Foliage houseplants are ideal for adding lush, natural beauty to our indoor spaces all year round. Without the distraction of flowers or other features, the focus is all on the beautiful foliage bringing the calm of nature indoors.

From Maranta to Ficus, and from Peperomia to Dracaena, the wide choice of foliage houseplants gives you the opportunity to add houseplants to your home, whatever your style and taste. In addition, the extensive range of beautiful interior pots and planters in all sizes, patterns, colours and materials means that there’s something for everyone.

Not only are foliage houseplants visually beautiful, enhancing your interior design, but many foliage houseplants have been proven to offer improved air quality, reduced stress, and enhanced well-being, including even increased productivity. They help cleanse the air of pollutants like cigarette smoke and even harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, and they also release moisture for easier breathing and healthier skin in the winter.

And including foliage houseplants in your indoor space doesn’t mean that you’re restricted to just green! Houseplants with coloured and variegated foliage are available including stunning leaves with unique patterns, marbled greens and striking white, pink, or yellow accents.

Caring for Foliage Houseplants

As houseplants originate from different environments all over the world it’s always worth checking the exact growing conditions preferred by your favourites as some houseplants prefer more natural light than others. As a general rule, most foliage plants prefer bright, indirect light but if you need to check requirements for the variety you’re buying, our friendly team are always happy to help. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. 

The majority of houseplants thrive best when grown in pots with drainage holes which are then placed in outer decorative pots without drainage holes. Not only does this reduce the risk of water leaking onto the floor or furniture but also increases the humidity around the plant, especially if you add Hydroleca clay granules or pebbles/gravel to the outer pot. As humidity is more important for foliage houseplants than some other houseplants, we also recommend increasing humidity by misting the leaves on a regular basis. Remember that many of these plants originate in habitats such as forests with much higher humidity than our modern-day homes.

It's important to be aware that some houseplants are toxic to pets – we do recommend always checking with some online research.

Tips for ensuring the health and longevity of your foliage houseplants include:

• Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch – but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. 

• Periodically rotate your houseplants to ensure all sides receive the same amount of light.

• Feed foliage houseplants regularly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertiliser, following the instructions on the packaging.

• Cleaning the leaves of your plants occasionally is particularly important for foliage houseplants, as any accumulated dust can prevent chlorophyll from absorbing the sunlight required for photosynthesis. Wipe the leaves with water or specialist products.

• Remove any dead or damaged leaves or stems as needed. You may wish to lightly prune any fast-growing houseplants to manage their size and shape and to encourage bushier growth.

• Repot your plant every year or so when it becomes rootbound, using a well-drained specialist houseplant compost.

• Regularly check for any pests and diseases and treat accordingly – our houseplant team are happy to advise.

Our Favourites

It’s hard to narrow down our favourite foliage houseplants but there are a few that everyone should have!

Maranta (Prayer Plant) – known as the Prayer Plant because the leaves of a Maranta plant fold themselves closed every evening, almost as though offering a prayer. Popular for the bold striped patterns on their leaves in either deep red or lime green, so adding a striking pop of colour. Thrives in warm, humid conditions and requires moist soil from spring to autumn. Needs to be watered with rainwater (or filtered or distilled water) – not tap water. Maranta are very similar to the popular Calathea – one of the primary differences being that the leaves of the Calathea don’t fold themselves closed in the evening.

Ficus elastica Robusta (Rubber Plant) – probably one of the best known of the foliage houseplants with large glossy green leaves providing instant lush green impact. One of the best air-filtering houseplants, low maintenance, and suits pretty much any interior style. Variegated varieties are also available. One of the faster growing foliage houseplants so will need repotting every few years.

Peperomia (Radiator Plant) – compact houseplants (usually up to about 30cm high) with stunning foliage in a range of colours, shapes and textures. Low maintenance, slow growing and drought tolerant due to their fleshy, succulent-like leaves. Take care not to overwater, as peperomias are susceptible to root rot in persistently damp conditions.  Sometimes known as Radiator Plants as they like warm conditions.

Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree) – a resilient, popular houseplant, often with one or more sturdy stems, or canes, with a fountain of long strap-shaped leaves at the top. Leaves may be striped or variegated. Overwatering can cause root rot so only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Tends to grow tall and thin but the top of the plant can be pruned to encourage branching and fuller shape.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) – always popular and never out of fashion, with stunning large green heart-shaped leaves, often perforated, up to 90cm long. Climbs with aerial roots so benefits from growing up a moss pole for support. Grows quickly, about 30 to 50cm per year up to an indoor maximum of 2.5m. Many other varieties are available, those with variegated leaves tend to be slightly smaller.