In addition to being a trendy decorative element, houseplants add tons of life and beauty to apartments. Now that we’re spending more time indoors, it is particularly important to add houseplants to your home, as they can significantly brighten a living area and bring life to even the smallest spaces.
In addition to bringing light and happiness into a space, houseplants can also help purify the air and eliminate toxins. Several plants help remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide from the air, according to NASA’s Clean Air study, which are chemicals linked to headaches, respiratory problems, anemia, and other health issues.
Many may hesitate to purchase plants in fear of caring for them improperly and killing them. However, there are many plants that are easy to decorate with, even for those who don’t have the proverbial ‘green thumb.’
What are the Hardest Plants to Kill?
If you are embarking on your plant parent journey for the first time, it is best to start with one or two small, low-maintenance plants—such as a succulent or snake plant—and grow your floral family from there. If you are tempted to purchase a plant when passing a display at the store, be sure to do a quick Google search to ensure your home offers the right amount of light and humidity for the plant to thrive.
For example, although fiddle leaf fig trees are extremely popular and absolutely gorgeous, they require a warm, humid environment, tons of sunlight, and just the right amount of water. Fiddle leaf fig trees can run anywhere from $40 to $75+, making them a pricier houseplant investment that can die easily when in the wrong environment or improperly cared for. A snake plant, on the other hand, is far more forgiving and only needs minimal sunlight and water once every week or two.
Here are some low-maintenance plants that are the hardest to kill:
- Devil’s Ivy (Golden Pothos)
- Succulents and Cacti
- Spider Plant
- Aloe Vera
- Dracaena
- Bromeliads
- Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana)
- Monstera
- Philodendron
- ZZ Plant
How to Decorate Your Apartment with Houseplants:
After investing in a few plants that are easy to keep alive, it’s time to find the perfect location for them in your home. As with any decorating endeavors, it is always best to check with your landlord before mounting plant hanging structures to your walls or ceiling.
1. Cluster Plants in Awkward Corners
Most apartments have a corner or two that is too small to fit an additional piece of furniture but feels bare with nothing filling it. These awkward spaces are ideal for houseplants, especially those that don’t require tons of light. Try to cluster plants that range in size and color in these areas to add some contrast and to fill the space.
2. Use Spilling Plants
Plants that spill over their containers add a beautiful sense of movement in a room. Devil’s ivy (also known as Golden Pothos) is a low maintenance plant that has long ivy branches and can be draped over furniture. Plants that tend to spill over their containers look lovely at the top of bookshelves, on tall dressers, or on decorative ladders.
3. Mount to Walls & Hang from Ceilings
This option should only be used if your landlord is comfortable with you hanging items on the walls or from the ceilings. If allowed, hanging macrame plant holders from the ceiling is a great way to give a space a bohemian flair while keeping the plants out of reach of pets or young children. This is also a great way to add depth to a room and make ceilings appear higher. Plant hangers such as these can typically be purchased from Etsy or Amazon.
4. Create a Plant Divider
Plants are an ideal way to divide a large room or studio into different sections. Set up bookshelves in the area where you want to divide the room and fill the shelves with tons of plants to create a plant wall.
5. Use as a Centerpiece
Although stemmed flowers are beautiful, they only last a week or so before beginning to wilt. Succulents are long-lasting plants that work perfectly as centerpieces for coffee tables, dining tables, or office desks. Succulents can also be placed in glass terrariums such as these from Walmart, these from World Market, or these from Etsy for added elegance on a table or dresser.
6. Add Shelves to Windows
Again, this may need to get approval from a landlord to ensure the windows don’t get damaged. If approved, adding shelves to the windows themselves is a great way to add additional plants to a tight space. This also the ideal location for plants that require tons of sunlight. The only downside to going this route is that putting a shelf in the window obstructs light, so it is best to try this method if you have several windows that bring in tons of sunlight.
7. Add Plant Décor to a Bathroom
Bathrooms are often the least decorated rooms in an apartment and aren’t always the first place that comes to mind when considering where to put plants. Bathrooms with windows make ideal locations for houseplants due to their humid environments and light from the window. Setting a plant on a step stool or creating a plant shelf adds a burst of green to brighten up your daily routine.
Key Takeaways
Houseplants bring the perfect level of warmth, color, and energy to a room without taking up excessive space. When decorating with plants, always try to balance them evenly throughout the space. Weave in houseplants that range in color and size to add depth and variety to the area and try to pair complementary plant colors together, such as dark green snake plants with light green Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana). And, most importantly, have fun with it! Owning houseplants is a deeply rewarding and exciting experience. Happy plant parenting!
For tips on how to maximize the space in your apartment, bring extra light into your home during cold winter days, save money on your utility bills, and much more, visit Draper and Kramer.
