Top 7 Beautiful Houseplants for Modern Decor

Modern decor has become widely popularized in home design trends. People are shifting their tastes and styles to more clean and minimal environments, resulting in some beautiful home design trends. For the houseplant lovers out there, never fear! There are many houseplants that still look beautiful in modern, minimal home decor settings. Of course, you are able to add just about any plant to your home if you so choose, but if you’re looking for some ideas to decorate your modern space with plants, here are some of the best houseplants for modern décor.

What is modern decor?

While the words modern decor may lead you to think of curvy lines and futuristic style, it is in fact the opposite. Modern decor encompasses more minimal and structural shapes, styles and textures. Here are a few staples of modern decor and design.

Minimal decor

Structural lines with an emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines.

Emphasis on natural light

Neutral colours

Choosing and Styling Houseplants for Modern Decor

When adding plants to your modern decor, there are no hard and fast rules. Since minimalism is celebrated, many people will opt to have fewer but larger houseplants as statement pieces. Here’s a few tips for decorating with your plants:

Elevated plant stands to emphasize the vertical lines

Large floor plants or tree-like houseplants

Minimal plants displayed on horizontal shelving

Neutral colours for houseplant pots

Top 6 Houseplants for Modern Decor

1. Cactus and Euphorbia

We will put both of these together on this list because they’re a similar structure. If you have a very sunny window, cacti and euphorbia will fit in well with your modern decor style, as they emphasize those vertical lines, are minimal in appearance, and are very solid and structural houseplants. They are classic, minimal, and have easy care requirements, requiring minimal watering and ample sunlight. This will recreate the desert-like conditions where these plants grow naturally.

2. Large Green Snake Plant

If you’re looking for a similar aesthetic as the cacti, but want to avoid the spines, this is the perfect alternative. Snake plants have a similar structure and equally as classic. The solid green variety of snake plants in particular will add that dynamic and structural shape but still has minimal texture which is perfect for modern decor. Snake plants are traditionally hailed as the ultimate beginner houseplant, as their care needs are straightforward. They love bright indirect light and a pot with lots of drainage. They store water in their thick, succulent leaves so they don’t need frequent watering. Do take care not to overwater these plants, as they have a delicate root system!

3. ZZ Plant

The ever-popular zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as the zz plant, or affectionately the “easy zz” plant. These have recently become very popular for a few reasons. The first, their laid back attitude and minimal care needs have given them an impeccable reputation. Secondly, they have become very fashionable and are fantastic houseplants for modern decor. ZZ plants utilize both the horizontal and vertical lines, and despite having more character and compared to the simple and linear snake plant and cactus, they still embody that minimalism.

4. Rubber Tree

Large plants and even trees are quite popular houseplants for modern decor, because they’re a great way to add plants to a room without looking too busy or cluttered. The rubber tree, particularly the Ficus Elastica Ruby embodies both that large tree-like appearance without being too bushy or textured, and remaining minimal. These plants have similar care needs as the previous on this list. They store water in their thick leaves and stems and they aren’t too difficult to keep happy.

5. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

When considering houseplants for modern decor, this may be the very first plant that comes to mind. Fiddle Leaf Figs have absolutely exploded in popularity in recent years. This is likely because their aesthetic fits perfectly with the equally popular modern home decor style. Now unlike the predecessors on this list, the fiddle leaf fig is not always easy to care for. They prefer bright indirect light, high humidity, and are very particular about their watering schedule as well. Do your research before bringing one home and your fiddle tree will be happier and healthier in the long run. The fiddle lovers out there will tell you, these plants are well worth the extra effort!

6. Bird of Paradise

If you want a large statement houseplant for your modern decor, the bird of paradise is a beauty! It certainly takes full advantage of the horizontal, structural lines, it has large beautiful and vibrant green leaves. Compared to the fiddle leaf fig, it is much less dramatic when it comes to care needs. Not only is it a beautiful addition to your decor, but it also adds a little jungle flare to your space as well.

7. Monstera

Speaking of jungle flare, there is always a monstera loophole in every decor style! Also known as the split leaf philodendron, these plants are known precisely for their split leaves which have that linear, horizontal structure. They can also grow on moss poles which will add the vertical height. Monsteras may not fully fit the mold of the quintessential houseplants for modern decor but they certainly are close enough to warrant a mention! Monstera love bright indirect light, plenty of soil drainage, and water when the soil is nearly dry.

Which of these plants will you add to your modern houseplant decor?

Follow my houseplant journey on Instagram @plantyquirkyblogger and check out these resources below for more houseplant care and decor ideas!

Happy decorating!