Bringing the Outdoors In – Popular Indoor Plants

One of my favorite ways to bring life (literally!) to any living space is to add strategically placed plants to the room décor. Not only do they add texture and a pop of color to your home, but they create a healthier living environment for you and your family boosting oxygen and moisture levels and removing toxins from the air. Below are a few popular indoor plants that look great and are easy to care for!

1. Fiddle Leaf Fig: This species of Ficus has large, dark green leaves that vaguely form the shape of a fiddle – hence its name! Place it in a colorful pot to create a statement in a room; this plant works great with a many styles of décor. Fiddle Leaf Figs do well at room temperature (in between 65 and 75 degrees) with medium to bright sun exposure.

2. Aloe: Succulents have been a huge hit in household décor recently and aloe is one of the most popular types of succulents. Larger varieties grow up to three feet tall for big impact indoors while smaller varieties, such as aloe vera, work great in small, sunny indoor spaces. Plant some aloe in a terrarium to create a center piece on a coffee or dining table in a bohemian or eclectic style home. Aloe likes room temperatures, a lot of sunlight and dry soil, so avoid frequent watering.

3. Rubber Tree: With its dark green, shiny leaves, this attractive house plant will add a pop of color to any room. It grows in to an eight foot tall tree but can be pruned in to a smaller shrub by pruning long stems. It thrives in medium to bright lighting conditions and a range of room temperatures from 60 to 80 degrees. Allow top soil to dry out before watering.

4. Snake Plant: It doesn’t get much easier than this house plant. It grows well in a range of lighting conditions and any normal room temperature suits it just fine. It has variegated leaves that grow upright, and some varieties have yellow and white edged leaves. It has small white flowers that bloom only rarely. Its architectural, sword-shaped leaves work well with modern and rustic aesthetics.

5. English Ivy: For more of a traditional aesthetic, this plant is a popular choice. It has a timeless elegance, and its vines like to trail down furniture creating a pretty effect. English Ivy likes moist soil and cooler temperatures.

Hannah Tindall is an Associate Senior Designer at Habitar Design, a leading Interior Design firm in Chicago. Habitar Design specializes in luxury home, kitchen, and bathroom designs and remodels.