What to Plant Now: Fast-Growing Indoor Plants for Pennsylvania

Growing indoors in Pennsylvania gives you a head start on green, productive plants even when the outdoor season is short or unpredictable. Fast-growing indoor species provide quick visual payoff, repeated harvests for herbs, and excellent candidates for propagation to expand your collection. This guide covers reliable, fast-growing indoor plants suited to Pennsylvania homes, practical care routines tuned to local light and winter heating challenges, and step-by-step propagation and potting instructions you can use right away.

Why choose fast-growing indoor plants in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania experiences distinct seasons with shorter, colder winters and variable daylight. Indoors, you can control the environment enough to grow vigorous plants year-round, but light and humidity remain limiting factors. Fast-growing plants give rapid satisfaction and are forgiving while you dial in conditions. They are excellent for:

Quick aesthetic impact in low- to medium-light rooms.
Repeated propagation to create new plants to share or re-pot.
Rapid herb harvests for kitchens, even in winter months.
Training and learning plant-care skills with faster feedback loops.

Top fast-growing indoor plants and what to expect

Below are reliable, fast-growing choices that perform well across most Pennsylvania homes. For each I note speed expectations, light needs, and a quick care summary so you can match plants to available spots.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is arguably the most forgiving and fastest-growing trailing houseplant. In bright, indirect light and regular watering it can add inches of new growth every month.

Speed: Expect 4-8 inches of new growth per month with good light.
Light: Bright, indirect to medium light; tolerates low light but slows.
Care: Allow top 1-2 inches of soil to dry between waterings. Feed monthly in spring-summer with balanced houseplant fertilizer.

Golden pothos and marble queen varieties

Both are similar in care but greener varieties tolerate lower light slightly better. Rapid regrowth from stem cuttings makes pothos a top choice for propagation projects.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants produce fast-growing arching leaves and plantlets (“pups”) that root readily.

Speed: Leaf growth is visible quickly; pups form within weeks in good conditions.
Light: Bright, indirect light preferred.
Care: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. High humidity accelerates growth and pup production.

Philodendron (Heartleaf and other vining species)

Heartleaf philodendron is a classic fast grower with trailing vines that root at nodes.

Speed: Several new leaves per month in bright conditions.
Light: Medium to bright, indirect light; avoid harsh afternoon sun.
Care: Water when top 1-2 inches dry. Likes loamy, well-draining soil and moderate humidity.

Tradescantia (Wandering Jew)

Tradescantia zebrina and other varieties are fast growers with colorful foliage and rapid branching.

Speed: Can double in size within a month under strong indirect light.
Light: Bright indirect light brings out color; tolerates medium light.
Care: Keep soil evenly moist and pinch tips to encourage bushier growth.

Coleus (indoor varieties)

Coleus grown indoors becomes a lusciously colorful houseplant and grows rapidly from cuttings.

Speed: Rapid stem elongation and leaf production during warm months.
Light: Bright, indirect light; compact varieties tolerate moderate light.
Care: Feed lightly and pinch to prevent legginess. Requires consistent moisture.

Herbs: Basil, Mint, Chives, and Parsley

Herbs provide immediate culinary value and often grow fast indoors when given a sunny kitchen window.

Speed: Basil and mint can be harvested within 3-6 weeks from seed or cuttings.
Light: 4-6+ hours of direct sun or supplemental grow light.
Care: Use well-draining potting mix, trim regularly to promote branching, and harvest leaves frequently.

Microgreens and Leafy Greens (quick wins)

Microgreens, lettuce, and baby leaf greens grow extremely fast under grow lights and are perfect when you want edible greens within days to a few weeks.

Speed: Microgreens ready in 7-14 days; baby greens in 2-4 weeks.
Light: Strong light or fluorescent/LED grow light.
Care: Shallow trays, fine potting medium, and consistent moisture.

How to plant and propagate quickly: practical, step-by-step

Fast-growing plants are also the easiest to propagate. Below is a concise, practical propagation workflow you can apply to vining plants like pothos, philodendron, and tradescantia.

Select a healthy stem with 3-5 nodes and at least one leaf pair.
Cut 4-6 inches below a node with clean scissors, cutting at a 45-degree angle.
Remove the lowest leaf to expose a node; this is where roots will form.
Place the cutting in a jar of room-temperature water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.
Put the jar in bright, indirect light and change the water every 5-7 days to prevent algae and bacteria.
Roots should appear in 1-4 weeks; once roots are 1-2 inches long, pot in a light potting mix and keep soil slightly moist for the first couple of weeks.

This numbered list gives a clear propagation routine. You can also root many of these cuttings directly in soil using a clear plastic bag to boost humidity during initial rooting.

Potting, soil, and feeding for fast growth

Fast growth requires adequate nutrition, a good root environment, and proper pot size.

Soil: Use a well-draining, aerated potting mix. Add perlite or pumice for vining plants to speed root growth and prevent compaction.
Pots: Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current root ball. Oversized pots keep soil too wet and slow growth.
Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half to full strength every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. For herbs use a weaker feed more frequently.
Watering: Fast growers need consistent moisture but not saturation. Let the top inch of soil dry slightly for most vining plants; herbs prefer slightly drier between waterings.

Lighting and seasonal tips for Pennsylvania homes

Pennsylvania winters bring short days and low sun angles, and indoor heating dries the air. Adjust these variables to maintain fast growth.

Winter light: Move fast-growing plants to south- or west-facing windows where possible. If light is insufficient, use a 12-14 hour daily schedule with LED grow lights.
Humidity: Indoor air in winter is dry. Increase humidity with pebble trays, grouping plants, or a small humidifier, especially for tropical species like philodendron and spider plant.
Temperature: Keep daytime temperatures between 65-75degF for most fast growers; avoid cold drafts off windows in winter.

Pests and common problems: quick identification and fixes

Faster-growing plants can still attract pests if stressed. Quick detection and response preserve growth momentum.

Spider mites: Look for stippled leaves and webbing. Increase humidity and wipe leaves with a mild soap solution; treat persistent infestations with insecticidal soap.
Mealybugs and scale: White cottony spots or brown bumps on stems. Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and isolate the plant.
Fungus gnats: Caused by overwatering and wet surface soil. Let the top inch dry, use sticky traps, and consider a thin layer of sand on the soil surface.

When to repot and how to avoid shock

Repot fast-growers when roots circle the bottom or emerge from drainage holes, or when growth slows noticeably despite good care.

Timing: Repot in spring or early summer when plants are actively growing.
Technique: Gently tease roots, trim any dead roots, and place in a pot 1-2 inches larger. Backfill with fresh potting mix and water thoroughly.
Aftercare: Keep out of direct hot sun for a week and maintain consistent moisture while roots re-establish.

Quick-start checklist for beginners in Pennsylvania

Choose a plant that matches your light: pothos or philodendron for medium light; herbs for bright, sunny windows.
Prepare a well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage.
Propagate from a healthy cutting or buy a small starter plant.
Place in bright, indirect light and maintain consistent but not soggy moisture.
Feed lightly during the growing season and increase humidity if home heating dries the air.

Final takeaways

Fast-growing indoor plants give rapid rewards and are forgiving teachers for new plant parents. In Pennsylvania, pay particular attention to winter light and indoor humidity to maintain steady growth. Start with reliable species like pothos, spider plant, philodendron, tradescantia, and fast herbs. Use simple propagation and repotting techniques to expand your collection quickly and sustainably. With the right light, soil, and routine, you can enjoy vigorous indoor greenery year-round and harvest fresh herbs even in deep winter.