What plants are good for plant shelves?

Having plants in your home can really liven up the space and make it feel more inviting. If you want to display plants but are limited on floor or table space, installing wall-mounted shelves specifically for plants is a great option. Plant shelves are versatile and can be used in many rooms throughout the house. When choosing plants for your new shelves, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you select varieties that will thrive.

Choosing the Right Plants for Shelves

The most important consideration when selecting plants for shelves is the amount of light the space receives. Most houseplants require at least some bright, indirect sunlight to survive. South or west facing windows are ideal, but even northern exposure can work well for low light plants. Before buying anything, assess the light levels in the room at different times of day. This will give you an idea of what plants could work in that location.

Next, look at the size of the shelves and the space you want to fill. Make sure to choose plants that will fit the allotted space when fully grown. Take growth habit into account too – trailing vines will look lovely spilling over shelf edges, while upright varieties are better for filling vertical space.

Also consider the climate in the room where your shelves will go. Does the space tend to stay warm and humid or cool and dry? Selecting plants that prefer conditions close to your ambient environment will make care much simpler.

Lastly, decide if you want to feature lush, flowering showstoppers or a diversity of different textures and forms. Do you want to highlight one specimen plant per shelf, or create a miniature forest effect? Take some time to envision your goals for the finished display.

Best Low Light Shelves Plants

For shelves in low to medium light interiors, the following plants are great options to consider:

• Pothos – An classic houseplant, pothos features trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves. It tolerates a wide range of light levels and is easy to care for.
• Cast Iron Plant – With strap-like dark green foliage, the cast iron plant is virtually indestructible and does well in low light spots.
• Chinese Evergreen – An upright plant with patterned, oval-shaped leaves. It can handle lower light while adding visual interest.
• Peace Lily – A popular houseplant with slender stalks of white flowers. Peace lilies can handle very low light.
• ZZ Plant – Distinctive waxy, oval-shaped leaves make the ZZ a unique indoor plant. It tolerates low light and infrequent watering.
• Snake Plant – Tall, stiff, sword-like leaves characterize the snake plant. It does well in very low light and tolerates neglect.

Best Medium to Bright Light Shelves Plants

For brighter shelf locations, consider these eye-catching plant options:

• Philodendrons – With hundreds of cultivars, philodendrons offer variety in shape, size and leaf color. Most do well in medium light and are fast growing.
• Pothos Varieties – Neon and golden pothos have bright, bold leaf colors that stand out in medium light. They are very easy to grow.
• Croton – Extremely colorful leaves in yellow, orange, red make crotons a striking choice. They need medium to bright indirect light.
• Bromeliads – With their urn-shaped rosettes of foliage and colorful blooms, bromeliads add texture. Medium light encourages the best color.
• Orchids – Available in endless flower varieties, orchids thrive in bright, humid conditions. Shelves near windows are ideal.
• Succulents – For minimal watering, choose low-care succulents like echeveria or jade plants. They need very bright light to thrive and grow compactly.

Trailing Shelf Plants

For a flowing, draping effect on shelves, consider hanging trailers like these:

• English Ivy – This classic vine looks great trailing down from shelves. Provide medium light for best growth.
• Wandering Jew – With striking leaves in shades of purple, pink and silver, wandering jew is a fast growing trailing plant for bright shelves.
• String of Pearls – Plump pearl-like leaves drape gracefully on this succulent. It thrives in very bright conditions.
• Spider Plant – A favorite houseplant, spider plants form arching trails of ribbon-like leaves from a central rosette and tolerate low to medium light.
• Swedish Ivy – Delicate trailing stems with round, scalloped leaves give this ivy a lacy look. It prefers medium to bright light.

Large, Statement Shelf Plants

For creating a bold display, include largers specimens like these:

• Fiddle Leaf Fig – With huge, elegantly shaped leaves, the fiddle leaf fig makes an excellent focal point. Provide very bright light.
• Monstera – Often called split leaf philodendron, monsteras have dramatically cut leaves. They need abundant bright light to thrive.
• Bird of Paradise – Tall stalks of vivid orange and blue flowers rise from the bird of paradise’s large fans of foliage. Provide very bright light and humidity.
• Ficus – Rubber trees and weeping figs can grow quite large, with expansive branches of leaves. They need medium or bright light to prevent leaf drop.
• Palms – There are many sizes of palms to choose from. Smaller varieties like parlor palms do well in medium light, while larger types need abundant sunlight.

Best Small Plants for Shelves

For filling in small spaces, try compact varieties like these:

• Ferns – Perfect for shady shelves, miniature ferns like maidenhair and button ferns have delicate foliage and stay under 6 inches tall.
• Rex Begonia – Grown for their colorful leaves, rex begonias stay fairly compact. Provide them with bright indirect light.
• Polka Dot Plant – The splashy spotted leaves on this small plant make it perfect for adding visual interest to shelves. Give it medium to bright light.
• Succulents – Tiny succulents like burro’s tail or echeveria pulidonis grow slowly and are ideal for dry shelves. Provide extremely bright light.
• Peperomia – With hundreds of types to choose from, peperomia offer diversity in leaf shape, texture and color while remaining compact. They prefer medium to bright light.
• Hoya – Slow growing hoya vines can be kept small and bushy. Their waxy leaves and clusters of flowers look lovely on shelves. Provide the brightest light possible.

Best Low Maintenance Plants

If you want to minimize plant care, some great options are:

• Snake Plant – Snake plants tolerate very low light, rarely needs water and is resistant to pests. Set it on a shelf and enjoy.
• Cast Iron Plant – Extremely slow growing and nearly indestructible, cast iron plants require almost no maintenance.
• Philodendron – Fast growing philodendrons are very forgiving plants that handle low light well and moderate watering and feeding.
• Pothos – Impossible to kill, pothos grow quickly in a range of conditions and only needs occasional watering and fertilizing.
• ZZ Plant – Tolerating neglect like few others, ZZ plants will get by on very little light and water. Just don’t overwater.
• Jade Plant – Succulents are naturally adapted to thrive with minimal care. Jade plants need bright light but occasional watering and feeding.

Best Low Water Plants

To reduce watering tasks, select drought tolerant varieties like these:

• Succulents – All types of succulents store water in their leaves and require infrequent watering. Provide them with well-draining soil.
• Cacti – Extremely drought hardy, cacti only need water every 2-3 weeks. Give them plenty of sun.
• Snake Plant – With stiff, sword-shaped leaves, snake plants tolerate extended dry periods well. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Spider Plant – Spider plants adapt to dry conditions better than most houseplants. Water when soil is almost completely dry.
• Cast Iron Plant – With their ability to store water in rhizomes underground, cast iron plants only need occasional moisture. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
• ZZ Plant – ZZ plants have swollen stems and roots that enable them to withstand drought. Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry out.

Choosing Planters and Soil

To help your shelf plants thrive, choose the right containers and soil mix:

• Planters – Pick planters sized appropriately for each plant’s root system, with drainage holes to prevent overwatering. Self-watering pots are excellent for shelves.
• Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix, or make your own mix containing fertile potting soil, perlite for aeration, and optionally coconut coir for moisture retention.
• Drainage Material – Add gravel, pebbles, or clay pellets at the bottom of planters to improve drainage and prevent soil from leaking out.
• Saucers – Use drip trays or saucers under planters to protect shelves from water damage and help stabilize pots.

Caring for Shelf Plants

To keep shelf plants healthy and growing well, provide proper care:

• Light – Rotate plants periodically so all sides receive adequate light. Prune leggy growth blocking light from reaching lower foliage.
• Water – Check soil moisture frequently and water when slightly dry. Take care not to overwater, as poor drainage can cause root rot.
• Temperature – Keep shelves away from hot and cold drafts. Move plants as needed to maintain optimal temperatures.
• Humidity – Use a humidifier or pebble trays to boost humidity for tropical plants. Group plants together to create a beneficial microclimate.
• Fertilizer – Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season to nurture plants.
• Grooming – Trim dead leaves and stems to keep plants looking their best. Prune overgrown plants to control size.

Creative Plant Shelf Ideas

When arranging plants on shelves, consider these designs:

• Groupings – Cluster 3-5 compatible plants with similar needs on each shelf for visual impact.
• Trailing Vines – Let pothos, philodendrons or ivy spill over shelf edges to soften lines.
• Height Variety – Combine tall statement plants, midsize fillers, and small accents for depth.
• Themed Shelves – Devote each shelf to a theme like herbs, succulents or foliage plants.
• Contemporary Style – Achieve a modern look using pots in solid colors like white, black and gray.
• Eclectic Style – For an eclectic twist, display a wide variety of plant shapes, sizes, and pot styles together.

Get creative with hardscapes too. Add unique elements like:

• Hanging planters
• Frames around shelves
• LED grow lights
• Backdrops like tile, metal sheets, or wallpaper
• Decor extras like photos, artwork, sculptures

Best Types of Shelves for Plants

When installing shelves, consider these types:

• Floating Shelves – Attached directly to the wall, floating shelves have a clean, modern look. Select very securely mounted metal or wood shelves.
• Bracket Shelves – Shelf brackets allow you to customize shelf dimensions. Choose heavy duty brackets that can support plant weight.
• Freestanding Shelves – From simple utility shelves to decorative plant stands, freestanding units bring flexibility. Ensure they are sturdy and well-balanced.
• Corner Shelves – Maximize unused space with shelves sized to fit corners. Look for triangular corner shelves with adequate depth and support.
• Hanging Rails – Rails with integrated planter boxes offer quick and easy display options. Ensure they are firmly fixed and installed into studs.
• Windowsills – Wide windowsills let you arrange plants attractively within window frames. Provide supplemental light as needed.

Lighting for Plant Shelves

Proper lighting ensures shelves plants grow and thrive. Consider:

• Natural Light – South or west facing windows provide the most light. Adjust plant choices to fit existing light levels.
• Supplemental Light – Add adjustable LED grow lights to boost light in dark corners. Use automatic timers for convenience.
• Task Lighting – Install directional lights above or in front of shelves to spotlight plants or illuminate work areas for plant care.
• Ambient Lighting – For overall illumination, install recessed lights, track lighting, or wall sconces near the shelves.
• Grow Lights – For extensive plantings, use full spectrum grow lights in sufficient wattage for the space. Position lights optimally for each species’ needs.

Conclusion

Creating a beautiful plant wall display using shelves is an easy and stylish way to bring nature indoors even in spaces with limited floor area. Follow the recommendations above to select suitable plants and proper shelves for your available light. A bit of planning and regular care will keep your shelves filled with lush, thriving plants that liven up your indoor environment.