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When you want to fill an empty corner, top a tired windowsill, or keep a lonesome shelf company, nothing says “I’m complete” quite like a houseplant. Aside from the simple fact that leafy greens make a home feel more alive, indoor foliage can create a visually sensational and unexpected scene—that is, when they’re given the proper love and care that they deserve.
While we already know what the gardening pros think about this year’s trendiest houseplants, we wanted to get the DL on all things green from the interior experts who decorate, design, and live with plants on a daily basis. Here are the flowers, shrubs, trees, and other leaves that interior designers currently can’t get enough of.
Olive Tree
An overwhelming majority of designers suggest the olive tree is one worth adding to your roster this year. Designer and blogger Sarah Gibson and Shea McGee of Studio McGee are both big fans of this classic Mediterranean species, as well as Atlanta-based designer Tavia Forbes of Forbes + Masters, who especially loves its sophisticated shape and “tall, manicured silhouette.” But beware: Only responsible plant parents should welcome this exotic option into their home, as olive trees need regular water and sun in order to thrive.
Olive Tree, William Sonoma, $69.95.
Lemon Tree
Want your home to smell like pure paradise? Joanna Hawley of Jojotastic swears by her Meyer Lemon Tree. Aside from the fact that the tropical aroma and vivid yellow fruit promise fun summer vibes all year round, your days of last-minute runs to the grocery store because you forgot you were out of lemons are over.
Lemon Tree in Terra-Cotta Pot, William Sonoma, $69.95
Rubber Plant
Loved for its sheer durability, this hard-to-kill plant is the perfect partner for city dwellers and lazy gardeners alike. Not only do its dark glossy leaves help it retain moisture for long periods of time, but they also serve as a striking counterpoint to a whitewashed space.
“The rubber plant is low maintenance and offers a graphic contrasting look to your other house plant babies,” says
, principal and owner at Veneer Designs.
Learn more about the rubber tree or shop for your own on The Sill.
Snake Plant
This hardy indoor plant is also one you won’t feel guilty neglecting at your desk. “It’s indestructible, and you can’t kill it, no matter how terrible you are with plants,” explains designer and HGTV host, Kahi Lee.
SoCal cool-girl and interior pro Becki Owens also approves of the punchy, patterned stunner (also called Mother-In-Law’s Tongue), which has been shown to help keep the air inside your home clean and toxin-free.
Discover how to care for your snake plant on The Sill.
Fox Tail Fern
Loved for its wild behavior and needle-like, bright green leaves, the fox tail fern promises to introduce a dynamic sense of movement and texture to a boring corner. “It takes up a lot of visual space but has an effortless and playful feel to it,” notes Nashville-based designer Andria Fromm. Although this resilient plant is typically displayed outside, when properly potted, it can also flourish indoors.
25 Asparagus Densiflorus Meyeri Seeds, Singingdaffodil on Etsy, $9.00
Ponytail Palm
Often defined by its bulb-like trunk and curly, cascading leaves, this bohemian-approved option is as forgiving as it is stylish. Want to bring a touch of the southwest landscape into your abode? Start small with a petite version or wow with an oversized ponytail palm, as blogger, author, and creator of The Jungalow, Justina Blakeney, suggests.
Potted Ponytail Palm, Bloomscape, $65.00.
Pleomele Anita
Also known as dracaena Anita or the Anita cane, this rugged houseplant’s most charming quality is in fact its quirky appearance. “I adore the Pleomele Anita,” says award-winning design blogger, Anita Yokota. “It is an easy going palm that you see often in California-casual designs. It needs indirect light and watering every one to two weeks. Of course I am partial to the name as well.”
Dracaena Reflexa – Branched ‘Anita’ Plant, Bakker, $173.00.
Triangle Ficus
Want a “tree look” but without all the work? This free-formed ficus—which boasts fan-shaped leaves and can grow up to eight feet—might be the plant for you. “I love the ficus triangularis. It has a nice graphic quality for photographs and is a bit less high maintenance than the fiddle,” says Dee Murphy of Murphy Deesign.
Ficus, Home Depot, contact your local store for pricing.
Become a plant pro in no time:
Everything You Need to Know About Creating a Living Wall Everything You Need to Know About Marimo Moss Balls Expert Tips and Tricks on the Trendiest Trailing Plants
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