A mass of indoor plants can transform a living space into a lush urban jungle, providing visual intrigue and a calming atmosphere in the home. Before you set off on a green shopping spree, consider some of these design guidelines to create an aesthetically pleasing display:

Placement

Arrange your plants where you spend the most time in your home. Tall, stand-alone plants can inhabit awkward gaps between furniture, and unoccupied corners. Medium-height plants such as Vriesea splenriet make a great statement on coffee tables, or centrepieces on dining room tables. Smaller plants, such as succulents, tend to look good grouped on windowsills or on shelves. Create a green garden showstopper next to a bookshelf by arranging large, medium and small pot plants at different heights, and include a cascading plant, like string of pearls, at the edge of the shelf.

Grouping

Plants with height and volume are usually eye-catching and can hold their own. You can, however, group them with other, smaller plants to create a standout feature. Don’t be scared to pair plants with contrasting foliage colours and textures – try arranging them together in the nursery to see which varieties work together. Having a plant or two with warmer shades among full, green leaves can emphasise rich colour. If you lead a busy life and don’t have much time to spend caring for your indoor plants, try to group together plants that have similar needs in terms of the space, water and light exposure. It’ll be easier to remember which plants need which treatment, and to care for them all together. For example, bromeliad, cacti, and the philodendron family all live comfortably together.

Pots

Plant holders come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Plastic is more cost-effective and may save water, but ceramic is porous and heavy, allowing your plant to breathe. Bear your home decorating style in mind when making your pot selection. For example, metals, rough greys and clean white ceramic pots may suit a modern home aesthetic, whilst terracotta pots and woven baskets will look lovely in a bohemian setting. Your pot selection could become a highlight piece in an otherwise minimalist setting – for example, a jewel-toned pot can lift a basic colour palette. Don’t be scared to play around with different heights, and opt for a pot stand to give a few of your medium pots a lift off the ground.