Houseplant Styling Methods That Will Blend Seamlessly With Your Minimalist Decor

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Do an internet image search for "maximalist room", and nearly every picture will include growing greenery, but adding touches of nature indoors isn't limited just to people who gravitate toward eclectic, bold, and visually busy styles. A similar search for "minimalist room" will present you with visual proof of how plants enhance the feel of spartan spaces, as well.

One of the disappointing downsides to embracing minimalist decor is that it can lack personality and vitality. Tucking a few pots into corners, on countertops, and hung before windows will make a world of difference between a room feeling like a home rather than a hotel. Houseplants can — and should — be part of minimalist design. What's more, without lots of sensory distractions surrounding them, plants in restrained surroundings will get more notice. Plus, introducing a bit of life can help you master the minimalist trend without making things boring. We have some tricks for you, along with some plants in particular that will exist harmoniously in your calming, streamlined space.

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning how certain plants will play with a minimalist theme. The greenery, height, and shape of houseplants contrasts with stark minimalist lines and creates balance in a room, but some places and arrangements are better than others. While you're plant shopping, do a bit of research. Knowing how tall and wide the plant will grow, and how quickly, will help you allot it enough real estate in your room.

Select one statement plant or a tabletop trio of plants to act as the focal point in the room, or maintain an airy feel by leaving lots of space between plants. Hanging your indoor garden is an obvious choice for minimal design, since it will help horizontal zones stay uncluttered. Macrame pot hangers made of jute or cotton cording are staples of many indoor plantscapes, but why not dot your plants across your walls? This 10-pack of ceramic-look plastic LaLaGreen Wall Mounted Planters can stand in for a gallery wall or large art piece, and their sleek look will maintain the focus on the plants.

The best minimalist pots don't distract from the plant itself. Try containers made of metal, terra cotta, glass, or neutral-colored ceramics. Stay low-maintenance with self watering pots. The YNNICO Indoor Self Watering Planters, for example, are as appealing to look at as they are to use. Their fresh white finish with a cork-look base will fit into any decor scheme while simplifying plant care.

There are a few plants and types of plants that stand out as top choices for minimalist spaces. Cacti and other succulents, ficuses, and dracaena varieties get special mention. Designers consistently suggest plants with height, but ones that cascade will add drama when hung on the wall, mounted on the ceiling, or perched on a high shelf. Minimalism goes beyond appearance; when choosing plants for pared-down rooms, opt for ones that also require minimal maintenance. Opt for plant care as uncomplicated as your aesthetic with houseplants anyone can keep alive. In general, the plants suggested below are easy to care for.

Designers and tastemakers love the snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) as part of a minimalist room. Its upright fronds give it a tidy look, and the vertical nature of a snake plant can break up the monotony in a room that has a lot of horizontal lines. Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) and prickly pear (Opuntia basilaris) cacti are on stylists' radar. They combine simplicity in both form and care. These cacti aren't often seen indoors, and that adds to their charm. Flowering plants aren't abundant on minimalist designers' lists, but the bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is an exception. With one striking flower at the tip of towering stems, bird of paradise plants fit well with minimalist design.

Plants with strictly upright growth are great for filling floor and wall space, but they aren't well-suited for hanging. Easy-care vining plants like pothos (Epipremnum aureum), string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), and turtle vine (Callisia repens) will spill beautifully over pots' edges and are delightfully low-maintenance.