Houseplants offer a whole host of benefits. They not only breathe new life into our surroundings but also help to purify the air we breathe, creating a healthier home in the process. But with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to choose. To help you narrow down your selection and consider factors beyond aesthetics, we’ve compiled a list of the best houseplants for every room in your home.
Living room
As the living room gets a lot of foot traffic, it’s the only space in the home where you can make a statement with your choice of houseplants. So, opt for big potted plants – like the Philodendron – that can sit on the floor if you want to breathe new life into any bare corners, or go for small planters – like potted Peace lilies – to imbue a fresh focal point at the television console. Before you choose, however, make sure you know what kind of sun exposure each part of the room gets, as plants that work well with full sun exposure on the windowsill might not necessarily work as well when placed in the middle of the room on a coffee table.
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Dining room
For the dining room, we suggest using houseplants that have similar characteristics as the ones you choose to display in the living room, as both rooms are places where family and friends gather. In the same vein, however, you should try as much to mix things up. If you’ve already chosen a potted peace lily in the living room, then try a potted Begonia or Bird of Paradise in the dining room. Whether placed as a fresh centrepiece on the table or on a plant stand around the perimeters, select plants that are eye-catching and ready to impress for whenever your guests pop by.
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Kitchen
When it comes to the kitchen, there’s no better houseplant than the one that can help you cook. From basil to thyme to rosemary, there are plenty of herbs that are suitable for growing indoors, and they are also easily maintained with a little pruning here and there every time you need a sprig or two to sprinkle onto dishes after cooking. Besides herbs, other houseplants suitable for the kitchen include the Tillandsia air plants and the Pothos variety, for they can thrive in places with varying and indirect light levels, and high humidity. But if you have a smaller kitchen where countertop space might be limited, you might want to opt for the hanging sort to save space.
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Bedroom
Your bedroom is meant to be a restful sanctuary for you to escape the hustle and bustle and to unwind after a long day. As such, opt for plant varieties that can help to filter toxins and improve air quality to ensure better-quality sleep throughout the night. Able to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night, all the while requiring relatively low maintenance, snake plants, spider plants and aloe vera are all perfect choices for the bedroom. However, be mindful to not go overboard with your selections – just one or two plants will suffice – for an uncluttered space creates a calmer space.
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Bathroom
As the bathroom experiences fluctuations of temperature and humidity much more than any other room on a daily basis, you will need to pick plants that are sturdy enough to withstand the daily changes without wilting. Tropical plants like the Boston fern, Lucky bamboo and orchids come to mind. Low light levels, high humidity and warm temperature are similar to what these plant varieties are used to out in nature, so your bathroom will make welcoming environments for such plants.
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Home office
Studies have shown that having houseplants in your home office can actually promote productivity, improve attention span and prevent fatigue. But when selecting a plant for your workspace, make sure it’s appropriate for your area. This means getting something that’s low maintenance and easy to care for – after all, you wouldn’t want to be distracted from getting work done in this space by constantly having to care for the plant. Some examples include cacti or succulents that prefer bright light but only require watering once a month or marimo moss ball terrariums that thrive in low to medium light and only requires a change of water once a week.
Image credit: Dan Duchars for IKEA
Feature image credit: Hunting for George
