There is a winning formula for building a perfectly balanced living space, whether you realise it or not. A couch, a coffee table with designer books and a beautiful candle, a couple of accent chairs, a TV for binge-watching your favourite series, and a nice throw blanket to keep you warm and make your couch look extra inviting are all necessities. With a rug and a few frames on the wall, you’ve got yourself a space worthy of its own Instagram post, right? That is, almost.
If there’s one thing your meticulously managed home is missing, it’s some greenery. It’s a jungle out there, as you know, and deciding between a fiddle-leaf fig and a bird’s nest fern for your living room can be tricky.
To make things a little easier, we enlisted the help of an expert to give us the lowdown on which houseplants are best for your lifestyle and lighting. Scroll down to see 5 different types you should consider installing to your living room right away.
Bird of Paradise is the best for natural light.
“The bird of paradise, with its huge, glossy leaves, is a terrific plant for anyone wishing to bring a lush yet elegant feeling to their living area,” Christensen explains. “It’s best for living rooms with lots of natural light, and it only needs water once a week in most conditions.”
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Fiddle-Leaf Fig Fiddle-Leaf Fig Fiddle-Leaf Fig Fiddle-Leaf
We agree that the fiddle-leaf fig is the “darling of the interior design world.” According to Christensen, he is frequently seen on Instagram “This plant becomes the focus point of every room it is placed in, even the living room. Its huge violin-shaped leaves are some of the most popular in the houseplant industry, making it the perfect statement plant.”
Water your fiddle-leaf fig once every one to two weeks and keep it in indirect sunshine.
Snake Plant is the best plant for low light.
“We recommend the snake plant for living areas with limited natural light,” Christensen says. “The snake plant thrives in low-light environments and has lovely variegated leaves that brighten up any place.” Water sparingly and keep an eye on your snake’s progress.
Cascading Pothos is the best choice for shelves.
If you have shelves on your living room walls, the billowing leaves of the cascading pothos are the right plant for you, according to Christensen. “This plant is ideal for adorning shelves with foliage because it is lush and fast-growing,” she says.
Rubber Plant is the best plant for a moody vibe.
“Those searching for a unique, sombre plant for their living room,” Christensen explains, presumably due to the rubber plant’s dark-colored leaves. It prefers bright, indirect light and only has to be watered once a week or when the soil gets dry.
