Indoor gardening in the UAE: How to transform your home with easy-care plants and tasty herbs

Mary, Mary, how does your garden grow?  

With palms, snake plants, and peace lilies, laughs Mary Conley, a Dubai-based sales professional who recently decided to pursue her dream of an indoor garden. In another corner of the city, Ipshita Sharma has been nurturing indoor plants for four years, proudly displaying her collection, which includes monstera, oregano, and an umbrella plant. 

There’s something undeniably calming about greening her home’s interiors, Conley says. These plants do more than just brighten a room—they engage the senses and soothe the soul. 

If you're looking to infuse your indoor spaces with a refreshing sense of calm, plant lovers and UAE-based experts are here to guide you through the latest indoor plant trends for 2025. 

Low-maintenance, high-impact plants  

Don't have a green thumb? No worries! 

Lucy Holmes, marketing director at The Garden Concept and Oasis Hills Landscape, recommends ficus plants, peace lilies, and palms for easy indoor greenery. “Palms are incredibly easy to care for and look so elegant, like date trees,” she explains. Indeed, many palm varieties, such as the Areca Palm or Kentia Palm, require minimal attention; the Areca Palm only needs watering when the top layer of soil has dried out, making it a low-maintenance option. 

These palms also thrive in low-light conditions, making them ideal for spaces like living rooms or offices where sunlight is limited. Aesthetically, their dramatic height and long, arching fronds bring an elegant touch to any room. 

Low-maintenance succulents and cacti, as explained by Tejal Ganatra, a Dubai-based agriculture consultant: 

• Aloe vera: Stores water in its leaves and requires minimal watering. 

• Echeveria: Compact, colourful, and thrives in bright, indirect light. 

• Jade plant: Symbolises prosperity and needs occasional watering. 

Kitchen gardens, anyone? 

What if you could taste the food before you ate it? That's the beauty of kitchen herb gardens. From the sweet, earthy aroma of fresh basil to the hints of mint and thyme wafting through the kitchen, kitchen herb gardens are a go-to for most people, Holmes explains. Growing herbs indoors gives you the luxury of having fresh ingredients right at your fingertips. You can place them on a sunny windowsill or hang them in small, charming pots by the kitchen counter. 

Ganatra explains further:

Basil, mint, parsley, and thyme: Thrive in small pots with bright, indirect light.

Lettuce, spinach, and kale: Ideal for hydroponic systems or window boxes.

Microgreens, radish, mustard, and sunflower: Ready to harvest in just 10–14 days.

Green walls and hanging baskets 

Looks good, feels good. 

When it comes to transforming indoor spaces into vibrant retreats, green walls and hanging baskets are bringing a fresh twist to decor, says Holmes. Green walls, also known as vertical gardens, let you turn an often-unused wall into something resembling a forest. You can mix it up with foliage, flowers, herbs—the possibilities are endless. Whether sleek modern or rustic bohemian, green walls suit any interior style. 

How to create a green wall 

• Choose a location: Pick a spot with the right light for your plants (indirect or direct sunlight). 

• Select a system: Choose from modular panels, a trellis, felt systems, or hydroponics. 

• Pick plants: Choose plants based on light conditions—low-light options like peace lilies or sun-loving ones like succulents. 

• Prepare the wall: Clean and secure the wall for installation, using hooks or brackets. 

• Install the system: Attach your chosen system to the wall. 

• Plant: Place plants in the pockets or panels, ensuring they’re spaced properly. 

• Watering: Set up an irrigation system to keep the plants hydrated. 

Meanwhile, hanging baskets add a fun dimension to your indoor garden. According to Mehwish Khan, a Dubai-based gardening enthusiast, “They’re perfect for smaller spaces or areas where you might not want to commit to a full-scale green wall. Hanging baskets can hold a variety of plants, from flowering beauties like petunias and begonias to lush greenery such as ferns, ivy, or even succulents.” 

Air-purifying houseplants 

• Snake Plant and Pothos: Thrive in low-light conditions while filtering out toxins. 

• Spider plant and peace lily: Absorb pollutants and increase indoor humidity. 

Hydroponics 

While there’s much buzz around hydroponics, there needs to be more education on the subject, says Holmes. “This method of growing plants without soil uses a nutrient-rich water solution to nourish the roots,” she explains. Hydroponic systems can be expensive initially and require ongoing monitoring of nutrient levels, pH balance, and water quality. Additionally, it demands some technical know-how for setup and maintenance. However, with proper guidance, hydroponics can be a highly rewarding way to grow plants indoors—whether for decorative purposes or growing fresh produce like lettuce, spinach, and kale.