You may wonder, “Which one should I start with?” because there are so many different types and sizes of houseplants. Depending on where you want to put them, there may not be much room, so it’s best to choose the right size.
Selecting a plant that is comfortable for the plant and us is preferable.
In this article, I’ll discuss houseplants by size, how to choose, and what size we recommend for each location.
Take a look at this article if you’re considering buying houseplants and want to ensure you get the right size.
Silver Princess – Eucalyptus caesia – is my favorite foliage plant. Its stylish leaves add to the interior design; it can be grown outside because it is cold-resistant.
It will further enhance the sense of unity of your home if you also enhance the outside.
Contents
- How to choose the size of your houseplants
- By Location｜examples Of Recommended Houseplant Sizes
- Recommended Houseplants For L Size ( 4~5｜45~55 Inches)
- Recommendations For M Size (610, Or 80110cm) Houseplants
- Recommended houseplants for size S (5~6｜20~30 inches)
- Recommended Xs Size (3~5｜10~20 inches) Houseplants
- What to Look For Besides Size When Choosing Houseplants
- Are Plants Harmful to Pets or Babies?
- What Is The Ideal Size For Houseplants In An Entryway?
- Summary
How to choose the size of your houseplants
There are two specific ways to choose the size of your plant
- Use the size of the pot as a reference.
- Measure the height of the plant.
To avoid making a mistake, choose a plant with an idea of where you would like to place it.
Use The Size of The Pot As Reference
When choosing the size of the plant, use the size of the pot as a guide.
Since a size one pot is a little bigger than 1 inch in diameter, a size three pot is about 3.5 inches in diameter, and a size ten pot is about 12 inches in diameter.
Usually, the diameter increases as the number of pots increases, necessitating a wider pot.
Mini-sized pots (No. 1 to No. 3), on the other hand, will fit on a desk or a small shelf in the bathroom.
It is optional to have a large plant for a large space or a small plant for a small space.
Once you have chosen the location for the plant, it is a good idea to note the plant’s diameter.
Use the height of the plant as Reference
The height of the plant is also an important consideration when deciding on the size of the plant.
Even if you’ve decided where you want to put the plant and there’s enough width space, you can only put it there if there’s enough height space.
Because plants grow daily, you’ll need enough space to grow vertically where you want them.
In rare cases, some plants grow so quickly that I received a larger plant than listed online and need help to place it where I intended.
If you can pick out your favorite plant, you’re less likely to choose the wrong size.
By Location｜examples Of Recommended Houseplant Sizes
You may refer to the following if you want to know the specific size selection for each place.
- Entrance: Large size to be a symbolic tree.
- Living room: Large size to brighten the atmosphere.
- Desk: Small size that does not require much space even if it grows.
- Toilet/Washroom: Small size that can be placed in a narrow space.
First, decide where you want to put it, then think about how much space you have.
Entrance: Large Enough To Serve As A Symbolic Tree
If you intend to place it at the entrance, we recommend a large size that will serve as a symbolic tree to protect your home.
It will improve the look of your home’s interior design while providing healing and comfort to visitors.
Choose a sun-loving front door if yours receives a lot of sunlight. Choose one that is highly shaded tolerant if it does not receive much sunlight and is in the shade.
Also, because they are so big, they are hard to move. You might use a pot with wheels if you want to move them.
Living Room: Big To Make The Room Feel Brighter
Like the entryway, the living room can have large plants, but those that make the room feel bright and happy are even better. If the living room is bright, everyone in the family can start the day on a good note.
By keeping a good mood in the living room, which is also a place to relax, you can also live a healthy life. Pick the plants that make you happy.
Desks: Small In Size And With No Room For Expansion
Because space is limited in the first place, a large desk cannot be placed. As a result, houseplants that do not require a lot of space to grow are ideal.
I’ll discuss this in more detail later, but XS (No. 3-5) or smaller is preferable. Smaller sizes are less intimidating on a desk and will not interfere with work or study.
While creating an appropriate plant environment is important, the time you spend at your desk is also important, so “ease of working” should be your priority.
Restrooms And Bathrooms: Small Enough To Fit In A Small Space
Similarly, small sizes are appropriate for restrooms and bathrooms, while those with excellent shade resistance and drying properties are preferable to those that can be placed on a desk.
This is because it is not always possible to provide adequate sunlight and ventilation.
As a result, regular sun exposure will help them stay healthy.
Furthermore, because bathrooms and toilets are naturally small, we recommend the XS size (No. 3-5) or smaller, as I will explain later. Consider it to be hand-held in size.
Recommended Houseplants For L Size ( 4~5｜45~55 Inches)
I will introduce recommended houseplants by size. First, let’s start with the L size.
- Ficus
- Evergreen Ash (Fraxinus griffithii)
- Sansevieria zeylanica
If you can place them in a spacious area, they will have a strong presence.
Ficus | Bringing Happiness to the Family
| Placement | Place in a sunny location (avoid direct sunlight) |
| temperature | Keep at least 50 ºF or higher |
| Cold resistance | weak |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: After the surface of thesoil dries. Fall/Winter: 2-3 days after the surface of the soil dries |
Ficus is a houseplant from the rubber tree family with heart-shaped leaves. It brings luck to families and couples because the flower language has wonderful words like “wholesome,” “everlasting happiness,” and “conjugal love.”
Umbellata prefers direct sunlight. It will grow quickly in a sunny living room, so we recommend pruning it once a year. Because of its high vigor, it can be cut back hard.
In feng shui also improves relationships, making luck in love and relationships better. Consider putting it in your bedroom if you want to improve your luck.
If you do, make sure the size is appropriate for your bedroom. You may want to buy a slightly smaller one with the expectation that it will grow larger.
Evergreen Ash | Brighten Up The Surroundings
| Placement | Sunny place |
| Temperature | It withstands down to 27 °F |
| Cold resistance | strong |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: When the surface of the soil dries Fall/Winter: 2-3 days after the inside of the soil dries |
The Evergreen ash is a houseplant that produces glossy foliage throughout the year. Just one Evergreen ash lights up the surrounding area, so why not use it in the living room, the family’s place of relaxation?
It is also suitable for the entrance and garden; some display it as a symbolic tree of their home. However, in such cases, the tree may grow to 33 feet or more depending on its size, so you will need to prune it yearly to adjust its height.
If it is a potted plant, its size will be determined to some extent, so it should be easy to handle at home without much trouble.
Sansevieria zeylanica | Air purifying effect
| Placement | Bright shade |
| Temperature | Keep at least 50 °F or higher |
| Cold resistance | somewhat strong |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: 2-3 days after the surface of the soil dries Fall/Winter: After the surface of the leaves become wrinkled (almost completely water-free after October) |
Even though Sansevieria zeylanica is a decorative plant, it can handle drought so well that it is treated like a succulent. It is an excellent choice for beginners because it requires less frequent watering and is simple to maintain.
Since Sansevieria zeylanica grows up, it doesn’t take up much room, so you can keep it even in a small space.
You can put it in the entryway, the study, the bedroom, or anywhere else you like. It also has an air-purifying effect, making your space cleaner.
It is also best not to place it in a cold environment, as it prefers warm environments. Cold air near a window can harm plants, especially in the winter. I recommend keeping the plants as far away from the windows as possible.
Recommendations For M Size (610, Or 80110cm) Houseplants
M-size (medium to slightly larger) houseplants are next. You might want to take a chance on growing them from the M size because, depending on their growth, they might quickly become quite large.
- Dracaena Marginata
- Ponytail palm
- Yucca Elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)
Let’s take a closer look at each of them now.
Dracaena Marginata｜Highly interior-oriented
| Light | sunny place |
| Temperature | Keep at least 41°F |
| Cold resistance | weak |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: After the surface of the soil dries. Fall/Winter: 2-3 days after the inside of the soil dries |
Dracaena Marginata is a unique houseplant with prickly needle-like leaves. Its sharp, pointed leaves make it a fashionable interior decoration.
Its slow growth rate means that it does not take up much space even when it grows large. You can keep it in various places, from a modern study to a brightly lit living room.
Each leaf is thin and delicate, but the trunk is sturdy and drought-resistant. It is also great for people who are new to plants.
It is not very cold-tolerant, so place it carefully in the winter. If you keep it away from windows, it will survive the winter.
Ponytail Palm｜Recommended For Children’s Room and Study
| Placement | Sunny place |
| Temperature | Keep at least 41°F or more (mature strains are OK outside) |
| Cold resistance | somewhat weak |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: 1-2 days after the soil’s surface dries. Fall/Winter: 4-5 days after the surface of the soil dries |
The Ponytail palm is a houseplant with a thick trunk that looks like an elephant’s foot. The swollen trunks hold water, making it good for beginners and plants that can handle dry conditions.
The flower blooms only once every few decades, earning it the name “Freedom” in flower language.
It also takes time to grow tall, though new shoots will sprout from the tip like a ponytail. So, the space for installation doesn’t have to be big. You only need a space large enough for the ponytail palm container.
Yucca Elephantipes | Easy To Grow Even For Beginners
| Placement | Well-lit location |
| Temperature | Keep the temperature above 32 ºF |
| Cold resistance | strong |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: 2-3 days after the soil dries. Fall/Winter: 4-5 days after the soil dries. |
Yucca Elephantipes is a houseplant with swollen trunk leaves as sharp as swords. It is also known as the “tree of youth” because of its appearance.
It is said to bring good luck in work and money as it grows enormously and vigorously toward tomorrow. Therefore, it is suitable for an entrance or a workroom.
You can place it in a small space because it is narrow and takes time to grow tall. How about around the bathroom or kitchen if it does not interfere with your daily life?
According to Feng Shui, it is said to ward off evil spirits, so it is sure to bring good luck to the water area.
It is known as a plant that is easy to grow, even for beginners, because of its drought tolerance.
Depending on where you place it, watering once every 1 to 2 weeks should be fine. As long as it gets enough sunlight, it should be fine.
Recommended houseplants for size S (5~6｜20~30 inches)
If you are thinking, “I want a houseplant, but I’m not brave enough to grow a big one yet,” you may want to start with the S size.
- Anthurium
- Eucalyptus
- Strelitzia reginae
Plants grow and are easy to handle even if they get a little bigger if you start with S size. Try to have a successful experience with small ones; if you can afford them, try larger ones.
Anthurium | Grows in shade
| Placement | Place in a sunny location (avoid direct sunlight) |
| Temperature | Keep at least 50°F or higher |
| Cold resistance | weak |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: When the surface of the soil dries. Fall/Winter: 2-3 days after the surface of the soil dries. |
Anthuriums are tropical houseplants; you can place them in living rooms and bathrooms because of their easy-to-handle size.
It is said to be a plant that improves love and marriage luck, so if you want to improve your luck, place it in your entryway.
Anthuriums are also recommended as festive gifts. With meanings such as “passion” in the language of flowers, it is a suitable gift for those who are good at expressing emotions.
Anthuriums can grow in the shade, so you don’t have to worry if you can’t get enough sun. That said, they grow healthier in sunlight, so it is a good idea to give them regular sun exposure.
Eucalyptus｜Cold Tolerant
| Placement | Sunny outdoors |
| Temperature | It withstands up to 5°F |
| Cold resistance | Strong |
| Heat resistance | Strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: After the surface of the soil dries. Fall/Winter: 2-3 days after the inside of the soil dries. |
Eucalyptus is a beautiful houseplant with silverish foliage. It has excellent tolerance to cold, making it suitable for keeping in an entryway or outdoors.
If grown in a sunny environment, the stems will grow longer, so pruning is necessary if you want them to grow shorter. However, it will look beautiful mounted in a display space with ample height.
Eucalyptus species, in general, do not do well in humid environments. If you water them immediately after they dry out because it is spring or summer, you may cause root rot. It is best to keep it dry.
In the language of flowers, there are lovely words such as “new birth,” “rebirth,” and “memories.” It can be a gift for a new beginning, or you may welcome it as a gift to yourself.
Strelitzia Reginae | Blooms Orange Flowers
| Placement | bright shade |
| temperature | Keep at least 41°F |
| Cold resistance | somewhat strong |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: After the surface of the soil dries. Autumn/Winter: 3 to 4 days after the surface of the soil dries. |
Strelitzia reginae is also known as the “bird of paradise flower” because the shape of its flowers looks like the bird of paradise that lives in Papua New Guinea. In addition, its beautiful orange flowers make it a stylish interior decoration.
It grows like a fan, so it is best to place it in a space with some spare space. It is suitable for symbolic trees in the living room. It will brighten up the surroundings.
Strelitzia reginae has succulent leaves and is resistant to drought, making it easier to keep up with watering. It is a good choice for beginners as it is a hardy houseplant.
Recommended Xs Size (3~5｜10~20 inches) Houseplants
Last but not least is the XS size plant. The size allows you to place it on your work desk or on a stool, so it does not take up more space than necessary.
- Calathea orbifolia
- Watermelon peperomia
- Mini Monstera or Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
This is a good choice if you are looking for a plant for a small space.
Calathea orbifolia｜Unique Leaf Pattern
Calathea orbifolia is a highly interior decorative houseplant with a unique leaf pattern. It is also shaded tolerant so that you can place it in places with limited sunlight.
It is also recommended for desks and bathrooms that are often shaded. As it grows, it does not become tall but increases in volume, so it may be a good idea to secure the plant’s width from left to right and up and down.
The Calathea genus all have unique patterns. The beautiful silver-looking varieties are rare, so they are suitable for someone who appreciates uncommon things.
They are also suitable for feng shui, relaxing, and harmonizing relationships, so you should display them where you want to keep your chi in check.
Peperomia Watermelon | Perfect for Work Desk
Watermelon peperomia is a houseplant with leaves resembling a watermelon’s rind. It is moderately thick and succulent, making it simple to maintain and appropriate for beginners.
Its small size makes it ideal for use as a desk plant. It does not require a lot of light. Even when it grows large, it takes up little space, making it simple to manage.
The various colors of the leaves and stems make it an excellent choice for those looking for an interior design. You will be able to appreciate its lovely appearance in any setting.
Mini Monstera or Rhaphidophora tetrasperma | Shade Tolerant
| Placement | Bright shade |
| Temperature | Keep at least 50 °F or higher |
| Cold resistance | Somewhat weak |
| Heat resistance | strong |
| Watering | Spring/Summer: After the surface of the soil dries. Autumn/Winter: 2-3 days after the surface of the soil dries |
The leaves of the Mini Monstera are shaped in a way that looks like the wind is moving through them.
It is shade tolerant, so you can keep it even in poorly lit bathrooms and washrooms. You can keep the plant healthy if you regularly keep it in the sun.
If you keep the plant in the dark room where it doesn’t get any sun, its leaves will grow tall and look out of balance.
In addition, although Mini Monstera is considered a small Monstera species, its leaves are nevertheless quite large.
Instead of putting it in a small space, it’s better to give it enough room to keep the leaves from hitting the walls or other things.
What to Look For Besides Size When Choosing Houseplants
To place a houseplant, you must consider more than just size. Specifically, there are four things to check
- Exposure to the sun where you place it,
- Ease of growth.
- Language of flowers and feng shui effect
- Whether the plant will harm pets or babies.
Placement of the Plants
First and foremost, does the location where you intend to place the houseplant receive adequate sunlight?
The plant will be vigorous and send out many leaves if it is sunny. Therefore, there is no need to be concerned about growing them.
If, on the other hand, it is not in a sunny spot, the plant will be healthy for a few weeks, but then it will start to get weaker, and the leaves will start to droop. At first glance, the plant looks green, but it is slowly dying.
Depending on where you live, it may be challenging to provide an ideal growing environment. However, it is critical for plants to check the “availability of sunlight” ahead of time.
Ease of Growing
It’s also a good idea to check how easy it is to grow your chosen houseplants. Choose “shade tolerant” plants and “drought tolerant” in particular.
If the plant can grow in the shade, it can be grown in places that don’t get much sun, and you won’t have any trouble finding a place for it.
Also, if it can handle drought, you won’t have to water it as often, making it easier to take care of.
“Is this plant easy to grow?” is a good question, especially for beginners.
Flower Language and Feng Shui Effects
Did you know that each houseplant has its flower language and feng shui effect?
Ficus umbellata, for example, has the flower words “eternal happiness” and “conjugal love,” as well as the feng shui effects “luck in the money” and “luck in meeting someone.”
Some plants have similar names and feng shui effects, but they are different. If you choose a plant as a gift, you may want to think about “what you are looking for” or “how you want the recipient to feel.”
Since they all have effects that make our lives better, we can live a comfortable green life if we can figure out how to use them all in our daily lives.
Are Plants Harmful to Pets or Babies?
Plants can cause rashes and vomiting if accidentally ingested. Although little kids may not be likely to eat it themselves, be aware that contact with the sap can irritate them.
Here are some plants that may not be safe for your pets and kids if consumed accidentally.
- Ivy
- Monstera
- Poinsettia
- Dieffenbachia
- Daffodils
- lily of the valley
- Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)
There are other harmful plants besides those listed above, so check each plant’s details before buying.
What Is The Ideal Size For Houseplants In An Entryway?
If you are considering something a little larger, we suggest the M size (No. 6-10: 30-45 inches) and the S size (No. 5-6: 20-30 inches) for something smaller.
I recommend starting with the M size, even if you want to grow larger. As long as it is within reach, you can wipe each leaf carefully, and any problems you encounter can be detected immediately.
On the other hand, the S size is well-balanced because it is not too small but still easy to move around. It can be placed outside the entrance or on a shelf inside the door.
If you want a plant for your front door but have yet to decide on size, the S size is a good choice because it gives you many options for where to put it.
Summary
Since there are different types of houseplants and different sizes, some people may not be able to choose the right one even if you tell them how to choose.
So, if you are wondering “which plant to choose” or “I still can’t decide on the size,” I recommend the S size (No. 5-6: 20-30 inches).