There's a special satisfaction in a plant that actually grows — a new leaf unfurling each week, a vine visibly lengthening, a pot filling out before your eyes. If you're impatient (or just want quick, encouraging results), some houseplants deliver far faster than others. Here are twelve of the fastest growers, most of which are also easy and propagate readily, so a single plant becomes a lush, full display in no time.

#What makes a plant grow fast

Fast growth mostly comes down to the plant's nature plus the right conditions. Give any of the plants below good bright (indirect) light, correct watering, warmth, and light feeding in the growing season, and they'll race ahead — especially in spring and summer. Slow growth usually means too little light, so the biggest lever for speed is almost always more light. (More on speeding growth safely at the end.)

#The 12 fastest-growing houseplants

#1. Pothos

The champion of fast, forgiving growth — vines lengthen quickly and root in a glass of water. See pothos care.

#2. Heartleaf philodendron

Just as fast as pothos, trailing or climbing, and endlessly propagatable. See philodendron care.

#3. Tradescantia (inch plant)

Aptly nicknamed — it seems to grow an inch a week in good light, in gorgeous purples and silvers. Roots almost instantly from cuttings.

#4. Spider plant

Grows quickly and pumps out baby plantlets on arching stems — fast greenery plus free plants, and it's pet-safe. See spider plant care.

#5. Arrowhead plant (Syngonium)

A fast, colourful vine that bushes, trails, or climbs. See arrowhead plant care.

#6. Monstera deliciosa

Given good light and a moss pole, a monstera grows vigorously into a big, dramatic plant. See monstera care.

#7. English ivy

A rapid trailer and climber in cooler, bright conditions. See english ivy care.

#8. Wandering-type vines & grape ivy

Fast-trailing foliage plants that quickly fill a hanging pot in bright light.

#9. Nerve plant (Fittonia)

Small but quick to spread and easy to propagate — a fast way to a full, patterned pot.

#10. Coleus

Grown for its vivid leaves, coleus grows fast in bright light and roots in water within days — pinch it often to keep it bushy.

#11. Bird of paradise

A vigorous grower that quickly puts up big new paddle leaves in a bright spot. See bird of paradise care.

#12. Peace lily

Grows and fills out quickly, and flowers on top — a fast, rewarding low-light-friendly plant. See peace lily care.

#How to speed up growth (safely)

You can encourage faster growth — but only by giving the plant what it needs, never by forcing it:

  • More light (the big one). Most plants speed up dramatically with brighter (indirect) light. If natural light is limited, a grow light is the single most effective growth booster.
  • Feed during the growing season. A balanced fertiliser at half strength every few weeks in spring and summer fuels active growth — see fertilising. But feeding only helps a plant that's already growing; it won't override a light or season limit.
  • Warmth. Most houseplants grow fastest in warm room temperatures; cold slows them.
  • Correct watering. Consistent, correct watering keeps roots healthy so the plant can grow — see how to water houseplants.
  • Prune and repot. Pruning encourages bushier growth (how to prune), and repotting a root-bound plant restarts stalled growth (when and how to repot).
Don't force it. Overwatering or over-fertilising to "speed things up" backfires — it burns roots and causes rot, not growth. Give the right conditions and let the plant do the rest.

#The bonus: fast growers propagate fast too

Almost every plant on this list roots easily from cuttings, which means fast growth translates into fast propagation. Snip a few vines, root them in water, and pot them back in — you'll have a lush, full plant (or several new ones to share) in weeks. See how to propagate houseplants.

#The bottom line

If you want quick, satisfying results, start with a pothos, philodendron, tradescantia, or spider plant — fast, forgiving, and easy to propagate. Give them bright indirect light, warmth, correct watering, and a little food in the growing season, and they'll reward you with visible new growth week after week. Just remember the golden rule: you can't force growth with extra water or fertiliser — you unlock it with the right conditions, especially light.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest-growing houseplant?
Pothos, tradescantia (inch plant), and heartleaf philodendron are among the fastest-growing houseplants, putting out visible new growth in weeks during the growing season. They also root very easily from cuttings, so you can fill out a pot or make new plants quickly.
How can I make my houseplant grow faster?
Give it the right amount of bright (indirect) light, water correctly, feed lightly during the growing season, and keep it warm. Light is the biggest lever — most 'slow' plants speed up dramatically with more light. Never force growth by overwatering or over-fertilising, which harms the plant.
Do fast-growing plants need more care?
A bit more, mainly water and food. Fast growers use more water and nutrients when actively growing, and they need occasional pruning and repotting to keep up. In return they reward you with quick, visible results and easy propagation.
Which fast-growing plants are good for beginners?
Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plants, and arrowhead plants are all fast AND forgiving, making them ideal for beginners who want quick, encouraging results without demanding care.
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