nest fern is a popular houseplant that grows well in porous, well-draining soil. It is one of the Best Indoor Japanese Plants you can grow.
