Living in New York means navigating busy streets, noisy subways, cold winters, and apartments that can sometimes feel small or cramped.
Amid all this hustle and bustle, it can be easy to feel stressed, tired, or disconnected from nature.
But did you know that simply bringing a few plants into your home can help improve your mood, reduce stress, and create a sense of calm?
Plants do more than just add color—they purify the air, brighten up your space, and give you something peaceful to nurture and care for each day.
Even small apartments or window sills can support greenery that makes a noticeable difference in how you feel.
Whether you’re new to gardening or already have a green thumb, these mood-boosting plants are ideal for New York homes, transforming any room into a cozy, inviting retreat where you can relax, breathe easier, and enjoy a touch of nature right in the heart of the city.
1. Snake Plant
Ever notice how some plants seem nearly impossible to destroy?
Snake plants fall into that category, making them ideal for busy New Yorkers who forget to water their greenery.
With tall, sword-like leaves striped in shades of green and yellow, snake plants add a modern touch to any room.
They thrive in low light and need watering only once every two to three weeks.
Perfect for bedrooms, they release oxygen at night, which can improve your sleep quality.
Studies show that having plants indoors reduces stress and anxiety.
Snake plants are especially good at filtering toxins from the air, like formaldehyde and benzene, which are common in city apartments.
You’ll breathe easier and feel calmer just having one around.
Place your snake plant near a window with indirect light, though it tolerates darker corners too.
Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can cause root rot.
The plant’s hardy nature means it bounces back quickly from neglect.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance companion that boosts your mood and cleans your air, the snake plant checks every box.
It’s a green friend that asks for very little but gives back so much.
2. Lavender
Picture this: you walk into your apartment after a long day, and the calming scent of lavender wraps around you like a warm hug.
Lavender isn’t just beautiful—it’s scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Growing lavender indoors in New York is easier than you might think.
It loves bright sunlight, so place it near a south-facing window where it gets at least six hours of light daily.
Water it when the soil feels dry, and make sure the pot has good drainage.
The purple flowers aren’t just for show.
You can dry them and tuck them into pillowcases or sachets to help you sleep better.
Some people even brew lavender tea to unwind in the evening.
Lavender thrives in slightly cooler temperatures, which works well for New York apartments during fall and winter.
Just keep it away from drafty windows when it gets really cold outside.
Did you know?
Lavender has been used for centuries in aromatherapy to treat headaches and insomnia.
Having a pot of lavender on your kitchen counter or bedroom nightstand brings both beauty and peace into your daily routine, turning your home into a personal spa.
3. Peace Lily
Few plants combine elegance and air-purifying power quite like the peace lily.
Its glossy green leaves and delicate white blooms make any space feel more serene and inviting.
Peace lilies are champions at removing indoor pollutants like ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde.
NASA even included them in their list of top air-cleaning plants.
Breathing cleaner air naturally lifts your mood and helps you think more clearly.
Caring for a peace lily is straightforward. It prefers low to medium light, so it’s perfect for apartments that don’t get tons of sunshine.
Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and watch how it perks up within hours.
One cool thing about peace lilies?
They actually droop when they need water, giving you a clear signal.
It’s almost like they’re communicating with you, which makes plant care feel more interactive and rewarding.
Keep peace lilies away from pets, as they can be toxic if chewed.
Place them on high shelves or in rooms where curious cats and dogs won’t reach them.
With minimal effort, you’ll enjoy beautiful blooms and fresher air all year long, making your New York home a healthier haven.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is like having a tiny pharmacy sitting on your windowsill.
Not only does it brighten your space with its spiky, sculptural leaves, but it also offers soothing gel for burns, cuts, and dry skin.
Growing aloe vera is a breeze.
It needs bright, indirect sunlight and very little water—about once every three weeks is plenty.
Overwatering is the biggest mistake people make, so let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Having aloe vera around boosts your mood because it gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Watching it grow new shoots, called pups, feels rewarding.
Plus, knowing you have natural first aid on hand reduces stress and worry.
Aloe vera also helps clean indoor air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
It’s especially useful in New York apartments where air quality can be less than ideal due to pollution and traffic.
Fun fact: ancient Egyptians called aloe vera the plant of immortality and used it in their beauty routines.
Today, you can snip off a leaf, squeeze out the gel, and apply it to sunburns or irritated skin.
It’s a living, breathing wellness tool that asks for almost nothing in return.
5. Spider Plant
With cascading leaves that look like green waterfalls, spider plants bring energy and life to any corner of your home.
They’re practically indestructible, which is great news if you’re new to plant parenting.
Spider plants are fantastic air purifiers.
They remove pollutants like carbon monoxide and xylene, making your indoor environment healthier.
Cleaner air means better focus, improved mood, and fewer headaches—all wins for busy New Yorkers.
Caring for spider plants is simple.
They tolerate a range of lighting conditions, from bright indirect light to partial shade.
Water them once a week, and they’ll reward you with adorable baby plantlets, or spiderettes, that dangle from long stems.
These baby plants are easy to propagate.
Just snip them off and place them in water until roots form, then pot them up.
Sharing spider plant babies with friends and neighbors creates connection and spreads joy.
Spider plants are non-toxic to pets, so you don’t have to worry if your cat decides to nibble on the leaves.
Their playful, arching shape adds movement and interest to shelves, desks, or hanging planters.
In a city that never stops, spider plants remind you to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty around you.
6. Boston Fern
Imagine walking into your bathroom and feeling like you’ve stepped into a tropical oasis.
Boston ferns, with their feathery, cascading fronds, create that vibe effortlessly.
Boston ferns are natural humidifiers.
They release moisture into the air, which is especially helpful during New York’s dry winter months when indoor heating zaps humidity.
Higher humidity levels can improve your skin, reduce respiratory irritation, and make your home feel more comfortable.
These ferns prefer indirect light and consistently moist soil.
Bathrooms are ideal because they naturally have higher humidity from showers.
Mist the leaves regularly to keep them looking vibrant and healthy.
Boston ferns are also excellent air purifiers, removing toxins like formaldehyde and xylene.
Cleaner air contributes to better mental clarity and a more peaceful atmosphere. When you feel good physically, your mood lifts naturally.
One thing to remember: Boston ferns can be a bit dramatic.
If they dry out, their fronds turn brown and crispy.
But with consistent care, they bounce back and reward you with lush, green growth.
Hanging them in baskets adds vertical interest and makes small New York apartments feel bigger.
Their soft texture and vibrant color create a calming, spa-like environment that melts away stress after a hectic day.
7. Pothos
Pothos is often called the ultimate beginner plant, but even experienced gardeners love it.
Its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines bring a touch of nature indoors without demanding much attention.
What makes pothos a mood booster? It’s incredibly forgiving. If you forget to water it, it bounces back quickly.
That resilience mirrors the strength you need living in a fast-paced city like New York, reminding you that it’s okay to stumble and recover.
Pothos thrives in low to bright indirect light and only needs watering when the soil dries out.
It grows fast, so you’ll see visible progress within weeks.
Watching something flourish under your care feels deeply satisfying and boosts your confidence.
The plant also purifies air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.
Cleaner air means sharper thinking and better overall wellness.
Plus, pothos is easy to propagate—just snip a stem and place it in water until roots appear.
You can train pothos to climb a moss pole or let it cascade from shelves and hanging planters.
Its versatility makes it perfect for any room.
Did you know? Pothos is sometimes called devil’s ivy because it stays green even in the dark.
It’s a symbol of persistence and vitality, qualities every New Yorker can appreciate.
8. Rubber Plant
Looking for a plant that makes a bold statement?
Rubber plants, with their large, glossy leaves, command attention and instantly elevate your interior design game.
Rubber plants are excellent air purifiers, especially effective at removing formaldehyde.
They’re also low-maintenance, needing bright indirect light and watering only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Their sturdy, upright growth makes them perfect for corners that need a pop of green.
Having a rubber plant around can boost your mood simply because it looks so impressive.
There’s something empowering about caring for a big, thriving plant.
It gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes your space feel more luxurious.
Rubber plants grow fairly quickly, so you’ll notice new leaves unfurling regularly.
Watching your plant grow taller and fuller is rewarding and gives you something positive to focus on during stressful times.
Keep the leaves clean by wiping them with a damp cloth every few weeks.
Dust blocks light and makes the plant look dull. A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your rubber plant looking vibrant.
Native to Southeast Asia, rubber plants were once tapped for latex.
Today, they’re prized as houseplants that bring elegance and fresh air into New York homes, turning any room into a green sanctuary.
9. Jade Plant
Jade plants are often called money trees or lucky plants, and many people believe they bring prosperity and good fortune.
Whether or not that’s true, there’s no denying they add charm and positive energy to any space.
With thick, rounded leaves that store water, jade plants are incredibly drought-tolerant.
They need bright light and infrequent watering—about once every two weeks.
Overwatering is the main mistake, so it’s better to err on the side of dry.
Caring for a jade plant teaches patience.
They grow slowly but steadily, rewarding you with new leaves and branches over time.
That gradual progress mirrors personal growth, reminding you that good things take time.
Jade plants are also easy to propagate.
Drop a leaf in soil, and it will eventually sprout roots and grow into a new plant.
Sharing jade plants with friends spreads good vibes and strengthens connections.
In feng shui, jade plants symbolize growth, renewal, and positive energy.
Placing one near your front door is said to invite prosperity into your home.
Whether or not you follow feng shui, having a jade plant around makes your space feel more balanced and serene.
Its sculptural shape and glossy leaves catch the light beautifully, adding a touch of elegance to your New York apartment.
10. English Ivy
English ivy might remind you of old brick buildings covered in green vines, but it’s also a fantastic indoor plant that brings a touch of classic elegance to modern homes.
English ivy is a powerhouse when it comes to air purification.
Studies show it reduces airborne mold by up to 94 percent, which is especially helpful in older New York apartments where dampness can be an issue.
Cleaner air means fewer allergies and better breathing, both of which improve your mood.
Caring for English ivy is straightforward.
It prefers bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil.
Mist the leaves regularly to keep them looking fresh and to boost humidity around the plant.
You can grow English ivy in hanging baskets, letting the vines cascade down, or train it to climb a small trellis.
Its versatility makes it perfect for creative displays that add personality to your space.
One caution: English ivy is toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach if you have curious animals.
Despite that, it’s a wonderful plant for bedrooms and living rooms, where its trailing vines create a calming, almost whimsical atmosphere.
Did you know? English ivy has been a symbol of fidelity and friendship for centuries, making it a meaningful addition to your home that connects you to history and nature.