7 Perfect Plants for Minimalists
The minimalist interior decor trend has been going strong for a few years now, and it's easy to see why; it's simple, clean, and you don't need a huge budget to get the look. Minimalism isn't just about having less stuff; it's about choosing the right items that add to the overall aesthetic of the space. If you're going for a minimalist vibe, houseplants are essential. Indoor plants add warmth and life to these spaces, so even when paired with sparse decor, each room still feels airy, fresh, and welcoming.
If you're trying out the minimalist look, we recommend these seven houseplants to complement your style.
Hoyas
Why It Works: Hoyas come in many varieties, but they're beloved for their beautiful waxy leaves in a variety of fun shapes. Right now, the trailing varieties (like Hoya australis) and the heart-shaped, ultra-minimalist Hoya kerrii are very on-trend.
Keep It Alive: Most hoyas will be happy in a spot with bright, indirect light, away from any drafts. Water very sparingly; watch for a slight puckering effect in the leaves before watering.
How to Style It: Trailing hoyas are perfect for hanging planters and tall plant stands, while Hoya kerrii looks adorable in a ceramic pot on your desk.
String of Pearls
Why It Works: String of pearls, and other similar succulents in the Senecio family, are delicate-looking plants with trailing tendrils of pearl-shaped foliage. As the plant grows, it makes the pot appear to overflow with bead-like leaves, creating a subtle sense of flow in the space.
Keep It Alive: String of pearls does best in a soil mix designed for cacti and succulents. Keep in a south-facing window in bright or direct sunlight and allow at least the first inch of soil to dry before watering. Water once per month in winter.
How to Style It: Like other trailing plants, string of pearls is ideal for hanging planters. Try a woven or macrame planter, and either hang it solo or pair it with two other hanging planters in varying lengths for a tiered look.
ZZ Plant
Why It Works: The ultimate low-light plant, you'll be shocked at how a ZZ plant transforms the look of a room with dim, north-facing windows. The large, glossy leaves make a statement in rooms where most plants can't survive. Plus, it purifies the air!
Keep It Alive: ZZ plants thrive on neglect. Keep it out of direct sunlight and water once the soil has completely dried out, and the pot feels light. Even black thumbs get along with this one!
How to Style It: ZZ plants lend themselves well to statement pots placed on the ground or on a short bench or plant stand. Or, for a budget-friendly, laid-back look, hide the nursery pot in a tightly-woven wicker basket.
Ficus
Why It Works: The ficus family includes several ultra-popular plants, including the minimalist favorite, the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), as well as the rubber tree (Ficus decora), and weeping fig (Ficus benjamina). These houseplants are actually small trees that grow to impressive heights over time. While your ficus might be on the shorter side when you first receive it, it'll grow to become the focal feature of any room.
Keep It Alive: Ficuses vary quite a bit in terms of care, but the fiddle leaf fig is a bit more demanding than the others. Fiddle leaf's like bright, filtered light (like a south-facing window with a sheer curtain), and prefer to be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Fiddles are also sensitive to humidity—depending on your location and the time of year, a humidifier might be helpful.
How to Style It: Ficuses look great in neutral-toned ceramic or concrete planters that let their jaw-dropping foliage take center stage. As your ficus grows and you move up the pot size, choose stable concrete or thick-bottomed clay pots to prevent tipping—many ficus varieties get a little top-heavy. To soften the look, you can cover the pot with a large wicker or canvas basket.
Echeveria
Why It Works: Echeveria is technically a very, very big family of succulents, but the most minimalist varieties are the compact types that come in beautiful rosette shapes and pale, almost ethereal colors.
Keep It Alive: Echeveria need very little water (in fact, it's best to wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering), but they cannot get enough sun. If the plant is not getting enough light, they'll develop a "stretched" look that cannot be undone. Bright, direct sunlight in a south-facing window is your best bet for these gorgeous succulents. To keep the plant perfectly compact and symmetrical, rotate the pot slightly every day or two.
How to Style It: These echeverias are relatively small and low-profile, but they're the perfect fillers for statement pots. A single echeveria is excellent for adding a little something extra to a floating shelf, or you can mix and match them with an odd number of larger succulent and foliage plants clustered on your mantel or windowsill.
Pothos
Why It Works: Pothos are fast-growing, low-maintenance, beautiful trailing plants that also happen to be incredibly versatile. Their heart-shaped leaves are the perfect complement to just about any surface in your home.
Keep It Alive: Like ZZ plants, pothos are exceptionally resilient. They do well in lower-light situations (as long as there's at least one window in the room) and only need to be watered occasionally, every week during the growing season, and monthly during the winter.
How to Style It: Pothos adapt to a wide range of planter styles, but considering your plant's growth habit (the shape the plant grows in) can help you select the best planter and location. If your pothos has multiple vines growing in several directions, it may look best in a hanging planter or on a tall, minimalist plant stand that shows off all that foliage. If the plant seems to grow one continuous vine, it'll look stunning in a hand-painted ceramic pot placed to the side of a shelf or mantel. Then, you can arrange the vine to cover the length of the surface for a romantic "overgrown" effect.
Monstera deliciosa
Why It Works: Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is another iconic plant for minimalists. Their large, split, glossy leaves give just enough personality and texture to add depth to a minimally-decorated room.
Keep It Alive: Like hoyas, monsteras do well in bright indirect sunlight. They're also partial to higher humidity and prefer moderate waterings approximately once per week. Monsteras hate the cold and should be kept away from drafts.
How to Style It: This plant makes a statement all by itself. A basic white pot makes for on-point contrast with the eye-catching dark green leaves. Younger, smaller monsteras look great on stools, benches, and accent tables, while the bigger ones are perfect for placing on the floor next to a sofa, statement chair, fireplace, or beside your bed.
While these plants are some of our favorites for achieving the perfect minimalist aesthetic, the options are endless, and the rules don't exist. Find something even more unique for your space by browsing our full catalog of healthy, beautiful plants—we ship straight to your doorstep!
