Houseplant Buying Guide

For years we’ve known the benefits of having houseplants in your living spaces.

According to the RHS, having plants in your home can help improve your mood, reduce stress levels as well as blood pressure, among many other benefits.

On top of the medical benefits of incorporating houseplants into your living spaces, they also can enhance the style and décor of your home. Plants look welcoming and beautifully bring the outside in. But when there are so many different species of plants, some suitable to keep indoors while others are not, how can you know which houseplants to choose? If you’re on a mission to incorporate more houseplants into your home, our House Plant Buying Guide will help you.

Consider the amount of light in your home

Even people who don’t have much of a green thumb probably know that plants need light. If you want to bring houseplants into your home, you’ll need to consider the amount of light available. For species that require direct sunlight, you can always take advantage of windows and skylights. But there are also some species of plant that can get by with little light.

If you’re looking for plants that can thrive in areas of your home where there is less sunlight, you might want to start with a philodendron. These plants are fast-growing and can thrive easily in darker rooms. Peace Lilies are another species that can do well indoors and don’t require a great amount of care, which can be ideal for people who are new to the world of houseplants.

If you have plenty of light in your home, you have a lot more flexibility. Succulents and cacti are very popular at the moment and they thrive in dry, sunny conditions. They are the perfect option for a conservatory or sunny windowsill. Rubber plants tend to flourish in bright rooms, as do palms and different varieties of fig. If you’re struggling to determine which plants are going to do well in your home, you can always speak to someone at your local garden centre or nursery.

Take into account your style

When choosing houseplants, you’ll also want to make sure that they fit in with the style of your home. You can be very eclectic with your houseplants, but if you want to make sure that they stick with your general décor theme, there are a few guidelines to follow.

For more traditional décor schemes, lavender and herbs are always a classic choice. These come with fantastic aromas and you can even use them in your cooking. Fig plants are also traditional, as well as ivy and ferns. All of these plants look fantastic in a traditional home.

If your home is more rustic, plants like cactus, succulents, and box hedges fit into this theme quite nicely. You could combine some classic English garden plants if you’re looking for that old-time, country cottage feel.

For modern homes, less is more. You might find that simple and elegant plants like orchids or bonsai are the perfect fit for a modern styled home. Ornamental grasses are also very minimalist and suit this décor scheme very well.  

If you’re trying to achieve a tropical feel in your living area, houseplants can make a big difference and really set the scene, making your home feel as if it’s actually in a tropical location. Palms, rubber plants, and birds of paradise are just a few examples of house plants with a tropical vibe.

Think about maintenance

Finally, you’ll want to do a little research about the type of plant you are buying to make sure you can maintain it. Different species have different needs, and some plants are hardier than others. If you’ve never had house plants before or don’t have a great deal of time to maintain them, you’ll want to make sure you opt for hardier options. If, however, you have some experience or you’re willing to put in the time to maintain your plants, you can select from a wider variety. If you’re unsure about the needs of a specific plant, ask an employee at a trusted garden centre or nursery.