In these uncertain, often overwhelming times, I have found solace in houseplants. There is an undeniable joy that comes from a pristine leafy fig or alternate moment found while shooting the monsoon. Even a small ivy can bring a regret in the long run. Green friends abound in my house. Owned Beneficial rich flora, but it can be potentially messy. (Too many houseplants get messy and suddenly a living room mirrors a roadside nursery.) That’s why I embarked on a quest to learn how to arrange indoor plants. living room.
Finding the wisdom to decorate with plants is surprisingly easy. In the past few years, nearly everyone has been honing green thumb. I based this statement on friends’ homes and the market. Walk around any neighborhood in my city of San Francisco and you’ll find a number of shops selling vibrant pink philodendrons and glossy potholes. I fell in love with my latest find at Small tree in the Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco. Owner Kathy Ho fills her verdant little shop with such a thoughtful eye (and she treats her green kids with incredible care) that I had to confess. Harness her design wisdom to find the best arrangement of plants in the living room.
Here, I ask Ho and gardening and design expert Bloomscape Lindsay Pangborn my approach to accenting my living room with plants. I learned to think about how and where I put it potted friends can greatly increase the joy I derive from them.
“Plants bring you relaxation, peace and joy when you spend time with them, when you water them, watch them bask in the good morning sun or look at a new leaf sprouting. up,” Ho told me. “Feng Sui is good that you should have plants indoors — to feel the balance and positive auspicious vibes.”
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Image of Laura Alexandra
What is the best way to arrange plants in the living room?
#1: Small group
Ho suggests compiling houseplants in groups of two or three. This accents the room with peaceful moments of greenery and avoids any clutter. To keep care easy, she recommends grouping houseplants that need the same care. “This makes watering easier, plus they provide each other with moisture that plants love.”
#2: Cascading
Tracing the trees — that is, ordering them from high to low — provides a reason to look up, which is one of the best tricks for creating Small living room looks bigger. This is one of Ho’s looks that she recommends to clients. Her advice: Match a favorite plant and vase and put it on top bookshelvesTV stands, or pergolas, allow leaves to fall off as the plant grows.
#3: Hanging
Like cascading styles, hanging pots are more eye-catching — and they allow you to make the most of the space you have, says Pangborn. This look is simple. Fit a hanging basin to the ceiling, where real estate is usually unlimited, or hang from a sturdy vase such as a riveted wall hook.
Image of Danielle Sabol
#4: On the floor
A common home decor mistake is neglecting the use of floor space. Follow the rule of two or three and group plants in an empty corner or next to a sofa. If vertical space allows, place a taller indoor plant, such as a fig or avocado tree, in a spacious pot on the floor. These larger household items “make an immediate impact in a room because of their size,” says Pangborn. “And they easily fill a corner or a bare wall.” Pro Tip: Make sure there’s space between the taller plant and any wall art so the two don’t compete aesthetically.
#5: The “Jungle” look
If you like the look of a variety of plants, Pangborn says go with it — but vary the size and shape. “Pick plants with contrasting leaf shapes and colors to maintain visual interest — for example, a combination of dark-flowered plants, burgundy rubberwood and Kimberly Queen ferns,” she says. has a good structure to form a good trio”. As Ho adds, you can build your own personal jungle in your home!
Image of Justina Blakeney
How many plants are ideal?
This is the last question. And before I get to Ho and Pangborn, I’ll let out this rallying cry: Let your botanical flag fly! Any number is ideal if it brings you joy. What is necessary to consider is not how much tree you should have, but How is fine you can tend to them.
Here’s what to consider:
#1: Space and flow
Ho said that plants need ample space to show their beauty. Check that each plant has at least a few inches between its sister plants to allow healthy growth and exposure to light.
#2: Plant Type
Following Ho’s advice above, some plants prefer drier air, which requires them to give them more space to promote airflow and keep their foliage healthy, says Pangborn. “Succulent species and semi-succulent leafy plants, like whale fin sansevieria, are examples of plants that are best kept a little apart.”
On the other hand, plants native to tropical rainforests thrive in higher humidity conditions, Pangborn continued. This includes the cardiac philodendron and the triostar stromanthe, both of which are effective in clustering, “holding moisture away from plants and creating a humid microclimate”.
Image of Steven Karlisch
What are the best plants for the living room?
Pangborn says that decorating one’s home ultimately comes down to personal preference. But plants of all sizes can be incorporated into a living room space for more depth, color, and texture. Some of the best for specific living rooms include:
Image of Michelle Nash.
One last tip: Just go with it!
Plants should complement your space and your life – and never compete with your flow, Pangborn reminds me. They can add a lot of beauty, she says, but if you find yourself stressing about care requirements or constantly having to shuffle plants around to make room for your daily activities, don’t feel guilty about changing it. During the warmer months, you can always bring some outdoor gear. And if you see something that doesn’t bring you the same joy it once did, there’s no shame in replanting a houseplant. Having greenery in your life is all about keeping the energy positive.
