The Whimsical Plant Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines Uses To Elevate Bare Shelves

HGTV's "Fixer Upper" star Joanna Gaines is widely renowned for her chic interior designs and savvy renovations. Her charming farmhouse style and fresh, modern designs are trusted by loyal viewers that look to her expertise on all things home decor. One common element Joanna Gaines uses in her designs is lush houseplants to brighten up a room. 

"To me, plants bring a space to life, and that is one of the best parts of personalizing a home for my clients," Gaines shared on her blog, Magnolia. One beautiful houseplant that Joanna Gaines keeps around her house is pilea (Pilea depressa), also known as baby tears, baby toes, or depressed clearweed. "My girls use this sweet little plant as ground cover in their fairy gardens, so it's all over my greenhouse," said Gaines. "In season 4, I used it a lot as the perfect plant to complete a bookshelf or coffee table" (via Magnolia).

This gorgeous, delightfully versatile plant boasts long, trailing stems and delicate leaves. Pilea is one of those houseplants that are perfect for growing indoors, and its abundant leaves add pretty verdant accents and charm to any space. It is also low-maintenance and fast-growing, so even if you don't have a green thumb, chances are you can nurture this plant successfully. If you're looking to decorate your home like Joanna Gaines, a vibrant pilea plant is a great place to start.

When styling with plants, Joanna Gaines' past designs prove that less is more. In her show "Fixer Upper," she used potted pilea to fill empty spaces on shelves and as a sleek accent on tables. She rarely overwhelms spaces with too many plants and instead chooses to arrange understated greenery alongside books and other small accent pieces. 

In fact, Gaines is a fan of placing a potted plant (with a water drip tray) directly onto stacks of books for a refined design with layers and dimension. While plants can be used to enhance any room of the house, she has previously used them to bring sunny windowsills to life in common areas. Gaines has also been known to place a potted plant on a high shelf in a kitchen, allowing its vines to elegantly drape down. The long trailing stems of more mature pilea plants are perfect for this.

A perk to growing pilea indoors is the opportunity to elevate your plant with a stylish pot. In past designs, Gaines has favored warm, earth-toned pots that are understated and rustic. She's also a fan of woven and wood-grained pots that add texture and depth to any area. The pots are generally neutral in tone, while the plant itself brings that pop of whimsical color to your bookshelf or coffee table. Taking a page from Joanna Gaines and adding pilea to your home's decor can liven up the space and incorporate a touch of nature.