If You're Building a Houseplant Collection, Start by Styling a Statement Plant

When it comes to decor, an impressive houseplant collection is among the most coveted of features—it brings life and color to your home, adds a connection to nature, and can even be good for your mental health. But if you only have but a couple humble plants, how does one get started with knowing how to style an abundance of them? A recent trend answers that: Start with a statement houseplant.

These eye-catching plants instantly create a focal point—whether it’s due to their size, color, or leaf shape. While adding one to your space may seem relatively straightforward, there are a few essential tips and tricks to consider.

According to an expert, here’s what you need to know about choosing the perfect statement houseplant for your space. 

The Best Statement Houseplants

Technically, you can call any plant that grabs your attention when you walk into a room a statement houseplant. However, there are a few kinds that usually tend to outshine the others.

“In general, plants with big, bold foliage—like White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai), Monstera deliciosa, fiddle leaf fig, [and] Banana plants (Musa)—are great statement plants because their large leaves automatically draw so much attention,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist with Costa Farms.

You could also lean into colorful foliage if you have limited space: Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema), rubber trees (Ficus elastica), prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura), and several varieties of variegated Philodendron (think pink princess Philodendron, Philodendron white knight, etc.).

Tips for Choosing and Styling a Statement Houseplant

Besides its appearance, here's what to keep in mind when selecting and styling a statement houseplant for your space. 

Take Your Conditions Into Consideration

The first thing you should do when choosing any houseplant for your home is evaluate the conditions of your space—a statement houseplant is no exception. 

“This includes taking stock of light levels, relative humidity levels, as well as how large of a plant the space can accommodate," Hancock says. "Small but fast-growing houseplants can get large quickly.”

Failing to consider your home’s conditions can ultimately result in a very unhappy plant, which isn’t just an eyesore but a waste of money and time. As much as a fiddle leaf fig may look beautiful in your living room, you’ll eventually need to replace it or throw it out if you don't have enough light. Save yourself the heartache give your statement plant a chance by making sure it can thrive where you put it.

Don’t Forget About the Pot

The planter you choose allows you to dress up your plant and accent the texture and color of its foliage. Plants with colorful foliage can be made brighter and bolder with an equally-colorful planter or toned down to suit a more neutral space with a simple white or black planter. 

The right pot can also help blend the plant into the rest of your decor: If you have a mid-century modern space, think of getting a striking hammered brass planter or round white planter with a wooden stand. Alternatively, a planter with a bold pattern or color likely makes the most sense if you have a vibrant, maximalist space. 

Accent with Other Plants

Don’t be afraid to accent your statement houseplant with other accent plants. Looking for contrasting foliage can create an even more prominent focal point. Consider the leaves' color, size, and texture.

“If I have a big Monstera, for example, I might want to contrast the big leaves with a finer-texture houseplant like Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) or Philodendron tortum," Hancock says. "Or I might want to accent its dark green leaves with a white-variegated plant like Albo Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘albo-variegata’) or Philodendron white knight.”

If you’re unsure of where to start, Hancock has a few tried and true favorites. You can never go wrong with low-maintenance options like snake plants and pothos since they thrive in nearly any environment, and there are many different colors and varieties to choose from. 

“Raven ZZ is another plant that grows in practically any indoor room, so it’s really versatile to pair with,” he says.