12 Stylish Plants That Will Elevate Your Mood and Aesthetic
The winter months can be hard. If you enjoy spending time outdoors when it's warm, chances are good that you're missing a healthy dose of sunshine and greenery come February when you've been mostly cloistered indoors. Fortunately, there's a simple solution to combat the seasonal blues you may be feeling: getting a few new houseplants. Research shows that adding greenery to your home offers a variety of benefits—not only do houseplants elevate your mood and improve sleep, but they also infuse happiness into the long, dark days of winter.
For those seeking to harmonize their wellness with home design, certain houseplants stand out for their captivating presence and aesthetic appeal. To achieve a visually striking display that complements your interior vibe, consider aesthetic plants with vibrant colors, unusual blooms, or expansive vines, which—with the right care—can be considered living artwork.
Below, we're rounding up 12 aesthetic plants perfect for bringing the outdoors in this season. From the iconic fiddle leaf fig to lesser-known yet equally charming choices like anthuriums, these gorgeous plants beautifully enhance any stylish interior.
More inspiration for green thumbs:
Monstera
Though it's technically a tropical plant, monstera—also known as the Swiss cheese plant—can thrive indoors, as long as it's given enough light (yes, even winter sunlight counts!). Young monstera plants will develop with "solid" glossy green leaves, but as the plant ages, you'll begin to notice telltale holes develop, giving it a graphic and ever-evolving appearance.
Related Story: How to Keep a Swiss Cheese Plant Growing and Healthy
Bird of Paradise
A true beauty with a knack for filling spaces, the bird of paradise plant lends the effect of a perma-vacation no matter where you put it. With tall, stalk-like stems and paddle-shaped leaves, this tropical pick will thrive in bright light and rich soil and do even better with a humidifier running nearby occasionally. The vibrant orange flowers these plants are known for (they look like—you guessed it—a bird) are less likely to appear indoors, but this aesthetic plant's size and shape are alluring enough.
Calathea
Known for their vibrant striped leaves, calathea plants add an extra dose of pattern to any space, making them a great choice for homeowners looking to up the personality in a room. This light-loving, aesthetic plant can even be found in a slew of different colors—from shades of green to pink, purple, and red—so choosing a variety that suits your design palette is easy.
Snake Plant
While the name may make you feel squeamish, there's little else not to like about the snake plant. Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, this spiky plant has towering leaves that feature a range of green hues. It pairs great with midcentury modern-inspired interiors or any room that showcases clean lines and minimalistic details. Bonus: Snake plants are known to invite fortune, good health, and creativity into the home.
Related Story: 12 Best Air-Purifying Plants for a Greener, Cleaner Home
Peace Lily
If an elegant and classic look is more your vibe, look to a peace lily to bring life into your home this winter. This aesthetic plant blends the best of both worlds, with glossy green leaves and white spoon-shaped flowers that will bloom intermittently throughout the year if the plant is given enough light. One word of warning: avoid this varietal if you have pets—it's especially toxic to cats.
Pothos
For homeowners who lean toward a boho aesthetic, pothos plants are ideal for lending a whimsical and free-spirited vibe. Pothos boast gorgeous variegated leaves—available in several different shades—and trailing vines that will grow rapidly and look especially stunning when left hanging in a corner or trailing a wall.
Related Story: The Neon Pothos Is Almost Impossible to Kill
Ferns
Nothing brings the outdoors in better than whispy, feathery ferns. Typically seen covering forest floors and evoking the quiet elegance of a wild retreat, ferns are the ideal aesthetic plant for an interior that whispers, not yells. Opt for a large and impactful fern, like the voluminous Boston fern, or look for a more understated variety, like a maidenhair or asparagus fern.
Anthurium
Anthurium plants almost look otherworldly, thanks in large part to their waxy petal (called a spathe) and center spadix. Add to that the fact that they come in a variety of punchy hues—from coral and burgundy to fire engine red and black—and you've got all the makings of one truly aesthetic plant. Your best chance at getting an anthurium to bloom indoors is to locate it somewhere with bright indirect light, warm temperatures, and high humidity.
ZZ Plant
If you love a curated home but also are less-than-reliable when it comes to actually caring for a plant, you'll want to seek out a low-maintenance houseplant that can withstand a little negligence. The good news? The ZZ plant is one such option, with a versatile sprawling appearance that looks good planted in a traditional pot or something more unexpected, like a basket.
Orchid
The winter months can be pretty devoid of color, so it's always a good idea to add some vibrant, aesthetic plants to your interior whenever possible. Elegant orchids come in a variety of colors and are a mainstay in classic design schemes, thanks to their sculptural silhouette. Even better, they're exceedingly easy to care for; simply place them in a spot that gets at least six hours of indirect light and "water" them by placing three ice cubes on the soil once every week.
Related Story: How to Repot an Orchid So It'll Continue to Grow and Thrive
Chinese Money Plant
For an aesthetic plant that truly does it all, look no further than a Chinese money plant. Also known as a pilea, this quirky pick boasts round leaves that jut out from the center, mimicking the look of a mid-century Sputnik chandelier. As if its playful appeal weren't enough, pilea plants are known to bring wealth and luck and are super easy to propagate, so you can add to your collection or share with loved ones.
Related Story: 15 Good Luck Plants That Bring Positive Vibes to Your Home
Fiddle Leaf Fig
When it comes to OG aesthetic plants, nothing rose to Pinterest fame faster than the fiddle leaf fig. Beloved for their oversized glossy green leaves and sprawling size (they can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors), fiddle leaf fig trees can be notoriously high-maintenance. But once you learn to care for them—with bright light, moderate water, and regular fertilization—they'll add instant impact to your home.
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