In recent years, home-decorating with plants has become quite the trend. Plants are the perfect accessory to help turn any home into an urban jungle and brighten up our living spaces. On the other hand, having living plants in your home requires a certain amount of maintenance. It also entails choosing a location for them that will not only be visually pleasing, but will also be optimal for the type of plant chosen. So here are my 5 tips for transforming your apartment with plants!
1. Choose the right plants for your space
There are several factors to consider when creating your own little plant oasis. The first step is to analyze the light. In an apartment, it’s not uncommon for natural light to be quite limited. Each plant family has its own light needs. Some plants such as Ficus, Croton, and Monstera like direct sunlight, while others such as Maranta, Alocasia, or Calatheas prefer indirect rays. It is therefore important to know the orientation of your room in order to choose a plant adapted to the light. For example: My bedroom is a west-facing room, meaning it benefits from an abundance of sun in the afternoon and at the end of the day.
Another factor to consider is the available space. We mustn’t forget that our "green girls" will eventually get big, making it all the more necessary to choose plants that are suitable to your unique space. Large plants such as Strelitzia, Ficus Lyrata, or Yucca, can become centrepieces, while small plants such as String of Hearts, Peperomia Hope, or Hoya Curtisii can simply be arranged on a shelf or windowsill.
2. Vary the type of plants
To successfully create your urban jungle, I think it’s necessary to arrange your plants in several different ways! Hanging plants are without a doubt my favourite. Whether positioned over kitchen cabinets, on top of a bookcase, or simply on a wall shelf, they add a touch of greenery to your home and free up precious floor space. I particularly love Pothos and Ivy for this type of décor.
There are a lot of hanging plants that can very well be climbing too. All you have to do is install a small stake or a trellis for them to climb. I find that climbing plants bring a "wild jungle" touch to a room. Philodendron Brasil, Monstera, and Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma are very good candidates for this.
And why not add some colour? There are many plants with colourful foliage to add originality and vibrancy to a room. In my opinion, the best candidates for this are Calathea, Stromanthe Triostar, and Croton!
Small terrariums with succulents and cacti can be a nice addition. Another way to decorate with plants is with kokedama. This is a form of Japanese art that consists of growing a plant without a pot. The roots are gathered in a mixture of potting soil and clay pebbles encased in a moss-wrapped ball that can be held together using fishing line.
3. Create plant groups
Grouping plants together can give a nice effect, especially if you want to fill a corner that’s relatively empty. I always suggest grouping plants by type. For example: Place the Calatheas with the Marantas and Stromanthes, and position them near a humidifier to provide them with ambient humidity. Have a south-facing window? It's the perfect place to put your String of Pearls, cacti, and succulents.
To create interesting and original compositions, I suggest you mix plants of varying heights, colours, and textures.
4. Use creative containers
What I like most about decorating my home with plants is yes, getting to enjoy lots of different plants, of all shapes and colours, but also having a variety of fun pots and planters! I love changing my planters according to the atmosphere I want to give to a room. I also enjoy changing them with the seasons. In spring and summer, I typically opt for paler, more natural colours, while in autumn and winter, I tend to go for darker colours and terracotta.
I also like to use fabric or rattan baskets for my large plants. Feel free to mix the styles, textures, and materials of your pots! Plant stands can also make for a stylish look. I personally love macramé planters for hanging plants. In addition to being easy to make yourself, they add a "bohemian" vibe to any room.
Don't hesitate to be creative with your pots! Add your own personal touch to your indoor jungle by upcycling containers such as glass jars, wooden boxes, or wicker baskets.
5. Add artificial lighting in a stylish and aesthetic way
In apartments, it’s not uncommon for the lighting to be less than optimal for tropical plants. However, it’s still possible to have a few plants with artificial lighting. I suggest adding grow lights to help compensate for the lack of sunlight. I've always found grow lights to be unattractive; I found a way to install some without compromising my décor.
You can buy them in the form of bulbs that can be installed in a floor lamp or a small hanging lamp. Otherwise, I really like the idea of the famous IKEA Milsbo cabinet that features glass shelves beneath which you can mount grow lights. In addition to protecting your plants from your pets and giving them better light, the cabinet will retain moisture.
Creating an urban jungle in your apartment takes a bit of planning, but the results are worth it. By choosing the right plants, using creative containers, and incorporating plants into every room, you can transform your living space into a green oasis that brings beauty and well-being to your everyday life.
