Is Plant Styling Set to Be the Next Big Interior Trend? Experts Reveal 5 Low-Maintenance Options for a Hipper Home

Architectural Digest magazine along with plant-styling posts on Instagram and Pinterest are contributing to the surge in popularity of indoor plants—keep reading for essential tips and easy-to-care-for suggestions to get you started.
We received advice from specialists such as Hilton Carter, the author of The Propagation Handbook, and Tim Wong, the founder of Quest Terrarium — both contributed to selecting the plants for Hong Kong’s Soho House.

Have you ever entered a room and felt like something was amiss? Despite current interior design trends favoring vibrant colors, patterned wallpapers, and sustainable materials, there remains an enduring element that professionals consistently rely on to add that perfect finishing touch to a room: abundant foliage.

Adding a green touch to your home has become more popular than ever as magazines like Architectural Digest, and feeds on Instagram and Pinterest, highlight the power of plants as an important home styling tool.

"Plants and interior design have always gone hand in hand for me. Houseplants can provide so many benefits - like their air purifying properties, flexible styling and sustainability, and the connection we have to plants goes back centuries," says American plant stylist Hilton Carter, who has written several books about the topic, including his most recent, The Propagation Handbook.

Are you curious about the most significant issues and global trends? Find out here. SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"In our fast-paced modern lives, we've essentially lost touch with nature—quite literally. Introducing plants into homes can bring vibrancy to the surroundings. A thriving plant within one’s abode signifies that it is an inviting and supportive space," he explains.

While incorporating greenery into a personal space may sound simple, the sheer availability and wide range of flora on offer have made choosing the right plant more complicated than it used to be. While low-maintenance and easy-to-care-for varieties such as the snake plant or the aroid family used to be foolproof options, experts are also advising clients to consider various factors before going green.

“Priority number one – all plants require several essentials to thrive: sunlight, airflow, soil, water, and attention. Therefore, choosing the right location and determining your level of commitment to caring for a plant is crucial. The last thing you’d want is for it to become a burden,” explains Tim Wong, who founded the plant styling business Quest Terrarium and recently launched his new site, Quest Plants & Supply.

He suggests beginning with no more than two or three plants. Although many opt for a single standout plant, he appreciates the concept of grouping several together—such as pairing a taller and shorter variety, or a mid-sized with a smaller one—to achieve equilibrium.

Wong says clients should also consider what mood they want to create with their greenery. For a more minimalist setting, succulents or plants with structural or clean lines are ideal, while those wanting to create a more bohemian vibe can opt for tropical or subtropical varieties such as bird of paradise or beetle peperomia. Wong also highlights what he calls "edgy" or character plants, such as the Australian bottle tree or the dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), current favourites with his clients.

He advises considering the plant’s form and growth pattern. For instance, certain varieties spread laterally rather than vertically, making them unsuitable for limited areas.

It's not just the plant itself that adds a dimension to your home. Carter says that homeowners can inject even more of their personality through accessories such as planters and pots. Aged limestone and terracotta planters have been trending across social media, while mismatched styles in bold colours can add energy to a space.

Carter also encourages clients to think outside the box when it comes to choosing their type of greenery. For those who cannot commit to living plants, faux greenery is the next best thing, he says. And while living-plant walls and moss sculptures may be trending, they tend to be cost and labour intensive when it comes to upkeep.

Wong enjoys suggesting terrariums because these are simple to care for due to their self-contained ecosystems. Additionally, he promotes air plants like staghorn ferns that do not need soil; instead, they can be attached to a piece of driftwood to create an elegant display.

Finally, always remember that plants are an investment and could last a lifetime.

"Treat plants as living beings in your home rather than just decorative objects. Plants don't ever have to be changed out unless their health is past a point of no return. I've had some of my favourite plants for over 10 years. They might not be perfect looking but I love seeing how they've resiliently grown in so many different environments," says Carter.

5 plants low on maintenance but high on style

Snake

Known for its stiff, upright leaves, this versatile plant can thrive with or without natural sunlight.

Spider

A more ornamental style, this indoor plant is known for its air purifying and medicinal properties.

Pothos

Great for beginners and lowlight environments, this lplant can be trained to grow into various shapes or sizes.

Dragon

The plant's multicolored leaves make it ideal for those aiming to create a striking impression. Additionally, being a tropical species, it thrives in warmer climates.

Tillandsia

These often referred to as air plants, can flourish without soil and are ideal for damp settings such as a bathroom.

AINOTI