The Best Tips for Buying Plants at IKEA

IKEA living room with plants. — Courtesy of IKEA

Whether you're a first-time IKEA visitor or a proud hacker, IKEA is known for its smart mix of simple staples and affordable trendy items, and that extends beyond its assemble-it-yourself furniture.

Enter: the IKEA plant section. Snuggled right between the marketplace and the warehouse, the live houseplant section is one of IKEA's golden gems. You can find everything from a Dracaena cutting for $2.99 to a full-on Majesty Palm for under $15—and this entire area is hidden in plain sight.

This past Sunday, while families were rushing to pick out their items in the correct warehouse aisle and couples were fighting over whether they should hire a TaskRabbit to assemble their new lighting fixture, I slipped into the live houseplant section, and was awestruck at what I found. There were not only succulents of all shapes and sizes, but also Golden Pothos, Peperomia, several different varieties of Sansevieria, and a plethora of healthy Palms, all at extremely affordable price points.

IKEA bookshelf with plants. — Courtesy of IKEA

IKEA providing healthy, accessible houseplants seamlessly blends with their overall vibe and mission.

"Houseplants are an easy way to bring the outdoors in," Jenna Scherson, the U.S. Business Leader for Home Decoration at IKEA, says. "Creating a green haven can make your home both feel more peaceful and more alive—something that we all can benefit from in today’s world."

Here's what you need to know when shopping for plants at IKEA.

Meet the Expert

Jenna Scherson is the U.S. Business Leader for Home Decoration at IKEA.

Not All IKEA Plant Sections are Created Equal

But to be fair, they are pretty close. If you were to go to your local IKEA right now, you would probably find similar plants to the ones I mentioned above.

"The majority of stores have the same range, though availability may vary from store to store," Scherson says. "In addition to the variety of plants that we offer year-round, we have seasonal plants that are sold during certain times of the year."

Always Look for Signs of Good Health

No matter where you're shopping for houseplants, you'll always want to check for signs of good health: green leaves, upright stature, and no brown or yellowing spots.

If It's Sold at IKEA, It's Likely a Low-Maintenance Plant

Much like most of IKEA's furniture, the plants are known for being accessible. Most plants that are able to survive in a high traffic place without a ton of natural light are going to be pretty tolerant of your, say, not ideal apartment living situation, which is great news for beginning plant parents or someone looking to add some low-maintenance additions to their plant collection.

Scherson says there really is a plant for everyone. "IKEA offers an affordable and wide variety of healthy and high-quality plants to complement and enhance your home décor, from smaller plants that are perfect for your work-from-home desk to larger floor plants that help to completely transform an area of the home."

Here are the five best plants to buy at IKEA right now.

01 of 05

Dracaena

Any of the IKEA TROPISK plants that are potted in 12' grow pots are going to be the biggest bang for your buck. These assorted tropical plants, such as the Dracaena, are going to make a big statement in your space.

In this case, big statement plants don't necessarily mean difficult to maintain. Dracaena are some of the easiest, low-maintenance houseplants you can own. They like bright, indirect light, moist soil, and are tolerant of many temperatures, as long as it's not extreme.

IKEA Tropisk $40.00

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Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Dragon Tree Alive

02 of 05

Cacti

"For the novice indoor plant enthusiasts, we have a host of easy-to-care-for options like cacti and other succulents," Scherson says.

These adorable tiny cacti come in a set of three for less than $10, and you can choose from mint, blush, white, or charcoal tiny planters. Place them in a sunny windowsill and let them dry out completely in between waterings.

IKEA Cactacae $10.00

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03 of 05

Palm Plants

IKEA room with plants. — Courtesy of IKEA

Not quite as large as the 12" pot offerings, IKEA's PALMMIX is an assortment of palm plants that live in a 9 1/2" pot.

Palm trees prefer bright, indirect light and don't like to be over watered. These palms are pretty tolerant of several temperatures, as long as they're not too extreme.

How to Grow Indoor Palm Trees

04 of 05

Golden Pothos

IKEA's EPIPREMNUM golden pothos are a classic, easy-to-care-for houseplant and until May 25, 2021, they are only $7.99 at your local IKEA—after May 25th, they'll increase to $9,99, which is, still, a killer deal. Their cascading vines are sure to add some pizazz to your space.

Golden pothos can tolerate a variety of light levels and prefer for their soil to dry out in between waterings.

Your Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for a Golden Pothos

05 of 05

Sansevieria

There's a reason Sansevieria is everyone's favorite starter plant. Famously tolerant of low-light, snake plants are easy to care for, and, luckily for you, readily available at your local IKEA.

IKEA sells Sansevieria in a variety of sizes, from as large as an 8" pot for $14.99 to a 2 1/4" pot for $6.99. To care for your Sansevieria. be careful not to water it too often. Let the soil dry out completely in between waterings. Snake plants can survive in low light, but they can thrive in bright, indirect light, as well.

IKEA Sansevieria Trifasciata $8.00

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How to Grow Snake Plant

Don't Forget Your Planter

It's one thing to buy a healthy plant for an affordable price, but don't forget the planter—IKEA has plenty.

"It's not just about the plant, it’s the pot as well," Scherson says. "Our pots and plants together will help bring new colors and textures into your home for beautiful, nature-inspired updates."

She adds that on top of a variety of hanging planters and pots, IKEA also has ODLA clay pellets to help your plant achieve proper drainage.

If All Else Fails, Go Artificial

Just because something is affordable and trendy doesn't necessarily mean you should stock up—talking to myself here. If you know you can't handle one more plant in your indoor jungle or you just can't take care of one in general, try the artificial selection, located right before the live houseplant section of IKEA.

Scherson adds, "If your green thumb leaves something to be desired, we also have a fantastic selection of artificial plants and flowers for the same lifelike feel, minus the work."

So the next time you're trying to hack a BILLY bookcase, make sure to leave some room in your cart for a little plant life, too.

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