10 Tips for Interior Decorating with Plants
Houseplants are all the rage. And for good reason – they’re affordable, beautiful, and can bring the outdoors inside. But where should you buy houseplants? What rooms will they thrive in? And how can you arrange for them to create a social media-worthy space? Get the answers to all of these questions and more with our ten tips for how to decorate with plants.
Skip Ahead:
- Start Simple & Learn As You Go
- Purchase Plants From Local Garden Center
- Match Your Plants To Your Style
- Liven Up Your Bathroom With High-Humidity Plants
- Brighten Up Dark Corners With Low Light Plants
- Create Contrast With Different Sized Plants
- Make A Statement With Oversized Plants
- Add Color With Houseplants
- Elevate Plants With Stands & Planters
- There’s A Plant For Everyone
1. Start Simple & Learn As You Go
It can be tempting to buy every plant in the store on your first trip, but when interior decorating with plants, start small. Purchase a few easy-to-grow plants and take your time learning how to care for them. Buying too many plants without doing your research can lead to a houseful of dead plants later on.
Looking for some no-hassle plants to get started with? Check out these beautiful, easy-to-grow houseplants:
- ZZ plant
- Snake plant
- Spider plant
- Pothos
- Succulents & cacti
- Bamboo
2. Purchase Your Plants From a Local Garden Center
You might think that all plants are grown the same, but there are tons of advantages to buying from a local garden center. First, the plants are typically grown by specialists who know exactly how to breed the strongest varieties of each plant. And, they know the early signs of pest problems and other plant diseases to avoid their spread throughout the greenhouse.
Plus, a local garden center can provide a wealth of knowledge for beginners and advanced houseplant lovers alike. They can give tips on watering, sunlight, repotting, pest prevention, and more to help your plants thrive. They can even provide recommendations for plants based on the amount of light and humidity in your home, so don’t be afraid to ask before you buy!
3. Match Your Plants to Your Design Style for a Cohesive Look
There’s nothing wrong with buying plants simply because you like them. But, if you’re interested in interior decorating with plants, you may want to select plants that fit the look of your home.
If you love mid-century modern, consider oversized plants like a fiddle leaf fig or rubber tree. Pair them with tall-legged planters to complete the look.
If you adore the farmhouse look, look for functional plants like herbs or aloe in vintage metal planters or repurposed pots. Eucalyptus, arrowhead vine, and succulents are also great choices.
If you opt for a more eclectic look, choose lots of small plants in a wide variety of pots. The more variety in color and texture the better, so mix it up when it comes to leaf and vine plants, flowering houseplants, cacti, and succulents.
By treating plants just like any other piece of home decor, you’ll be able to design a beautiful, cohesive space that is full of life.
4. Liven Up Your Bathroom With High-Humidity Plants
The bathroom may not be your first idea when it comes to interior decorating with plants, but it is a great place for plants that enjoy high humidity. Ferns, orchids, and peace lilies will all thrive with the added moisture in the air from the shower. Plus, a plant or two can add warmth to an otherwise utilitarian space in your home.
5. Brighten Up Dark Corners With Low-Light Plants
Like with your bathrooms, you may avoid placing plants in the darker corners of your home. But, many houseplants don’t need or want a bright, sunny window to thrive. Adding low light-loving plants to the shadier rooms of your home can brighten them up by adding life and interest.
Check out these low-light plants that will grow well even in shade:
- Pothos
- Nerve plant
- Dieffenbachia
- Calathea
- ZZ plant
6. Create Contrast With Plants of All Sizes
One plant can look lonely or out of place. But a group of plants can create beautiful contrast and movement that works with any space. We recommend following the interior design “rule of three,” which states that groups of items in odd numbers look more pleasing to the human eye.
When it comes to interior decorating with plants, choose a few plants of different sizes or shades of green to create contrast and visual interest. Keep it simple with matching pots, or add color with a variety of planters to suit your style.
7. Make a Statement With an Oversized Plant
Once you’ve gotten the hang of some easygoing plants, it’s time to go big with an oversized plant that can serve as the centerpiece of your room. Whether you prefer a Boston fern or a fiddle leaf fig, a huge houseplant in a bedroom, living space, or even your entryway can be a major conversation piece.
If you’re hesitant to go big, get a more modest-sized plant that will eventually grow bigger and lift it off the ground with a plant stand. It will make an impact without as big of an investment, and will eventually grow to fill the space you give it.
8. Add Color With Flowering Houseplants & Colorful Leaves
When we talk about houseplants, we often think only of greenery. But, there are a number of colorful and flowering options that make interior decorating with plants easy.
To add bright blooms, consider African violets, bromeliads, kalanchoe, and begonias. They all add bold and unique flowers – as well as lush greenery – to your space.
If you’re more interested in traditional houseplants with colorful leaves, there are also a number of options. Take a look at croton, Chinese evergreen, calathea, and nerve plants for a subtle pop of color to brighten up any space.
9. Elevate Plants With Beautiful Plant Stands & Planters
Once you’ve picked out some new houseplants for your space, you can add personality with fun pots and planters. While terracotta offers the best drainage, it doesn’t fit everyone’s taste. Instead, leave your plants inside their nursery pots and simply drop them into larger decorative planters. This way you’ll get the best of both worlds: style and function.
You can also experiment with plant stands and hangers to add height and turn even small potted plants into a major focal point for your room. Just be sure that whatever planter options you choose, you account for good drainage and easy watering.
10. Remember – There’s a Plant for Everyone
Interested in interior decorating with plants, but doubtful of your green thumb? Try not to worry, as there are plants everyone can grow. If you struggle with even low maintenance plants, try air plants! While they enjoy a weekly soak in water (or an occasional spray with a mister), these plants are extremely hardy and will stay alive in most homes for months without watering.
They also come in a variety of colors to suit every taste and style. Try adding a few to a desktop or bookshelf, or even building a full-blown terrarium for your dining room table.
Ready to start decorating your home with houseplants? Check out the wide variety of houseplants, succulents, and cacti we grow at Stauffers of Kissel Hill.