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10 Houseplants That'll Help You Achieve a Scandinavian Interior

These plants will make your spaces pop out and makes for an extra cozy and lively home with all the 'Scandi' vibes.

By: THURSD. | 10-01-2024 | 6 min read
Indoor Plants
Plants that give the Scandi vibe

Scandinavian interior design is well-known around the world. Its strength is in keeping it as simple as possible, with a soothing color palette and natural materials. White and grey are frequently the dominant colors, and when combined with various types of wood, simple lines, a few woolly elements here and there, and green plants, it creates the ideal Scandinavian interior! Here are 10 plants that'll give your apartment that 'Scandinavian' vibe.

Achieve a Scandinavian Interior With These 10 Houseplants

Plants, more than anything else, make an apartment feel more like a home. Plants are a great way to add color and a natural touch to a minimalist or neutral-colored apartment. They also help to purify the air and increase the humidity in the room. Scandinavian house plants, with their tall, thin, and minimalist-friendly structure, will bring your interior to life.

 

Scandinavian interior with Fiddle Leaf Fig
A Scandinavian interior featuring a Fiddle Leaf Fig

 

They're a great foliage accessory in a 'Scandi Chic' setting, and you can pair your plant with a rattan basket to add a simple pop of color and warmth to your home or apartment. These 10 houseplants are the perfect way to attain and pull off the full Scandi interior you've always wanted.

1. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

The Rubber Fig plant, also known as Ficus Elastica, is a beautiful ornamental plant. It has forest-green leaves that are thick, shiny, and leathery. Its 'Tricolor' variant comes in pink, green, and cream — a lovely combination of colors for neutral interiors. It can reach a height of 100 cm (40 inches) when grown indoors.

 

Rubber plant for a Scandi interior
Rubber plant helps you achieve the perfect Scandi interior

 

The Rubber plant is relatively simple to maintain, making it one of the most popular options to carry through the Scandinavian interior. To soften the sharp edges of your Scandi-style space, place it in a corner for best results. In case you're also looking to purify your spaces, read more about how the Rubber plant can help in this.

 

A happy owner with her Ficus Elastica
Photo: @growingngrowing

 

2. Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)

Foliage plants win the prize in Scandinavian design, and the Snake Plant is a well-known example. It has stiff, pointed leaves and can grow to be 1.80-2.40 meters (6-8 feet tall). It also fits in with the Scandinavian feature of being functional; it removes toxins from the air and purifies it while also serving as decoration. The Snake Plant is one of the most difficult plants to kill in terms of care. You've got an ideal option for your interiors right here. Besides being a houseplant that looks fab in your living room, the snake plant is also ideal to place in your bedroom. Make sure to read about '10 Best Bedroom Plants to Decorate Your Room With' in case you want more ideas for a Scandi vibe!

 

Snake plant is one of the best plants for a scandi interior
The Snake Plant (on the right) is one of the best plants to have if you want to achieve a 'Scandi' interior
Photo: @lagomhomewood

 

3. Monstera Deliciosa Plant (Swiss Cheese)

The Monstera Plant (also known as Monstera Deliciousa) is native to American rainforests and has oversized heart-shaped foliage with natural holes. Its elegance complements the minimalist Scandinavian style perfectly. If you're looking for an evergreen climber, look no further than the Monstera plant!

 

Monstera is the perfect plant for a Scandinavian interior
Photo: @ourplantylifeinboston

 

It is another low-maintenance plant that represents longevity and respect. The Monstera is an eye-catching addition to indoor Scandi-style spaces. If you're not sure what Monstera plant is best for your interior spaces, read the article 'All The Different Types of Monstera Plants You Want To Know About'

4. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

The Fiddle Leaf Fig’s broad, glossy leaves make it a statement piece in Scandinavian interiors. Its tall, upright growth and striking foliage add height and visual interest without overwhelming the simplicity of the space. Place it in a neutral pot to emphasize its sculptural shape. It thrives in bright, indirect light, making it ideal for well-lit, minimalist living rooms. In this case, Scandi interiors are not only known for neutral colors and shapes but also for combining different colors, textures, furniture and decor in a unique way like you'll see in the example below.

 

Scandi interior with fiddle leaf fig
A more colorful type of Scandi interior using a Fiddle Leaf Fig plant to accentuate the space
Photo: @aylins.interior

 

5. Sansevieria (Dracaena Trifasciata)

Sansevieria is a popular houseplant found in minimalist Scandinavian interiors. It is very easy to care for and grows in a variety of conditions, including the sun, shade, and even drafts, where other flowers die. Watering the flower should be done only once every week or two. If your sansevieria has grown, move it to a larger pot and place it on the floor. Green naturally brings you closer to nature, something that is very important in Scandinavian interiors. Because the base is so neutral, many plants fit perfectly into this interior! The greenery pops out and makes for an extra cozy and lively home.

 

Sansevieria Dracaena Trifasciata Scandi interior
Sansevieria in a basket gives the environment calmness but at the same time texture

 

6. Olive Tree (Olea Europaea)

An olive tree brings a Mediterranean flair while still aligning with Scandinavian simplicity. Its slim branches and silvery-green leaves provide a soft, airy texture that complements light wood tones and neutral palettes. Place it near a sunny window in a simple pot for a sophisticated yet minimalistic look. Take into account that olive trees require bright light and moderate watering to thrive indoors.

 

Olive tree plant in a living room
Photo: @homeandbalance

 

7. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)

The Boston Fern’s arching fronds bring texture and a sense of movement to spaces, especially if you're looking to give your indoor spaces the trendy 'Scandi' vibe. This plant is ideal for hanging baskets or pedestal stands and it works wonderfully in bathrooms or living areas where humidity is higher. Its green contrasts pale walls and wooden furniture, adding full naturality to any environment.

 

Boston fern plant in a white kitchen
You can easily give a kitchen a Scandinavian interior and feel by placing a Boston Fern plant on the center table
Photo: @viridescent_living

 

8. String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)

For shelves or hanging planters, the cascading vines of the String of Pearls add a soft and flowy element to the clean lines of what Scandinavian interiors look like. Its bead-like leaves create visual interest without being overwhelming. Pair it with a neutral or terracotta pot to maintain the understated aesthetic. Bear in mind that it thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and requires minimal watering.

 

String of pearls in a white environment house
A String of Pearls can enhance the perfect white Scandi interior

 

9. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

The Parlor Palm introduces a touch of elegance with its feathery, arching fronds. This low-maintenance plant thrives in lower light conditions, making it ideal for creating calm, shaded corners in your space. Its light, airy foliage contrasts beautifully with the solid wood tones typical of Scandinavian design. For sure, it is one of the 10 best plants to achieve this type of design!

 

Parlor palm in a neutral living room
Photo: @leonandgeorge

 

10. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)

A Scandinavian favorite, the Pilea, often called the 'friendship plant' and widely known as the Chinese Money plant, is an all-time popular one due to its easy propagation and sharing potential. Its round, coin-shaped leaves are charming and playful, adding personality to side tables, shelves, or windowsills. This plant embodies hygge by creating a cozy and welcoming vibe.

 

Chinese Money plant in a white interior
Chinese Money plant enhancing a white interior with other plants in the ambiance
Photo: @yulia_pyl

 

To get you started, here are already 10 ideas for a sansevieria in your home!

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