s of interiors tastefully decorated with lush greenery are driving the craze for indoor plants. One area that’s caught my eye is the use of trailing potted plants for bookshelves. Shelving lends itself to the display of plants that cascade out of their pots and makes the most of interesting containers.
If you’ve tried and failed or don’t know which plants to try, here are tips to get the look you want. Below is a list of trailing plants that grow indoors along with upright plant recommendations to add colour, texture and contrasting foliage shapes.
The key to success lies in the amount of light your shelving receives. Shelves, particularly bookshelves, are often placed away from windows out of direct light creating difficult situations for plants to thrive. Lower shelves may also be darker than shelves that are higher, more open or level with windows. A skylight near a shelf gives additional light to higher shelves.
To assess the light on a shelf, see if your hand can throw a shadow when you hold it near the shelf and also regularly check plants on the shelves for signs of stress – such as scale, mealy bug or yellowing leaves.
If you can’t move the shelves into a more brightly lit spot, switch your plants out so that they spend a short time on the shelves and are then moved back to a better-lit position. As the back of the shelf will be dark, even plants exposed to bright light must be rotated so that each part of the plant gets better light. Ideally rotate each plant about 90 degrees each week.
Bookshelves are ubiquitous in homes. They hold our favorite novels, decorate our spaces, and display our personalities. But often, the tops of bookshelves sit empty and bare. Next time you gaze up at that vacant space, consider filling it with plants! The right plants can bring life and greenery to overlooked areas in your home
When choosing plants for your bookshelf the most important factors to consider are size light requirements, and growth habits. You’ll want compact plants that don’t require much light. Trailing varieties that spill lushly over the edges of shelves add drama.
Here are some of the best plants for bookshelf tops and how to care for them:
Snake Plants
Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, are virtually indestructible. Their strappy, architectural foliage thrives in low light and with infrequent watering. They come in many sizes, so you can find compact varieties perfect for shelves. Some top options are:
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Birds nest snake plant – A tiny plant, under 8 inches tall. Tolerates low light.
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Cylindrical snake plant – Tall and slender, but slow growing. Survives in low light.
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Samurai snake plant – Very compact at 4-6 inches tall. Does well in low light.
Pothos
With their vining growth, pothos are made for shelves. Go for low-light varieties like golden pothos over more variegated types. Jade pothos is another easy, low maintenance option. Let the trailing stems hang freely over the edges of shelves.
Philodendrons
Similar to pothos, philodendrons are trailing plants perfect for shelves. Heartleaf philodendron is a classic choice that thrives in low to bright light. Let it spread out along your shelves.
Ferns
Delicate ferns bring an airy, natural feel to shelves. Try compact varieties of maidenhair ferns, Boston ferns, or lemon button ferns. Place in bathrooms and other humid areas. Keep their soil consistently moist.
Calathea
The vibrant patterned leaves of calathea, also called prayer plants, add a pop of color. Choose compact varieties, like rattlesnake calathea. Give them medium to low light. Keep their soil moist.
Peperomia
Peperomia are succulent-like plants with thick, colorful leaves. Try variegated types like Peperomia ‘Hope’ or Peperomia ‘Pixie Lime.’ Let them trail along your shelves. Give them medium to bright light and well-draining soil.
Air Plants
Air plants are versatile and low maintenance. Display them on shelves without soil. Simply mist or rinse them weekly. Place them in bright light for best color.
Cacti & Succulents
For a minimalist look, decorate shelves with a variety of small cacti and succulents. Favorite picks are burro’s tail, echeveria, aloe vera, and mini cacti. Give them plenty of direct light. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
Herbs
Herbs aren’t just for cooking! Tuck pots of mint, rosemary, thyme and other herbs on shelves to add fresh fragrance and greenery throughout your home. Harvest them whenever you need.
Caring For Shelf Plants
When growing plants on your bookshelves, provide the right care to keep them healthy:
Lighting – Place plants either in front of a bright window or supplement with a grow light. Rotating plants weekly ensures all sides get light.
Water – Check soil before watering. Let the top inch dry for cacti and succulents. Keep tropical plants evenly moist.
Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix, like one containing peat and perlite. Re-pot plants annually.
Fertilizer – Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Pruning – Trim back wayward vines and pinch off dead leaves to keep plants compact.
Styling Tips
Follow these tips to style your bookshelf tops with plants:
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Mix trailing plants with upright, rosette-shaped plants for contrast.
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Use pots in a cohesive color scheme for a coordinated look.
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Incorporate plant stands, hanging planters, or wall mounted shelves for dimension.
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Display air plants in shells, baskets, or affixed to driftwood.
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Add decorative accents like candles, sculptures, and vases.
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Set plants on stacks of coffee table books for height.
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Allow plant stems to freely drape down the shelves.
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Choose low maintenance plants if shelves are hard to reach.
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Rotate largest plants to back of shelves, small ones in front.
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Prune and train vines to shape the look you want.
So if you have some empty bookshelf space, fill it with green, living plants! Just be sure to select plants suited to the light level, climate, and care you can provide. With the right choices, you can easily transform your bookshelf into a beautiful indoor oasis. Let those overlooked spots bring new life into your home.
Caring for your bookshelf plants
Once youve assessed your bookshelfs light access, its time to choose your plants – but remember, too many plants in a small space really can be a crowd. Its important to space your plants out on the shelves so that each one has its own space to grow and is easily accessible for regular watering and care.
Watering can be quite a challenge when plants are placed on shelves. Ideally, take each plant out of its cover pot and take it outdoors undercover to water, or otherwise use a sink, bathtub or shower. Allow excess water to drain before returning the plant to its position. Take the opportunity while your plant is off the shelf to dust the leaves, trim off any dead or damaged leaves or stems and check for pests.
The weight of the plant and its pot can also be an issue on shelving. Keep large, heavy pots on lower shelves or move them to a secure shelf where they are unlikely to be knocked. Shelves that span a wide space without support may bow under the weight of heavy plants or too many plants, so look for shelves with good support.
If you are buying a set of shelves to use for your plant display, select shelves that can be set at adjustable heights to allow more readily for the size of your plant and pot collection.
There are plenty of indoor plants that will grow quite happily on your bookshelf, adding that all-important serene green foliage or a splash of unexpected colour. Whether youre looking for something to trail down the shelves or something small and compact, here are a few of our top plants for bookshelves.
How to decorate your bookshelf with plants!
FAQ
What plants can you put on top of bookshelves?
Personally, I think designers should do a little research first and then select plants that are both colorful and tolerant of low-light conditions. Some better options on a shelf, for example, might include prayer plant, calathea, snake plant, pothos, philodendron, peace lily, ZZ plant, nerve plant, hoya, or ferns.
What looks good on top of a bookcase?
Place one large accessory on the top of your tall furniture, so it fills almost the entire space. A basket, an interesting crate, something that is open on the top. Then fill it with quilts, wool plaid blankets, dried hydrangeas, ferns; anything textural. Simple and classic.
Can I put plants on my bookshelf?
Decorating bookshelves with plants is an excellent way to infuse life into your space and showcase your personality. Long vining plants like pothos, ivy, and philodendrons provide not only aesthetic appeal but also require minimal care, making them ideal for both seasoned plant lovers and beginners alike.
How to style a bookcase with plants?
- Gather all the pieces you want to style your shelf with into a pile nearby – my faves are plants, vases, photos, art, books, decorative boxes, and smaller accents such as sage and palo santo bundles.
- Start with your bigger pieces. …
- Think of clustering objects in groups of 3 when styling.