Decorating your home with plants has many great benefits. Not only does a room with well-placed greenery look comforting and inviting, but houseplants also help clean the air and can even improve your mood, boost your productivity, and reduce your stress.
How to Choose a Plant
Before you start shopping for plants, get to know your space. Houseplants will thrive when they are in the right environment. Certain plants need more or less light, indirect light instead of a full blast of sunshine, or different humidity levels. For example, many plant lovers cherish southern facing windows. Especially once winter hits, indoor plants love the added sun and heat that comes from the southern side of the house.
While Minnesota can be a tough environment to raise exotic plants, there are still plenty of low-maintenance options that will make your home look great. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, the list below provides good options to spruce up your home.
Bright Light Houseplants
Plants labeled as bright light typically require six hours or more of bright sunlight.
- Corn Plant: A great floor plant, corn plants can grow up to 6 feet tall under the right conditions. They help filter your indoor air and are fairly easy to grow. Keep corn plants out of direct light and avoid overwatering, and it will last for years.
- Palms: There are many varieties of indoor palm plants. Many are tall, reaching over 10 feet after years of growth, while dwarf, tabletop varieties are also available. Most palms are great at filtering your air and adapting to watering and lighting changes.
- Ferns: Fern houseplant varieties come in tall, draping, and small tabletop versions. Some of the most popular are Boston ferns, which are typically lush, full hanging plants. For potted varieties, Kimberly ferns are hearty and simple to take care of or choose a staghorn fern for something more unique.
- Philodendrons: From a trailing heartleaf vine to a classic split-leaf philodendron to the massive elephant ear philodendron, there are tons of options. Each is unique and makes a great talking point in your home.
Pro Tip: You’ve probably seen Fiddle Leaf Figs on episodes of your favorite home renovation shows. These trendy and unique plants are pleasing to the eye but be warned, they are quite finicky to care for. They also love high humidity, precise lighting conditions and watering, and hate drafts. If it’s your first attempt at houseplants, you might want to try something a bit easier to maintain.
Indirect/Low Light Houseplants
Plants given 4 hours or less of sunlight that can tolerate shadier areas of your home.
- Pothos: Also called devil’s ivy, this plant is super hardy and adaptable to a range of environments – from bright, indirect light to low light. They’re also fun plants to decorate with as they vine walls and climb along with windows.
- Chinese Evergreen: Another great beginner plant, these beauties come in a range of colors and do well in low light. They don’t even need natural light–you can grow them under fluorescents if you want!
- Peace Lily: Peace lilies are great for those who forget to water their plants. Leaves looking a bit droopy? Just add water and this tough plant will pop right back! Just don’t overwater it or give it too much sun.
- Snake Plant: Also called the mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant comes in a few different color variations, from pale green to variegated green and yellow. It’s a slow-growing, easy to care for plant. Give it plenty of drainages to prevent root rot and let them dry out between watering.
- Spider Plant: Iconic and adaptable, spider plants can tolerate shady, indirect light but prefer lighter spaces. They can become root-bound and will need repotting every year or so, but these plants will last you years and grow as large as you’ll let them! Plus, they produce “pups” often, meaning you can share them with friends and family.
Plants are a great way to filter the air in your home and decorate with lasting living features. If you don’t have a green thumb, use decorative pictures, patterns on throw pillows, or fake plants to add some green to your home. For more home staging and decorating tips, visit Minnesotahomeinteriors.com.
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