I bought my first pothos because the tag said “fast grower,” and three months later it had crawled across an entire bookshelf, which is when I learned that “fast” on a plant tag is not marketing. It’s a warning.
That same plant is the reason I started looking for more Fast Growing Indoor Plants for Instant Jungle, the same way: picks that actually fill a corner in 60 to 180 days, not ones that promise lushness and deliver a single new leaf per season.
This list is built around honest timelines. Every plant below has a real growth window, a light tolerance note, and a pet safety flag from the ASPCA database. No vague “grows quickly” claims. Real months.
TL;DR
- 19 Fast Growing Indoor Plants for Instant Jungle that visibly fill a space in 60 to 180 days, grouped by habit (trailing, climbing, bushy, tabletop).
- Pet safety flagged on every single pick using the ASPCA database.
- Most picks work in medium light or a north-facing window. No grow lights required.
- Propagation tips at the end so one starter plant becomes a five-plant collection in about six weeks.
How Fast Do Fast Growing Indoor Plants for Instant Jungle Actually Grow?
“Fast” on a nursery tag means almost nothing. One person’s fast is another person’s “I bought this six months ago and nothing has happened.”
Here’s a more honest scale I use when sorting picks for this site:
- Sprinter: 6 to 12 inches of new growth per month in good conditions. Visible change every week.
- Fast: 4 to 6 inches per month. New leaf every 7 to 10 days.
- Medium: 2 to 3 inches per month. New leaf every two weeks.
- Slow: Under an inch per month. One new leaf a month if you’re lucky.
Every plant on this list lives in the sprinter or fast tier under realistic conditions: a 4 to 6 inch starter pot, indoor temperatures between 65 and 75°F, and either a window or a normal living room with some daylight.
Growth depends on four things, in this order: light, water consistency, pot size, and season. Cornell Cooperative Extension notes that even shade-tolerant houseplants grow noticeably slower in low light, so a “fast” plant in a dark hallway will still feel medium-paced.
The takeaway: pick plants that match your real light, not your dream light.
The Trailing Sprinters (Vines That Fill a Shelf in 60 Days)
If you want jungle results fast, trailing vines are the shortcut. They grow long before they grow bushy, which means a single plant on a high shelf can drape down two or three feet within a season and read as “lush” to anyone walking in.
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The plant that built this entire website. Pothos is forgiving, fast, and easy to propagate. Cuttings root in plain water within two weeks.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 6 to 12 inches per month in bright indirect light.
Light: Low to bright indirect. Tolerates a north window.
Water: Let top two inches dry. Roughly every 7 to 10 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalate crystals). Hang it high.
2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Often mistaken for pothos, but the leaves are softer, thinner, and slightly heart-shaped. Grows just as fast and tolerates lower light.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 6 to 10 inches per month.
Light: Low to medium indirect. Great for darker apartments.
Water: When top inch dries. Around every 7 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs. Display on a high shelf.
3. Philodendron Brasil
Same plant as heartleaf, but with a yellow racing stripe down each leaf. The variegation slows it down by maybe ten percent. Still a sprinter.
Growth rate: Fast. 5 to 8 inches per month.
Light: Medium to bright indirect. Needs more light to keep its stripe.
Water: Roughly every 7 days. Slightly thirstier than the plain heartleaf.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
4. Tradescantia zebrina (Inch Plant)
Named “inch plant” for a reason. New segments push out almost weekly, with silvery purple striping on the upper leaf and rich magenta underneath. Brittle, but cuttings root in days.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 8 to 12 inches per month in bright light.
Light: Bright indirect. Colors fade without it.
Water: Every 5 to 7 days. Hates drying out completely.
Pets: Mildly toxic. Can cause dermatitis on contact with sap.
5. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
Solid deep purple stems and leaves. Looks dramatic on a sunlit windowsill and grows so fast you’ll be pruning monthly.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 6 to 10 inches per month.
Light: Bright direct sun. The more sun, the deeper the purple.
Water: Every 7 days when actively growing.
Pets: Mildly toxic. Same dermatitis warning as zebrina.
These five together on one shelf will read as “indoor jungle” within ten weeks.
The Wall Climbers (Plants That Cover Vertical Space)
Climbers are the trick for renters. They eat vertical space, which is usually wasted in apartments, and most can be trained without putting a single hole in the wall.
6. Monstera deliciosa
The plant that turned Instagram into a botanical garden. New leaves emerge unfurled every two to three weeks in good light, with mature plants pushing out fenestrated leaves the size of dinner plates.
Growth rate: Fast. One new leaf every 2 to 3 weeks. Vertical growth 1 to 2 feet per year on a moss pole.
Light: Bright indirect. Tolerates medium.
Water: Every 7 to 10 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
7. Swiss Cheese Vine (Monstera adansonii)
The smaller, faster cousin of deliciosa. Same hole-punched look, but on a vine that can drape four feet by year two. Tolerates lower light than its big sibling.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 4 to 8 inches per month.
Light: Medium to bright indirect.
Water: Every 7 to 10 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
An old-school climber that runs riot indoors. Train it across a wall with adhesive plant clips (renter-safe and removable) for a covered look in about six months.
Growth rate: Fast. 6 to 10 inches per month.
Light: Bright indirect. Tolerates medium.
Water: Every 7 days. Likes consistent moisture.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
9. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
A tiny-leaved climber that will scale a moss pole, a wall, or a piece of driftwood. Stays compact, perfect for renters with small spaces.
Growth rate: Fast. 4 to 6 inches per month.
Light: Medium to bright indirect.
Water: Every 5 to 7 days. Dries out quickly.
Pets: Mildly toxic. Sap can cause skin and mouth irritation.
10. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
Starts as a bushy upright juvenile and transforms into a climbing vine as it matures. Two plants in one, and both phases grow quickly.
Growth rate: Fast. 4 to 8 inches per month.
Light: Low to bright indirect.
Water: Every 7 to 10 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Renter-safe training tip: Use clear adhesive cable clips or removable command hooks to guide vines along trim, around mirrors, or up a hallway. Pulls off cleanly when the lease ends.
Bushy Floor Fillers (Big Plants That Get Bigger, Fast)
Floor plants are the cheat code for instant maturity. The right pick goes from a small nursery pot to a chest-high statement piece in one growing season.
11. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Cascading green fronds that fill out fast in a humid bathroom or near a kitchen sink. The first fully pet-safe pick on this list.
Growth rate: Fast. Doubles in volume in 4 to 6 months.
Light: Bright indirect. East-facing windows are ideal.
Water: Every 3 to 5 days. Loves moisture.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
12. Asparagus Fern
Not technically a fern, but it acts like one. Soft, feathery, and fills out fast. Be warned: it has tiny thorns hidden in the foliage.
Growth rate: Fast. 4 to 6 inches per month.
Light: Bright indirect.
Water: Every 5 to 7 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs. Berries are especially harmful if eaten.
13. Coleus
Usually grown outdoors, but indoors it explodes into a multi-colored shrub in weeks. Pinch the flower buds to keep leaves coming.
Growth rate: Sprinter. 6 to 12 inches per month with enough light.
Light: Bright indirect to direct.
Water: Every 4 to 6 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
14. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Tiny pink-spotted leaves that bush out fast. Pinch the tops monthly or it gets leggy. The second fully pet-safe pick.
Growth rate: Fast. 3 to 5 inches per month.
Light: Bright indirect.
Water: Every 4 to 6 days.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Floor plants reach mature size by month six if you start with a 6-inch nursery pot.
Tabletop Multipliers (Small Plants That Make More of Themselves)
These three pay for themselves. One starter plant produces babies you can pot up and give away, sell, or use to fill the rest of your apartment for free.
15. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Once it’s settled, a spider plant throws out long stems with miniature versions of itself on the ends. Snip the babies, root them in water, and you have new plants in two weeks.
Growth rate: Fast. First pups appear by month 3 in bright light.
Light: Low to bright indirect. Very forgiving.
Water: Every 7 to 10 days.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). Cats often nibble it; harmless but messy.
16. Pilea peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
Round coin-shaped leaves on slim stems. Sends up pups from the soil every few weeks once established. Snap one off and pot it. Free plant.
Growth rate: Fast. First pups by month 4. New leaf every 10 days.
Light: Bright indirect. Rotate weekly so it grows even.
Water: Every 7 to 10 days. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
17. Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei)
Pointed dark green leaves with silver brushstrokes down the center. Bushes out fast, and stem cuttings root in water within ten days.
Growth rate: Fast. 3 to 5 inches per month.
Light: Medium to bright indirect.
Water: Every 5 to 7 days.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Three Unexpected Fast Growers Worth Trying
These don’t show up on every list, which is why I’m including them. All three deliver speed and a less-seen look.
18. Velvet Philodendron (Philodendron micans)
Heart-shaped leaves with an iridescent velvet finish that shifts from bronze to deep green to purple depending on the angle. Trails fast.
Growth rate: Fast. 4 to 6 inches per month.
Light: Medium to bright indirect. Color is best in higher light.
Water: Every 7 days.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.
19. Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus gregarius)
Glossy green leaves and bright orange tubular flowers that look like miniature goldfish. Flowers off and on year-round in a sunny window. Pet-safe and unusual.
Growth rate: Fast. 3 to 5 inches per month.
Light: Bright indirect.
Water: Every 5 to 7 days.
Pets: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Seasonal bonus pick: Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas). Sold in spring nurseries as an outdoor annual, but it thrives indoors near a bright window and trails six feet by midsummer. Pet-safe per ASPCA. Not a year-round plant, but a stunning short-season filler.
Pet Safety Quick Reference Table
The honest version. Six picks on this list are confirmed non-toxic by ASPCA. The other thirteen carry varying levels of risk if chewed by cats or dogs.
| Plant | Cat-Safe | Dog-Safe |
|---|---|---|
| Pothos | ❌ | ❌ |
| Heartleaf Philodendron | ❌ | ❌ |
| Philodendron Brasil | ❌ | ❌ |
| Tradescantia zebrina | ⚠️ Mild | ⚠️ Mild |
| Purple Heart | ⚠️ Mild | ⚠️ Mild |
| Monstera deliciosa | ❌ | ❌ |
| Monstera adansonii | ❌ | ❌ |
| English Ivy | ❌ | ❌ |
| Creeping Fig | ⚠️ Mild | ⚠️ Mild |
| Arrowhead Plant | ❌ | ❌ |
| Boston Fern | ✅ | ✅ |
| Asparagus Fern | ❌ | ❌ |
| Coleus | ❌ | ❌ |
| Polka Dot Plant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spider Plant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pilea peperomioides | ✅ | ✅ |
| Aluminum Plant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Velvet Philodendron | ❌ | ❌ |
| Goldfish Plant | ✅ | ✅ |
If you have a curious cat or a leaf-chewing puppy, build your starter collection from the six safe picks (Boston fern, polka dot, spider, Pilea pep, aluminum, goldfish). All six are also fast growers, so you aren’t sacrificing speed for safety.
Always cross-check picks against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant database before bringing a new plant home.
Propagation 101: Turn 1 Plant Into 5 in 6 Weeks
Most of the plants on this list propagate easily, which is the real secret to building a “jungle” cheaply. Iowa State University Extension confirms that water-rooted stem cuttings are the most reliable home method for tropical houseplants.
Three methods cover almost everything on this list.
Water propagation works for: pothos, heartleaf philodendron, Brasil, tradescantia zebrina, purple heart, monstera adansonii, English ivy, arrowhead, velvet philodendron, aluminum plant, goldfish plant.
- Cut just below a node (the bump where leaves emerge).
- Drop the cutting in a jar of room-temperature water with the node submerged.
- Change the water every 4 to 5 days.
- Roots appear in 7 to 21 days. Pot up when roots are 2 inches long.
Pup separation works for: spider plant, Pilea peperomioides.
- Wait until the pup has 3 to 4 leaves of its own.
- For spider plant, snip the runner and root the baby in water or directly in soil.
- For Pilea, use a clean knife to slice the pup from the mother’s root system and pot immediately.
Division works for: Boston fern, asparagus fern.
- Unpot the parent. Look for natural separation points in the root ball.
- Cut down through the roots with a clean serrated knife.
- Pot each division in fresh mix. Water deeply and keep humid for a week.
Fastest propagators on this list: tradescantia zebrina and purple heart root in 5 to 7 days. Pothos and heartleaf philodendron in 10 to 14. Spider plant pups in about 10 days in water.
One $8 four-inch pothos can realistically become five mature plants in six to eight weeks. The math is hard to beat.
Three Jungle Setups by Light Level (Apartment Tested)
Most apartments don’t have south-facing windows. Most plant articles ignore that fact. These three combinations work for the windows you actually have.
Setup A: Low light (north-facing window or interior wall)
- Pothos (trailing on a shelf)
- Spider plant (tabletop)
- Monstera adansonii (hanging or trailing)
- Heartleaf philodendron (small shelf)
This setup will look full in about 90 days. All four tolerate low light without sulking, and three of them propagate easily so you can expand for free.
Setup B: Medium light (east-facing window or a few feet from any window)
- Monstera deliciosa (floor plant on a moss pole)
- Tradescantia zebrina (trailing from a shelf)
- Boston fern (hanging near the window)
- Pilea peperomioides (windowsill or table)
This is the best balance of speed, drama, and pet-safety (Boston fern and Pilea are both safe). Full look in 60 to 90 days.
Setup C: Bright light (south or west-facing window with direct sun)
- Purple Heart (windowsill)
- Goldfish plant (hanging)
- Polka dot plant (small pot)
- Coleus (medium pot)
This is the most colorful combination, with purple, orange, pink, and magenta foliage. All four are sprinters in real sun. Visible jungle in 45 to 60 days.
Start with a 4-inch pot of each plant from any nursery or big-box garden section. Total cost for any setup is modest, and propagating from the starter plants doubles the collection within two months.
FAQs
Q: How fast do fast growing indoor plants actually grow?
A: Fast growing indoor plants put out 4 to 12 inches of new growth per month in good light. Pothos and tradescantia sit at the top end, with new leaves every 7 to 10 days. Slower picks like monstera deliciosa push one new leaf every 2 to 3 weeks.
Q: What is the fastest growing indoor plant for low light?
A: Pothos is the fastest indoor plant for low light, putting out 6 to 12 inches per month even in a north-facing window. Heartleaf philodendron is a close second. Both tolerate dim corners without going leggy, and both root in plain water within two weeks.
Q: Are any fast growing indoor plants safe for cats and dogs?
A: Yes, six fast growing indoor plants are non-toxic per the ASPCA: Boston fern, spider plant, Pilea peperomioides, aluminum plant, polka dot plant, and goldfish plant. All six are also fast growers, so pet owners do not have to sacrifice speed for safety.
Q: Do fast growing indoor plants need grow lights?
A: No, most fast growing indoor plants thrive in normal indoor light without grow lights. Pothos, philodendron, and spider plant grow well in a north-facing window or several feet from any window. Only sun-loving picks like coleus and purple heart need direct bright light.
Q: How can I make my indoor plants grow faster?
A: Match the plant to your real light, water consistently, and repot once roots fill the nursery pot. Most fast growing houseplants double in size in 60 to 90 days with bright indirect light and watering when the top inch of soil dries. Overwatering slows growth more than underwatering.
Q: Which indoor plant roots fastest from a cutting?
A: Tradescantia zebrina and purple heart root in 5 to 7 days from a water cutting. Pothos and heartleaf philodendron root in 10 to 14 days. Spider plant pups root in about 10 days. One $8 starter pothos can realistically produce five mature plants in six to eight weeks.
What Actually Matters
Building a list of Fast Growing Indoor Plants for Instant Jungle is mostly an exercise in matching the plant to the light you actually have, not the light you wish you had. The plants on this list grow fast because they’re built to. They don’t need anything fancy.
The one thing to remember: pick three or four plants that match your window, propagate the ones that root easily, and resist the urge to over-water in the first month. That’s the entire formula.
If you’re starting from zero, my honest first three would be pothos, spider plant, and Pilea peperomioides. One sprinter, one pet-safe forgiving classic, and one that makes you new plants for free. You’ll have visible growth in three weeks and a small jungle in three months.
And if your first pothos crawls across an entire bookshelf in 90 days, like mine did, just know that the tag wasn’t lying. Fast was the warning. Now you know.