Houseplants

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

Over the course of the past 10 years of keeping houseplants, I’ve lived in all sorts of buildings: from a ground-floor flat at the base of a hill (hello, Pittsburgh friends!) to a large suburban house to an attic closet (ok, it was an apartment, but hardly qualified). 

I’ve grown houseplants in the bathrooms of all of these places – five, in total – and most of the time the plants thrived in the humidity of the bathrooms. The only catch: all of these bathrooms had windows, with the exception of the attic flat which had a skylight that resembled a New York manhole in reverse. 

Here are the plants that were perfect for my bathroom and a few tips on how to keep them happy. You’ll notice that they have one major thing in common: they NEED humidity. Not “like” or “prefer” humidity, but need it. Otherwise, you’ll ask yourself why your plant hates you and why it gets crispier than a plate of French fries. 

Plants for bathrooms 

1. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) 

This plant routinely shows up on lists of plants that are easy to care for, and I have no idea why. I found it finicky and hard to grow until I had the excellent idea of placing it on the washer in my bathroom.

Peace lilies do well in a humid environment, even though they hate living in soggy soil, and will promptly turn yellow if the roots are too wet. They’re the Goldilocks of houseplants, if you ask me.

Keep peace lilies happy: They’re tropical, evergreen plants that live on the forest floor in the wild. A good way to mimic that in our homes is by keeping them in bright indirect light and offering them consistent moisture without overwatering. They’re also sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and drafts. Don’t mist peace lilies, but do place them in a well-ventilated bathroom. 

If they get the proper amount of light, peace lilies produce white blooms in early summer. When the peace lilies grow too large for their pot, you can either upgrade their vessel (1.5 inches larger in diameter should be enough) or divide them into two or more plants.  

Peace lilies are a tropical plant, so keep the temperature above 60°F (16°C), ideally over 70°F (21°C). In my opinion, peace lilies are not the best plants for a beginner unless said beginner lives in a humid environment.

2. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Crotons come in all shapes and sizes, but my favorite are the banana croton and the Petra crotons.

They love humidity, but also need bright light if you want the colors to remain vibrant. 

Keep crotons happy: If they don’t get enough light, crotons tend to grow lanky and with sparse leaves that turn from their customary bright hues (red, yellow, orange) back to green. In warm and humid climates, crotons can grow as large bushes. 

Check out the one below that I found in a botanical garden in Lisbon. It was absolutely breathtaking. 

But in our homes, we need to keep crotons in the bathroom or the kitchen to help with the humidity requirements. Don’t water the croton if the top layer of the potting soil still looks damp. And let it dry between watering sessions because it’s quite susceptible to root rot. 

3. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

I’m going to come right out and say it: if you don’t live in a humid climate, don’t get a Boston fern unless you have space in your bathroom or kitchen for this plant. Boston ferns can get quite bushy and full when they’re in a hospitable environment, so they’re the perfect plant if you have more space to let them grow. 

Keep Boston ferns happy: They will thrive in a warm and high moisture environment, so even placing them close to your shower might be a good idea.

Ferns grow aerial roots that are just as important as underground roots for taking in water. People often mistake these aerial roots for naked fronds and trim them back. Don’t do that if you want a healthy fern; aerial roots are essential for moisture control. 

If your fern isn’t getting enough humidity, it will let you know by turning yellow and dropping leaves. There’s no need to panic if this happens. Just increase the frequency of watering. Always water ferns above a sink and let the water run through the pot and out through the drainage holes. 

Buy a Boston fern from Costa Farms.

4. Sterling Silver Scindapsus (Scindapsus Treubii) 

If you’re familiar with other types of Scindapsus (such as pothos or philodendron), you’ll know they’re easy to grow, no-fuss plants. And if you can’t get your hands on a Sterling Silver, I recommend starting with its more popular cousin, the satin pothos. Use it as a training plant to learn how to trail vines around your bathroom and how to adjust the watering schedule.

This is a newcomer from Costa Farms, one of the largest growers of houseplants in North America. At the moment, Costa Farms only sells via Amazon or through retailers. 

Keep the Sterling Silver Scindapsus happy: This plant is native to Southeast Asia, and it can survive (and even thrive) indoors in bright indirect light. Unlike ferns, if you put the Sterling Silver Scindapsus in a humid room, you should pay attention and not overwater it. This is a slow-growing plant, so it won’t take too much counter space in your bathroom. 

5. Arrowhead plants (Syngonium podophyllum)

My favorite thing about growing arrowhead plants is how easy they are to propagate. The plant grows its own dry root nodes. Just snap it below the node and pop it in water, and you’ll get new root growth in less than a week. (Careful with the white sap when you cut the stem, as it is a skin irritant.)

Keep arrowhead plants happy: They can tolerate low light, but will do well in medium to bright indirect light. However, don’t place them too close to a window in direct sun. They don’t like direct sun or scorching heat, so they will react by turning pale or yellow. 

Arrowhead plants like to be evenly moist, so don’t let them dry out too much. I must confess that I scorched a few leaves and dried a few leaves. But arrowhead plants are forgiving plants and they bounced back a couple of weeks after I rectified the problems in my care routine.  

My favorite thing about arrowhead plants: they do not need to be fertilized. They are fast growers with a no-fuss attitude. If you want to keep the plant bushier, cut the new growth and start another one. 

Buy arrowhead plants from the House Plant Shop

6. Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)

Here we go, another fern. They’re the best companion that you could have in the bathroom (Don’t roll your eyes. You know it’s true.) But this time, we’re talking about thick leathery leaves rather than delicate fronds. These lush houseplants have been popular for decades, well before Instagram found them out. In the wild, they can be found in Australia, Hawaii, South East Asia and India. Indoors, they’ll live their best life in a humid room. 

Keep bird’s nest fern happy: Even though it’s not as finicky as its distant cousin, the Boston fern (see point 3), this fern prefers bright indirect light. It can also survive in low light, but it won’t grow as fast. However, it does not tolerate bright direct light, so don’t place it directly in front of a window that gets full direct sun for most of the day.

Don’t let the soil get too dry: water the fern as soon as you notice that the top inch of the potting mix has become dry to the touch.     

Buy bird’s nest fern from the American Plant Exchange.

7. Mosaic plant/Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis)

This is one of my top 5 favorite houseplants, although I wouldn’t recommend it if you are a newbie inclined to forget to water your plant. Fittonia loves humidity and having moist (but well-drained) soil, but it does have the bad habit of fainting if it gets too thirsty.

Total eclipse of the heart? More like total collapse of the plant.

Don’t worry, your fittonia is not dead. Just give it a good gulp of water and it will recover its bouncy shape in a few hours. 

Keep fittonia happy: The bright veins of the fittonia plant are not just for show. Because fittonia is usually an undergrowth in its natural habitat (the rainforests of South America), the veins help the plant catch as much light as possible. This should be a good clue that fittonia plants prefer indirect light. In fact, bright direct light will make them turn pale and sometimes even crispy. 

When you water the nerve plant, place it under the jet stream of your bathroom tap and let the water run through the soil and out the drainage holes. This should ensure that you’re moistening the soil evenly. 

You can get the pink variety from Hirt’s or the dark green variety from California Tropicals.

8. Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

These cutie pies have been a new addition to my plant collection, but I’m already quite smitten with their round velvety leaves. My plant is still young, so I can’t wait for it to get older and have the stem turn dark red. 

Keep button ferns happy: Give them enough water without letting them stand in soggy soil. Keep them out of direct sun (you’re beginning to see a pattern here, right?). They’re such robust plants and they’ll look gorgeous in a hanging basket, but it’s best if you err on the side of a smaller basket as button ferns like to be a bit cramped. Too much extra soil might retain too much sogginess.

As a general rule, keep ferns away from sources of warm air (heaters, radiators, fireplaces). 

JM Bamboo has good reviews at the time of publication.

9.  Prayer plants (Marantas)

Fair warning: if you’re new to houseplants, don’t start with this one. It will break your heart in a million pieces and you’ll end up praying it survives its first winter. Hmm, I wonder if this is why it goes by the name “prayer plant.” 

I’m in the Northern Hemisphere, in a cloudy and damp corner of the world, so my prayer plants don’t do well when the indoor heat kicks on in the winter. Leaves go crispy and fall faster than you can say “maranta.” However, I’ve noticed these plants are quite resilient, and so far they have always bounced back in late spring. 

Keep prayer plants happy: Don’t dare breathe around them! 

Just kidding, they’re not that bad. 

They do best in bright indirect sun and prefer high humidity and moist well-draining soil. Prayer plants generally have shallow roots, so don’t place them in containers that are too large or too tall. 

Also, don’t let your prayer plant dry out too much between watering sessions. But don’t keep it soggy either. Yes, we do have a “the princess and the pea” scenario going on when it comes to prayer plants. 

My recommendation is to get one prayer plant and try to keep it alive. See if it likes you and your environment. And see if you enjoy catering to its whims. Only add to your maranta collection if the answer is a resounding “yes” even throughout the cold season.

California Tropicals sells a beautiful lemon lime prayer plant.

10. Air plants (Tillandsia)

Air plants have a reputation for low-maintenance, but I think this is somewhat undeserved. It comes from a misconception based on their name rather than their actual needs. Even though they shouldn’t be planted in soil, air plants do need water. They absorb the water through their entire surface, not just through the roots. 

Keep air plants happy: That’s easy! Several hours of indirect light coupled with a warm and humid environment will make your air plant as happy as a clam. And a happy air plant might even surprise you with a bloom.

Some people mist their air plants once a week, while others just submerge them in water for 15-30 minutes. This might not be necessary if you keep your plant in your bathroom.

Shop Succulents sells a gorgeous 12-pack of air plants.

One mistake I have seen is keeping the air plant right in the shower cabin, within spraying distance of the shower stream. Yes, the plant will like the water, but subjecting it to hot water is a recipe for disaster. If you do want an air plant shower companion (who am I to judge?), make sure you hang it above the water flow, not underneath it. 

These are the 10 houseplants I would recommend for bathrooms based on my experience, but I’m betting there are other plants out there that would do just fine. I’m still on a quest to find more, but I’m running out of space in the bathroom.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Featured image by Beazy via Unsplash.

Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence before buying a houseplant or any other supplies. Some houseplants may be toxic if ingested (especially for pets and children). You can check on the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping me keep the site online! You can read more on my affiliate policy page.

As a book lover and a plant lover, I make it a point to combine these two hobbies as often as possible. Books about houseplants are a guilty pleasure to me. Sure, I’m reading a book to gain knowledge and find out about experts’ experiences with houseplants. But these books also have wonderful photography or elegant illustrations that I enjoy immensely. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever read a boring book about houseplants. 

I’ve read all the books I’m recommending below, so you can start with this list if you want to learn more about houseplants from a trusted source. 

Part of my 2021 resolution is to read 20 more books about houseplants. I’ll add them to the list as soon as I’m done. But if you have one that you think is worth reading, please email me (through the Contact form on this website) or message me on Instagram. I love getting recommendations from my plant-loving readers.

Books about houseplants

1. The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing House Plants by Kay Maguire

What I liked about it: The blend of botanical illustrations and photos of the plants in a home setting. The book combines plant advice with practical DIY projects with step-by-step photos that are easy to follow. My favorite project was the carnivorous vase. 

You’ll like it if: You’re interested in tidbits of plant history. Since this book is published by Kew Gardens, a world-renowned botanical science and research center, the book gives a bit of a background about when the plants were collected from the wild, (re-)named and transitioned to houseplant status. 

One thing I found out:  The string of hearts was discovered by John Medley Wood in South Africa in 1881. The plant was hanging from rocks at 1640 ft (about 500 meters) altitude. He sent the plant to Kew Gardens in 1894 and the gardens named the plant in his honor (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii)

Notable houseplant featured: Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis) – a wooly cactus that looks like an old man’s beard. Its favorite perch spot is sunny windowsills and as the plant ages, the skin thickens and the cactus starts losing its hair. 

2. Happy Houseplants by Angela Staehling

What I liked about it: I’ll be honest, this book tempted me for a good two months from behind a bookshop window I would walk past almost every week. And I kept trying to convince myself that I don’t need another book about houseplants. But then I caved in and bought it because I’m a sucker for illustrations. The format (full illustration on a separate page from the text) is really tempting me to take some scissors to the book and frame some of the drawings.

You’ll like it because: The plants are presented alphabetically (from airplant to zebra cactus), so it’s easy to find and reference a plant. Yes, you’d think this would be more common, but I’ve poured over eye-straining indexes at the back of books enough times to tell you that an alphabetical order is not that common. 

One thing I found out: This book also contains information about some seasonal plants that aren’t usually included in books about houseplants (grape hyacinths and lily of the valley, for example). I buy them every spring and they make me happy, so I’d say their place is well-deserved in a book about happy houseplants. 

Notable featured houseplant: Blue chalksticks (Senecio mandraliscae). I’ll keep an eye out for this one. I love blue houseplants, but I haven’t seen this one for sale anywhere near me.  

3. Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation by Ken Druse

What I liked about it: Druse is one of America’s foremost gardening authorities, and the man was posting plant videos on YouTube way back in 2008. He’s got extensive decades-long knowledge and has been documenting it all in photos for years. There are over 500 photos in this book, so you won’t have trouble following instructions. There’s also a very handy plant propagation guide at the end of the book that lists all the plants (in alphabetical order) and their reproduction methods. This chapter alone makes the book worth buying.

You’ll like it if: You want to become a plant propagation machine. I do recommend this book over Plant Parenting (number 6 on this list) if you’re also gardening outdoors. If you’re mainly interested in houseplant propagation, start with chapter 7 (Cuttings) and chapter 9 (Layering). The book is definitely on the technical side, so if you’re intimidated by a lot of botany terms, go for book #6 on this list (see below).

One thing I found out: It’s hard to pick one piece of information. I have taken pages and pages of notes.

4. What’s Wrong with My Houseplant? by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth

What I liked about it: In addition to the usual information about a plant (its preferred type of potting medium, watering schedule, temperature and humidity) there’s extra information on how to propagate it. There’s also an extensive chapter on propagation early on in the book. 

You’ll like it if: You’re looking for organic eco-friendly solutions to common plant pests. Every plant profile has a list of common problems with a link to solutions. I read the ebook version, so it was quite easy to go from problem to solution just by clicking on the link. For every pest, fungi or bacteria, there are several photo examples showing how the problem looks like on different types of plants. This is a very helpful guide when you’re trying to diagnose what’s off with your houseplants. 

One thing I found out: Jade plants (Crassula ovata) can bloom in the winter, but it generally takes ten years for plants to reach this stage. I’ve had my jade plant for five years, so I’m sharpening my patience skills for this event. 

Notable featured houseplant: False aralia (Plerandra elegantissima)

5. Greenhouse and Window Plants: A Primer for Amateurs by Charles Collins

What I liked about it: Can I just start with the title? This book was first published in 1895, back when there was no concept of houseplants, so they were just called window plants. And “amateurs” wasn’t a bad word. Hence the subtitle: A primer for amateurs. How genuinely accurate is that? The 2017 republication of this book contains the original black-and-white illustrations, and they are gorgeous. And it was really interesting to see what kind of houseplants were popular in the 1890s and are still popular today: coleus, echeveria, ficus, dracaena, sempervivum, yucca and all types of ferns. 

You’ll like it if: you’re into historical plants and gardens. You won’t find in-depth information like you would in a newer book (after all, they didn’t know that much about exotic houseplants back then). But when it comes to plant listicles, this book was ahead of its time. My head is spinning with ideas about writing a murder mystery set in a greenhouse in 1895. 

One thing I found out: There’s a chapter that includes a short history of gardening. Even though “home gardening” probably has roots in prehistoric times, the earliest evidence of ornamental horticulture and landscape design comes from Egyptian tomb paintings from around 1500 BC. A well-known example of an ancient ornamental garden was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

Notable featured houseplant: Pandanus javanicus (as a houseplant) and Araucaria excelsa (also as a houseplant). I think most modern homes are not as well-equipped as the private greenhouses of rich Victorians, so I don’t know if many of the plants mentioned in this book would survive our a/c lifestyles. 

6. Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck

What I liked about it: It is an in-depth guide to all the types of houseplant propagation. I took copious notes on how to propagate houseplants that I can’t easily find in stores and some that I’ve failed at propagating before (hello, African violet!). The book has very clear photos of how to take stem cuttings, how to take tip cuttings, ground and air layering and plant division. 

You’ll like it if: You’re a newbie at trying to propagate houseplants. This book will help you avoid all the common mistakes when it comes to making more plants, such as using a sick leaf as a starter. Or am I the only optimist who thought that was going to work? 

One thing I found out: The importance of letting succulent leaf cuttings cure for a long time before you air layer them.  

Notable featured houseplant: Learning how to propagate cane-like houseplants. I had no idea how to take a cane cutting (for example from a Dracaena) and increase its chances of rooting. 

7. Healing Houseplants by Michelle Polk

What I liked about it: I picked up this book thinking that I would read about the benefits of keeping houseplants, in general. Instead, the focus was more on potted herbs. And I really enjoyed this because it gave me a new perspective on herbs – not just as kitchen windowsill staples, but actual houseplants in their own right. There’s a good bibliography at the end of the book that includes all the studies mentioned in the book. 

You’ll like it if: You want to learn more about growing healing houseplants (aloe vera, lavender, rosemary, calendula, for example), but also recipes for homemade tinctures. There is one chapter (about 24 pages) dedicated to what we commonly know as houseplants and how they can help improve our mental and physical health. This book does come with a health disclaimer to consult a specialist if you have health concerns, as does my recommendation of the book. 

One thing I found out: Research from Uppsala University (Sweden) found that the presence of houseplants in a home or office reduced the stress and fatigue of the people living and working in that environment. It also decreased the amount the sick leave employees took. 

Other books about houseplants on my to-read list:

Potted History by Catherine Horwood. I’m really interested in the history of houseplants, and how we’ve come to grow ornamental greenery indoors. This book promises a historical angle to our plant obsession. 

The Indestructible Houseplant by Tovah Martin. I’ve put a request for this one through the library. I’ll add it to this list once I’m done with the book. 

The Scentual Garden by Ken Druse. I’m planning on incorporating fragrant plants in my garden and get some scented plants indoors too. I’ve already successfully killed indoor gardenias, but hope springs eternal when it comes to my relationship with fussy houseplants. 

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

5 Books depicting the magical world of plants

Some people can easily recall the first time their mom let go of the bike and they realized they were pedaling all by themselves. Others just close their eyes and easily remember the color of their favorite childhood toy.

With the same precision that people use for recalling these sentimental details, I remember the first message I sent to someone about plants. I was new to this Instagram thing, and in fact I had just wanted to comment on a picture, but I ended up sending a complete stranger a direct message about how much I was crushing on their stripey calathea.

I won’t lie, it was a tad creepy. But we kept messaging back and forth and we were obviously both quite excited to be chatting about that particular type of plant, albeit with complete strangers from a different continent.

Fast forward through the awkwardness of connecting with a naturophile via some platonic greenery talk, and I felt like I had finally found someone to chat with about my houseplant obsession. (I’d call it hobby, but who am I kidding?)

You see, none of my IRL friends share this hobby. That’s clear to me whenever my enthusiastic “I got a new houseplant” yields no equally enthusiastic replies. Instead, it’s often “But you already have too many plants.” Pff … people!

I think houseplants can build community for a few reasons:

1. Houseplant lovers are generous with information.

Bring your plant-related problem or question to any online platform, and somebody will go out of their way to help you. Whether we’re talking basic Reddit threads, elaborate Instagram posts, or the old-fashioned forums, you’ll find someone who’s eager to offer advice to right your (ok, my) overwatering ways.

2. Houseplant people genuinely want others to succeed.

I’ve never spent time in any other online community where people wanted others to succeed, and where the criticism was kept to a minimum. Sure, you’re bound to have a few know-it-alls popping up here and there and unleashing taxonomy rants, but they’re few and far between. Generally, plant lovers will root for you to succeed.

3. Houseplant lovers generously like to share.

I’ve never met a gardener who doesn’t love sharing. From seedlings, to veggies, to cut bouquets of flowers, or packs of seeds saved from their crop. I genuinely believe it’s in the nature of people who love to grow things to share their harvest, no matter how bountiful. I found it’s the same with houseplant lovers. This hobby brings us so much joy that we’re often thinking how to get others hooked up too.

8 Ways to Share Your Houseplant Love with Others

In the spirit of adding your own contribution to this generous community, here are a few simple things you can do:

+ Root a few extra clippings and offer some to your friends, co-workers and neighbors. But if they don’t want them, don’t be pushy.

+ Offer clippings in your local “buy nothing group” or on freecycle. You’ll meet some like-minded people along the way.

+ Prepare a few houseplants or clippings to give away at your local yard sale.

+ Start a seed library. Some libraries or community centers offer spaces for seed libraries. You can start one with as little as a shoebox and some envelopes, or a piece of cardboard on which to glue the seed pouches.

+ Organize a plant swap. Much like a clothes swap, or a book swap, a houseplant swap is a great place to meet new people with the same hobby as you.

+ Set up a planting party. Somewhere in a public park or a place that can get messy. You bring the dirt and the seeds/seedlings; your guests bring their own flower pots or planters.

+ Place plants in a communal area of your apartment building – in the courtyard, on the common straicase or on the sidewalk if you live in a neighborhood where they might survive the hustle and bustle. You might not have easy converts, but you might make a few of your neighbors pay attention (and even ask questions) and want to try some plants of their own.

+ Finally, be that person who helps others care for their plants – whether online, or via email or in person. Be kind with your judgement and generous with your knowledge.

I’m sure there are about a hundred other ways to share your love of plants and build a sense of community. I’d be happy to hear how you’re doing that, and you can share on Instagram.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

The question of how to make my houseplant hobby more sustainable has been on my mind for a couple of years. And I bet I’m not the only one who has been thinking about it. 

Houseplant sales have been skyrocketing since 2015, and that was even before we were all confined to our homes for months on end due to a public health crisis. 

In the United States, sales have surged almost 50 percent to $1.7 billion between 2016 and 2019, according to the National Gardening Association cited by Bloomberg. 

In the UK, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), reported that average sales in the second half of 2019 were up 60% on the previous year, according to the BBC.  

The popularization of a hobby leads to an increase in consumption, and often this comes at a price. But I promise I don’t want to be all doom and gloom, or guilt-trip anyone for buying too many plants.

I just want to offer you a few tips to keep in mind to help you cultivate a more sustainable houseplant hobby. 

This list is by no means comprehensive. Nor is it perfect. I plan to add to it as I think of or come across other sustainable ideas. And if you have any other ideas to add, please feel free to send them to me via the Contact form on this website. The more ideas, the better equipped we are to make better choices. 

1.  Don’t become obsessed with your houseplant wishlist. 

There’s a reason I’m starting with this tip – and that’s because I think this is the root of the problem. I don’t know how to say this gently, so I’ll just say it. You really really really don’t need to own all the houseplants that you see online. And keeping a houseplant wishlist is a recipe for unhappiness. Trust me, I’ve been there! 

I often see plant parents become plant collectors, and that’s when a healthy hobby becomes an unsustainable one. Just like any other type of addiction, plant shopping addiction leads to excessive consumerism and, ultimately, dissatisfaction with the plants you already have. You’ll constantly be looking for that next dopamine hit.

There’s a long conversation we need to have about consumerism in the houseplant world, and I’m already mulling it over for another post. 

But for now, please know this: it’s ok to only have a few houseplants in your home. It’s ok to not chase after the big-ticket items (I’m looking at you, fiddle leaf fig), and it’s never too late to change your ways if you’ve realized you’re taking this houseplant hobby too far. 

2. Buy from small businesses with sustainable practices.

I’ve been changing my mind back and forth about this tip because there’s something to be said about economies of scale. Large greenhouse operations have more money to invest in sustainable plant practices. And some of them really do make an effort to grow houseplants sustainably. 

But ultimately I’m inclined to support small businesses, whether they’re already established family-owned garden centers or Etsy stores growing on a small scale. 

Every single sale can make a difference for a small business, and I’ve found that it’s easier to communicate with them when it comes to making sustainable choices for your houseplants. You can ask them to reuse packaging materials, to skip plastic packaging, or even to strip the soil off the roots so that the plant can fit in a smaller box. 

One time, a small store I was buying from customized my order based on how cold the weather was around the time of shipping. 

I cannot imagine having these kinds of requests granted by a large fulfillment center. 

3. Buy from local growers.

I admit, I have bought plants from big box stores more times than I’d care to admit. It’s tempting to pop into the gardening section when I’m out grocery shopping. And it’s even more tempting when the plants are on sale for a few dollars. 

But part of me thinks that’s the problem right there. 

Just like with fast fashion and fast food, we’re sacrificing quality and sustainability for convenience and low prices. So I’ve been vowing to do better and made it a goal to seek out local growers first. This way, I’m not only helping a small business stay afloat, but I’m cutting down on plant miles (the distance the plant is shipped from the grower to the end-buyer).

4. Buy from growers that care about sustainability

As I mentioned in the previous point, there are some greenhouse operations that take the sustainability of their houseplants seriously. And because they work so hard at it, and this is one of their core values, they make it a point to mention it on their websites. You can usually find this information on their About us page. 

Here are a few examples of eco-friendly practices from plant growers and some of the growhouses that talk about their efforts on their websites:

• Using renewable energy for business operations – Harster Greenhouses
• Capturing rainwater and using it to irrigate the greenhouses – Green Circle Growers
• Using natural pesticides, such as nematodes or beneficial bugs, to keep the houseplants pest-free – Heidi’s Growhaus
• Using recycled packaging materials for deliveries. Some growers also use biodegradable packing supplies, such as compostable coconut fibers and corn-based packing peanuts. 
• Supporting non-profit work. For example, Cellar Door Plants partners with One Tree Planted and donates monthly to help with reforestation efforts around the world. 

5. Swap plants with people in your community.

Propagating your own plants and sharing them with other plant lovers is probably the most sustainable houseplant behavior you can engage in. And it’s also a great way to create a community of like-minded people to share tips, advice and resources. 

I have given and received houseplants using platforms such as Craigslist, Facebook and Instagram, as well as groups of friends and neighbors. Plant people – real plant lovers – love sharing their hobbies; but of course, you should do your due diligence before you meet any stranger. 

Read more on how to get free or cheap houseplants

6. First, look at the “as-is” section of your local plant store.

This depends a lot on the store policy, of course. But a lot of garden stores and even big-name stores such as Ikea, have an “as-is” section. You’ll usually find plants that are not in the best of shapes, but that can still be salvaged with a bit of careful pruning, watering and sunlight. 

This strategy will keep the plant from going to waste, and it will also save you some money. 

I’ve only had one miss buying from the “as-is” section, with a very stubborn succulent that refused to recover. Other than that, I’ve managed to revive all the sad houseplants that have crossed my path from the discount shelf. 

7. Get plant containers from the thrift store.

This is an easy one to think of, I admit that much. But it’s worth mentioning just to help you think outside the box. Or rather, outside the flower pot. I know a lot of plant lovers who have repurposed the wackiest of containers for their plants: tea tins, beer cans, baskets, drawers, old boots, the odd pair of jeans and even tea kettles. 

My personal favorite lately has been buying old plates from the thrift store and using them as water-catching trays or saucers for the pots that come with a drainage hole. This saves the old, often chipped, plates from going to the landfill, and it also reduces the need to buy plastic saucers (which, for some reason, are sometimes as expensive as the pots they match). 

8. Offer excess containers for free to a local nursery or garden center. 

We’ve all been there – with a stack of plastic nursery pots taking up space in the shed or the garage. And this happens a lot especially if you  buy seedlings for your garden too. In most places, these types of pots aren’t recyclable. 

What I usually end up doing is keeping half of them to use for propagating and sharing plants (also a very sustainable houseplant habit), and return the rest to a local plant nursery or garden center. 

If you do decide to return them, you should first ask if they have any use for them. Some garden centers are just retail operations, while others grow their own plants. And as a courtesy, please peel off any labels or bar codes that might make the reuse of the pots confusing. 

9. Look for biodegradable containers. 

This may be a regional thing where I live, but I can sometimes find plants (especially herbs) in biodegradable nursery containers. The pots are often made of cellulose, a natural resin or other compostable materials. 

And even though they look just like plastic pots, they do biodegrade in the municipal compost or even in your own garden.

I’ve had the pleasant surprise of pulling out some pots that I had stored only to notice that they had broken down in the shed over winter. 

10. Stay away from synthetic fertilizers.

Ok, this may be a bit controversial. But I have never fertilized any of my houseplants, and they’re all growing beautifully. This helps me avoid synthetic fertilizers and the plastic waste that comes with them (not to mention the runoff and having to dispose of the bottle responsibly).

But how can I keep plants happy and growing without fertilizer?

What works for me is paying very close attention to the soil. Fertilizer is often needed when the soil has become depleted of nutrients. That’s when your plant starts to suffer and starve. 

To keep the soil healthy and nutritious, I repot the plants and refresh the soil every spring (and sometimes in the fall too, depending on how fast the plant has grown over the warm months). 

I also top the flower pots with fresh soil when I notice that the level has dropped – this often happens either due to soil compaction or because soil escapes through the drainage holes. 

About once a month, I aerate the soil using a chopstick or some popsicle sticks. This means I poke a few holes in the surface of the soil, and gently wiggle the stick to break down the clumps of soil that have become compacted. Soil aeration is important because it allows the plant roots to take in more water and have access to oxygen. 

11. Take care of your plants to minimize damage and loss.

Yes, I know we all do our best. I also know there’s virtually no plant owner who hasn’t lost at least one green friend (almost typed ‘fiend’ there). Accidents happen and houseplants die despite our best intentions. 

The crux of this piece of advice is more about not turning houseplant keeping into another chore that we’re likely to procrastinate on until finally get it done out of guilt. Ultimately, the sustainable houseplant choice is having only as many plants as you can realistically take care of. 

If you’re just buying plants for the sake of buying them, that’s not a sustainable habit – for multiple reasons, time management and financial reasons included. 

Before you buy your next plant, challenge yourself to fully take care of the ones that you have. And that doesn’t just mean remembering to water them. Make sure you have enough time, energy and passion to still be taking care of the mundane aspects of plant keeping: repotting, soil aeration, dusting, pruning, dealing with bugs and moving the plants around the house to get the best light of the season. 

12. If you order online, choose smaller plants or cuttings

I get the allure of buying plants online. Just a few days ago, I ordered some Sedum succulents, and I can’t wait to get them in the mail. 

But the bigger the package, the more resources it takes to get to our homes. If you find a plant that you like from an online store, see if you can opt for a smaller version. This will often be cheaper (both in terms of purchase and delivery cost) and will have a lower footprint.

And the good thing about small plants is that it’s sometimes easier to get them acclimated to your indoor environment. And if the plant gets damaged during shipping, at least you’re not out too much money. 

Do you have any other sustainable houseplant tips that you want to share with other plant lovers? You can send them to me via the Contact form on this website. Or you can add them as a comment to this Instagram post. 

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

The idea for this post sprouted about a year ago, while I was enjoying a roasted paprika soup in a family-owned cafe in one of the most charming cities of the Netherlands, Delft. 

The cafe, Wildgroei, is painted in deep shades of green with wood accents. And no matter what table you choose to sit at, you’re surrounded by plants and botanical illustrations. If the word ‘cozy’ had a picture in the dictionary, then it would certainly be a picture of this houseplant-filled cafe. 

Throughout my ten-year long plant-keeping journey, I’ve made it a point to notice the plants in my environment. And after my lunch at Wildgroei, I started to pay more attention to houseplants in cafes. 

Well-maintained plants cheer up any room they’re in and create a cozy atmosphere. From an evolutionary standpoint, green helps us relax and feel at peace. And with the availability of houseplants, it’s also an affordable way to decorate a commercial space. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing houseplants for your cafe, coffee shop, or place of business. 

1. Consider your environment. 

Before you buy any houseplants, spend a few weeks figuring out where the light falls in your cafe. Then choose plants that match these light conditions. If you’re going to place houseplants in large windows, they need to be light-loving plants such as string of pearls, jasmine, jade, aloe vera, and croton. 

There are plants that you can place in the back of the shop, such as Sansevierias, Tradescantias and ZZ Plants, because they can survive in low-light conditions. 

How is the flow of traffic in your cafe?

If enough people brush against the leaves of a plant multiple times a day, that is sure to damage it. Keep fragile plants out of the way, or keep them out of your business for good. 

2. Pay attention to plant toxicity.

Sure, your customers are there to eat your delicious eclairs, not munch on your houseplants. But accidents happen, especially when you get kids and dogs involved, so it’s best to remain cautious and not give anyone any reason to sue you. (Yes, I may be writing from the point of view of someone living in an overly litigious society such as the United States. But it’s generally good practice not to poison your customers, don’t you think?)

You can check on the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs. 

If you decide to incorporate some of these plants into your decor, make sure they stay in hard-to-reach places: hanging from the ceiling, trailing along the walls, mounted behind the counter (here are a few beautiful designs), or on top of shelves and cabinets. 

3. Cafe shop plants come in three categories: centerpieces, side pieces, fillers.

Center pieces

A centerpiece is a small plant arrangement that you place on your tables, counters, standing tables, or anywhere else your customers might place their cups of coffee. You should keep these arrangements small and compact, especially if your place is cozy.

Go for succulents or edible plants (such as mint, rosemary, oregano, basil).

If your plants will be moved from indoors to outdoors and back frequently, then you need to account for this factor too.

Move a Pilea peperomioides from warm to cold to warm again, and you’re sure to lose it in a month. Again, succulents will handle this temperature variation rather undamaged. 

Side pieces

Side pieces are your showstoppers.

Opt for a few larger plants to fill awkward corners or draw attention away from unsightly sockets.

Here, I would recommend going for small trees with a big visual impact, such as citrus trees, pineapple plants, fig trees and hibiscus. These kinds of plants are safe around children and add a dash of color when they’re in bloom or when they bear fruit. And no room-freshener can compete with the amazing scent of a lemon tree in bloom. 

Filler plants

Your filler plants are there for the Instagram effect. They look nice, lush and inviting. Again, go for houseplants that are easy to maintain and non-toxic. You can get playful with arrangements and personalize your accessories to match your decor, whether it’s modern, industrial, or vintage.

4. Do not keep dead houseplants around.

Take the houseplant trio below that was staring me right in the face in an otherwise very fancy gastro-brewery. This is one of my absolutely biggest pet peeves when it comes to eateries: if your cafe is strewn with dead and crispy houseplants, then I’ll stay away from it. And it seems I’m not the only one to care about such a detail. 

Even Eater Magazine picked up on how unsightly dead plants are in restaurants. A customer might think, ‘If you don’t care enough to keep your plants alive and watered, what other details are you missing in your business? Is the cutlery cleaned properly? How about the tables? Do the staff remember to wash their hands?’

5. Train your staff to take care of your coffee shop houseplants.

Someone needs to remember to water the plants. Either designate someone to take care of them, or create a houseplant rota. You can’t expect everyone to be a houseplant expert, and you can’t expect your employees or colleagues to care as much as you do. So before you assign this task, ask around if anyone is already knowledgeable about the topic.

Watering is the most obvious routine to keep in mind, but you should also make sure you remove dead leaves, dust the larger plants (a wet rag should be enough) and rotate the plants if they’re getting too leggy. 

What plants should I choose for my cafe or coffee shop?

Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ultimately, you’re the one who knows what type of environment you have in terms of temperature, light, humidity and air flow, so trying to find the best houseplant for your cafe will be a game or trial-and-error. But the success is so sweet! 

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1. Strings of succulents

Budget option: String of pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)

High-end option: String of dolphins (Senecio peregrinus)

Display ideas: trailing down a back wall or in front of a shop window. They are fragile plants, so avoid leaving them on cafe tables or anywhere with a lot of foot-traffic. 

What they like: Being close to warm, sunny windows with lots of direct light. Succulents are very sensitive to overwatering, and damp soil can cause root rot. Let the soil dry out completely before you water it. 

Where to find them: Here’s a collection of different strings of succulents for sale.

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2. Sedum-type succulents

Budget option: Sedum jelly bean (Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’)

High-end option: Sedum Burro’s Tail (Dasyphyllum Major) 

Display ideas: This type of succulents is compact, so it works perfectly as a centerpiece or in a succulent bowl. 

What they like: Bright indirect light, early morning sun, warmer temperatures and medium to low watering. Allow the soil to dry between watering sessions. It can handle being moved from indoors to outdoors and back quite easily. 

Where to find them: Buy sedum-type succulents from these shops.

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3. Monstera plants

Budget option: Monstera deliciosa

High-end option: Monstera adansonii

Display ideas: Monstera deliciosa is one leafy showstopper, so you should display it by itself in a corner where its leaves have enough room to unfurl and shine. Monstera adansonii has smaller leaves than the Monstera deliciosa, so you can incorporate it into a plant corner or display it as a hanging plant. 

What they like: Monstera tolerates low light, but if you want faster growth, you should place it in indirect bright light. Keep the soil moderately moist and place it in a spot that has a higher level of humidity (maybe somewhere closer to the kitchen or the espresso machine). Don’t let the plant sit in water or in soggy soil. 

Where to find them: Different types of monstera for sale in the United States.

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4. Zamioculcas zamiifolia plants

Budget option: regular ZZ plant 

High-end option: ZZ Zenzi (Mini Zamioculcas)

Display ideas: Place it in a plant corner or by itself on a shelf. The ZZ plant is quite hardy, so you can place it somewhere darker, and it will still survive.

What they like: ZZ plants like moderate indirect light, but it will tolerate low light as well. You should only water it when the soil is dry to the touch, and let the water drain out of the pot after you do. 

Where to find them: Here’s where to buy Zamioculcas Zamiifolia plants (including the black ZZ plant and the Zenzi Zamioculcas)

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5. Bromeliads

Budget option: Bromeliad Miranda

High-end option: Bromeliad Aechmea Pink

Display ideas: Give it a throne of its own! Ok, I may be kidding. But don’t you think it deserves the throne treatment? Bromeliads are non-toxic, so you can place them lower to the ground, in an easy-to-reach place. And while you’re at it, have you thought of creating an Instagram plant corner in your coffee shop?

What they like: They do best in bright indirect light. Just like air plants, bromeliads take in nutrients and water through their foliage, so they do well in a humid environment. (Yes, I see there might be some competition for the spot next to the espresso machine.)

Where to buy them from: Check out this collection of bromeliads for sale in the United States.

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6. Hoya plants

Budget option: Hoya carnosa compacta 

High-end option: Variegated Hoya Hindu rope

Display options: I predict hoyas will be the next “must-have houseplant” now that the Pilea mania seems to have died down. You can recognize hoyas by the clusters of wax-like, star-shaped flowers. Each flower has a star shaped set of petals (the corolla) and an inner star-shaped flower (the corona). Hoyas look beautiful as trailing plants, so you can hang it or place it on a high shelf. 

What they like: Keep hoyas in bright indirect light, but away from intense heat or direct sun. Hoyas keep a lot of moisture in their leaves, so treat them as you would a succulent, and let them dry between watering sessions. 

Where to find them: Check out this collection of hoya plants for sale from different US vendors.

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7. Echeveria succulents

Budget option: Echeveria topsy-turvy

High-end option: Echeveria bittersweet

Display ideas: Echeverias look spectacular in succulent arrangements, but as soon as the plant grows larger, you can use it as centerpiece by itself. 

What they like: As any succulent, echeverias prefer bright light and a reduced watering schedule. You can use it both as an indoors and an outdoors display, as long as outside temperatures don’t drop below freezing.

Where to find them: Check out this echeveria succulent collection.

You can buy Echeveria topsy-turvy from Stellar Plant House (ships from California)

And you can buy Echeveria bittersweet from The Next Gardener

I hope I have convinced you that choosing a houseplant for your coffee shop needn’t be a complicated affair. You can always start small – whether that means fewer plants or smaller plants – and add to your cafe houseplant collection as your business grows.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Cover Photo of Commissary Restaurant in Los Angeles by Kayleigh Harrington on Unsplash

It’s a sweltering hot day in July and I’m hiding behind a rhododendron bush. 

A fuchsia pink rhododendron bush firmly planted in one corner of the parking lot in front of my local library. 

You may be tempted to think I’m just there to revel in the shade, but the reason why I’m actually peeking out every ten seconds has nothing to do with sun protection, but everything to do with getting free houseplants.

I’m keeping close tabs on a man in a van. Well, not exactly a van. More like a Prius. But in my mind, the man – a stranger I’ve talked to on the Internet and have arranged to meet in real life – might as well be driving a van. 

A few days prior to finding myself under the camouflage of pink rhododendron buds, I had put out a call-for-clippings. Not an academic endeavor, but a simple announcement on Craigslist that I had just moved to the area and was looking to restart my houseplant collection with the help of generous strangers who had free houseplant cuttings to give away. 

That’s when some guy messaged me saying that he and his mother (red flag?) had a large collection that he’d be happy to share. 

Fast forward to the Prius stalking in the parking lot of a small town Pennsylvania library. 

We’ve already established that the day was as hot as the fried dough that area of Pennsylvania is well known for. So the guy opens all the doors of his Prius to reveal, in all its glory, the one thing that I am there for. There it is, perched on the back seat – the magical and majestic banana cardboard box of my dreams. Only instead of bananas, it’s full of pots and vases and little trailing pothos vines. 

And this is the story of how I realized how generous and friendly the plant lovers community is.

Way before Instagram was a thing. Way before you could vet your neighbors on Nextdoor or Marketplace. Way before #plantswap was a hashtag. 

Luckily for my wallet – and my peace of mind – getting houseplants for free or for very low prices has become easier. 

Here are six ways I got houseplants for free or for cheap.

(But before we go on, please, I beg you, have an ounce of common sense and make sure that you take all the necessary precautions when you meet with strangers.)

1. Get free plants from friends 

Ok, not exactly rocket science, but you never know until you ask. 

Case in point, I had been in a new group of friends for three months before I realized that I shared a love of houseplants and gardening with one of them. You see, we were meeting weekly to partake in a common hobby, so I had never been to their house (or them to mine). So I had no clue we would also bond over a love of apartment foliage. 

By the time the conversation got around to houseplants, I was comfortable enough to ask if they had any clippings to share. They did, and I got a brand new succulent to add to my collection. Not only that, but they now know that I’m on the lookout for new baby plants, and have offered more several times after that. 

2. Ask permission to get clippings from strangers 

Please, don’t steal houseplants. 

Similarly, don’t knock on strangers’ doors to ask for houseplant cuttings. That might work if you know your neighbors, or if you live in a small tight-knit community. But it’s more likely to come off as creepy. 

What you can do is slip a nicely worded card in their mailbox to you introduce yourself and ask politely whether you can have some of their excess cuttings. 

Here’s what you can say:

Hi, neighbor! My name is _________ and I live in the neighborhood. Every time I walk past your house, I can’t help but admire the beautiful plants you have in your window. If you ever need to trim or divide your plants, I’d be very grateful to adopt the extra plantlets. You can contact me at [your email address here]. And it’s totally ok if you don’t think this is a good idea, too. I just thought I’d ask. Hope you have a nice day!

Be prepared to take no for an answer, but also be prepared to be amazed by the generosity of strangers. 

3. Get cheap plants from hobbyists or small businesses on Etsy

Etsy has become one of my favorite places to get small houseplants. You can get interesting houseplants on Etsy that you can’t always find in stores. And you may think that buying from a big box store is cheaper. It could be, but I find that buying plants on Etsy makes sense because small businesses that sell on the platform often don’t have a storefront, so they’re able to keep their overhead low and sell plants at lower prices.

I also look for baby plants or rootings that are much cheaper, both to purchase and to ship. 

Etsy also makes it easy to select sellers by location, so start with your home state first. Plants have a much higher chance of getting to your doorstep unschated if they don’t spend too much time in transit. 

4. Swap plants on your local social media groups 

In the good ole’ day (Pre-C19), I would have been the first one to recommend attending houseplant swapping events. What’s more fun than having a face-to-face conversation with other houseplant lovers, and exchanging tips on how to best care for your babes? 

(Don’t worry, I’m an introvert too. Plant swaps are full of us.)

Alas, the times when we were able to mingle with a group of strangers carefree seem to be behind us for now. 

But you can look for online alternatives to swap your houseplants: Nextdoor (available in the United States, Germany, France and the Netherlands), Facebook groups for plant lovers, or neighborhood Facebook groups. 

I prefer Nextdoor because they vet their members (to a degree), so you’re more likely to meet someone who lives nearby. And I may be biased, but that’s how I once found a very nice neighbor to give a new sunny home to my overwatered and overstressed peace lily.

When you’re posting a houseplant swap, it’s always a good idea to start from a place of generosity. Instead of just asking for free houseplants, simply list some plantlets that you have available and list some that you would like to swap for. 

Yes, you might get some people who just ask for your plants without offering anything in return. But as always, erring on the side of generosity brings good karma. 

5. Crowdsource free houseplants on community-oriented sites

Freecycle and Buy Nothing Groups are two of the largest community-driven sites where people offer things for free. 

You can find local Buy Nothing Groups on their official website directory, but some groups may be operated on Facebook. 

And here’s how to find a Freecycle group near you. 

The etiquette on these kinds of sharing groups is to wait and see what others are offering. So it’s a bit more passive, and you often won‘t be able to make a request in these groups. As always, err on the side of good manners. 

I bet you’re starting to notice a theme in my “erring advice,” right? Overall, be a nice human being.  

6. Check the clearance section of your local farm store or nursery for cheap plants

Surely, I’m not the only one who feels like they have won the jackpot when I see the a FREE or 50% Off or 99c sign propped up against a houseplant, right?

I once walked past a plant store in my city that had a shelf full of 50% off houseplants with a sign that read: “only for green thumbs.” I really appreciated their honest disclaimer as discounted plants are usually discounted for a reason. Clearance houseplants are often not in the best shape, so they need extra care and patience. And they also need plant owners who won’t get too attached to the outcome. 

But only when you do manage to bring that half-dead plant to life will you savor the sweet sweet taste of houseplant wizardry. 

To this day, one of my favorite vacation memories was finding a whole rack full of free geraniums outside a farm store somewhere in Lake Erie wine-country. 

Naturally, we stopped and bought something from the farm store too. (I was initially driven by common courtesy, but once I stepped inside, some more powerful motivators took over, in the form of delicious homemade preserves, apple butters and natural syrups.)

We left the store with a basket full of local farm products and three free oversized geraniums that looked worse for wear. But with a bit of pruning and a bit of love, we managed to bring them back to life and they lived in our apartment for two years. They might even be alive with the person who adopted them from us. 

And this is how we’ve come full circle with the free houseplants advice. Always give some in return.

If you want to read more about houseplants and gardening, hop on my once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no endless email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Photo by Angele Kamp

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

There’s nothing like the end of December and beginning of January to start thinking about making resolutions. New year, new leaf, new me … and all that jazz. But there’s something about the change of seasons that also makes me think about starting anew. Especially in the spring.

And because we’re houseplant-obsessed around here, we thought we’d direct that forward thinking and meticulous planning energy into this territory.

Here are five houseplant resolutions that we’ll try to abide by this spring.

1. We resolve to adjust our watering schedule, preferably without drowning the plants.

In spring, a lot of houseplants require an adjustment in their watering schedule due to the increase in daylight. After a period of dormancy in the cold winter months, it can be tempting to either continue the low-watering routine or overcompensate by pouring over more water than your plants can handle.

Obviously, neither is very good for the health of the plant.

What you can do is slowly adjust the quantity of water and the frequency of the refreshment sessions. Pay attention to how the plants adjust to the new schedule and readjust from there. But always start low. You can solve dry soil, but there’s rarely any solution to rotten roots. (And trust me, my overwatering tendencies have killed a few houseplants throughout the years.)

2. We resolve to grow something from scraps.

Some people like diamond rings. Some people buy fancy clothes. I spend my money on houseplants, books, and trying out fruits. Lucky for me, the rhymes come free.

So one of my resolutions this spring is to try to grow something from the scraps of something else.

I’ve already tried and succeeded (then failed, and failed again, then failed eight more times) to grow an avocado plant from an avocado pit.

But I’m wondering if anything would grow out of the organic orange seeds.  How about the kernels of that mystery fruit that I picked up from the health food store?

This spring, I’m going to find out. Don’t feel like you need to try a new type of fruit or veggie to make this happen. Try starting a seedling from something you already have in your fridge, a tomato or a pepper, for example. Have you seen how precious tiny pepper plants are? You’ll love it more than you love your pilea plant, if that’s even possible.

Don’t be too sad if nothing grows.

The experiment is just to try and see what comes of it.

3. We resolve to root more cuttings and share the love.

Some houseplants require pruning in spring. Or that may be just me attempting to justify my passion for propagation stations – both the fancy kind and the quirky odd vessel kind.

This spring, I resolve to be generous with my plantlets. I’ll propagate more plants than I intend to keep, and generously share some with my friends. Maybe this way I’ll lure them over to the dark side. Err … I mean … the plant side.

You should do the same, and who knows, you may even help your friends discover they have a green thumb.

A little bit of a cheat tip: Start with plants that are easy to care for, even for a newbie. Pothos and spider plants are excellent gifts to propagate.

4. We resolve to learn the Latin name of all of our plants.

Just to set the record straight, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with calling your plant by their popular name. Sometimes, that’s half the fun of talking about it. (I’m looking at you, mother-in-law’s tongue. And I see you hiding in the corner, sneezewort yarrow.)

Plus, plant snobs, especially the kind who insist on correcting you every time you call your monstera deliciosa a monstera obliqua, are insufferable.

The purpose of this resolution is just to have some fun researching plants. And, let’s be honest, we’re bound to find new plants – often related to the ones we own – to shuffle onto our must-have list.

5. We resolve to hang out in the plant corner when it’s sunny.

There, I said it!

Sunny days are for chilling out in your favorite place. Mine just happens to be the plant corner in my living room. My houseplants are already there, basking in the sun, so there’s little reason why I shouldn’t get a dose of vitamin D as well, preferably while indulging in a good book and a pour-over cup of coffee.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Do you have any houseplant resolution you want to try this spring? We’re over on Instagram if you want to share.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

Editor’s note: I’m working on a list of the best places to buy these houseplants in North America, Europe and Australia. So please bookmark this page, Pin an image or subscribe to my newsletter, and I’ll let you know when the list is ready.

Last updated: April 2024

Taking care of plants may feel overwhelming if you’re a newbie. And taking care of odd-looking houseplants can feel even more intimidating. “I really don’t want to kill this black beauty,” you may be thinking.

Don’t worry, the black houseplants that I’ll introduce to you in this post are easy to take care of, and they will reward you with their waxy leaves and gorgeous elegance as long as you keep one thing in mind: most houseplant die due to overwatering. Seriously, don’t be that person!

One very important point to note is that there is no such thing as a guaranteed black houseplant.

All of the recommendations below have many various cultivars, so double check that you’re buying the right one.

Also, not all of the plants will necessarily stay dark. Like any living and growing thing, houseplants will adapt to the environment they’re in. So depending on the intensity of light in your home, your watering schedule, room temperature and even season, your houseplant might change shades.

That is the beauty of nature – that it knows what it needs better than we ever will. And that’s something that you can’t control. Just do your best, and enjoy the journey of keeping houseplants.

Without further ado, here are my favorite stunning black houseplants that will add a dash of pizzazz to any living space.

1. Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’

Waxy, shiny, all lady-like and poised. That’s pretty much how I would describe the tropical Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant. And this new variety called Raven – developed by Costa Farms – is perfect for a room that doesn’t get too much sun.

A houseplant that’s not a succulent, so I can water this one however much I want, right? Not so fast. Once you bring a ZZ-plant into your home, you’ll notice the bulbous roots that protrude out of the soil. Those are the ZZ-plant’s water storage tanks. They help control the water inflow that’s distributed to the rest of the plant. But they’ll also rot easily if you overwater the plant.

Other than that, ZZ-plants are relatively easy to grow and quite low-maintenance plants. I always recommend them to beginner plant-owners.

Please keep in mind that the black ZZ-plant is a patented plant. This means that only the patent holder for a certain region can grow it and distribute it in that region. From an end-buyer perspective, this means that this plant may be hard to find, and the price may also spike due to supply and demand. Please do your due diligence and don’t buy from random people on the internet asking exorbitant prices.

If you’re in the United States, Costa Farms offer the ZZ Raven plant for sale online via Amazon. If you don’t want to get it from Amazon, have a look at Brumley and Bloom (photo above, ships from Michigan).

2. Peperomia caperata ‘Burgundy ripple’

The dark purple variegated foliage criss-crossed by red stems make this plant a showstopper. This rare peperomia variety likes partial shade and not too much water. You should also avoid frequent repotting, but do make sure it has enough room to grow. Fortunately, it doesn’t grow very fast.

Unlike most leafy houseplants, this is a slow-growing plant, and it will usually remain compact, which makes it perfect for small spaces such as windowsills or desks.

However, if you do set it on a windowsill, make sure it’s not a south-facing one. Keeping the plant in relative shades prevents it from becoming bleached. There are over 1000 cultivars of peperomia, so hunting for your desired color combo might turn into quite an adventure.

You can buy a black Peperomia caperata from Land of Alice Studio (ships from Florida).

For a close second to the black version, have a look at the Peperomia caperata ‘Luna Grey’ from Snake River Garden (ships from Idaho).

I also keep a list of black houseplants on my Etsy wishlist, so have a look there to see if there are any available at the time you’re looking.

3. Aeonium ‘Black rose’

What I love about this plant – with its dramatic fleshy leaves and almost geometric perfection – is that it seems like it has descended from an Alice in Wonderland scene.

Since it’s a succulent, Aeonium ‘Black rose’ will thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.

While you can give it water once a week during long and sunny summer days, aeonium should be allowed to rest during winter, so it’s best to reduce watering to once a month. However, don’t let it go thirsty for too long, because it might start losing lower leaves around the rosettes if it dries out too much. As always, my recommendation is to check the flowerpot for moisture before you water.

Aeonium can grow up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) tall, though it rarely reaches this height when we grow it indoors. The dark burgundy rosette needs at least a few hours of full sun to star this dark, so if you’re growing it in the shade, aeonium will turn reddish-purple.

I found a lot of small businesses from which you can buy this black succulent in the United States. Have a look at this list and see what’s available at the time you’re looking.

4. Lithops black succulents (aka stone plants)

Also called mineral plants, stone plants, or pebble plants, lithops are the newest trend coming out of the world of succulent obsessed plantaholics.

Lithops blend so well with their surrounding environment that it’s hard to tell them apart from the soil they grow in or the rock gardens they adorn.

They come in different shades and colors, that can vary from dark purple, to grey, beige and even pink.

The smooth, two-headed lithops produce bright colored flowers, but only if you’re treating them with the utmost deference. This Southern Africa-native has adapted its leaves over time to resemble surrounding stones, and its patterned surface hides a spongy internal water storage texture.

A fun experiment with lithops is shining a torch through their leaves. Even though the body of the plant does look solid, you’ll notice that the leaves are actually slightly translucent.

The biggest mistake you can make with lithops is overwatering them. You’re beginning to see a theme here, right?

In the United States, you can buy lithops online (often in sets of 5 or 10) from Micro Landscape Design on Etsy. They ship from Virginia, and have a really extensive selection and excellent reviews.

5. Sinocrassula yunnanensis

Sinocrassula yunnanensis, also known as hedgehog succulent, is a small perennial succulent that grows into a clump-like shape. Its diameter can reach up to 10 cm (about 4 inches), and the rosettes usually turn a dark green – almost black – shade. Sinocrassula prefers full sun or partial shade and a well-drained planter.

This succulent is native to China (Yunnan province), north and south of Burma and north-western India. It usually grows at high altitude in rocky formations, so it will be able to tolerate relative cold temperatures if kept outside or next to a drafty window.

This plant is very susceptible to rot, so do not overwater it. Because it stays relatively small, you can add it to an indoor succulent garden.

This plant is quite rare, so what I would recommend is looking on Etsy to see what different sellers have to offer. BonnieArtCo is a California-based small business that has usually them for sale on Etsy.

If you decide to buy seeds and try to grow it yourself, make sure the seller has good reviews. At the time of publication, Walawala Studio in California has good reviews and lots of sales at the time I’m writing this.

In the UK, you can buy sinocrassula seeds from Plants and Succulents.

6. Alocasia ‘Black velvet’

Including this plant as an indoor option seems like cheating. Alocasia plants thrive outdoors, and they make excellent statement pieces in a garden. Their thick-veined and almond-shaped leaves can get very large in a south-facing garden.

Lately, alocasia plants, also known as “elephant ears,” are becoming popular as indoor plants. Unfortunately, this comes with the undesired side-effect of making them hard to find in stores or from online retailers.

Alocasias will thrive in a warm and humid environment, so placing it close to a cooking area – or the shower – might be your best bet to keep this plant happy.

Alocasia is a finicky master because it’s both wind-sensitive and cold-sensitive, so it should be kept in a spot with constant temperature and not a lot of draft.

In the United States, you can buy Alocasia Black Velvet online from a few small businesses on Etsy. These are often family-owned businesses and small operations, so keep in mind that they won’t always have it in stock.

7. Echeveria ‘Black prince’

This is type of succulent is the crown jewel in an echeveria collector’s dream. And just like real-life royalty, it should be treated with patience and care.

Echeveria is a slow growing plant that prefers full sun, but it will do well in partial shade too.

If you’re keeping it happy, it will reward you with a bright green center and ruby red flowers coming out of the dark florette-like leaves. Gentle reminder: don’t overwater this prince of the black houseplant world.

In the United States, you can buy Echeveria Black Prince from Queen of Succulents (California) and a few other small businesses on Etsy.

8. Colocasia ‘Black magic’

Commonly known as “the elephant ear” plant, this plant collector’s frequent wishlist item is native to Southern Asia, Eastern Australia and South Pacific. You can grow colocasia as an outdoor summer plant, but you can also keep it indoors as a houseplant.

Colocasia grows from bulbs and prefers bright filtered light. This plant will be really unhappy if you overwater it, so make sure you plant it in a pot with proper drainage.

Keep in mind that this is not a plant for absolute beginners. It tends to be finicky and it takes a bit of time for it to adjust to an indoor climate.

If you live in a mild climate (with no extreme heat or sudden overnight frost), you can keep the plant outdoors in the summer and bring it back inside in the cold months.

Colocasia likes a humid environment and it may become dormant in the winter. Don’t worry if that happens. Just cut back on watering and wait for spring, when your colocasia will reward you with new growth once again.

In the United States, I found it sold by quite a few small businesses (have a look at this list).

9. Begonia ‘Black fancy’

I’ve been in love with begonias ever since I happened to stumble upon a begonia exhibition at a botanical garden when I was traveling in The Netherlands. I had no idea there are about 2000 species of begonia to delight us, plant lovers.

But my love of begonias is bittersweet, because some varieties can thrive as outdoor plants while tanking as indoor decor. So it’s more of a trial-and-error relationship, which is fine if you don’t mind having your heart broken by a plant every now and then. 

Did you know that there is an American Begonia Society? I’m telling you, once you get bitten by the begonia bug, you’ll turn into a Pokemon chaser (gotta catch them all!)

Luckily, Begonia ‘Black fancy’ will not break your heart. In fact, it will reward you with light-pink flowers in early spring. Like all begonias, it does best in bright indirect light in a warm and humid spot (if you keep it indoors, that is). This rhizomatous hybrid with medium-sized black leaves will stay compact and bushy if you pinch the flowers once they’re spent. 

I bought my begonia from a local farmer’s market, but if you don’t have one in your area you can buy Begonia ‘Black fancy’ from My Green Obsession (ships from Ohio) and has excellent reviews.

I also keep a list of black houseplants on my Etsy wishlist, so have a look there to see if there are any available at the time you’re looking. I had added a begonia to my shopping cart from a small shop in Portland, Oregon called Chloe’s Plants. But by the time I was ready to buy, it was already sold out. I have no-buyer’s regret, if that’s even a thing.

10. Black airplants 

I admit, I hadn’t even considered adding airplants to this post until a reader messaged me to ask if I knew of any black airplants they could use as decor for their goth-themed wedding. I didn’t, so I ended up combing online plant stores and growers for hours. It turns out there are black airplants, and they look just as weird and futuristic as you would imagine them. 

Tillandsia harrisii can sometimes turn out a dark shade of gray. Just have a look at the one below, sold by What The Gardens (ships from Los Angeles). 

Tillandsia aeranthos ‘the Black’ (the one below sold by Houseplant Collection) is a wispy airplant that gets even blacker. 

If you’re new to airplants, you should keep in mind that they’re epiphytes, which means their roots are not used for water absorption, but to attach themselves onto other plants or trees. 

Airplants absorb water and nutrients from the air through the surface of their leaves. You can also submerge them in water for a few minutes every week during the warm seasons and then let them dry upside down or on an absorbent towel. Too little water can cause the leaves to dry out and curl.

When it comes to sunlight, make sure you keep your aiplants out of direct bright light. They prefer filtered sunlight and don’t require any fertilizing.

11. Waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata)

Am I the only one who finds it absolutely impossible to talk about waffle plants without craving waffles? No, didn’t think so!

Waffle plants (Hemigraphis alternata) have wrinkled textured foliage that comes in different shades of dark green punctuated by purple hues. These plants love humidity (in the air, but not too much sogginess in the soil); and they’ll let you know if they need extra water by wilting like a damsel in distress (just get your fainting couch ready). 

If you live in a warmer humid climate, you can also grow waffle plants outdoors in the garden. If you decide to grow it in pots outdoors, you have to make sure they don’t stay dry for too long, as they get quite crispy when they dry out. 

Both indoors and outdoors, you should place the waffle plant in bright indirect light. You’ll know it’s not getting enough light if it loses some of the intensity of its dark leaves. 

Waffle plant sold by Garden Gals Plants (ships from Massachusetts). 

12. Marcgravia Azreal 

If you are a terrarium enthusiast, you may already be familiar with these shingling plants (aka vines that like climbing upwards towards the light, rather than hanging). Otherwise, they are not very popular among plant parents – maybe because of their slow growing nature and rather delicate leaves.

Marcgravia Azreal prefers filtered light (as it would have vining on the trunk of trees in its natural habitat in South America) and high humidity. In fact, they grow very well in a growing medium topped with sphagnum moss. 

Not all Marcgravia plants have dark leaves, so make sure you choose one that does, such as the one below, sold by My Green Obsession. 

If you’re buying this plant online in the winter months, make sure you request a heat pack for shipping, as the plant cannot withstand low temperatures. Other than this, the plant is low maintenance and it stays small with the rounded leaves becoming more teardrop-shapes as the Marcgravia matures. 

13. Alocasia cuprea ‘Mythic Red Secret’

Another alocasia on this list of black houseplants can’t hurt, right? This time, allow me to introduce you to the Alocasia ‘Mythic Red Secret’. Its copper-green leaves turn a darker maroon as they mature. It reminds me of caramel-coated apples at Halloween. 

Alocasia ‘Mythic’ is a series developed by Proven Winners. There are about 25 houseplants in this series, but not all of them are black or dark-foliage plants. Start with ‘Red Secret’, ‘Nigra’ and ‘Azlanii’ if you’re looking for a darker shade of green. 

The Alocasia ‘Mythic Red Secret’ in the photo above is sold by Winter Greenhouse, a Wisconsin operation with excellent reviews.

Alocasia can handle some morning or late-afternoon light, as long as the sunlight doesn’t hit the plant directly. You can move it to a spot that gets more direct sunlight in the colder, darker months (October to March). But don’t forget to shield it from sunburn during the summer. 

Alocasia plants will sometimes rebel if you’re moving them too often, so keep that in mind when you decide to experiment with their location. (A couple of times a year is fine, but don’t start playing musical plant chairs with alocasias.) Another thing to keep in mind is that alocasias really like their humidity. So placing them next to heaters, fireplaces, dehumidifiers or air conditioning units is a big no-no. 

14. Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’

You may have already cracked the secrets of growing a philodendron as a houseplant. After all, Philodendron scadens, ‘Birkin’ and ‘Brasil’ have all had their fifteen minutes of fame on Instagram. So adding a black plant to your list is the logical next step, right? (That’s my internal monologue to myself, at least.)  

There are a lot of varieties circulating as houseplants, but the one truly black philodendron cultivar is called ‘Black Cardinal’. Philodendrons like warmth and moisture, but they also like acidic potting soil. Keep them out of direct sunlight and they’ll be happy little clams. 

Have a look at this list of sellers to get your black philodendron home soon.

There you go! Thirteen black houseplants that will add a touch of elegance to any room. I’m constantly looking for more, so bookmark or pin this page to your Pinterest boards and check back every couple of months. Which one is your favorite?

If you’re still in the mood for black plants, here’s an article I wrote on the search for black tulips. Just click on the image.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

For more houseplant recommendations, have a look at these sensory houseplants and these colorful houseplants.

Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence before buying a houseplant or any other supplies. Some houseplants may be toxic if ingested (especially for pets and children). You can check the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping me keep the site online! You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

Let your imagination roam for a minute.

Imagine you wake up in the morning and the first inhale you take fills your lungs with the sweet jasmine fragrance that has taken over your room overnight. You stretch out your arms and brush your fingers against the velvety soft leaves of the African violet on your nightstand. As you bat your eyelids open, the first things you see are the motley leaves of the croton plant in the corner.

If this reads like a perfect morning scenario, you might be ready for a collection of sensory houseplants.

What are sensory plants?

Sensory plants stimulate one of the five senses. There are countless guides for creating sensory gardens, but the information is not so easy to find when it comes to plants that you can grow indoors. This doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of the pleasures of a sensory garden when you don’t have an outdoor space to call your own.

All of the plants that we’re recommending in this guide can be grown in indoor containers.

1. Plants that stimulate the sense of SMELL

Indoor plants with scented blooms or leaves: lavender, jasmine, hibiscus, scented geraniums, gardenia, primrose, eucalyptus, rosemary, mint, bee balm, verbena, oregano.

Scent preference is very personal, so before you choose a fragrant plant to bring home, make sure you’ve checked with all the members of the household whether they’re comfortable with the smell.

Another thing to consider is that when plants go through a blooming process, there will be different stages of intensity for the fragrance. So while your plant may just have a few buds when you purchase it, once it blooms the smell will intensify.

For a better diffusion of the smell, you can place the plants with scented blooms somewhere with a little bit of airflow – for example, in front of an open window. The plants with scented leaves can be placed somewhere where you’re likely to brush against them in passing – maybe in an entryway – or somewhere within easy reach for that moment of respite when you can rub their leaves to release the scent.

2. Plants that stimulate the sense of TOUCH

For a rich sensory experience, look for plants that have an interesting texture – whether we’re talking soft, fuzzy, velvety, slippery, rubbery, or mossy. You get the gist.

Even though you might find some spiky plants on various lists of sensory plants, these plants are better suited for an outdoor garden. Don’t purchase anything prickly or spiky if you have a small apartment or if you live with kids, pets, or clumsy people.

2. Indoor plants that stimulate the sense of touch:

You’ll find a collection of the following plants at the link above.

Sage – fuzzy

African violets – velvety 

Purple passion (Gynura) – velvety

Pickle plant (fuzzy)

Airplants, especially Tillandsia tetorum – soft and fuzzy

Panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) – fuzzy

Cobweb spiderwort (Trasdencantia sillamontana) – soft and velvety 

Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflora) – soft and tickly

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, (slippery, plastic-like)

Begonia (fuzzy)

Aloe vera (spiky)

Ficus elastica (rubbery)

marimo moss balls (soft and velvety)

3. Plants that stimulate the sense of SIGHT

If you want to add an interesting visual appeal to any room, you can look for one of three things: color, variegation and leaf shape. We’ve already written about colorful houseplants to brighten up your home, but keep in mind that even old-fashioned green foliage, such as the marbled pothos, can beautify your abode with its delightful patterns. Don’t get too fixated on color, but consider shape also. There are some houseplants with interesting leaf shapes (such as the English ivy or monstera deliciosa) that are guaranteed to draw attention.

Colorful houseplants: fittonia, croton, hypoestes (red polka dot plant), Cryptanthus ‘Pink star’, philodendron ‘Pink princess’, anthurium, Euphorbia tirucalli.

Houseplants with interesting leaf shapes:

English ivy,

Hoya kerrii,

Albuca ‘Frizzle sizzle’,

Fishbone cactus,

Crassula umbella

Albuca concordiana

Houseplants with leaf variegation:

tradescantia zebrina,

aglaonema tricolor,

variegated Monstera deliciosa,

variegated schefflera,

variegated philodendron,

dracaena,

calathea lancifolia (rattlesnake plant),

variegated dieffenbachia (dumb cane plant),

variegated peace lily,

maranta (prayer plant),

ficus benjamina,

peperomia argyreia (watermelon peperomia).

4. Plants that stimulate the sense of TASTE

Bay laurel – photo by @sweetpeaknoxville

When it comes to edible plants, you have to do your due diligence. Purchase plants from authorized vendors, always read the labels that come with the plants, and only eat flowers that you’re absolutely sure are fit for human consumption.

If you’re still not sure, consult a reference book on edible flowers and plants. The Edible Flower Garden is a good start for your research into edible plants.

Edible leaves: spearmint, chives, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, coriander, thyme, oregano, bay laurel, cilantro, chervil (French parsley), sage, tarragon, savory.

Edible flowers: nasturtiums, bee balm, calendula, citrus blossoms, jasmine (perfect in tea and sweet dishes).

Edible fruit: citrus plants – orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kumquat.

5. Plants that stimulate the sense of SOUND

Ponytail Palm – photo by Bloomscape

This is perhaps the trickiest of the senses to pull off indoors, but we love a good challenge. A lot of sensory gardens are filled with grasses and bamboo plants that rustle in the wind. To add variety to the sounds, gardeners also use wind chimes and water features.

It’s hard to replicate outdoor conditions in your living room, but a potted ponytail palm or an Areca palm might do the trick if you place them near an open window with some airflow coming in. A few other loopholes we came up with: hang a small wind chime by the window or place your flower pots in beady macrame hangers that can lightly sway when you open the window.

We hope to have inspired you to pay attention to the sensory properties of houseplants next time you’re out shopping for more additions to your urban jungle.

Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence before buying a houseplant or any other supplies. Some houseplants may be toxic if ingested (especially for pets and children). You can check on the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page.

It’s truth universally acknowledged that plant lovers are book lovers.

Ok, maybe it’s not so universal and maybe I just made that up. But that’s because it makes sense and it’s totally intuitive if you think about it. What can loving plants and loving books have in common, you ask.

+ Plant lovers are homebodies. Or at least, they like to spend some time at home taking care of their green treasures. Book lovers like to spend time at home absorbed in stories of someone else’s making.

+ There is something contemplative about taking care of plants. The same can be said about immersing yourself in a good book (or the right book for the occasion).

+ Taking care of plants requires us to be equipped with a sense of hopefulness. We’re hoping and expecting that something grows and evolves under our care. The same goes for fiction. Being able to put your trust, hopes, into the growth of a fictional character works along the same mechanisms.

Here are five books – in different genres – that will transport you to the magical world of plants.

1. Historical Fiction: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

In a nutshell: Let’s get this out of the way: this is a book of historical fiction, and a very good one at that. So if you’re expecting another Gilbert memoir, you’ll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you have a penchant for strong and complicated female characters, you’re in for a treat.

The Signature of All Things tells the story of Alma Whittaker, a consummate botanist, who leads an extraordinary life as the intellectual recluse daughter of a very wealthy Philadelphian. That is, until she lands on the island of Tahiti.

What you’ll learn about

You’ll gain a wealth of knowledge about mosses and orchids. There are long passages describing the founding of Kew Gardens and the voyages of Captain Cook. It’s historical fiction, so take the accuracy of the events with a pinch of salt. To be fair, the botanical details are very well-researched and painstakingly crafted to give more depth to the narrative.

Buy it on Amazon

Buy it from an indie shop through Bookshop

2. Murder Mystery: The House with No Rooms by Lesley Thomson

In a nutshell: This murder mystery weaves together three timelines in search of a killer who struck in the past and, again, in the present. You’ve got quirky amateur detectives entangled in believable relationship drama.

You’ll like it if you’re into slow revealing mysteries with a dash of good guy gone bad. Even though it’s part of a series (The Detective’s Daughter), it reads well as a standalone.

What you’ll learn about

The author offers detailed descriptions of Kew Botanical Gardens, and dwells quite extensively on the Marianne North Gallery. You’ll also get a glimpse of the competitiveness in the world of botanical illustrators. Part of the story takes place in the long hot summer of 1976, so if you’re reading this in winter (like I was), the detailed description of the sweltering heat will do you good.

Buy it on Amazon

Buy it from an indie shop through Bookshop

3. Classic: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

In a nutshell: If you’ve read this book when you were a child, I urge you to revisit it. There are so many complex emotions at play that a child reader could never understand.

It’s a wonderful story about the healing – emotional, psychological, and physical – of two children. In the process of discovering a magical secret rose garden, they learn how to trust and care for someone other than themselves.

What you’ll learn about

Beyond the human story, there’s a wonderful underlying theme of nature meeting human needs. The secret garden is a rose garden, so the descriptions revolve around rose-trees, rose bushes and climbing roses. You get a million bonus points if you can spot the metaphors.

Buy it on Amazon (updated edition, but still illustrated by Tasha Tudor)

Buy it from an indie shop through Bookshop (with Tasha Tudor illustrations)

4. Historical Nonfiction: The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession by Andrea Wulf

In a nutshell: Prior to the mid-eighteenth century, gardens in Europe (and in the United Kingdom in particular) were drab affairs. The leading French and Italian horticulturists had mild weather to work with, so they were the main inspiration for the Brits. That all changed with the work of American naturalist John Bartram, who started sending bulbs and seeds from the American colonies to England.

Together with his old continent counterparts, he continued to do so for forty years, and in the process he helped transform and shape the way gardens look like today.

What you’ll learn about

How to pronounce fuchsia correctly.

How the British garden craze took over the world – from Russia to France and the United States.

Carl Linnaeus’ sexual system for classifying plants and how that turned botany into a genteel pastime.

Buy it on Amazon

Buy it from an indie shop through Bookshop

5. Narrative Nonfiction: The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean

In a nutshell: This is a story of obsession, desire and longing. The protagonist, the real-life John Laroche, suffers from orchidelirium – the Victorian-era name for the flower madness that led to the discovery of hundreds of species of orchids. Except this book is not set in Victorian times, but in the Florida of the late 1990s.

The book grew out of a New Yorker article, itself based on a piece of local news which inspired Susan Orlean to immerse herself into the world of obsessive orchid collectors who are not above breaking the law.

What you’ll learn about

More than you’ve ever wanted to know about orchids, competitive orchid breeding and plant poaching. Bonus moral dilemma: does the quest for an obsession justify the means?

Buy it on Amazon

Buy it from an indie shop through Bookshop

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Do you have a favorite book that immerses you in the magical world of plants? You can share it with me on Instagram.

Ah, we’re already starting to dream of summer around here.

Summer, the season when you can almost hear the whoosh of leases being ended, the rattle of cardboard boxes, and the jingle of moving van keys in your pocket.

For any houseplant lover with nary a permanent residence, the thought of moving the precious green cargo sends chills and cold sweat down the spine – whether the move happens to be across town, across the state or across the country.

I now have fond memories of riding in the passenger seat of a U-haul, separated from my husband by a loosely secured spider plant that threatened to tumble at every tight on-ramp. Somehow, the story of our move didn’t have the bells and whistles of a beloved memory-in-the-making when we were in the thick of it, with boxes upon boxes of houseplants precariously stacked on top of a mishmash of furniture in the back of the van.

We’re young and haven’t really set down roots, so beyond a few family heirlooms whose only consequential value was emotional, the most prized possessions we had were our houseplants.

Yes, the blender can break. And who cares about the cheap glass vases and the yard sale knick knacks we had accumulated. As long as the plants make it out of that van and into our new apartment alive, anything else we needed was a mattress. (And a bottle of wine, but we were inclined to count that as plant-based anyway.)

None of the plants snapped, tumbled or was in any way traumatized by this move. And since I’m now wiser on the topic of how to move houseplants, here are a few tips to make your move smooth too.

1. Water your houseplants the day before the move.

You probably have a million other things on your mind come moving day, and it’s safe to say watering your plants won’t be one of them. That’s why you should water them the day before. You can even water them two days before if you’re in a more humid zone.

If you’re thinking about watering the plants the night before, consider allowing them enough time to drain. You don’t want mud rolling around the moving van.

Some people prefer not to water the plants before they move them, but I found that the drier the soil is, the more likely it is to make a mess. Humid soil stays compact and doesn’t crumble at the lightest shake.

2. Use protective cardboard boxes.

The best way to transport your houseplants is to place the flower pots in protective cardboard boxes. Lids open, of course. Every time I’ve had to move houseplants, I went to the nearest supermarket and asked them if they had any extra banana boxes. They were happy to get rid of the boxes, and I was happy to get free sturdy moving boxes with cut-out handles.

Your local discount shops (such as Aldi and Lidl) always have banana boxes ready to give out to customers who forgot to bring reusable bags. The boxes are usually located after the checkout, so start grabbing a few as soon as you decide you’ll move your houseplants.

Make sure you pack the pots together tightly. The round planters won’t fill the boxes snuggly, so place some towels, rags, or crumpled up newspapers or paper bags in between the pots so they don’t rattle. In a pinch, a few cereal boxes will do.

3. Allow plants some breathing room.

I’ve seen a lot of advice about putting plastic bags on top of the soil, with the plant poking through it, to keep the soil contained in case it spills. I don’t think that’s necessary – if you water the plant thoroughly, then the soil won’t be too crumbly. Also, the plant soil likes to breath, and plastic bags are not exactly meant to allow this.

I was moving about 30 plants, so carefully placing a plastic bag on so many planters would have added a significant amount of time to the preparation and an extra stress on my moving to-do list. Not to mention the amount of plastic trash this extra precaution would have generated. It’s not like you can reuse a plastic bag with a big hole in the middle.

I was prepared to deal with the dirt spill consequences – we had to sweep the moving van anyway, but luckily there were none. With plants packed snuggly in the cardboard boxes, everyone behaved. But if you really want to give this trick a try, use newspapers or paper bags instead of plastic. Paper is porous and it will allow the soil and the roots to breathe.

4. Have the plants be the last ones in the van and the first ones out.

This sounds obvious, of course you wouldn’t trap your beloved plants behind other pieces of furniture. But make sure you don’t leave them in the transitional spaces either. Don’t leave houseplants on the curb or on the sidewalk exposed to the elements while you’re loading other things.

As you unload the moving van, remove the planters first. If you have enough space in your new home, move the houseplants out of the way of the moving flow – placing them in a corner usually does the trick. Just make sure the corner does get some light because you might not get to tending to the plants until the hectic moving tasks are over.

5. Keep the foliage away from the van.

As much as possible, don’t let the leaves touch the sides of the moving van. A lot of moving vans aren’t insulated, so the metal part gets cold in the winter and hot to the touch in the summer. If it feels like that to the touch to you, then your plant won’t like it either.

One thing you shouldn’t do before you move your houseplants.

A slightly convoluted piece of advice that I read before moving, and I’m happy to report that I’ve skipped with zero consequences, is repotting the houseplants in nursery pots. (if they’re not in nursery pots already, obviously.)

First, that’s a time drain when you’re preparing for a move.

Second, repotting always stresses the plant and they need time to adjust afterwards. Why would I stress the plant before subjecting it to another major environment change?

Third, pottery is pretty sturdy. Both simple terracotta and glazed pottery can handle the normal bumps in a move. And if it breaks, it breaks. But chances are it only breaks if you drop it on a hard surface.

Save your time and don’t repot all of your houseplants before a big move.

If you want to read more about houseplants and gardening, hop on my once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no endless email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Photo by Eddie Garcia on Unsplash.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

Last updated: April 2024 – I removed the dead links for plant sources and added new links where you can buy colorful houseplants. I’m checking for dead links every couple of months, so you can subscribe to the newsletter and I’ll let you know when I update sources. Most of the links open to collections of the plants for sale from different vendors.

Green has always been my all-time favorite color. I have a love affair with green foliage. I love green so much that I would paint the town green, if that were a thing. The name of this website is “green with purpose” after all.

But I’ll be the first to admit that a dash of color brightens up even the moodiest of moods and the darkest of places. And this became crystal clear to me when I brought my first croton home. For a whole month, I just couldn’t take my eyes off it every time I walked by. Wow! That guy was handsome.

If you have been stuck in the “houseplants must be green” mindset, allow me to introduce these vibrant colorful houseplants that will bring a dash of color to your abode.

7 Colorful houseplants that are easy to grow

1. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

If you like shades of: green, yellow, orange, pink, red, burgundy, purple, white.

If you’re in the US, you can buy crotons from these plant shops.

The colorful foliage and variegation of crotons make them the showstoppers of the houseplant world. There are so many varieties of croton available in nurseries and plant shops, so it’s hard to recommend one. The varieties come in different patterns (splashed, spotted, dotted) and textures (glossy, rubbery, smooth, twisted). A few common cultivars include Gold dust, Revolutions, Petra, Majesticum, and Picasso’s Paintbrush.

Keep your crotons happy

Crotons are happy when you place them in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight – this might scorch their leaves. When they have enough light, they’ll produce colorful leaves. If the new growth comes out green (sometimes dark green), that’s a hint that your croton might not be getting enough light.

Crotons like humidity, but they don’t like to be drenched. Don’t let them stay too wet or too dry for an extended period of time. Water crotons regularly when you notice the soil is starting to dry out.

2. Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor’

If you like shades of: red, orange, yellow, peach.

Also called dragon trees, dracaenas are hardy plants that like water. The Tricolor cultivar is especially pretty if you’re looking for a bit of color in the house. Its wispy leaves will cascade perfectly over the top of a color-blocked flower pot.

Here’s a list of colorful dracaena for sale.

Keep them happy

Dracaenas thrive in well-drained soil and in bright, indirect sunlight. Water the plant when the top of the soil feels dry. It doesn’t like to get overly dry, and it might drop some leaves if you stress it out with an irregular watering schedule.

For older dracaenas, it’s perfectly normal for the bottom leaves to dry out and drop. It’s just the natural plant cycle. As long as there is still new growth from the top, your plant is in top shape.

3. Sempervivum

If you like shades of: purple, crimson, burgundy.

Sempervivum is a hardy succulent that’s sometimes called “hens and chicks” due to its proclivity for growing in a rather tight community. You can cut off the baby plants and plant them separately. The mother-plant will keep producing offspring. And in about a year or so, the baby plants will start producing their own “chicks.”

Click here for a collection of cheerful and colorful succulents for sale.

Keep them happy

Like any succulent, sempervivums don’t require a lot of water, but they do need quite a bit of bright light (especially if you want them to keep their bright colors). Because succulents retain a lot of water in their juicy leaves, make sure you’re growing it in a well-drained planter in soil that’s mixed especially for succulents.

You can find gorgeous varieties of Sempervivum from a California-based small business called Queen of Succulents.

4. Begonias

If you like shades of: red, orange, yellow, burgundy, black, metallic silver, purple, chocolate-brown.

Here are stunning colorful begonias for sale from different vendors via Etsy.

There are over 900 species of begonia and even more cultivars, so picking one to grow is either very easy (so many choices!) or very hard (soooo many choices!). Begonia growers are dedicated and passionate about their plant, and there’s even a begonia convention organized by the American Begonia Society (an excellent source of information).

Keep begonias happy

Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round, but they can also tolerate lower light levels. Water them when the soil feels dry, but don’t overwater, and especially don’t let their roots get soggy. My begonias get a droopy look when they’re thirsty but not all cultivars do.

5. Purple passion (Gynura aurantiaca)

If you like shades of: purple, pretty much.

Here’s a list of purple plants (including Purple Passion) for sale on Etsy.

Be warned – if you get one of these purple passion plants, you’ll often be tempted to pet them. No, they’re not as soft as a kitty, but they’re pretty close. Their soft velvety texture is due to the purple fuzz that covers the dark green leaves.

Keep them happy

Purple passion plants enjoy a bright spot and regular watering. They tend to get leggy and stretch towards the light if they don’t have enough sun. They’re quite easy to root, so if they do get lanky, just give them a good trim and root the cuttings in water.

6. Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei)

If you like shades of: silver, bronze, chocolate-brown.

You may be thinking of Pilea peperomioides – the plant du jour on Instagram. But that’s not the silver one I’m talking about here. Pilea cadierei has a unique silver pattern on every leaf with vines that look like bronze carvings in the right light.

You can buy silver houseplants, including the Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) from these shops.

Keep them happy

This plant needs medium light to thrive. But don’t expose it to direct sunlight, as this might cause discoloration of the leaves and, in extreme circumstances, the leaves will turn crispy and brown. Aluminum plant loves water, so keep the soil moist but not too soggy. Don’t let it dry too much between watering sessions.

I found Pilea cadierei for sale from and Home Plant Inspiration

7. Coleus

If you like shades of: red, pink, peach, burgundy, maroon,yellow, creamy white.

Here is a beautiful collection of colorful coleus plants for sale from different plant shops.

Remember how I said that the croton is definitely the king of the colorful houseplant clan. That’s until you meet a coleus. Then you’ll want to dethrone croton and strip it off its crown. The trouble with coleus is that it’s a bit more finicky than a croton, so keep that in mind when you pick favorites.

Keep them happy

Every coleus owner I’ve ever met told me to pinch the flowers off when they start shooting out (should you be so lucky with an indoor plant). That’s because you don’t want the plant to waste its energy on flowers. That’s a good tip if you’re growing a coleus indoors, but if you’re planting it outdoors, the butterflies and the bees will appreciate the flowers.

Keep in mind that if you let the flowers go to seed, that’s the end of the life cycle for this plant.

Coleus plants like moisture and lots of sun, and they really hate drafts and dry rooms. They’re not the happiest of campers in the winter, so you might want to time your purchase for a milder season.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence before buying a houseplant or any other supplies. Some houseplants may be toxic if ingested (especially for pets and children). You can check the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page. 

Have you ever played one of those games of “If you were a … what … would you be?”

If you haven’t, you probably don’t know the pleasure of reimagining your best friend as a tomato (acidic, but firm) or your college professor as a brontosaurus (that explains the turtleneck, at least).

You’re probably more confused now than you were a paragraph ago, so let’s get to the reason why you started reading this in the first place.

Led by a two-decade long obsession with one sitcom in particular, and the resurgence of said sitcom on Netflix in Europe, here’s the ultimate question I ended up asking myself in a moment of mind-wandering, and the fun exercise in imagining the absurd that followed.

What kind of houseplants would the characters in Friends be?

Could this game BE more fun?! (Don’t answer that!)

1. Phoebe Buffay

What kind of plant would Phoebe be?

An air plant (like this gorgeous Tillandsia xerographica)

Just in case you’re a Friends virgin

Phoebe is a free spirit, often ditsy, sometimes airy, and with an evil twin sister named Ursula. I thought long and hard about what houseplant has an evil twin, but in the end I decided to peg Phoebe as an air plant. It’s a low maintenance plant that’s generally friendly and can handle a little bit of neglect.

Runner up

Phoebe once changed her name to Princess Consuela Bananahammock, so the banana plant was a close runner up. But banana plants are too particular and precise for the free-spirited Pheebs. I also thought catnip (Nepeta cataria) would be appropriate to represent Phoebe’s hit single Smelly Cat.

2. Rachel Green

What kind of plant would Rachel be?

A bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae).

Just in case you’re a Friends virgin

Rachel is spoiled, high-maintenance and loves being the center of attention. So after careful consideration, I chose the bird of paradise as her soul-houseplant. It’s a plant that requires a lot of attention when kept indoors, and a lot of sunlight. It’s majestic when it blossoms, but God forbid you don’t create the right conditions for this plant to show off.

Runner up

None! I couldn’t find a plant that closely resembles the word “seriously” uttered every five minutes or one that could don “The Rachel” haircut better than Jennifer Aniston.

3. Monica Geller

What kind of plant would Monica be?

A jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Just in case you’re a Friends virgin

Neat, clean-freak, considerate, low-maintenance, but quite competitive. That’s definitely the sign of a good old-fashioned jade plant. This type of succulent would look equally polished in your grandma’s family room and in that Instagram photo with about a million hashtags. That’s because jade plants are classy and timeless.

Runner up

I wanted to pick a competitive plant here, maybe something like an ever-expanding pothos. Then I remembered the time Phoebe gave Monica a haircut that made her look like Dudley Moore (instead of the Demi Moore style she had asked for), so I thought that a coleus would do. In the end, I decided to go with the jade plant, because how many people know what a coleus looks like? Seriously!

4. Ross Geller

What kind of plant would Ross be?

A dracaena plant.

Just in case you’re a Friends virgin

Gangly, spiky hair, a little bit neurotic, definitely insecure, but always driven by good intentions. That’s Ross, in a nutshell. Truth be told, I don’t know how neurotic dracaenas are, but they certainly look insecure when they get all droopy if you forget to water them.

Runner up

Cactus, all the way, based on the good intentions obliterated by the clumsy execution. But he’s a good guy, not prickly. Would a prickly guy miss his Discovery Channel appearance to take care of an ex-girlfriend with a fractured rib? Would a prickly guy buy a friend’s first bike and teach her how to ride it? Would a prickly guy walk his lesbian ex-wife down the aisle? I think that proves my point!

5. Chandler Bing

What kind of plant would Chandler be?

A snake plant (Sansevieria)

Just in case you’re a Friends virgin

Chandler is a sensitive and caring guy. He’s gifted with a sharp sense of humor peppered with a good dose of sarcasm. He often believes that he’s going to die alone, but redeems himself after entering a functional adult relationship with a jade plant. Uhh, I mean … with Monica. He’d be the unassuming snake plant of the group because he’s … well … unassuming, but nice and functional and can totally deliver excellent knock-knock jokes to a door.

Runner up

Whichever plant would take care of a chick and a duck or steal their neighbor’s cheesecake. No match here.

6. Joey Tribbiani

What kind of plant would Joey be?

A pitcher plant

In case you’re a Friends virgin

Joey’s biggest passion is food. (Maybe his second biggest passion. Actually, even he can’t decide about that.) Pretty on the outside, but not too bright on the inside, Joey’s a big-hearted guy. He likes sandwiches, and pizza, and jam, and pizza. He doesn’t have a good grasp of how pants are made, but it’s not like you can learn that from an encyclopedia volume that starts with the letter V.

Runner up

Whatever plant can chug a gallon on milk in a minute. So yeah, I’m back to pitcher plants.

Disclaimer: if you’re going to try and fit a gallon of milk down a pitcher plant, you’re just as smart as Joey.

So what’s the next sitcom I can turn into a houseplant matching game? I’m thinking Frasier.

Plant sources

Get airplants from What The Gardens (ships from California)

Get Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) from Exotic Flora Plants

Get a jade plant (Crassula ovata) from Dose of Succulents

You can order a Dracaena marginata from The Urban Garden (ships from Florida)

Get beautiful varieties of snake plants from Pots by Sol (ships from Florida)

Buy all sorts of pitcher plants from Hannibal Plants

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

I felt tempted to start this post by listing all the cliches about millennials that I could possibly think of, complete with a list of all the industries they’re killing. Alas, I’ll spare both myself and you from this unwanted taxonomy of millennial shortcomings. And if I could call this demographic group any other way, I would. But somehow the headline “people aged 20-38 also enjoy growing houseplants” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

It turns out that millennials are bringing back houseplants … with a vengeance. And not only are the newspapers taking notice (just as I’m writing this, The New York Times has published a post about plant-loving millennials at home and at work; The Washington Post noticed the same trend a few months back), but so are vendors.

What’s the houseplant attraction, you ask. Let me count the ways (and the whys):

1. Millennials are people too renters.

In 2016, the share of Americans under 35 years old who owned a home was 35 percent, according to Pew Research center. A vast majority of this generation is renting their accommodation, either because they want to keep the flexibility and mobility of a short-term lease, or simply because home ownership is an unattainable goal.

Being at the beck-and-call of landlords or rental agencies is not exactly the height of freedom when it comes to making your house feel like a home.

Rental units often don’t allow pets. And if they do, the unit comes at a steep price. One apartment I rented in a mid-size U.S. city asked for an extra $200 for your first cat plus double the security deposit. I didn’t have a cat at the time, but if I had, Madam Fluffy McMeow would have had to earn her own living – perhaps through a feline YouTube channel of sorts.

We still have the urge to take care of something – preferably a living something – so this is the point when we turn to houseplants to satisfy that itch. (Fingers crossed that landlords don’t catch on to that and slap a fee on flower pots per square foot.)

2. Millennials like gardening, but can’t afford it.

Let’s stick to the topic of renting in the city. A lot of millennials don’t live in places where gardening is easily accessible. We happily walk to the farmer’s market (if we’re lucky) and support local growers, but we can’t afford to start a garden.

There’s no getting into the housing market for us, and even if we do, places near cities (you know, where the jobs are) rarely have a plot for gardening. (Who am I to have a backyard? Rockefeller?) Growing houseplants is the next best thing to satisfy our green thumb itch.

Yes, we like the perks of living in cities. But we also want to be close to nature. And we can’t really afford to take our Patagonia gear on hikes as often as we’d like to. So we substitute that by bringing in a bit of nature to look at every night.

3. Millennials live digital lives.

I, like virtually 90 percent of my millennial friends and acquaintances, spend 10-12 hours a day in front of a screen. When I’m away from my laptop, I’m probably checking another screen, usually my phone.

This is part choice and part necessity. I need to spend time in front of a computer for work, but also for basic maintenance chores (such as paying bills or looking up a recipe for dinner), and for keeping in touch with my friends and family who are spread out all over the world. (Even my mother now prefers a video call to a phone call.)

Amidst all this pixelation of life, I’m craving a non-digital existence, something an older millennial like myself would call “IRL.”

In my non-digital life, I want tangible objects that I can take care of and nurture. And since there’s only so much love and care I can give to my Chemex (my coffee pour over pitcher), plants are the solution.

Plant-ownership forces me to disconnect, if only for a few fleeting minutes, from the pull of the myriad of notifications with which I’m playing a losing game of whack-a-mole. After all, there’s only so much screen tapping I can do when my fingers are buried in a pot of dirt.

4. Millennials are looking for mindfulness.

Speaking of living a hectic digital life, that often translates to having countless mental browser tabs open when I lay my head down at night. I need to meditate for my own mental well-being. (There’s a reason why Headspace ads have been following me everywhere I go online for the past six months.)

Meditation doesn’t always come easy, but taking care of houseplants does. There’s something restorative and contemplative to watering, repotting and dusting plants. I can’t exactly tell you why it happens, but ask any houseplant enthusiasts and they’ll confirm it.

5. Millennials crave community and connections.

As millennials – chasers of opportunities and passions, but sometimes just stuck where the job market is – we often live our lives away from family and lifelong friends. I currently live hundreds of miles away (in all directions) from my parents, my sibling, and most of my college friends. And that is a gap I feel every single day. And it pushed me to chase connection and community based on common interests.

But throughout nurturing this houseplant hobby of mine, I’ve discovered that the houseplant community is a positive one, with people helping each other, offering each other tips, and generally being nice and encouraging. And let’s face it, that’s becoming a rarity in online communities.

Do these interactions with strangers replace the banter with the close friends I’ve grown apart from? Not entirely. But the casual chats do drip some human connection into a void that would otherwise be poorly filled with Netflix marathons and avocado toast. (Ha! I pity the fool who thought they’d read an article about millennials with no mention of this faux budget-buster – I’ve sneakily inserted at the end, yo!)

What I’ve been trying to say for the past 1000 words or so is this: millennials have just been bitten by the houseplant bug, and it’s not going away soon. You can bet your next disruptive startup idea on it.

Photos by Brina Blum on Unsplash

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page.

Whenever I happen to mention in a group setting (even an online group) that I love keeping houseplants, I invariably get at least one or two responses along the lines of “I’m an instant plant-killing machine” or “every plant I’ve ever had is sleeping with the fishes.” And no, these people aren’t into aquaponics.

I often come across this misguided belief that there is such thing as a “green thumb” and a “black thumb” and nothing in between. Or that someone is stuck in one category for all of eternity.

I’m here to tell you that belief is ridiculous. There’s no such thing as “bad with plants” if you really want to surround yourself with green friends.

On the other hand, if you have zero interest in having houseplants (and keeping them alive), then you can continue using this excuse whenever one of your overzealous friends tries to saddle you with their extra cuttings.

If you think you can’t even glance at a green thing without having it drop dead, here are a few things you can do.

1. Start with really easy-to-grow plants.

There are really hardy plants out there that can take a bit of neglect. Pothos, for example, is one of them.

I don’t remember exactly where I heard this story (I might have read it on a plant forum), but rumors have it that if you leave a pothos plant in a pitch black room over summer break, it will survive. Now, don’t plan on doing that, but know that if you do, not all is lost.

A few other examples of hard-to-kill plants are: snake plant, spider plant, kalanchoe and zamioculcas zamiifolia (also known as ZZ plant). These are the plants that will make you look like you know what you’re doing.

Confession: Peace lilies are on every single list of indestructible plants, but I’ve been known to bring one or two to their knees. It’s proof that even as a plant lover, there are hits and misses. But I didn’t let this discourage me from densely packing my windowsills with houseplants.

2. Understand your tendencies, then adapt to them.

Are you more likely to ignore your houseplants, or to smother them with your love?

Are you likely to forget to water them, or drown them without a care in the world?

How about your environment? Is your room bright enough for the plants that you’re trying to grow?

Are you ready to mist tropical plants (but NOT mist succulents) if you live in a dry environment?

The peace lily casualties I mentioned above happened for a reason: I’m an overwaterer. I understand that now, so I try to stay away from plants that can’t handle gulping down too much. I also adjusted my watering schedule so that I only do it once, on the weekends, and not every time I have a glass of water that I need to empty out.

The peace lily death was the catalyst of me noticing and changing my behavior. I had watched this lush peace lily grow for almost two years. Then, right before going on a series of trips, I gave it a good watering. In between two trips, I watered it again; and then again when I came back. It’s obvious to me now that it didn’t need that much water, but it wasn’t obvious then. Which leads me to my third point:

3. You live, you learn. Or rather, you kill (plants), you learn.

Don’t let one (or seven) failures define your ability to keep houseplants alive. I could go ahead and offer a lot of tips about how different types of plants thrive, but general tips will rarely help. Look up care instructions for every plant you have, and try to follow them to the best of your abilities.

It’s not always easy, but you’ll inevitably learn about what each plant likes, and about what you enjoy in the interaction.

And this is what matters most – that you’re motivated by the pleasure and delight of taking care of plants, not by anxiety.

And hey, if you fall into the “too scared to even try” camp, just get a pothos.

If you want to read more about houseplants, hop on our once-a-month newsletter list. There’s no neverending email sequence here. Just a monthly email to keep in touch and chat about plants.

Photos by Green with Purpose.

Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence before buying a houseplant or any other supplies. Some houseplants may be toxic if ingested (especially for pets and children). You can check on the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are poisonous.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I will get a very small commission or referral fee at no additional cost to you. You can read more on my affiliate policy page.

Dear houseplant aficionado, has this ever happened to you?

About a week before your birthday (or Christmas or Valentine’s Day), you get a call from your beloved friend to ask what you want for said special occasion. We live in a post-Konmari world, of course, so your friends and loved ones know better than to buy you any old trinket. It’s ideal if the gift spark joy.

Let’s imagine the conversation goes like a little bit like this:

Friend: So what do you want for your birthday?

You: Oh, nothing in particular. I really don’t need anything.

Friend: C’mon, since we’re going out for watery margaritas, I really want to get you something.

You: Oh, if you really want to, you can get me a houseplant.

Friend (rolling their eyes): Not another one! You have so many plants already.

You: Duh, that’s the point.

[some amount of eye rolling might still be going on, but you do your best to ignore it]

The conversation may or may not unfurl like this, but it’s usually along the lines of you saying a houseplant would be a nice present for [insert special occasion here] and the other person thinking you don’t neeeeed another one.

Whether you’re the gift recipient, or the person who insists on buying a gift that doesn’t come in dirt, here are a few ideas that are guaranteed to excite your green-thumbed friends.

Well, we don’t really guarantee anything, you know your friend better than we do, we hope.

Small gift: a plant pot

Larger gift: a 3D-printed sustainable plant pot made of plants

+

Small gift: a ticket to a botanical garden

Larger gift: a one-year membership to a botanical garden

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Small gift: a macrame plant hanger

Larger gift: a How to make your own macrame workshop (preferably one that you could attend together).

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Small gift: a botanical illustration

Larger gift: a botanical illustration, matted and framed

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Small gift: a second-hand vintage flower pot

Larger gift: a pottery class

+

Small gift: a set of botanical temp tattoos

Larger gift: a real plant tattoo, if your friend is thinking of getting one anyway

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Small gift: herb seeds

Larger gift: a planter full of kitchen herbs

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Small gift: a book about houseplants (here is a list of my favorites) or a work of fiction set in the world of plants (my top 5 here)

Larger gift: a fancy coffee table book about houseplants

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Reproduction of tulip illustrations by Carl Linnaeus sold by Spotted Octopus Shop

Small gift: a box of botanical postcards

Larger gift: a set of postcards printed on seeded paper that you can plant

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Small gift: a decorative door for fairies

Larger gift: a fairy house building kit

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Small gift: a juicy colorful succulent

Larger gift: a luscious black houseplant

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Small gift: a glass vessel for a terrarium

Larger gift: a whole terrarium kit

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Small gift: a hanging planter basket

Larger gift: a small plant shelf

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Small gift: a botanical scarf

Larger gift: a botanical tapestry

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Small gift: a seed bomb

Larger gift: going with your friend to a place where you can do some guerilla planting

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Small gift: a vintage watering can

Larger gift: a copper watering can

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Small gift: a vintage vessel they could repurpose as a propagation station

Larger gift: a fancy bamboo propagation station

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Small gift: a herbarium or a botanicum

Larger gift: a trip to a nature park where your friend can start collecting specimens to add to the herbarium.

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Small gift: a botanical jigsaw puzzle

Larger gift: a botanical backpack

There you go, we hope we got you out of that gift-giving pickle. Oh, pickles are also excellent gifts!

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