Building a Plant Collection? Start with a Statement Plant

Phoebe Cheong

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. 

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.).

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

The first thing you should do when choosing any houseplant for your home is evaluate the