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For mid-century modern enthusiasts, nothing beats a home filled with plants! Houseplants are the perfect accessory for any Mid-Century Modern space and help to bring a bit of nature indoors. In addition, the right type of plant can provide plenty of visual interest that can accentuate your carefully curated interior design.
Whether you’re an interior designer looking to make a statement or just want to add some life to your living room, there are many ideal options for incorporating house plants into your mid-century modern home.
My Top Picks: Best Plants for Mid-Century Modern Homes
These plants are not over beautiful, but they are some of my personal favorite houseplants. As a HUGE Mad Men fan, some of these plants can be seen throughout the series and would be the perfect addition to any mid-century home.
- Prayer Plant
- Monstera Deliciosa
- Umbrella Plant
- Fiddle-leaf Fig
- Fishtail Palm
- Snake Plant
- ZZ Plant
- Pothos
I’m thrilled to provide you with houseplant insights, handy tips, and nifty tricks to help you become the plant whisperer you’ve always aspired to be! Everything you’ll find on House Fur is based on my personal experiences and accumulated wisdom from taking care of my diverse plant family. Let’s get to it!
Choose Plants with Bold Shapes and Forms
When it comes to selecting plants for your mid-century modern home, it’s important to consider not just the color and size but also the shape and form of each plant.
Incorporating plants with unique shapes and forms can add character to your indoor space and add another element of mid-century modern decor. So take some time to explore the variety of shapes and forms that plants have to offer, and don’t be afraid to mix and match these plants throughout your MCM homes!
Best Plants for Mid-Century Modern Homes
Consider Adding These Plants to Your Mic-Century Modern Home
Indoor plants can enhance the look and feel of a room in your mid-century modern house, bringing a touch of nature into the home without taking up a lot of space.
Prayer plants, with their unique patterned leaves that fold up at night like hands in prayer, offer a calming presence.
The monstera deliciosa, with its large and distinctive leaves that resemble Swiss cheese, can add a touch of tropical sophistication to any space.
The umbrella plant, with its elegant and arching branches, can give a room a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
A fiddle-leaf fig, with its glossy and violin-shaped leaves, can bring a bit of drama and elegance to a room.
The fishtail palm, with its distinctive fishtail-shaped fronds, can add texture and interest to a space. Calm and collected, these plants can truly transform any room into an oasis of tranquility.
The Snake plant, with its tall and striking foliage, can bring a touch of drama to a room.
The ZZ plant is a great choice for a mid-century modern home, with its striking architectural form and glossy leaves.
Finally, the humble pothos can provide plenty of greenery without taking up too much space. With its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, it’s sure to bring life to any corner of the house!
How to Care for a Prayer Plant
Caring for a Prayer Plant can seem daunting at first, but with a few simple tips and tricks, your jasper beauty will thrive in no time. These beautiful plants have dark green and maroon-colored leaves with a unique vein pattern.
You will want to ensure that your plant receives adequate amounts of indirect sunlight each day. Prayer plants prefer bright, indirect light but can scorch in direct sunlight. We have ours in our sunroom that has south-facing windows.
Additionally, make sure to water your plant regularly, keeping the soil lightly moist but not water-logged.
You can also mist the plant to increase humidity, which it loves.
Finally, fertilize your prayer plant once a month during the growing season to give it an extra boost. With these easy steps, your jasper prayer plant will flourish and bring a sense of calm and tranquility to your home.
How to Care for A Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)
The Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a trendy and popular addition to any home. If you do not have one yet, I really recommend adding one to your plant collection.
Caring for a monstera may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.
First and foremost, make sure the plant has access to bright, indirect light so that it will continue to grow new leaves with beautiful splits! Monsteras thrive in humid environments, so be sure to mist the leaves regularly or place them in a bathroom or kitchen where humidity is naturally higher.
Water the monstera when the top inch of soil becomes dry and fertilize it once a month during the growing season. These plants will grow rather large, so placing them in larger areas with large windows in your home is best.
With a little bit of attention and care, your monstera will flourish and become a stunning statement piece in your home décor.
How to Care for an Umbrella Plant
If you’re a plant lover, then you may have come across the beautiful and unique Umbrella Plant. We have umbrella plants in our bedroom and at my photography studio.
This tropical greenery can make a great addition to any room or garden, but it may require a little extra care compared to other plants.
One of the main things to keep in mind when caring for an umbrella plant is to make sure it gets enough water but not too much. Avoid overwatering and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Another important factor is to give the plant some indirect sunlight and keep it away from any drafts.
With the right care, your umbrella plant can thrive and become a beautiful addition to your collection.
How to Care for A Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle-leaf Fig are incredibly popular plants due to their unique shape and lush green foliage. These plants are a good choice for homes with larger rooms and high ceilings because they can grow very tall and have large leaves.
These tropical beauties can be a bit tricky to care for, but with the right tips and tricks, you can ensure yours will thrive.
First off, make sure your fiddle leaf fig is in bright indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch, so keep it in an area that gets some light but isn’t too exposed.
Water the fiddle leaf fig regularly, making sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. You will need to increase watering during the summer months when it’s hotter and decrease it during the winter months when it’s cooler, and they grow more slowly.
You can also mist the leaves regularly to increase humidity, which is especially important if you live in a dry climate.
Finally, fertilize your fiddle leaf fig once every two months or so during the growing season for an extra boost of nutrients.
How to Care for a Fishtail Palm Plant
The Fishtail Palm plant, also known as the Caryota mitis, is one of the most visually stunning houseplants out there. Loved for their large foliage with ragged edges, I really like how they look in raised mid-century modern style planters in the corner of a room.
With its striking fronds resembling the shape of a fishtail, this tropical plant adds a touch of exotic elegance to any space.
But maintaining its beauty requires proper care and attention. To do this, place your Fishtail palm in a bright spot away from direct sunlight and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Additionally, fertilize it every few months with a balanced liquid fertilizer and keep an eye out for pests.
How to Care for a Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, is a hardy and easy-to-care-for houseplant. Its tall long leaves add a bit of drama to any room, making it the perfect statement piece for your home.
When caring for a Snake Plant, make sure to place it in a spot where it can get plenty of indirect sunlight. Additionally, water the plant only when the soil is completely dry and avoid overwatering. Snake plants are drought-tolerant plants, so it is the perfect plant for people who are not very “plant savvy.”
The Snake Plant also prefers low humidity, so you may want to keep it away from humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. With these simple steps in mind, your Snake Plant will thrive and bring beauty to your home.
How to Care for A ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant, also known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is fast becoming one of the most popular houseplants around. This low-maintenance beauty is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will bring life to any room.
To ensure your ZZ Plant thrives, place it in a spot where it will get plenty of indirect sunlight. Make sure also to water the plant regularly but not too much, as overwatering can cause root rot. Additionally, fertilize it once every few months with a balanced liquid fertilizer for an extra boost of nutrients.
Finally, ZZ Plants are not susceptible to many pests, but it is still important to keep an eye out for mealybugs and spider mites. If you notice any, use a mild insecticidal soap to get rid of them quickly.
With these simple steps in mind, you can be sure your ZZ Plant will be happy and healthy.
How to Care for Pothos
If you haven’t been successful caring for houseplants, the Pothos might be your perfect match! These plants work great for small spaces and are very popular today.
We have our pothos in mid-century modern wall planters from West Elm in our foyer. We also have them hanging planters in our sunroom and living room.
They are one of the most popular houseplants today because they are nearly impossible to kill. Pothos will do well in both a low-light environment and bright-light conditions.
When it comes to watering, make sure the soil is completely dry before you water again. Additionally, fertilize every other month with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season for an extra boost of nutrients.
Be careful not to overwater your Pothos, as this can lead to root rot and yellow leaves. Lastly, keep an eye out for pests but don’t worry too much, as Pothos are not usually affected by them.
Conclusion
Plants are the perfect way to add a touch of nature and peace to your home. Whether you prefer a fiddle-leaf fig, prayer plant, monstera, or fishtail palm – each type has unique characteristics that can bring life into any space.
With proper care and attention, these plants will thrive in no time and become stunning statement pieces for your decor. So go ahead and pick out your favorite greenery today – it’s sure to make all the difference!
FAQS
Q: What kind of light do I need for my houseplants?
A: The amount and type of light your houseplant needs depends on the species. Some plants prefer indirect sunlight, while others do better in direct sun. It’s best to research your specific plant to determine what type of light it prefers.
Q: How often should I water my houseplants?
A: The amount of watering your houseplant requires also depends on the species. Most plants need to be watered when the soil is dry, so it’s important to check your plant regularly. Additionally, you should water your plant more frequently in warmer weather and less often in cooler weather.
Q: Are houseplants easy to care for?
A: Yes! If you pick a low-maintenance plant, like a Pothos or Snake Plant, then you’ll have an easy time caring for it. Just make sure to do your research and find out what type of light and water your specific plant needs to decorate your mid-century modern home.