Plants to Liven up your Living Room
Are you looking to bring your living room to life? The addition of plants can really help to enliven dull décor and enhance your space. From bold, shapely snake plants, to deep, dark leafed alocasias, this article aims to help you find the perfect plants for your living room.
What to consider when filling your living room with plants
Living rooms are the heart of the home, so it makes sense that we’d fill them with beautiful decoration and make them as warm and welcoming as possible. Whether you entertain regularly or simply want an inviting and colourful room to enjoy with the family, then houseplants are the perfect addition.
First, let’s jump in and consider your living room’s environment, to help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing plants!
1. Make sure your plants are close enough to a window to survive. This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often people put their plants that bit too far from the window. Even if you opt for low-light loving plants such as devil’s ivy or a snake plant, all houseplants require a healthy spectrum of light to photosynthesise. In a south facing room, plants can be situated further from windows, but in north facing spaces, they’re better off closer to the light.
2. Try not to pop plants in draughty places. Many plants really struggle in a draughty spot and will start to show signs of stress like leaf loss. Types of Ficus and other sensitive plants are well known for dropping leaves in air currents. Avoid putting your plants next to fireplaces, outdoor doors, or windows that are constantly open. If it feels draughty to you, then your houseplants won’t like it either!
3. Beware of radiators. Radiators are the silent killers of houseplants. Radiators cause air currents in rooms to move around. For the best results, place your plants away from hot air currents. The worst place for a plant is directly above a radiator because the hot air rises and burns leaves. That said, you should also avoid putting floor-standing plants too close to radiators as they tend to dry plants out, making leaves crispy and soil lack moisture.
4. Check the direction of your windows. Is it South, North, east or west facing light? This can enormously affect the amount of light your plants receive and significantly influence their growth. South facing light can burn the leaves of sensitive plants like calatheas, peace lilies and philodendrons, so it’s best to separate plants from direct sunlight by placing them out of the harshest sun rays or using a net curtain to filter light. East, west and north facing windowsills are usually better places for plants, as tropical houseplants can tolerate the lower light levels when the sun isn’t at its strongest.
5. Living rooms tend to have a lower humidity on average. Unless you live in Florida, which is humid all year round, then you need to be aware that many houseplants like high humidity. Tropical plants come from rainforests which are high in humidity. Ways to boost humidity include grouping plants near one another, keeping plants away from fireplaces and radiators to be sure they stay moist, and keeping windows closed to create a stable environment.
Best houseplants for Living Rooms
Alocasia
Alocasias are native to the rainforests of Asia and Australia and are an unusual looking plant. Alocasias are ground-dwelling plants with thick, detailed leaves, in an array of shapes, colours and patterns. Some people think alocasias look a little alien! If you like the weirder houseplants then perhaps an Alocasia Dragon Shield, an Alocasia Stingray or an Alocasia Cuprea is for you! Place yours near an east or west facing window for the best results and be aware of babies and pets as it’s toxic if eaten.
Devil’s Ivy
This popular houseplant is a vine that grows to enormous sizes in the forests of French Polynesia, where it can be found climbing trees. Displayed best either on a moss pole or as a trailing plant, its variegated leaves are yellow and green. This easy-care houseplant is great for beginners and looks lovely trailing on surfaces and from hanging baskets. It does best in chunky potting mix, is very tolerant to changes in environment and can withstand a range of lighting conditions. Just be sure to keep its leaves away from babies and pets!
Schefflera
Originating from Australia, the fabulously unique schefflera features umbrella-shaped leaves that add interest to a room. It can tolerate lower temperatures than some houseplants and a variety of lighting, making it perfect for bright spaces, or those that are a little duller. Water yours when the soil is dry and never leave it sitting in water. Though pretty, the leaves of the umbrella tree are toxic if consumed.
Dumb Cane Plant
Hailing from South America and Mexico, this beautiful plant comes in different leaf varieties that feature many shades of green, white and yellow. Toxic if eaten, this houseplant looks beautiful but has pretty poisonous leaves. Place your dieffenbachia in indirect light on a north, east or west facing ledge, and water when the soil dries out. Be sure to keep it out of the reach of tiny fingers and furry mouths as this plant is poisonous to pets and humans!
Snake Plant
Also known by the name, ‘Mother-in-law’s tongue’, this houseplant has tall, wavy leaves with a waxy coating. The snake plant originally comes from the hot, dry lands of Africa and can withstand long periods without water. Though they love hot, dry places and strong direct sunlight, they are surprisingly tolerant to darker environments. This extremely versatile houseplant is suitable for rooms with low or high light and is easy-care. Just be cautious to water your snake plant appropriately and never leave it sitting in wet soil.
Pet friendly plants needed for your living room?
Go for something non-toxic like a calathea. Calatheas have a bad reputation amongst houseplant lovers (and houseplant killers) as they’re notoriously a little dramatic. Known also as prayer plants, there are some pretty-leafed calatheas that are easier to keep than others. Try Calathea Oribfolia, Calathea Rufibarba or Calathea Peacock if you want to display one of these painted ladies. They’ll sit happily on an east or west facing windowsill and move their leaves throughout the day, to absorb as much light as they can.
TIP: Can’t get calatheas to do your bidding? Try your luck with their cousins, the Maranta Fascinators.
Still have questions that need answers?
I offer bespoke, bookable online consultations to talk through all your houseplant needs. Book 30 or 60 minutes to ask all the houseplant questions you can think of. I’ll help you save sad plants, teach you about lighting, and give you tips on plant placement!
If you love houseplants, interiors and learning about growth then follow me on Instagram @theplantparlourgram.
Don't forget to subscribe to the website, to make sure you never miss an article or an update!
This article was originally published as part of the four-part ‘Plants for Places’ instalment in Garden Folk Magazine. Check out the full monthly digital magazine of articles here.
Comments