Fastest Growing House Plants
If you love the thrill of watching green shoots explode into life, few things beat the joy of a fast-growing house plant. I’ve spent years filling my home with greenery, and nothing lifts my spirits like a vine that doubles each season or a pothos that trails across a shelf in weeks. In this article I’ll walk you through the fastest growers, why they grow so quickly, and how to help them race ahead in your home.
Why choose fast-growing house plants?
Fast growers are perfect for impatient gardeners, plant parents looking to fill a space quickly, and anyone who likes frequent repotting and propagation projects. They’re great for creating quick privacy screens, cascading displays, and generous cuttings to share with friends. But remember: fast growth also means more pruning and feeding, so be ready to care for them.
Top fastest growing house plants I recommend
Below are the plants that repeatedly surprised me with how quickly they put on new growth. Each entry includes where they shine, basic care, and a tip from my experience.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — The classic, nearly indestructible trailing vine. Pothos will grow rapidly in bright, indirect light and will tolerate lower light if you’re patient. I’ve watched a cutting rooted in water produce a 6-foot vine in a single warm season. Tip: give it a larger pot sooner rather than later to encourage faster root and top growth.
- Philodendron (heartleaf and other vining types) — Similar to pothos in habit, philodendrons thrive in bright, indirect light and regular feeding. They root easily from stem cuttings. I keep a philodendron cutting jar on my windowsill and swap cuttings into soil every month for fast new plants.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) — Fast to produce “pups” or baby plants that you can pot on immediately. Spider plants love bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. I’ve had one mother plant supply me with half a dozen new pots per year.
- Tradescantia (Wandering Jew) — A fast grower with colorful foliage that spreads quickly across containers and hanging baskets. It loves bright light and regular watering. I use tradescantia as a quick groundcover in large planters and it fills in within weeks.
- Monstera deliciosa — While not as instant as pothos, monstera can put on dramatic growth under the right conditions: bright, indirect light, humidity, and feeding. Mine gained two new leaves in a month after a repot and a good dose of fertilizer.
- Coleus — Often treated as an annual outdoors, coleus makes a fast, colorful indoor houseplant in bright light. It roots quickly from cuttings and grows bushy with frequent pinching.
- Herbs (Basil, Mint) — If you count edible houseplants, basil and mint are among the fastest growers indoors when given bright light and regular harvesting. I keep a small herb tray on my kitchen sill and pinch basil daily — the plant responds by growing fuller and faster.
Factors that make house plants grow fast
Growth speed isn’t just genetics. These environmental factors turn a good grower into a superstar:
- Light — Bright, indirect light fuels photosynthesis. Most fast growers accelerate in brighter conditions.
- Soil and pot size — Nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix and an appropriately sized pot let roots expand quickly.
- Water and humidity — Consistent moisture (but not waterlogging) and moderate-to-high humidity support rapid leaf and root growth.
- Fertilizer — Regular, balanced feeding during the growing season supplies the nutrients needed for quick growth.
- Temperature — Warm, steady temperatures close to 65–80°F encourage active growth.
How to encourage maximum growth — practical tips from my greenhouse
I learned a lot by trial and error. Here’s what I do to push growth without stressing the plants:
- Pot up early: Don’t wait for roots to be rootbound before repotting. A slightly larger pot speeds initial growth.
- Use a diluted fertilizer every two to four weeks in spring and summer: I use a balanced 10-10-10 or a houseplant liquid feed at half strength.
- Rotate plants weekly so all sides get light and growth stays even.
- Prune and pinch: Cutting back leggy stems encourages bushier, faster new growth.
- Root in water for speedy propagation: Many vining plants root in water in days to weeks and then transfer to soil for rapid establishment.
“The secret to watching plants explode with growth is consistent care and a little impatience — give them the right light, soil, and encouragement, and they’ll surprise you.” — from my plant table
Propagation: multiplying your fast growers
One of the best perks of fast growers is how easily they propagate. Here’s a simple, reliable method I use for pothos, philodendron, and tradescantia.
Simple stem cutting method
Cut a 4–6 inch stem with 3–4 nodes, remove the lower leaves, and place the node in water or directly into moist potting mix. Roots appear in 1–3 weeks in warm conditions. I always keep a jar of cuttings on my windowsill; it’s my secret supply of free plants.
Common mistakes to avoid
To keep fast growers healthy, avoid these mistakes I once made:
- Overwatering in heavy pots — new growth can mean thirsty plants, but too much water leads to root rot.
- Neglecting to fertilize — fast growth uses up nutrients quickly.
- Placing a fast grower in too-low light — they’ll stretch and become weak.
Final thoughts
If you want quick results and lots of satisfaction, choose fast-growing house plants like pothos, spider plant, tradescantia, philodendron, and even herbs. With good light, fresh potting mix, regular feeding, and a little pruning, these plants will transform your space in weeks rather than years. Personally, nothing beats the buzz of a cutting that becomes a full trailing vine in a single season — go ahead, pick a few favorites, take cuttings, and watch your indoor jungle come alive.
