How to decorate with plants

Plants are instant mood boosters, bringing life to homes in more ways than one. But did you know there’s an art to plant styling? While it doesn’t take much to make your space look good with plants – simply popping one on a shelf will instantly change the way a room looks and feels – we have a few tips and tricks up our sleeves to help you get that immersive, jungle aesthetic. 

1. Shape shift

Interior designers will tell you that layering different shapes and textures is the key to a cosy, welcoming home, and the rules are no different when it comes to plants. For a plant display that’s pleasing to the eye, mix and match your leaves. From the delicate, frilly fronds of a Boston fern to the linear look of a Snake plant or the small, circular clusters of a Chinese Money plant, your indoor jungle will look its best if it’s made up of many different shapes. 

2. Remember, size matters

What is the best way to arrange plants? Select different sizes. This is especially important if you’re grouping your plants together. A mix of heights will give your display interest and dimension. If all your plants are the same height, why not pop one on a plant stand or a stack of books? Not only will this create a point of difference, but the addition of an extra material or colour – be it wood, metal or the binding of your book – will add an extra dose of interest to the display. 

3. Pick odd numbers

Just like cushions, candles or other types of homeware, plants look best arranged in odd numbers. While even numbers can feel a bit orderly and structured, odd numbers help to make a space more relaxed and inviting – exactly how we want our homes to feel. When it comes to styling plants, we love groups of three, as this gives your display a focal point. 

4. Give life to empty spaces 

That empty side table, dull corner or overlooked windowsill? It’s the perfect spot for your plant. Not only will adding greenery help to breathe life into a neglected space, but it will ensure your leafy friends blend in seamlessly with your existing space. Plus, it means that those forgotten-about spaces serve a new, mood-boosting purpose. 

5. Mix your pots

Arranging pots indoors is all about mixing and matching materials, colours and patterns. If one of your plants is in a basket, pop the other in a sleek ceramic planter in a complementary colour to create a contrast. If most of your pots take on a classic, cylindrical form, throw in a design with curved edges or grooves for a point of interest. The key is to keep at least one thing the same ­– if all of your textures are different, try to match your tones. For example, a grey Clay pot, Rope basket and brown Stripe pot are all very different in style, shape and material, but work well together because of their neutral shades.

6. Level up

There’s no need to put your plants on the same pedestal. Leave some grounded and take others to new heights with shelving, stairs, plant stands or side tables. If you’re short on surfaces, take to the ceiling – hanging a trailing plant from a height is a clever way to take advantage of an otherwise unused space, and will turn your room into a proper plant oasis. Welcome to the jungle.