How do you decorate with plants? Match each plant to the light it will get, then group plants at different heights (a floor plant, plants on stands or shelves, and a trailing or hanging plant) instead of spreading single pots around the room. Choose planters that suit your style, use saucers to protect furniture, and start with easy, low light indoor plants such as pothos, snake plant or ZZ plant if you're new to houseplants.
Below are 18 indoor plant decor ideas, the best indoor plants for each light level, low light indoor plants, pet-safe choices, and how to place plants without damaging furniture.
Start With Light
Light decides which plants will thrive, so check it before you shop. In the Northern Hemisphere:
| Light | Where you find it | Plants that like it |
|---|---|---|
| Bright direct | In or right next to south- or west-facing windows | Succulents, cacti, citrus, bird of paradise, herbs |
| Bright indirect | A few feet from a sunny window, or near an east window | Fiddle-leaf fig, monstera, rubber plant, calathea, most ferns |
| Medium | Across the room from a bright window, north windows | Pothos, philodendron, parlor palm, peperomia, spider plant |
| Low | Hallways, corners, rooms with small windows | Snake plant, ZZ plant, cast-iron plant, pothos (slower growth) |
"Low light tolerant" doesn't mean no light: every plant needs some daylight or a grow light. If you can comfortably read a book in the spot during the day without a lamp, most low light plants will cope.
18 Indoor Plant Decor Ideas
Arranging plants
- Group in odd numbers: three plants of different heights look more natural than a row of identical pots.
- Layer heights: combine a tall floor plant, a medium plant on a stand and a trailing plant on a shelf.
- Make one big plant the focal point: a large fiddle-leaf fig, olive tree or bird of paradise in an empty corner can fill space better than several small pots.
- Use plant stands to lift small plants to eye level and bring them closer to windows.
- Let plants trail from the top of a bookcase, cabinet or wall shelf.
- Hang plants from the ceiling or a curtain rod to keep floors and surfaces clear in small rooms.
Styling ideas
- Mix leaf shapes and textures: broad leaves, fine ferns and upright sword leaves together look lush.
- Coordinate planters: repeat one material (terracotta, white ceramic, woven baskets or concrete) for a calm look, or mix for an eclectic one.
- Style plants on shelves between books and objects; see how to style a display cabinet.
- Use a cabinet top or sideboard for a group of plants with a lamp and a piece of art.
- Put a plant on the dining table instead of flowers: a low pot of herbs or a small fern lasts longer.
- Frame a window with plants on the sill and a hanging planter above, and repeat the greenery around a nearby piece such as an arched glass cabinet.
Plants by room
- Living room: a statement floor plant next to the sofa, trailing pothos on a bookshelf.
- Bedroom: calm, low-maintenance plants such as snake plant or ZZ plant.
- Bathroom: humidity-loving ferns, orchids and calatheas if there's a window.
- Kitchen: herbs on a sunny windowsill, pothos on top of the cabinets.
- Home office: a desk plant within view of the screen; see home office ideas.
- Sunroom: the best place for sun-loving plants and a full plant room; see sunroom ideas.
Best Indoor Plants for Beginners
- Pothos: trailing, fast-growing, tolerates medium to low light. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
- Snake plant (sansevieria): upright leaves, very drought tolerant, handles low light.
- ZZ plant: glossy leaves, stores water in its rhizomes, does well in low light and with occasional watering.
- Philodendron (heartleaf): similar to pothos, easy and forgiving.
- Spider plant: easy, produces baby plants, likes bright indirect light.
- Peace lily: tolerates lower light and droops when thirsty, which makes watering easy to judge.
- Rubber plant: a sturdy tree-like plant for bright indirect light.
- Cast-iron plant: lives up to its name in dim corners.
The most common reason houseplants die is overwatering. Use pots with drainage holes and check the soil with your finger before watering.
Pet-Safe Indoor Plants
Several popular plants, including pothos, philodendron, snake plant, ZZ plant, peace lily, monstera and aloe, are listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. If you have pets, consider plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic, such as spider plant, Boston fern, parlor palm, calathea, peperomia and many orchids, and check the ASPCA plant database before buying. Lilies are especially dangerous for cats. See also our guide to kid- and pet-friendly furniture.
How to Place Plants Without Damaging Furniture
- Always use a saucer under pots with drainage holes, and lift it on cork pads or small feet so condensation doesn't sit on the wood.
- Watch for water rings: moisture under a pot can leave white or dark marks on wood finishes. See how to protect a wood dining table for how to treat them.
- Use a plant stand or tray on top of cabinets and sideboards rather than placing pots directly on the finish.
- Keep heavy pots off shelves that aren't rated for the weight, and anchor tall furniture you'll load with plants. See how to anchor furniture to a wall.
- Keep plants away from heaters and fireplaces, which dry out leaves.
Styles That Love Plants
Plants work with every style, but some build around them: boho decor with lots of trailing greenery, Japandi with one sculptural plant, Scandinavian design with simple white pots, and organic modern with olive trees and natural planters. For more cozy ideas, see hygge decor.
Decorating With Plants FAQ
What are the best low light indoor plants?
Snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos, heartleaf philodendron, cast-iron plant and peace lily all tolerate low light. They'll grow more slowly than in brighter spots.
How many plants should be in a room?
There's no fixed number. Start with one large plant or a group of three and add more as you learn what thrives in your light. A few healthy plants look better than many struggling ones.
Where should plants go in a living room?
Put the plants that need the most light closest to windows, a statement floor plant in an empty corner or beside the sofa, and trailing plants on shelves or the top of a cabinet.
Do fake plants look tacky?
Good-quality faux plants can look convincing in spots with no light, especially from a distance. Mix them with a few real plants and dust them regularly.
How do you make indoor plants look good?
Keep them healthy, group them at different heights, use planters that suit your style, remove yellow leaves and turn pots every few weeks so plants grow evenly.