Given the number of shriveled-up plants you've tossed in the trash, you might believe your green thumb is nonexistent, but I'm here to tell you some good news: It's not your fault.

You don't need a horticultural certificate to grow happy and healthy houseplants. It all starts with picking the right species that fit your lifestyle. Because honestly, there's no sense in trying to nurture cacti when your north-facing window gets an hour of sunshine each day.

Consider this quiz the botanical fairy godmother that can make your all your indoor gardening dreams come true. Answer the questions below to find your houseplant soulmate:

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If you want an office plant, choose a low-light variety, like spider plants or lucky bamboo. With a sunny window at your disposal, the world is your oyster. Aloe, barrel cactus, or a species in the Mammillaria family would especially thrive in a full-sun spot.

SHOP SPIDER PLANTS SHOP CACTI

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Almost every plant needs a little H2O, but some require a lot less than others. Succulents like hen and chicks prefer a periodic soaking once the soil gets bone-dry. But if you're prone to forgetting the last time you watered these desert beauties, a more regular (albeit still forgiving) drinker like Chinese evergreen might be more your speed.

SHOP SUCCULENTS SHOP CHINESE EVERGREEN

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Behold the magic of propagation: Take a cutting from a favorite pot, and you can clone it as many times as you want. Jade, begonia, and pelargonium (a close cousin to the geranium) handle the process especially well. But if you're in the market for a giant beauty, try a monstera (also known as split-leaf philodendron).

SHOP JADE PLANTS SHOP MONSTERA

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Flowers like African violets, Phalaenopsis orchids, and kalanchoe do especially well indoors, but textured leaves might provide more consistent eye candy in between blooms. Pretty-patterned calathea or peperomia look good no matter what.

SHOP AFRICAN VIOLETS SHOP CALATHEA

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According to a famous 1989 NASA study, some common houseplants may actually remove chemicals from the air. Boston fern showed a particular aptitude in some tests. But if you want to cover up kitchen and pet odors, a sweet-smelling pot of lavender may be the way to go.

SHOP BOSTON FERNS SHOP LAVENDER

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The soil-free air plant lends itself well to hanging, but also consider species with trailing tendrils, like English ivy. As for the corner of your living room, taller, low-light picks like rubber plant (pictured) or dragon tree would do the trick.

SHOP AIR PLANTS SHOP RUBBER PLANTS

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Grow indoor herbs like basil and you get the benefit of both foliage and fresh ingredients. We won't judge if you're looking for pure aesthetics though. The strange-looking species sedum morganianum (a.k.a. burro's tail) would also double a conversation starter.

SHOP BURRO'S TAIL SHOP BASIL PLANTS

And if you want all of the above ...

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Try pothos. It's my personal favorite because it tolerates drought, low light, and neglect like none other. You can even easily propagate the long, trailing stems of leaves — and it's also shown to have some air-purifying qualities to boot.

SHOP POTHOS

Headshot of Caroline Picard
Caroline Picard
Contributing Writer

Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.