Looking to add a touch of greenery to your home but don’t know where to start? Look no further than these easy DIY projects! Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, these projects are perfect for adding a pop of nature to any room in your house.
Let me show you easy ideas to add greenery throughout your home using houseplants, succulents, air plants, and even artificial greenery.
Another fun project to try is creating your own terrarium. These miniature gardens are easy to care for and add a touch of whimsy to any space. Plus, they’re a great way to showcase small plants and succulents.
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Choosing the Right Plants
When it comes to adding greenery to your home, choosing the right plants can make all the difference. Here are a few things to consider:
Succulents and Cacti
If you’re looking for low-maintenance plants that require minimal watering, succulents and cacti are great options. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can add a unique touch to your home decor. Just be sure to place them in a sunny spot, as they thrive in bright indirect light.
Another bonus is that they are affordable and easy to find! You can pick them up at your grocery store, home improvement store, or your local greenhouse.
I think this is a great jumping-off point for you if you are a newbie plant owner!
easy to find choices:
Succulents
Cacti
- Christmas Cactus
- Bunny Ears Cactus
- Old Lady Cactus
- Barrel Cactus
Air-Purifying Plants
Not only do air-purifying plants add a touch of green to your home, but they also help to improve the air quality. Some of the best air-purifying plants include spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants. These plants are also relatively easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions.
A great starter plant that is super low maintenance is the snake plant. It’s really hard to kill them…just don’t overwater!
Easy to Find Choices:
- Snake Plant One of the easiest to care for and most tolerant plants
- Spider Plant: Adaptable and perfect for hanging baskets. It’s also safe for pets!
- Pothos : Also known as Devil’s ivy, this easy-care vine thrives in almost any condition.
- Aloe Vera: A multi-purpose plant known for its healing properties
- English Ivy : A beautiful trailing plant that’s highly effective against airborne pollutants
- Rubber Tree : The large leaves of rubber trees work hard to purify the air.
- Bamboo Palm : This lush palm adds a tropical vibe.
- Peace Lily : A beautiful flowering plant.
Low Light Tolerant Greens
If you have a room in your home that doesn’t get a lot of natural light, there are still plenty of plant options available. Some great low-light tolerant greens include pothos, philodendrons, and ferns. These plants can add a pop of green to any space, even if it doesn’t get much sunlight.
Remember to choose plants that fit your lifestyle and the lighting conditions in your home.
Air Plants
Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are a fascinating group of plants that don’t need soil to survive. Instead of traditional roots, they have tiny specialized structures called trichomes that absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air around them. Air plants come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, adding a touch of whimsical beauty to any space. They are pretty low-maintenance, requiring just a regular misting of water and bright, indirect light.
Common Air-Plants
Creative Planters and Pots
When it comes to adding a touch of greenery to your home, choosing the right planter or pot can make all the difference. Here are a few creative DIY ideas to help you get started.
Upcycled Containers
One of my favorite ways to add greenery to my home is by upcycling containers that would otherwise be thrown away. For example, an old teapot or coffee mug can make a charming planter for small succulents or herbs.
Here I used a colorful thrifted creamer to hold a small flowering succulent.
DIY Planters
Check out your local secondhand stores for affordable planter options to use for real or artificial houseplants. If you don’t like the way it looks in the store, paint can work wonders to spruce it up!
One of my favorite transformations is when I took ugly thrift store metal planters and turned them into a dupe for a planter I wanted from Magnolia.
Baskets
planter baskets
There are so many affordable planter baskets widely available. Walmart has a large selection for under $30.
Baskets not only disguise the ugly plastic pots houseplants are sold in, but they add texture and a natural element to your room decor.
Bring Your Plants to Life: Fun with Terrariums & More
Mini Terrarium
Just want to dip your toes into being a plant parent?? A great way to start is small! Here is an easy and stylish idea for adding a mini terrarium to your home or office.
You will need a small glass terrarium, a small succulent or air plant, and filler for the base of the terrarium.
The terrarium kit from Walmart contains sand, pebbles, rocks, and moss so I layered all of those materials on the bottom of the terrarium. Then made a small indent in the center and placed a mini succulent plant.
Succulents need very little water so an occasional light watering when it is completely dried out will keep this terrarium looking great.
Under the Sea Air Plant Container
Looking to have a little fun with your greenery?? This is one of my favorite plant projects!
Start with a tall and wide glass container. Fill the bottom with sand and various sea shells. Then add a few air plants to create an under the sea feel.
To make the suspended sea urchin you will need a stick or piece of driftwood, an empty urchin shell, an air plant, and some jute twine.
Wrap the jute twine around the driftwood and run it through the top hole of the urchin, tie a knot inside thick enough that the jute won’t slip through.
Stick the air plant through the large opening so it looks like a jellyfish. This air plant fits perfectly but a small drop of glue won’t harm the air plant if needed to stay in place.
See more on this Under the Sea container (additional photos and a complete tutorial).
Sea Shells & Air Plants
Here is another idea using air plants and shells to create an open terrarium planter.
Layer the bottom of a clear glass terrarium bowl with sand for a beachy effect. Place shells and driftwood to create areas to rest air plants.
For a fun touch use an urchin shell to hold an air plant. To care for your air plants mist the leaves with water every 2-3 days.
Check out more details on this planter here.
Elegant Succulent Planter
Succulents are easy to take care of and a succulent planter is the perfect way to add a touch of greenery to your living room or bedroom.
Here I used a pretty green ceramic planter bowl as the base for my succulents.
The succulent bowl is the perfect size to add to an end table to add a pop of green.
One thing to know when working with succulents is you need to use a cacti/succulent potting mix that is formulated to dry quickly. Succulents are desert plants and do not like overly wet, dense soil.
See the complete step-by-step tutorial and more photos to follow along with here.
Perfect for the Office
Need to spruce up your work environment? Try adding plants to your desk or office. Having greenery around you will make you feel better!
I love to fill my office with plants and greenery since I spend so many hours a day at my desk.
To keep with the more modern feel of my workspace I created a minimal vibe with this succulent planter.
When putting this planter together I used fewer succulents than the previous one to leave more space for pebbles. The result reminded me of an outdoor zen garden.
Incorporating Wall Greenery
When it comes to adding a touch of greenery to your home, incorporating wall greenery is a great option. There are several types of wall greenery that you can choose from, including living wall art and vertical gardens.
Living Wall Art
Living wall art is a beautiful way to bring life to your walls. It involves creating a living wall using plants that are grown in a special frame. These frames can be made from a variety of materials, including wood and metal.
I just added this wooden wall frame to display my air plants and I love it! I was inspired by the larger wine bottle riddling racks at Pottery Barn, but they’re a bit out of my budget. Luckily, I found this fantastic and more affordable alternative on Amazon that gives me the same look.
The air plants are small now but will grow and fill the frame more, starting with smaller air plants was a budget-friendly way to get this project started.
air plant wall frames
Faux Succulent Wall Art
Not into real plants but you still want to add some greenery to your home?? This Succulent Wall Art project is perfect for you! If you can use a glue gun you can make this one!
Caring for Your Indoor Plants
Watering Schedules
When it comes to watering your indoor plants, it’s important to find a balance between too much and too little water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause your plants to dry out and wilt. As a general rule, most indoor plants prefer soil that is kept moist but not soggy.
To determine when it’s time to water your plants, check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Be sure to water thoroughly, allowing the excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot.
Pruning and Maintenance
Regular pruning and maintenance can help keep your indoor plants healthy and looking their best. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves as soon as you notice them, as they can attract pests and disease.
You can also prune your plants to encourage fuller growth and remove any leggy or overgrown branches.
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts, and be sure to sanitize your tools between plants to prevent the spread of disease.
Fertilizing Basics
While indoor plants can generally survive without fertilizer, regular feeding can help promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage. When choosing a fertilizer, look for one that is specifically formulated for indoor plants and follow the instructions carefully.
Over-fertilizing can be just as harmful as under-fertilizing, so be sure to use the recommended amount and frequency. As a general rule, most indoor plants only need to be fertilized once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) and once every two months during the dormant season (fall and winter).
I love this Miracle Gro Houselplant Food, it comes in a pump bottle and you just add a squirt when you are watering…super simple, with no mixing, etc.
Style Your Space with Plants
Houseplants aren’t just living things – they’re dynamic design elements! A well-placed plant can transform a room by adding color, texture, and a touch of the natural world.
Lush ferns bring a relaxed vibe, spiky succulents add a modern edge, and trailing vines soften harsh lines. Think of plants as the accessories that personalize your home.
Did you know houseplants make your home healthier? They boost air quality and humidity, and caring for them is proven to reduce stress. Create your own indoor oasis! A snake plant adds architectural interest to a bedroom while filtering the air while you sleep, and a thriving pothos in the bathroom combats humidity with its lush leaves.
I am an admitted plant addict!! In the dead of winter after Christmas is when I love to go a little plant crazy, it helps me beat the winter blues!
My Mantle Gets a Green Makeover
To restyle my mantle going into the Spring (or wishing it was Spring) I mixed plants with various home decor elements like books and pictures to create an eclectic vibe.
Above the mantle, I hung a set of framed botanicals that I’ve had for a couple of years (from Magnolia at Target)
To soften the edges of mantles or other pieces of furniture like entryway tables you can add a trailing plant.
Here I used a Twister Lipstick Plant in a wicker basket to the corner of the mantle.
At the opposite end of the mantle, I placed a tropical Xanthosoma plant. The dramatic leaves add a layer of color and texture to the space.
To decorate the rest of the mantle space I added a stack of books, a thrifted cloche (I added a feather butterfly and moss under the cloche), and a metal architectural piece.
Greenery for Your Bookshelves
Bookcases are great spots to add more greenery to your home. A bookshelf near a bright window is the perfect spot for a prayer plant. The indirect morning light seems to make it happy!
Also on this bookcase, you will see the mini terrarium that I shared earlier.
In the DIY paper mache bowl, I added a few artificial greenery spheres.
Sofa Table
On the narrow sofa table behind the sectional, there was space to add a brightly colored Calathea plant. The colors in the leaves work well against the colors of the large gallery wall that covers most of the space behind the sectional.
You can download the fine art printables that I have hanging in my home below. I had mine printed off at Shutterfly (if you are a Costco member there is a huge discount too).
Fine Art Printables
29 Free Downloads
exclusively for email subscribers
Faux Moss Branches
Another easy DIY project to add some green to your space is Faux Moss Branches. All you need is a bag of mixed moss and a set of bendy artificial branches. This is a perfect year-round vase filler!
Jumpstart Spring with Blooming Branches & Bulbs
Spring Flowering Branches
One of my favorite ways to bring some seasonal flair to my home is by incorporating flowering branches in the spring. Cherry blossoms, dogwood, and magnolia branches are all great options to add a touch of color and freshness to any room. Here in New England, I like to do this with Forsythia branches.
To display these branches, I like to use a tall vase or pitcher filled with water to keep them hydrated. For a more rustic look, you can also use a mason jar or a vintage milk bottle.
The process is simple, head outdoors and clip a few branches from your flowering Spring bush or tree. Add the branches to a vase or pitcher of water and wait. In a few days, you should see the buds coming to life.
Do this in late winter when you notice the buds swelling a bit.
Here is the forsythia branches after 5 days, you can see them really coming to life!
Spring Bulbs
Another great way to bring some seasonal greenery into your home is by planting spring bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all great options that are easy to care for and will add a pop of color to any room.
To display these bulbs, you can use a variety of containers such as terra cotta pots, woven baskets, or even vintage metal pails.
To make the most of these bulbs, I like to group them in clusters of three or five and place them on a mantle or coffee table. You can also mix and match different types of bulbs for a more eclectic look.
I found a variety of pre-chilled Spring bulbs on Tulip World. Here I am using a thrift store ceramic planter bowl for these bulbs.
First I added potting mix to the container before pushing the bulbs down into the soil. Then I gave the dish a light watering.
To make this Spring planter prettier I wrapped a length of grapevine garland around the bowl and covered the soil with preserved moss.
By incorporating these easy DIY projects into your home decor, you can add a touch of greenery and seasonal flair without breaking the bank.
Bringing It All Together: Your Greener Home Awaits
From plants trailing down mantles to miniature ecosystems thriving in terrariums, we’ve explored several ways to infuse your home with the magic of greenery.
Remember, the benefits go beyond aesthetics. Plants clean the air you breathe, reduce stress, and even boost your mood.
Whether you’re drawn to the low-maintenance charm of succulents, the ease of philodendrons, or the colors of spring blooms, there’s a perfect plant waiting to find its home beside you.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, get creative, and personalize your own green haven.
Learn more about the benefits of houseplants.
See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
Hey from one crazy plant lady to another, this is such a great post. Pothos and String of Pearls are my favorites. It’s so hard to kill Pothos or succulents. Love all of your plants around the house. It looks so warm and inviting.