As the seasons change, waving goodbye to summer doesn’t have to mean the end of enjoying gorgeous plants. We ask a houseplant expert which plants go best where.
You can keep your home feeling alive with houseplants, whatever your decor style. For those new to keeping plants indoors though, knowing what to have where can seem tricky.
Claire Bishop, houseplant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres, offers the following tips on how houseplants can enhance a number of different styles and moods and which ones work best where. From bright and bold to soft, subtle and architecturally sculpted, there’s a plant for every style.
Best houseplants for your style
Au natural
Lush green plants paired with rugged terracotta containers bring the outdoors into your home. The popular Boston fern, with its arching green fronds, can develop into a perfect sphere of intricate greenery.
Alternatively, go for the sansevieria succulent, which adds attractive marbling to the mix. Commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, sansevieria are much more soothing to have around than either of their nicknames suggests. There are also a wide variety of shapes and colours to go from, so you can get a lot of variety with this easy-care plant.
Typically tropical
For a more vibrant look, seek out dazzling tropical plants such as the Calathea peacock plant. As the name suggests, this plant is all about display, with a feathered effect in different shades of green, pink, purple and white. These plants are also known as prayer plants as their leaves fold together at night, so they’re entertaining to watch and to teach children.
The most on-trend Calathea right now is the Orbifolia, available on Amazon. It has round leaves which are striped with white and green, so it will add interest to your display.
Another tropical must-have is the Monstera.
The most sought after Monstera right now is the Variegated Monstera or the Thai Constellation Monstera. Both have beautiful white or cream variegation, but be wary of the price tag. A full plant will set you back around £200 to £300.
Start off with a regular Monstera Deliciosa, available on Amazon. You’ll find yourself eagerly waiting for each new leaf to unfurl to see the new fenestrations on the leaves.
Since they originate from warmer climes, Calatheas and Monsteras will be perfectly at home in the humid atmosphere of a bathroom or kitchen. Alternatively, invest in a humidifier so you can put them in any room of the house without worrying about crispy leaf tips.
We recommend this 500ml mountain range humidifier, available on Amazon, for use on a small number of plants.
Family fixture
For a bright, cheerful addition to any family room, turn to dependable, easy-to-grow favourites such as the spider plant. Thriving even in a brightly-lit lounge, the bold stripes of the variegated Chlorophytum, available on Amazon, will last all year round.
Try a hanging macramé pot, available on Amazon, to display it to best effect as this plant will produce lots of babies that hang around it.
The peace lily is another go-to houseplant, being beautiful and almost indestructible – it actually thrives on under-watering. With its pure white flowers and deep green leaves, it’s a calming presence. It’s also one of the best plants for removing air pollution.
Shabby chic
Dispense with tradition and opt for ‘guests’ that will bring personality to your rooms. Coconut shells, coffee tins, brass cans – most houseplants aren’t fussy – they’ll thrive equally happily in unconventional containers.
Based on an ancient Japanese art, Kokedama (which directly translates as ‘moss balls’) are plants rooted in soil, wrapped in moss and bound in thread. Much more than just a houseplant, these are pieces of sculptural art, perfect on a windowsill or suspended from the ceiling.
3 key questions about houseplants
Here, Bishop answers some of the more commonly asked houseplants questions…
1. What common mistakes do people make when it comes to houseplants?
Overwatering. It’s surprising that most of the on-trend plants at the moment thrive upon neglect, as most of them require a bare minimum of care. Also, too much light and draughts can affect plants, so being placed directly on a windowsill where the window is often opened. They can quickly recover if you reposition them.
2. Which plants would you recommend for which room, and why?
Houseplants will work well in most rooms, as long as there is natural light.
In bedrooms… Aloe vera is often recommended, releasing oxygen while you are sleeping. They are one of the best plants for air purification.
In bathrooms… Orchids are popular. They are tropical, so they love the humidity and will be at their happiest on the bathroom windowsill.
Spider plants also work well in bathrooms. Thriving in the often-humid environment, they remove CO2 from the moist atmosphere. They like to be kept in rooms that are fairly well lit and watered once or twice a week, but not in direct sunlight.
3. What tips would you give for caring for houseplants?
Succulents and terrariums are pretty easy to care for and look fantastic in groups. They can instantly change the look and feel of a room, from industrial chic to jungle inspired bold botanicals.
All houseplants require a little clean to keep them looking their best – simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. This is not just to keep them looking good. Removing the dust ensures good health. Take off any foliage that is yellowing, and trim damaged leaves of larger plants with sharp scissors at the same time.
During the autumn and winter months, houseplants will look their best if you give them a shower as you water, as this will keep the leaves looking green and glossy. Keep an eye on light levels in the darker winter months – some plants may need a bit more.
You may also be interested in…
This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.
