Adding plants to your house is a simple way to make it seem more lively and alive. Houseplants not only improve the quality of the air but also your mood and productivity.
If you’ve picked up some affordable greenery from IKEA but aren’t quite sure how to care for it, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about growing IKEA plants indoors successfully.
What Are IKEA Plants?
IKEA offers a wide variety of indoor plants to choose from, including snake plants, pothos, Chinese evergreens, ZZ plants, dracaenas, and monsteras. To properly cater the care to your plant’s requirements, it is critical to determine exactly what kind of plant you have before delving into the details.
Snake Plants
One of the most common IKEA offerings is the snake plant (Sansevieria). These hardy succulent plants feature tall, upright leaves that grow outwards from a central stem in a rosette pattern. Snake plants are nearly indestructible and can tolerate a fair bit of neglect when it comes to watering.
Pothos
The pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a trailing vine with heart-shaped green leaves, sometimes variegated with white, yellow, or pale green. Pothos plants are excellent for hanging baskets or allowed to casually spill over bookshelves or plant stands.
Chinese Evergreens
Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) have lovely patterned oval leaves that may be green, red, pink, or various shades in between. These plants prefer lower light conditions and consistently moist soil.
ZZ Plants
ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) have a striking, architectural appearance with their thick, waxy stems and broad, glossy green leaves. They can handle extended periods of drought and lower light quite well.
Dracaenas
The dracaena family contains many different varieties like dragon trees, corn plants, and Madagascar dragons, all featuring slender, woody stems topped with clusters of long strappy leaves. They prefer bright, indirect light.
Monsteras
With their signature natural leaf holes and fenestrations, monsteras (Monstera deliciosa) make for unique, eye-catching houseplants. They can grow quite large if given sufficient light, support, and a humid environment.
Now that you can identify your IKEA plant, let’s go over how to keep it thriving indoors.
General Care Tips
Lighting
Perhaps the most crucial factor for indoor plant success is providing the right amount of light. Most IKEA plants will do best in bright, indirect light near an east or west-facing window. Avoid direct, intense sun which can scorch the leaves. If you don’t have a suitable window, supplement with a grow light.
Watering
Proper watering technique is key – most houseplants prefer the “soak and dry” method. Allow the top couple inches of soil to dry out between waterings, then water deeply and thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess drained water.
Temperature & Humidity
Most tropical houseplants thrive in average warm temperatures between 65-80°F during the day and cooler at night. Provide humidity with a pebble tray, misting, or a humidifier if your indoor air is very dry.
Fertilizing
Feed your plants during the growing season with a general-purpose liquid fertilizer every month or two. Reduce fertilizing in winter when growth naturally slows.
Repotting
Most IKEA plants come in fairly small nursery pots. They’ll need repotting every 1-2 years in the spring using a well-draining potting mix and a pot 1-2 inches wider than the previous one.
Pinching & Pruning
To encourage bushier growth and control size/shape, pinch off or prune any overly long stems or vines during the growing season. Remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing growth as needed.
With those basics out of the way, let’s look at some specific IKEA plant care guidance:
Snake Plant Care
Snake plants can handle a wide range of light conditions from low to bright indirect light, but moderate, filtered light is ideal. Water every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to fully dry out in between. These succulent plants store water in their thick, strappy leaves so they’re quite drought tolerant. Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer. Snake plants can stay moderately potbound for years before needing to be upsized.
Pothos Care
As long as pothos get bright, indirect light, they’ll thrive. In lower light, they’ll grow less vigorously. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, then soak the pot thoroughly. Pothos benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. When the trailing vines get leggy, simply prune them back to encourage fuller, more compact growth.
Chinese Evergreen Care
Chinese evergreens are low-light houseplants, able to grow in everything from low to bright indirect light. However, insufficient light can cause the leaves to lose their lovely variegation over time. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soaking wet. Feed monthly when actively growing. Expect the slow-growing Chinese evergreen to stay fairly compact for several years before needing to be repotted.
ZZ Plant Care
With their thick rhizomes and semi-succulent traits, ZZ plants can handle extended periods of drought and neglect. That said, they’ll fare best in medium to bright, indirect light. Water thoroughly but infrequently – every 2-3 weeks or when the soil is completely dried out. ZZ plants don’t need frequent fertilizing – a diluted liquid feed in spring and summer is sufficient. Repot every 2-3 years in the spring into a container just one size up.
Dracaena Care
Different dracaena varieties have slightly different lighting needs. In general, provide dracaenas with as much bright, indirect light as possible – an east or west window is ideal. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. Dracaenas appreciate higher humidity, so set the pots on pebble trays or use a humidifier nearby. Feed every month or two during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Monstera Care
Monsteras need very bright, indirect light to produce the fenestrations and splits in their leaves that give them their signature “monstera” appearance. An east or west-facing window is perfect. Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season, not allowing it to dry out completely. Feed with a balanced fertilizer every month. Provide monsteras with plenty of support like a moss pole or trellis as they grow larger. Humidity is crucial – use a humidifier or pebble tray.
With some basic care knowledge, it’s easy to keep your IKEA plants thriving! Just remember the primary needs for each species – proper light exposure, strategic watering, occasional feeding, repotting every few years, and environmental humidity. Provide those simple requirements, and your IKEA indoor plants will continue growing lush and vibrant for years to come.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with attentive care, indoor plants can sometimes develop problems. Here are some of the most frequent issues IKEA plants encounter, and how to treat them:
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering, though other stresses like low humidity, nutrient deficiencies, or age can also cause chlorosis (yellowing). Cut back on watering, improve drainage if needed, and remove any yellow leaves or growth.
Brown Leaf Tips
Dry, brown, crispy leaf tips are a symptom of low humidity and underwatering. Boost humidity around your plants and make sure to water more thoroughly and consistently. Prune off any dead, dry growth.
Leggy Growth
When houseplants don’t get enough light, they’ll start growing tall, spindly, and stretched out towards the brightest light source. Provide more direct light exposure, rotate plants frequently, or supplement with a grow light. Cut back overly leggy growth.
Pest Problems
Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and scale can all find their way onto your IKEA greenery. Wipe leaves, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, and adjust watering/humidity levels to get rid of infestations.
Root Rot
Leaving plants sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil promotes root rot caused by fungal pathogens. Improve drainage, allow soil to dry between waterings, and consider repotting in fresh, sterile potting mix if roots are mushy and decaying.
With some basic troubleshooting, you can easily overcome any issues your IKEA plants encounter indoors.
Creative Ways to Display IKEA Plants
Once you’ve got the care requirements down, it’s time to get creative with displaying your indoor greenery! IKEA offers tons of stylish and affordable planter options to complement your plants beautifully.
Hanging Planters
Show off trailing vines like pothos or philodendrons in macrame or rattan hanging planters suspended from the ceiling. IKEA’s CHILILÖG and BIGGO basket planters are perfect for this bohemian, jungalow look.
Plant Stands
Elevate your potted specimens on chic plant stands like IKEA’s classic SATSUMAS bamboo shelves or the modern, minimalist ALSTOVIK metal plant stands. This helps create visual levels and brings the greenery up off the floor.
Window Plant Shelves
Make the most of natural light by showcasing your indoor plants on window shelves and ledges. The HAVSBRIS greenhouse cabinet or RADLÖK wall shelves from IKEA are sleek options.
Built-In Planters
For a modern, architectural vibe, incorporate built-in planters into your decor scheme. The IKEA FÖRVARA and ÄVDALA units have cubbies for integrating potted plants seamlessly into shelving and storage pieces.
Plant Pedestals
For larger statement plants like monsteras or dracaenas, display them atop plant pedestals and stands that elevate them as sculptural, focal point pieces. Pedestals like IKEA’s DRÖMSK or FNÖSKIG work beautifully for this.
Get Creative!
Of course, part of the fun is thinking outside the box too. Use non-traditional containers as planters, from ceramic vases and baskets to old metal tins and wooden crates. Just ensure they have proper drainage holes. IKEA’s affordable accessories make it easy to get creative when displaying your plants.
Incorporating IKEA Greenery Into Your Decor
Now that you understand how to care for and creatively display IKEA plants, it’s time to start decorating with them! Plants add wonderful pops of life and color to any room. Here are some tips for stylishly incorporating your indoor greenery:
Clustered Botanicals
Don’t just stick to a single potted plant – cluster several small pots together on shelves, tabletops, or window sills. Mix complementary colors, leaf shapes, and textures. This eclectic, gathered look feels fresh yet effortless.
Botanicals & Artwork
Frame and display your potted plants by pairing them with botanical prints, macrame hangings, or pressed plant artwork on the surrounding wall space. This creates a whole coordinated vignette.
Bedroom Oasis
Bring the calming vibes of nature into your bedroom sanctuary with a few well-placed IKEA plants. Pothos and snake plants make great low-maintenance bedside table companions.
Kitchen Garden
Besides being functional for cooking herbs, a kitchen garden with potted IKEA plants like basil, mint, and micro-greens brings lovely greenery into the heart of the home.
Minimalist Beauty
For minimalist spaces, a single large-scale plant like a rubber tree plant or monstera in a beautifully simple ceramic planter makes an elegant statement piece.
Living Wall
Take indoor gardening vertical with a living wall of mounted IKEA plant pots and air plants. This creates a lush, modern accent wall to serve as a room’s focal point.
From individual accents to whole botanical galleries, IKEA plants can complement any interior design style effortlessly – you’re only limited by your creativity!
With this complete guide to growing IKEA plants indoors under your belt, you’ll have everything you need to transform your space into your own lush, affordable indoor oasis. So have fun mixing and matching your new green roommates into your decor for a smash hit of fresh, rejuvenating interior style.
