One of the easiest ways to add more life to your home is with plants! Even a beginner can select ones that enhance lifestyle and decor while requiring minimal maintenance and costs. Whether you have an empty spot in your living room or just want to add a touch of greenery to an existing space, there are a variety of house plants that will fit the bill. Here are some tips on selecting the right plants and how to decorate with them.
To start, consider what function your plant will serve in your home. Will it add height and depth to a room with low ceilings? Add privacy by growing ferns or cycads against a window? Make use of succulents as decorative planters on lower shelves? Once you know what you want, it’s time to find the right plant.
This article may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a commission from the sale (at no extra cost to you!). I recommend items that I personally love and believe these products will help you create your dream home.
Related: How Do You Know Your Decorating Style?
Benefits of Decorating with Plants
One of the many benefits of having indoor plants in your home is that they provide oxygen, water, and foliage that can help to clean the air. They can also reduce stress levels by providing a sense of calm. In fact, research has shown that plants can even have a positive impact on your mental health.
Whether you’re looking for something to add some color and life to your living room or want to improve your health and well-being, there are plenty of great options available when it comes to houseplants. Below is a list of popular types of plants that could work perfectly for your needs.
Related: 12 Florida Interior Design Styles
Recommended Houseplants for Your Living Room Spaces
There are many types of plants that can work well in any home. Hardy indoor plants like aloe vera and cactus can handle low light levels, while more delicate plants like ferns and orchids can do well in brighter rooms. If you have space for only one type of plant, consider a succulent. Succulents store water in their leaves and stems so they don’t need frequent watering.
First things first. If you want to know how to decorate with plants, then you first need to plan a list of houseplants you’d like to purchase. The best way to make a decision is by analyzing your living room: does it get plenty of natural light? When does the sunlight come into the living room and for how many hours per day? Do you have lots of surface areas to display plants like coffee tables, side tables, or wall ledges?
Related: The Best Tips for Designing Your Central Florida Landscape
There are so many houseplants to choose from: large plants, tall plants, small plants, and even succulents. This list focuses on easy care, low maintenance, and affordable indoor plants. Here are a few of the best indoor plants for beginners!
1. Snake Plant
The snake plant is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. It’s also very versatile because it doesn’t require tons of sunlight to thrive. It also varies in size between six inches and eight feet tall. That gives you plenty of options in using this plant as decor.
Quick care tips: Snake plants should be placed in a pot with a draining hole because the soil needs to dry out between waterings. More on snake plant care here.
2. Spider Plant
Spider plants are low-maintenance houseplants that produce a rosette of long, thin, arched foliage that is solid green or variegated with white. These easy-to-grow plants look especially nice in a hanging basket and were popular during the Victorian era.
3. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dumb canes are tropical plants and are commonly sold here in Florida! Like many houseplants, Dumb Cane will thrive in a room with bright indirect sunlight. Keep in mind that it can be toxic for pets so keep it out of reach of dogs, and possibly skip this one if you have curious cats.
Quick care tips: It’s easy to overwater this houseplant so don’t go overboard. Water the soil whenever the top 2 inches are completely dry. You’ll know when the plant is ready for a good watering when it was droopy leaves. Read more about Dumb Cane care here.
4. Bird of Paradise (Crane Flower)
Bird of Paradise… as the name suggests, this evergreen really is a showstopper! The large green foliage is a great way to make a statement. It looks like large leaves and their stems are shooting straight out of the ground. The Crane Flower can grow tall, typically 5 or 6 feet. It may be large in size but it’s simple to care for.
Quick care tips: Bird of Paradise needs about 6 hours of sunlight per day. However, if your midday sun is hot, indirect sunlight may be better. In the spring and summer months, keep the soil moist and spray the plant with mist. It loves humidity! In cooler months, you can water about once per month. Read more about Bird of Paradise care here.
Related: 11 Ways to Refresh Your Home
5. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Delicious)
Did you know that Monstera Delicious is derived from Latin? Monstera means “abnormal” which is very fitting for the Swiss Cheese Plant. The holes in the leaves of this plant give it an unusual and unique appearance. It also reminds you of Swiss Cheese which is where the nickname comes from.
Quick care tips: Water about once per week. Pour the water evenly throughout the soil. This houseplant needs to be pruned more than the other houseplants. Read more about Swiss Cheese Plant care here.
6. Golden Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Easy, easy, easy-care houseplants. That’s the theme here, and Golden Pothos is no different. This trailing plant has heart-shaped green leaves with yellow variegation. When grown indoors, the golden pothos can easily trail 10 feet long, given the right conditions.
Quick care tips: Pothos should be kept in a pot with a draining hole. Allow soil to dry out completely before watering it again. This plant can grow well in any environment so don’t worry about humidity. More pothos plant care here.
7. Air Plants
Air plants are very small succulents that thrive without water or soil. They are perfect to hang on your walls. Or you can add them into a small succulent garden dish that can be displayed on your coffee table. If you have a small living room, air plants are a great way to display some greenery in your home. You can use a wall planter to display them next to some wall art.
8. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf figs come in lots of sizes, but they generally make great floor plants! You could use a larger fig as a focal point of the room, especially if you have a simple design with white walls. They work well in a basket on the floor, especially in indirect light. Place a floor plant like this in a small corner too–it will add character!
Quick care tips: To water fiddle leaf figs, fill a pot with fresh water and set the plant in it. Pour out the water when you have replaced it halfway. Fiddle leaf figs like moist soil, but don’t over-water them. You can fertilize them with a diluted fertilizer every two weeks.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe is a hardy succulent that has won over many home gardeners for its tolerance of infrequent watering. To keep it happy, plant aloe in a terra cotta pot with well-drained dirt. Your best bet is to mix equal parts sand and potting soil or buy a special succulent mix. The terra cotta also dries faster than other pots.
10. Rubber Plant
Rubber trees can be enjoyed both as medium-sized house plants or grown to become a focal point as a beautiful indoor tree. They are popular for their large leaves and striking rubber trunks. If you buy a plant that is younger, it will adapt better to living in an indoor setting than if you purchase a more mature plant.
Tips for Decorating with Houseplants
There are some quick tips on how to decorate with plants and a few ways you can add these plants throughout your home. I would love for you to share your ideas as well.
There are many ways to decorate with plants. If you’re looking for quick tips, here are a few:
- Place plants near windows to bring in natural light and make your room look brighter.
- Stack plants on top of each other to create a vertical garden.
- Choose plants with different shapes and sizes to add variety and interest to your space.
- Add greenery to any area that needs a boost, like an empty corner or an area with a few pieces of furniture.
- Consider using succulents as focal points in your home because they’re low maintenance and look great no matter how they’re arranged.
Purchase supplies ahead of time
Before you buy any indoor plants, it’s good to have the basic gardening tools at hand when you need them. Watering cans, spray bottles (for misting), soil mixes, and decorative pots are the first things you should purchase.
Shop for decorative pots and planters
This is when you can select planters that also complement your design style. Some of the pots and planters out there are truly works of art! While you’re shopping for pots, look for ceramic pots, plant baskets, terracotta pots, or even a hanging planter. Make sure that the pot you purchase has good drainage because it will make watering a whole lot easier.
Combine different types of indoor plants
There are many different types of houseplants that can be used to give your home some harmony. Floor plants can help brighten up a room and add a sense of greenery, while hanging plants can add life and beauty to an otherwise bare space. Finally, tabletop plants can be great additions to any room because they’re easy to care for and they often look attractive as well.
How To Decorate With Plants FAQs
You can actually order certain houseplants directly from Amazon (free shipping for Prime members!). Many retailers like Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s do online ordering which includes indoor plants. You can have them delivered or set up an in-store pickup!
A common practice is to group houseplants and other home decor items in odd numbers. For example, you could place an aloe vera plant in a terracotta pot in the middle of your coffee table next to a candle and a book. Or you could display three different floor plants in a small corner of your living room that are different sizes and textures.
If you’re looking to improve the air quality in your home, it’s best to buy plants that are of decent size and very leafy. The leafier, the better! There are lots of beautiful plants out there so you shouldn’t feel limited by the number you should have. It’s all about utilizing the space that you’re working with including the surface spaces and furniture.
If you want to add some life to your living room, but don’t have any green thumb skills, you can try out some easy houseplants that will look great and help purify the air. These plants can be placed in a pot or on a windowsill and will add interest and oxygen to your home. Plus, they won’t take up much floor space and are relatively low-maintenance.
Before you know it, your collection of houseplants may turn into a small indoor garden! Houseplants are a lovely addition to your home decor, they make a room feel more cozy and lively, and they’re actually really fun to care for and watch grow.
Recent Posts
Welcome to the world of minimalist interior design styles, where less is truly more. In today's fast-paced and cluttered world, many individuals seek simplicity, functionality, and a sense of calm in...
When planning a visit to Orlando, a city famous for its theme parks and attractions, you might be curious about where to find the best places to eat. After all, an adventure-filled day requires...