An Insider’s Guide to Scoring the Best IKEA Houseplants
Discover when and how to select healthy green companions for thriving indoor gardens.
An Insiderâs Guide to Scoring the Best IKEA Houseplants
IKEA has revolutionized more than just how we decorate our homesâitâs also a go-to destination for anyone looking to expand their indoor plant collection. With affordable prices, surprising plant varieties, and clever plant-care solutions, IKEA has become a central figure in the modern houseplant revival. This guide will walk you through the history, strategies, care tips, and expert secrets to getting the very best green companions from your next IKEA visit.
Contents
- A Brief History of IKEA and Houseplants
- How to Shop for the Best IKEA Houseplants
- How to Spot a Healthy IKEA Houseplant
- Popular & Trendsetting IKEA Plants
- IKEAâs Plant Pots and Clever Accessories
- Houseplant Care: Replicating Natural Conditions
- How IKEA Drives Houseplant Trends
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Brief History of IKEA and Houseplants
While it may seem that houseplants are a recent obsession, IKEAâs history with indoor greenery reaches back several decades. The first sign of IKEAâs green ambitions appeared in 1958, when houseplants debuted on its catalog cover. Since then, greeneryâespecially the iconic Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)âhas been a regular catalog presence, highlighted on covers in 1973, 1976, 1977, and 1990.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, as most nurseries scaled back their indoor plant offerings, IKEA doubled down, making foliage accessible and aspirational even during times when houseplants seemed passé. The companyâs approach not only resuscitated fading interest in houseplants but has helped drive the current wave of indoor planting as both décor and hobby.
How to Shop for the Best IKEA Houseplants
Thereâs a reason why shoppers regularly go into IKEA for plates and leave with a leafy friend. The layout strategically encourages impulse buys, but the savvy plant shopper can use a handful of insider strategies to get first pick of the healthiest and most unique specimens:
- Shop Soon After Restocks: Deliveries of fresh plants typically occur midweek, often on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Arrive early on these days to discover the widest and healthiest selection.
- Avoid Weekends: By Sunday, plant displays tend to be picked over. For rare or pristinely healthy plants, shop before the weekend rush.
- Bring a Plant Box or Tote: IKEA provides cardboard holders, but for delicate or trailing plants, your own box or tote ensures safe transit home.
- Ask the Staff: Store employees often know when new shipments arrive and can tip you off to any hidden specialty plants stashed away from high-traffic areas.
- Examine the Display Plants: Sometimes display plants are larger or more established and, if you ask, can occasionally be sold at a discount when due to be rotated out.
How to Spot a Healthy IKEA Houseplant
IKEAâs âpile âem high, sell âem cheapâ or âbulla bullaâ strategy means plants are often packed tightly on rolling metal trolleys or low pallet displays. While fresh shipments are typically in great condition, crowded displays can lead to problems if plants hang around for too long. To ensure you leave with the healthiest plant:
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- Inspect Leaves & Stems: Look for vibrant, firm, and blemish-free leaves with no signs of yellowing, browning, or wilting. Avoid plants with dry tips, limp stems, or sticky residue (which can signal pests).
- Check Soil Moisture: The soil should be moist but not soggy or bone dry. Gently squeeze the nursery pot to feel for root-bound or overwatered conditions.
- Spot Pests: Check the undersides of leaves and the top layer of soil for fungus gnats, spider mites, or aphids.
- Assess Root Health: (If possible) Gently slide the plant from its pot to check for white, firm roots and no foul smell.
Buying soon after delivery, and choosing from less crowded displays, increases your odds of a thriving plant. If in doubt, select younger, smaller plants, which often acclimate better to a new home.
Popular & Trendsetting IKEA Plants
IKEA is known for stocking perennially popular houseplants as well as launching âmust-haveâ foliage trends. Here are some customer favorites and trendy newcomers you can often find on IKEAâs shelves:
| Plant | Botanical Name | Light Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Fern | Nephrolepis exaltata | Indirect light | Classic favorite, excellent for bathrooms |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig | Ficus lyrata | Bright, indirect | Trendy statement plant, can be temperamental |
| Alocasia (Elephant Ear) | Alocasia spp. | Bright, indirect | Large dramatic leaves, current trend |
| Cacti (Various) | Cactaceae | Direct sunlight | Low maintenance, decorative appeal |
| Snake Plant | Sansevieria | Low to bright, indirect | Hardy, great for beginners |
| Jade Plant | Crassula ovata | Bright, indirect | Slow-growing, easy care |
| Succulents (Various) | â | Bright, direct | Ideal for sunny spots, drought-tolerant |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum | Low to bright, indirect | Flowering, air-purifying |
Selection varies seasonally and by location, but youâll always find a mix of classic easy-care plants and fashionable foliage.
IKEAâs Plant Pots and Clever Accessories
A plant from IKEA wouldnât be complete without one of their affordable and stylish pots or accessories. Consider these top picks the next time youâre outfitting your greenery:
- Sötcitron Self-watering Trough: A white, minimalist pot outfitted with a reservoirâperfect for busy plant parents.
- PS Fejö on Wheels: A practical mobile planter for larger or heavier plants, making sunlight follow-ups a breeze.
- OFANTLIGT Bowl: A budget-friendly porcelain solution for displaying succulents or ferns.
- Krydda/Växer Grow Kits: Inspired by professional hydroponics, these kits work well for herbs and edibles in small spaces.
- Artificial Plants: For those not ready for living greenery, IKEAâs faux foliage stays vibrant all year.
Complete your setup with affordable watering cans, decorative plant stands, and plant mistersâall staples in the IKEA plant aisle.
Houseplant Care: Replicating Natural Conditions
Ever since the Victorian eraâs fad for tropical indoor specimens, keeping houseplants thriving has come down to one principle: replicating their natural environment. IKEAâs plant selection is dominated by two main categories:
- Tropical Plants: Ferns, palms, vines, and dramatic foliage (e.g., Boston fern, fiddle leaf fig) that crave humidity and indirect or filtered bright light. Ideal for steamy kitchens and bathrooms with good airflow.
- Succulents & Cacti: Aloe, echeveria, jade plant, and other species adapted to dry, sunny climates. Place near the brightest window and avoid overwatering.
For best results, always read the care card. Hereâs a quick guideline:
- Humidity: Mist tropicals, or place on a pebble tray with water. Succulents need dry air.
- Light: Match plant signage with your homeâs lighting conditionsâdirect, indirect, or low light.
- Water: Tropicals want consistently moist but not soggy soil; succulents need a full dry-out before more water.
- Feeding: Use a mild liquid fertilizer in the growing season (spring through summer).
How IKEA Drives Houseplant Trends
IKEAâs expansive reach and stylish merchandising have played a subtle but powerful role in shaping houseplant trends. The company is adept at reading (and setting) whatâs âinââfrom the recent explosion of Alocasia âelephant earsâ to past surges in popularity for jade plants and hoyas. Large format foliage, trailing vines, and plants with architectural impact regularly debut alongside new seasonal catalogues, prompting copycat displays and viral social media posts.
Even with occasional supply dips (such as those caused by weather disruptions like hurricanes impacting supply lines), IKEAâs plant displays continue to inspire, democratizing access to houseplants for seasoned enthusiasts and new plant parents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does every IKEA store have the same plant selection?
A: No, selection varies by region, season, and shipment timing. While basics like succulents, cacti, and common ferns are always available, special or trendy species can be location-specific.
Q: When is the best time to shop for the healthiest plants?
A: Shop just after a new shipment arrivesâtypically midweekâfor the freshest, least-handled specimens.
Q: How do I care for my new IKEA houseplant once I get home?
A: Remove decorative wrapping, check for root crowding (repot if needed), and place the plant in a location suited to its light preference. Avoid overwatering and observe for acclimation stress in the first weeks.
Q: Are IKEAâs artificial plants realistic?
A: IKEAâs faux plants are well-designed, ideal for those seeking greenery without maintenance. While they lack the sensory benefits of real plants, they can provide a visual boost to any room.
Q: Whatâs an easy plant for beginners to try?
A: Snake plant (Sansevieria) and jade plant (Crassula ovata) are both hardy, tolerant of a variety of conditions, and great for new plant parents.
Key Takeaways for the IKEA Plant Shopper
- Visit IKEA soon after plant deliveries for the best choice and healthiest plants.
- Inspect plants carefully for signs of health and avoid neglected specimens.
- Select easy-care classics, like Boston ferns and snake plants, or opt into trends such as Alocasia for statement foliage.
- Utilize IKEAâs stylish planters and accessories to showcase and care for your greenery.
- Tune your care styleâmind humidity, light, and waterâaccording to the plantâs natural needs.
With a little know-how, a stroll through IKEAâs plant section can yield vibrant, healthy additions to your home or workspaceâplus a new appreciation for the companyâs surprisingly influential role in modern indoor gardening.
References
- https://www.gardenista.com/web-stories/an-insiders-guide-to-getting-first-dibs-on-the-best-ikea-houseplants-gardenista-xk3vr/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5x6UVjfEkk
- https://www.gardenista.com/posts/ikea-house-plants-insiders-guide/
- https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/ideas/how-to-choose-the-perfect-indoor-plant-pub6982cdc0/
- https://www.gardenista.com/garden-design-101/house-plants-growing-care-guide/
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