Let’s be real: a boho bedroom without plants is just a regular bedroom with some throw pillows. Plants are the backbone of that earthy, lived-in vibe we’re all chasing. They purify your air, add instant color, and make your space feel alive in a way no decor piece ever could. I’m about to share my favorite plant ideas that’ll transform your bedroom into a green sanctuary without turning it into a jungle (unless that’s your thing—no judgment).
1. Trailing Pothos from High Shelves
Pothos is the MVP of bedroom plants, hands down. Why? Because you can literally forget about it for two weeks, and it’ll still look gorgeous trailing down from your shelf like it’s living its best life.
Mount it on a shelves/ bookcase high up in the air and allow the vines to hang. The heart-shaped leaves provide a touch of femininity and movement and the plant practically lives on neglect. In my bedroom, I have three pothos plants and they have endured all my overwatering as well as my utter forgetfulness. That is the type of plant association that I am able to sustain.
Care Tips for Success
- Water when the soil feels dry (usually once a week)
- Tolerates low light but grows faster in bright, indirect light
- Trim the vines when they get too long and propagate them in water
You’ll end up with baby plants to spread throughout your room or gift to friends. Win-win.
2. Snake Plants for That Vertical Drama
If you want architectural interest without high maintenance, snake plants are your answer. Those tall, upright leaves add vertical drama and look incredibly chic in the right pot.
I have a huge snake plant in a woven basket planter, which sits beside my dresser, and it has taken the center stage. The snake plants are also known to emit oxygen during the night (as opposed to most plants), thus they are in fact useful in the air at bedtime (they purify the air in your bedroom when you sleep). Knowledge supporting your choice of decoration? Love to see it.
Place them in corners, beside your bed, or flanking a window. They tolerate low light and forgive inconsistent watering, which makes them perfect for bedrooms where you might not have tons of natural light.
3. Hanging Macramé Plant Hangers
Nothing screams boho quite like a macramé plant hanger suspended from the ceiling. It maximizes vertical space, adds texture, and creates visual interest at different heights.
I hung a spider plant in a macramé hanger near my window, and the way it catches the light is chef’s kiss. The key is choosing the right spot—you want it where it won’t bump your head but where you can still appreciate it.
Best plants for hanging:
- Spider plants (they produce baby spiders that hang down—so cute)
- String of pearls (delicate and sculptural)
- Boston ferns (if you can handle the humidity needs)
- Philodendrons (trailing and easy-going)
Just make sure your ceiling can support the weight once you water the plant. Trust me on this one—I learned the hard way. :/
4. Fiddle Leaf Fig for Statement-Making
Want to go big? A fiddle leaf fig makes a serious statement. Those large, violin-shaped leaves bring drama and elegance, instantly elevating your boho bedroom.
Fair warning: fiddles can be divas. They like consistent watering, bright indirect light, and they’ll drop leaves if you look at them wrong. But when you get it right? They’re showstoppers.
I keep mine in a large terracotta pot near my brightest window. It took a few months to figure out its watering schedule, but now it’s thriving and adds that jungle-luxury vibe I was going for.
5. Monstera Deliciosa for Tropical Vibes
The Monstera (also called Swiss cheese plant) is iconic for a reason. Those split leaves create gorgeous shadows and add instant tropical energy to your bedroom.
Monsteras grow fast, climb if you give them support, and honestly look expensive even though they’re pretty affordable. I trained mine up a moss pole, and watching it put out new leaves is weirdly satisfying.
They prefer bright, indirect light and weekly watering. As they mature, the leaves develop more splits and holes, which means your plant is happy. It’s like getting visual confirmation that you’re doing something right.
6. Succulents on the Nightstand
Succulent arrangements on your nightstand or dresser add pops of green without taking up much space. They’re low-maintenance (water every 2-3 weeks) and come in endless varieties.
I spin the little succulents in ceramic pots on my nightstand based on my mood. Echeveria, jade plants and aloe all are effective. The only thing to do is to make sure they receive some direct lighting- best to place them on the windowsill.
Group odd numbers together (3 or 5) in different sized pots for a curated look. Mix textures and colors—some silvery-blue, some deep green, maybe a purple one for contrast.
7. Air Plants for Zero-Soil Magic
Air plants are perfect for boho bedrooms because you can display them creatively without pots. Hang them in glass terrariums, nestle them in driftwood, or attach them to wall-mounted displays.
I’ve got several air plants displayed in a hanging glass globe near my window, and they’re total conversation starters. You just mist them a few times a week or soak them in water for 20 minutes once a week. No soil, no mess, all aesthetic.
They work especially well in smaller bedrooms where floor space is limited. Think vertical and get creative with display options—the boho possibilities are endless.
8. Rubber Plant for Bold Foliage
The rubber plant brings bold, glossy leaves in deep green or burgundy tones. It’s substantial enough to anchor a corner but easier to care for than a fiddle leaf fig.
I love the burgundy variety (Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’) for adding unexpected color depth. It pairs beautifully with earthy boho tones like terracotta, rust, and cream.
These plants grow tall over time, so give them space to spread. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them glossy. They’re pretty forgiving and look polished without much effort.
9. Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)
The Pilea has become hugely popular, and I totally get why. Those round, pancake-shaped leaves on delicate stems are adorable and slightly quirky—very on-brand for boho style.
They’re also generous plants. Mine constantly produces babies around the base that I can propagate and share. I’ve given away at least a dozen Pilea babies to friends, and they all come back telling me how well they’re doing.
Place them where they’ll get bright, indirect light, and rotate them regularly so they grow evenly. They’re compact enough for shelves, nightstands, or small plant stands.
10. Boston Fern for Lush Fullness
If you can handle the humidity requirements, a Boston fern adds incredible lushness and softness. Those feathery fronds create a romantic, vintage-garden vibe.
I’ll be honest—ferns are needier than some other plants. They want consistent moisture and humidity, which can be tricky in bedrooms. But if you’ve got a bathroom attached or use a humidifier, they’ll reward you with gorgeous, full growth.
Display them in hanging baskets or on high shelves where the fronds can drape naturally. The texture contrast against other plants is beautiful.
11. ZZ Plant for Ultimate Low-Maintenance
The ZZ plant is basically indestructible. Seriously, if you’ve killed every plant you’ve ever owned, start here. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, and general neglect like a champion.
The waxy, deep green leaves look polished and intentional. I keep one in the shadiest corner of my bedroom where nothing else would survive, and it’s doing just fine, thank you very much.
Water it maybe once every 2-3 weeks (let the soil dry completely between waterings), and you’re good. It’s the plant equivalent of a reliable friend who never asks for much but always shows up.
12. String of Hearts for Delicate Beauty
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) produces delicate, cascading stems with tiny heart-shaped leaves. It’s romantic, whimsical, and perfect for adding softness to your boho bedroom.
I grow mine in a small hanging planter near my window, and the way the trailing stems catch the light is magical. As it matures, the strands get longer and fuller, creating a living curtain effect.
They prefer bright, indirect light and minimal watering (let the soil dry out between waterings). The variegated variety adds pink tones that complement boho color palettes beautifully.
13. Philodendron for Easy Elegance
Philodendrons come in so many varieties, but they all share the same easy-going nature. Heart-leaf philodendrons trail beautifully, while split-leaf varieties make bold statements.
I’ve got a philodendron Brasil (with gorgeous yellow variegation) trailing from a shelf, and it grows like crazy with minimal effort. These plants adapt well to different light conditions and bounce back quickly if you forget to water them.
They’re also great for beginners because they communicate clearly—droopy leaves mean they’re thirsty, and they perk up within hours of watering. FYI, that instant gratification is super satisfying.
14. Calathea for Pattern and Color
If you want something special, Calatheas bring incredible leaf patterns and colors—stripes, spots, pink undersides, and more. They’re like living art pieces.
Now, I’ll level with you: Calatheas are pickier than your average plant. They want consistent moisture, humidity, and filtered light. But if you’re up for the challenge, they add unique visual interest you can’t get elsewhere.
I keep mine in a bright bathroom where the humidity is naturally higher, and it’s thriving. The leaves fold up at night (called nyctinasty—cool, right?), which adds a dynamic, living quality to your space.
Plant Display Ideas for Maximum Impact
You’ve got the plants—now let’s talk about displaying them effectively:
- Vary heights: Use plant stands, shelves, and floor placement to create layers
- Group odd numbers: 3 or 5 plants together looks more intentional than pairs
- Mix textures: Combine trailing, upright, and bushy plants for visual interest
- Choose complementary pots: Terracotta, ceramic, woven baskets, and white pots all work for boho
The goal is making it look collected over time, not bought in one trip to the nursery. Space plants throughout the room rather than clustering them all in one spot.
Quick Plant Care Reference
| Plant Type | Light Needs | Water Frequency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low to bright indirect | Weekly | Super easy |
| Snake Plant | Low to bright indirect | Every 2-3 weeks | Super easy |
| Monstera | Bright indirect | Weekly | Easy |
| Calathea | Filtered light | 2x per week + humidity | Intermediate |
Making It Work Long-Term
The problem with having plants in your bedroom is that they need real maintenance. Start with 2-3 easy plants and add more as you get comfortable. I have more than fifteen plants in my bedroom now, having started with just one pothos three years ago. As I discovered what works in my space, the collection grew organically.
Pay attention to your bedroom’s specific conditions. How much natural light do you get? Is the air dry or humid? Is it cool or warm? Match plants to your conditions rather than fighting against them.
And please, don’t beat yourself up if a plant dies. It happens to everyone. Even plant influencers kill plants—they just don’t post about it. 🙂 Learn from it, try again, and remember that most common houseplants are incredibly forgiving.
Breathing Life Into Your Space
Plants transform a bedroom from a place you sleep into a living, breathing sanctuary. That natural, earthy boho look you’re after? Plants are non-negotiable. They soften hard edges, purify air, reduce stress, and make your space feel genuinely alive.
Start small, pick plants that complement your lifestyle and lighting, and allow your indoor garden to develop naturally. Before you know it, you’ll be the person who names and converses with their plants. And really? That’s a beautiful place to be.
Now go adopt some green friends and create that lush, earthy bedroom you’ve been dreaming about. Your future plant-parent self will thank you. 🌿