20 Stunning Fast-Growing Indoor Plants for Your Collection!
Gardening requires a lot more patience than we’d like sometimes. While there is no such thing as a plant that will grow instantaneously, there are a few plants that grow a lot faster than the average houseplant!
The 20 fastest-growing plants to grow indoors are:
- Coleus
- Cebu blue
- Satin pothos
- Creeping jenny
- Eucalyptus
- Baby tears
- Grape ivy
- Heartleaf philodendron
- Lemon lime maranta
- Mint
- Monstera
- Monstera adansonii
- Mother of thousands
- Peperomia ruby cascade
- Pilea
- Prickly pear cactus
- String of bananas
- String of hearts
- Umbrella plant
- Fishpole bamboo
Plants can be notoriously slow at times and it can be frustrating. But don’t worry. Check out this list of fast-growing plants I put together for you to speed-read!
1. Coleus (Coleus decurrens)
Coleus is a fast-growing plant that is easy to grow by seed and will visibly grow larger after a month of care. For optimum results, grow coleus by east-facing windows indoors for adequate light.
If you enjoy colorful plants, you’ll enjoy coleus!
This plant has bright, colorful foliage and has hundreds of varieties to choose from. Better yet, its seeds are easy to plant and will sprout in just 2 weeks.
If you’d rather buy established plants, you’ll be happy to hear that even a small coleus with just a few leaves will quickly spring up to a foot tall after just a month.
Once fully mature, the plant can easily reach 3 feet (0.91 m). For faster growth, place them in eastern windows to provide them with plenty of bright indirect light.
2. Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
The Cebu blue pothos is a fast-growing plant that is commonly grown indoors for its blue leaves. Pruning will not negatively affect its growth. This plant will quickly grow back within 1–2 months after being cut.
This easy-growing plant with silvery blue foliage can be difficult to find at times. But once it’s established it will rapidly grow back in just a couple of months after being pruned!
Cebu blue pothos cuttings are easy to propagate. They quickly develop roots and create more prolific plants.
Due to how swiftly it grows. though, it’s more likely to become rootbound. So keep an eye on those roots and you’re sure to grow a fast-growing Cebu blue pothos.
3. Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
Satin pothos is a vine plant that is known for its ability to grow quickly. It is a naturally fast-growing plant but will proliferate more when fertilized once a month.
Satin pothos is a popular houseplant, and for good reason! This speckled plant grows so quickly, some plant owners even believe it grows faster than golden pothos.
It grows even faster when fed fertilizer once a month. However, its leaves are tender. In other words, direct sun exposure can cause the leaves to turn brown.
This plant is mildly toxic for both animals and humans, so be sure to keep it away from curious children and pets.
Keep it as a hanging plant to be completely safe. This is also the best way you can admire its fast-growing vines!
4. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
The creeping jenny spreads rapidly and makes an attractive and compact houseplant. Because of its fast-growing nature, it is invasive in Virginia and must only be grown indoors in containers.
This plant’s speedy growth rates are perfect for impatient gardeners. Plus, how could you say no to its iconic yellow flowers?
Its tiny leaves spread so widely that the plant has been marked as invasive in Virginia.
Since it is not recommended to place these plants directly in the ground, they make excellent candidates for indoor container gardens.
In as little as a month, this plant will rapidly form lush and full mounds of green that look best in wide planters.
It grows best in moist soils, so if you tend to water heavily, this plant is a great choice for you!
5. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)
Eucalyptus is a fast-growing plant that can grow 6 feet per year. To achieve the best results, grow eucalyptus in 6 hours of direct sunlight.
These plants can be kept in smaller pots and will still take off like crazy, making them ideal for smaller spaces.
Although eucalyptus can adapt to a wide range of conditions, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sun to grow as much as possible.
You’ll find out how important lighting is to grow plants faster later in the article, so let’s keep going.
This attractive plant can be grown as a dwarf tree indoors and can grow 6 feet per year! It can also repel pests like flies and termites and is overall an excellent plant to grow.
6. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
The baby tears plant grows so fast that it is invasive in North Carolina and can only be grown in pots indoors. The dense foliage will quickly spread 6 feet wide.
This plant grows foliage that is so tiny, it looks similar to baby tears.
It’s a shorter plant compared to others. It doesn’t grow much higher than 3 feet but you’ll be surprised at how quickly it can spread to 6 feet!
Baby tears plants have such a rampant growth rate that they are an invasive species in North Carolina. As such, they are safer to keep in containers.
The compact leaves make it splendid as a hanging plant. Plus, it grows so quickly that it will probably need to be repotted every year or so.
Keep it in a wide pot with drainage holes and watch your baby tears plant thrive!
7. Grape Ivy (Cissus alata)
Grape ivy is a prolific vining plant that is known to grow quickly. For faster growth, grow grape ivy by east-facing windows indoors.
This vining plant will happily climb whatever it can. Grape ivies will rapidly produce vines or tendrils, so be prepared to trim it often.
It can tolerate being in low light but it thrives in dappled or filtered sunlight.
Its glossy leaves are prone to spider mites and will need extra care to avoid pests, so watch out!
8. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
The heartleaf philodendron is a popular indoor plant known for its fast growth. When placed in bright filtered light, it will grow rapidly and become 5 feet long in a year.
This plant produces pleasant heart-shaped foliage and is commonly known as the sweetheart plant.
Depending on your preference, it can be grown as a hanging plant or a climbing plant with a moss pole. But prepare yourself for its speedy growth rates!
It tends to boom in bright indirect sun and can grow 5 feet long in under a year. The heartleaf philodendron isn’t a finicky plant. But placing it in direct sun will scorch its tender leaves.
It is slow to grow by seed, however, and it is quicker to propagate using cuttings.
9. Lemon Lime Maranta (Maranta leuconeura)
Mature lemon lime maranta grows faster than other houseplants and regularly grows new leaves. Feed the plant nitrogen-high fertilizer twice a month and keep the plant in highly humid rooms for faster growth.
Plant owners that enjoy the look of lemon lime marantas will be happy to hear that they are always producing new leaves!
These plants can be particularly hard to find, however, especially since their seeds take 2 years to grow. But once it is mature, it will be constantly putting out new leaves. Oftentimes, this surprises people!
The key to raising happy lemon lime marantas is to keep them in high humidity. Feed them nitrogen-high fertilizer twice a month to help the plant grow even faster.
Learn more about this plant in How to Care for Lemon Lime Maranta
10. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Because mint is such an aggressive plant, it is best grown indoors strictly in pots. Its fast-growing nature allows it to reach 1–2 feet in under 3 months of care.
One of the fastest-growing plants you can grow indoors is mint. This is ideal for those who want to start growing and prefer rapid-growing plants.
Due to how rapidly it grows, however, gardeners are always advised to keep their mint confined in containers.
This plant will quickly grow to be about 2 feet tall in less than 3 months. Plus, not only does it look lovely, it’s also a great kitchen herb!
11. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
The growth rates of monstera plants are so prolific that they can grow up to 8 feet tall in under a year. Keep them indoors by filtered east-facing windows and prune often for faster growth.
When it comes to fast growers, monstera hardly ever disappoints. While it can definitely be placed in shadier rooms, I’ve noticed it tends to develop more vigorously in bright medium light.
It grows quickly even when it’s cut back and will produce new leaves every 3 weeks. But don’t toss out those cuttings, they can be used for propagation.
One gardener I know has raised a monstera to reach more than 8 feet in just a year, so you can tell these plants live up to their name!
For more houseplants like these, check out this list of 19 Stunning Houseplants With Large Leaves
12. Monstera Adansonii (Monstera adansonii)
The monstera adansonii can grow 6–12 inches taller yearly and is commonly grown for its fast-growing nature. Keep monstera adansonii indoors by filtered eastern windows for optimum results.
This is a variety of monstera known as the Swiss Cheese plant, due to the unique holes in its leaves.
It can quickly grow up to 5 feet indoors. If it’s happy, you can safely expect this plant to grow between as much as 12 inches per year!
Like many other houseplants, monstera adansonii can tolerate different lighting but will flourish in front of east-facing windows with curtains.
Just be ready to prune it often, as it tends to grow quite wildly.
13. Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)
Mother of thousands is a succulent with aggressive growth rates that will quickly produce new offsets. The offsets will root and grow visibly larger in less than 10 days. Its fast growth can easily become invasive so it is best grown indoors.
This prolific plant readily develops numerous plantlets or offsets to root and produce more plants, pronto!
Because of how quickly it grows and develops new plants, this succulent is often called the devil’s backbone and can become weedy, so beware.
A healthy mother of thousands plant can generate ridiculous amounts of offsets all at once. These plantlets can be placed in soil and will grow visibly larger in less than 10 days!
14. Peperomia Ruby Cascade (Peperomia ruby cascade)
Peperomia ruby cascade is a fast-growing member of the peperomia family that grows over several feet long. Keep by a west-facing window for adequate sun to promote faster growth indoors.
Unlike other typical slow-growing peperomias, the peperomia ruby cascade is a ridiculously fast-growing plant that will do nothing but grows.
It appreciates west-facing windows and is known to grow so swiftly, it is frequently compared to the rampant string of hearts.
Peperomia ruby cascade vines will quickly grow several feet long if it is not pruned.
To make it even better, this plant is drought-tolerant and can handle less water than other houseplants!
15. Pilea (Pilea peperomioides)
Pilea is a popular fast-growing indoor plant that quickly grows as tall as 12 inches. Rhizomes, or underground stems, allow them to grow faster and produce new foliage.
You’ve probably heard of this one. This plant is famous for its charming, lily-pad or pancake-shaped leaves and has a habit of growing faster than most people expect.
This plant is a bit short and typically only reaches 12 inches. But it’s a productive plant that quickly spreads by rhizomes and is constantly sprouting new leaves!
To help encourage its continuous growth, give it at least 2–4 hours of direct sun per day and fertilize it once a month except in fall and winter when the plant slips into dormancy.
16. Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Due to how fast the prickly pear cactus grows, it is invasive in Australia and must be grown in containers. With proper care, it will quickly grow over 6 feet tall indoors.
Opuntia cacti grow so easily that they have been marked as invasive in Australia.
The fastest way to grow prickly pear cacti is through cuttings, as they will quickly take root in less than 3 weeks.
These cacti can outgrow their containers, growing beyond 6 feet tall. After 3–4 years, it will even produce fruit!
Keep it in full sun for at least 8 hours for a vigorous growing cactus.
17. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)
The string of bananas is a low-maintenance indoor plant that will rapidly grow new leaves in 2 weeks. For faster growth, place string of bananas by south-facing windows.
The string of bananas is a fun-looking houseplant that requires so little water, yet grows so generously.
Since they do not need much attention, some plant owners can even sometimes forget about their string of bananas. But they’re always surprised to see how much the plants have grown since the last time they checked on them!
South-facing windows are best for this plant and will help it put out ridiculous amounts of new leaves in just a couple of weeks.
18. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
The string of hearts plant is commonly cultivated for its extremely fast growth. The seeds will germinate in less than 2 weeks and its vines can quickly grow over 4 feet indoors.
Given proper care, this elegant trailing plant can easily grow over a foot long every month. Some plant owners I know have even been able to grow string of hearts plants over 4 feet long!
If it grows too wildly for you, which it probably will sometimes, its heart-shaped leaves can easily be used for propagation. Such cuttings will take root in just a few weeks.
String of hearts seeds can be hard to find but they germinate in less than 14 days and will make an entirely new plant after 3 months.
The sweet, heart-shaped leaves of this plant will turn yellow in overly dark rooms. So keep it in a bright room for some of the fastest-growing habits you’ve ever seen.
19. Umbrella Plant (Cyperus alternifolius)
Umbrella plants are fast-growing plants that can grow one foot more per year. This plant can easily be grown indoors and will produce new growth regularly.
This plant might look similar to a parlor palm but the umbrella plant, also known as a dwarf papyrus, grows much faster.
Its upright leaves fan out in such a way that it looks like fireworks or an umbrella. Due to how tolerant this plant is of soggy soil, it is also commonly grown for koi ponds.
Unlike other plants though, this plant will shoot up just as quickly as fireworks go off!
20. Fishpole Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
As the fastest-growing plant in the world, bamboo can grow to be nearly 15 feet tall in one week. Due to this, it is seen as invasive in Maryland and Florida. Grow this plant strictly indoors in containers. Place them by east-facing windows to promote faster growth.
This final plant has vicious growing rates that are not for the faint of heart.
Bamboo spreads by rhizomes, or underground stems, and can grow over 10 feet tall in one week during its active growing periods. It is the fastest-growing plant in the world and can grow 23 inches daily.
These incredible plants grow so vigorously, the fishpole bamboo plants in our garden often towered over me as a child.
After some experimenting, I learned long ago that fishpole bamboo can rapidly grow over 8 feet tall when placed in direct light from east-facing windows.
Because of its aggressive growth, however, bamboo can be a nightmare for unprepared gardeners. This plant is invasive in Maryland and Florida, so avoid planting it in the ground at all times.
But with some awareness, you can easily grow this plant indoors. It doesn’t require much maintenance and can be kept in regular 6-inch deep pots for you to enjoy for years at a time!
5 Simple Ways to Make Plants Grow Faster
The 5 ways plants can be encouraged to grow faster is by ensuring they’re given proper light, water, fertilizer, temperature, and that they are repotted when necessary.
Aside from owning these fast-growing plants, you might be wondering, how can we make our current plants grow faster?
It might be ideal to just buy these plants, but sometimes it’s easier (and more affordable) to work with what we currently have.
Let’s go over the ways you can encourage your houseplants to grow faster to help you achieve the plant empire or cozy plant den you always wanted!
1. Light
The best way to promote faster plant growth is to supply them with sufficient sunlight. Grow lights can be used to provide supplemental light but cannot replace natural sunlight. Use grow lights or put plants in brighter areas during winter to provide adequate light.
A good rule of thumb is to gradually increase the amount of light the plant gets to speed up its growth.
Additionally, it may also be necessary to place your plants in brighter areas during the winter. There is less light during this season compared to others. Insufficient light exposure leads to slow growth.
Grow lights are an excellent option for those without much natural light. But if you have to pick between grow lights and natural sun, it’s always best to go with sunlight.
Find out more in Grow Lights vs Sunlight
But remember that every plant is different. What the sun-loving cactus might enjoy, your philodendron birkin will probably find too strong!
While it might be perfect for us, our homes are oftentimes too dark for plants. By paying attention to your plant’s needs, you can provide it with just the right amount of light it needs and it will quickly take off.
2. Water
Plants require sufficient water to transport nutrients and continue growing throughout the year. To encourage faster growth, water the plants until it runs out of the bottom to saturate the roots. Remember to let the soil dry in-between watering sessions.
Some houseplants can handle being underwatered, but they are less likely to produce new growth when they’re constantly lacking the moisture they need.
On the other hand, unless you intend to kill your plants with love by overwatering them, allow them to dry between watering sessions. This will help prevent excessive amounts of water from sitting inside the pot and causing root rot, slowing the plant’s growth.
Just like plants need enough sun to photosynthesize, they also require adequate water to carry nutrients.
Be sure to water your plants deeply and let the water stream out of the drainage holes to ensure their roots are fully saturated.
If overwatering is something you struggle with, consider growing plants better suited to your gardening style. Umbrella plants or creeping jenny’s are perfect for watering-happy plant owners and grow faster in damp soils.
3. Fertilizer
Regular fertilization of houseplants will promote fast, continuous growth. This is because plants require nutrients to produce new growth. A liquid, nitrogen-high fertilizer can be given to most plants, though each plant will have specific requirements.
Using fertilizer is another excellent way to speed up plant growth. Aside from increasing their light exposure, your plants must be given adequate amounts of nutrients.
Nitrogen-high fertilizers are great for encouraging more growth and foliage. But this might not work for every single plant you own.
Unless you’re certain your plant is suffering from a deficiency, it’s best to use a fertilizer with a wide range of nutrients to avoid disrupting the plant’s nutrient balance.
Houseplants usually need to be fed a couple of times a month to continuously push out faster growth. But as always, this will depend on the plant and its needs.
I prefer liquid fertilizer because it can be controlled and has a fast absorption rate. But slow-release granular fertilizer is also terrific for gradually providing nutrients.
Learn the difference in Liquid vs Granular Fertilizer
This fertilizer on Amazon is a favorite for many gardeners and can help plants grow quicker!
4. Temperature
Most houseplants cannot tolerate temperatures lower than 59°F and must be placed in environments with consistent temperatures. To promote faster growth, place the plant in a room with closed windows to prevent overly cold and fluctuating temperatures.
Temperature is one of those things we forget sometimes. Although many houseplants we grow nowadays can adapt to the conditions of our home, it does not always mean it is their ideal environment.
If the temperature isn’t consistent or it drops too low, too often, the plant will constantly attempt to adapt to the cold or rapid changes, and will not grow as quickly.
Ensure the temperature is not colder than 59°F, as this can be too cold for many plants, like monstera.
Be careful with opening windows as well, as this can be a source of cold drafts and cause temperature fluctuations.
One of the reasons why so many plants flourish in greenhouses more than the average household is because the greenhouse provides a stable environment.
Not many of us own greenhouses, however, so it’s best to maintain a regular temperature as much as possible to achieve the same effect.
5. Repotting
Indoor plants should be repotted only when needed or when the roots are coming out through the bottom drainage holes. Move the plant to a pot two sizes larger to encourage the root systems to develop faster .
Repotting plants to encourage new growth isn’t a bad idea. However, the best advice I can offer you is to never repot plants unnecessarily or merely as a matter of routine.
You want to avoid disturbing the root systems as much as possible, as repotting can cause plant stress and prevent them from growing faster.
Some gardeners even believe that their plants grow more rapidly when they’re slightly rootbound. If you let this go on too long, however, and notice growth slowing down, it could be a sign its roots are too tightly packed in its current planter.
Wait until the pot is full of roots and the roots are seen through the drainage holes. When the time to repot finally comes, put the plant in a pot two sizes larger than its previous one.
The plant will develop a larger root system than before, and this will leave you with a very happy and fast-growing plant baby!
FAQ
Which indoor plants grow fast from seeds?
Coleus is a popular houseplant that grows quickly from seed and can become a full plant in less than 3 months. The seeds are widely available in most areas and do not need to be soaked ahead of time.
What plants only take a week to grow?
Fishpole bamboo can rapidly grow several feet in just a week and is the fastest-growing plant known to man. Additionally, a mother of thousands offset will visibly double in size in a week after it is planted in soil.
Will ventilation help plants grow faster?
Proper ventilation alone cannot make a plant grow faster. But it is crucial to give plants good ventilation to allow them to dry out between watering and avoid root rot. Keep houseplants in airy rooms and use fans to promote better air circulation and ventilation.
What are the benefits of fast-growing houseplants?
The benefits of owning fast-growing houseplants are that they can provide faster results and are easier to collect. Studies have also shown that homes and offices filled with plants can help increase overall productivity.
Summary of Fast-Growing Indoor Plants
Indoor plants that grow fast would be coleus, Cebu blue, satin pothos, creeping jenny, eucalyptus, baby tears, grape ivy, heartleaf philodendron, lemon lime maranta, mint, monstera, monstera adansonii, mother of thousands, peperomia ruby cascade, pilea, prickly pear cactus, string of bananas, string of hearts, umbrella plant, and the fishpole bamboo.
Moreover, indoor plants can be encouraged to grow faster by giving them adequate light, water, fertilizer, temperature, and repotting them when they’re rootbound.
Sources
- “Coleus scutellarioides” by n/a in NC State University
- “Lysimachia nummularia” by n/a in NC State University
- “Phyllostachys aurea” by n/a in NC State University
- “Four Benefits of Houseplants” by Carter Roberts in South Dakota State University
- “Environmental factors affecting plant growth” by n/a in Oregon State University
- “Application of Bamboo Plants in Nine Aspects” by Abolghassem Emamverdian, Yulong Ding, Fatemeh Ranaei, and Zishan Ahmad in National Library of Medicine
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