Beautiful Houseplants Joanna Gaines Keeps Around Her House
If you want to decorate your home like Joanna Gaines, then houseplants are a must. Each of her "Fixer Upper" renovations has greenery flooding through the space, and no room is left untouched — Gaines even has plants in the bathroom. She often displays her potted beauties on top of mantels, tables, and benches, as well as on the floor in front of windows or in corners. While the interior stylist gets away with using faux flowers in some of her designs, she has many real plants around her home that are truly eye-catching.
Since Gaines' sister Mary Kay (Mikey) McCall owns Ferny's Retro Plant Shop in Waco, Texas, it's no surprise that the Magnolia star has a mini garden inside her house. As showcased on Instagram, the "Fixer Upper" celeb has many tropical types, some with giant leaves and others with trailing vines, and all tie beautifully into her signature farmhouse style. If your home gets ample sunlight and you have water to spare, any of the plants in Gaines' residence would make a beautiful addition to your humble abode.
Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Staghorn fern, also known as elkhorn fern, is a tropical plant with leaves that resemble elk antlers, hence the name. These plants can grow up to 3 feet in height and width. Staghorn likes acidic soil, partial sun, and lots of humidity, so the bathroom or laundry room will make a fine dwelling for this fern. In Joanna Gaines' home, this plant sits on a coffee table. Avoid placing the foliage in direct sunlight, as the leaves can burn. Water once a week in warmer months and once every two to three weeks in the colder season to watch this plant thrive.
Dragon tail plant (Epipremnum pinnatum)
The dragon tail has glossy, rich leaves that trail down the flower pot, but you can also add stakes for your tropical plant to climb if you'd rather see the leaves grow vertically. Place the dragon tail in bright yet indirect sunlight — Joanna Gaines keeps it on a wooden bench behind her sofa. It prefers humidity but is adaptable, so as long as it's warm, the shiny leaves should spring. Just make sure to let the soil dry out before watering again. According to Queensland Government, this plant can be toxic, so ensure your pets and children don't ingest the leaves or stems.
Monstera lechleriana
Long stems and big, green-white leaves are trademarks of the monstera lechleriana. Joanna Gaines placed this plant near her dragon tail, and an area with lots of indirect sunlight is best. You'll want to keep it away from your children and furry friends, as it is poisonous if ingested per the Monstera Plant Resource. When the top layer of soil is dry, that's when your monstera is ready for a drink. During the winter when it's inactive, water the plant less frequently to avoid drowning the roots. This is another humidity-lover and is a great choice for the bathroom, but it's not as finicky as other tropical plants.
Red congo philodendron (Philodendron tatei 'Rojo Congo')
The red congo philodendron is a stellar plant to add pops of color to your space — just ask Joanna Gaines' brick fireplace mantel. Its baby leaves are a rich dark red that slowly turns green as it matures, reaching up to 3 feet. Not only is this philodendron gorgeous, but it helps purify the air and is low maintenance. Give it lots of bright light, well-drained soil, and water when the top layer of soil dries. Beware, it is toxic when ingested, so keep it away from children and pets, per the Pet Poison Helpline.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
This big-leaf houseplant is actually a tree that can grow up to 50 feet tall outdoors. However, growing the seedlings in a flower pot and trimming them as needed will prevent a forest from sprouting in your living room. You can also propagate a branch for your indoor garden. Water the rubber plant weekly during the growing season and less frequently when it's inactive, and place it in a spot with bright light or part shade — Joanna Gaines keeps it in front of a window. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, keep this toxic plant away from kids and pets.
Sweetheart hoya (Hoya kerrii)
Lots of direct sunlight, a small amount of water, and well-draining soil is what the sweetheart hoya needs to thrive. This tropical succulent vine is a terrific pick for novice gardeners. It is drought-tolerant, so if you forget to water it, don't worry. When you do, remember to ensure the soil is dry before giving it a drink. The heart-shaped foliage likes warmth and humidity, making it a moisture-loving houseplant that's perfect for your bathroom. On the downside, this beautiful plant that Joanna Gaines styled on a stack of books is slow-growing, but with patience and time, the vines can spread up to 13 feet long.
Peperomia hope (Peperomia rotundifolia 'Hope')
The peperomia hope has vine-like stems with cute circular leaves. Joanna Gaines also styled this plant atop three books to decorate a tabletop. It definitely fits into the rustic farmhouse aesthetic and can bring a touch of hominess to your space. With humidity, moist soil, and medium to bright, indirect light, your plant of hope is sure to flourish. Pick a warm spot with lots of sunshine to house them. However, you'll need patience, as the peperomia is a slow grower.
Jungle boogie (Philodendron 'jungle boogie')
The jungle boogie is the second philodendron species the "Fixer Upper" star has in her home, and she keeps it by a window. Also known as tiger tooth for its jagged and pointy-tip leaves, adding a stake or two will help the stems climb and grow grander. The jungle boogie plant prefers bright, indirect light. The better the lighting, the more the foliage will flourish. Let the top layer of the soil dry out between watering, and placing it in a humid area like the kitchen will help it thrive. Per the Pet Poison Helpline, philodendrons are toxic to pets and kids.
Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
A large show-stopper, the fiddle-leaf fig makes a statement. Your houseplant, given the proper care, can grow 10 feet tall. A warm area with lots of humidity and light is where your fiddle will thrive — like in a corner with lots of windows, which is where Joanna Gaines keeps hers. This plant needs water whenever the top layer of soil is dry — saturate the soil, then let it drain. Be aware that the fiddle is sensitive to a change in routine, so leaves may droop if moved too much. Also keep it away from pets and kids, as it's toxic, per the ASPCA.