Houseplants With Style

The right combination of plant and pot makes a beautiful accent for your decor.

Think of this as a marriage between a plant and container, each complementing the other's best attributes: color, shape, and texture. It's a great way to maximize the artistic side of your houseplants.

Begin with either element of the pairing. If you find a plant that speaks to you, search for the container to show it off. Conversely, you might come across a great pot first. Use our tips to make the perfect match.

Dots and Petals

This fanciful container teams up with a dressy orchid for a fun combination.

Which came first? I fell in love with this pot while shopping at a local nursery and decided that a moth orchid was the choice plant to fill it.

Why it works: White dots dominate the container's pattern. To play up that aspect, the orchid's petals carry the color and shape above the pot. The planter's wavy black lines work as a secondary design element, and the pot's height is appropriate for the orchid's tall stems. Varying shades of green on the pot complement the tones of the leaves. Dark river rocks covering the soil continue the color family and finish the look.

Hip and Square

Find a good combo, and multiply it for a big look with small plants.

Which came first? We found this sharp trio at Target. The plants and pots were already paired up, so the work was already done. All we needed to do was bring them home and snuggle them up on a kitchen shelf. Look for similar items at discount stores and garden shops.

Why it works: One planter would have gotten lost among the bottled herbs, and a pair of pots would have looked incomplete when lined up. But three is the perfect number. The coarse, chunky texture of jade plant balances the pottery, and its infrequent water requirement becomes an asset in this busy area. The containers' angular design gives them a clean look among the glass bottles.

Mix-and-Match

Bromeliads and succulents work great in shallow or narrow containers. They require good light but need minimal soil and little moisture.

Which came first? In this case, paint and the texture of the étagère drove the decision. We took a swatch of the chartreuse wall color with us shopping and determined that the colors of the bromeliads and succulents made them the obvious options.

Why it works: The bold shades and textures hold their own against the striking wall color. The container's earth-toned glaze plays well on the rattan étagère and echoes the plants' rugged feel. Light-colored aquarium gravel tops the soil and completes the smart combination. -ELLEN RUOFF RILEY

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2006
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