If you are looking for perfect plant to fill that empty spot in your shelf, the search is over. But hey, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing a species: size, growth habit, and most importantly, lighting.
Unless your shelf is placed directly across from a window sunny, choosing plants that grow well in low to medium light is usually the best alternative.
Therefore, although the succulents are small and aesthetically pleasing, you should avoid placing them on shelves as they require a lot of light. See below for a list of 21 plants that are perfect for any shelf space:
1. Sword (sansevieria hahnii)
To the Saint George’s Swords grow well in low light conditions and this small, compact variety is no exception. The swordtail reaches about 20 cm in height and is generally low maintenance. Its small size and growth requirements make the swordfish a perfect choice for any empty shelf space.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water when the soil is dry.
2. Cylindrical Saint George’s Sword (Sansevieria cylindrica)
If you like the look of succulentsbut want to choose a plant that survives in a low-light space, look no further: here’s the Sansevieria cylindricaalso known as cylindrical sword-of-Saint-George.
Over time, these plants can grow quite large, but they are slow-growing. So if you choose a small plant, you’ll have a few years before it outgrows your available space.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water when the soil is dry
3. Couplet Sword (Sansevieria ehrenbergii)
One of the smallest varieties of Saint George’s Swordsthe plant couplet sword it doesn’t get much taller than 6 inches, making it perfect for small shelves. It does well in partial to low light conditions and doesn’t require frequent watering, making it a great «set and forget» plant.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water when the soil is dry
4. Golden Boa (Epipremnum aureum)
To the boa constrictors are known to be low-maintenance and perfect for growers of all skill levels, but when it comes to low-light spaces, it’s important to choose varieties that can withstand the condition, such as golden boa.
Avoid highly variegated varieties such as white boa or manjula, which will require more light. Boa constrictors also look great on shelves thanks to their climbing habit.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water once the top 5-7 cm of soil is dry
5. Jade boa constrictor (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’)
Another boa constrictor variety that does well in low-light conditions is the jade boa constrictor (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’). If you don’t like colorful leaf plants, this plant is the perfect choice for you. Plus, its growth habit looks great on both low and high shelves.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water once the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
6. Tillandsia
Tillandsias are extremely versatile air plants that require very little ongoing maintenance. While they can be grown in the ground, they are often sold bare root and displayed on unique stands and stands that turn them into works of art, making them a great addition to any shelf space.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Water every 1-2 weeks
7. Philodendron (philodendron scandens)
Those philodendrons popular are easy to grow and look great on shelves thanks to their vine-like growth habit. They do well in a variety of lighting conditions, from bright indirect light to dim light, and only need to be watered when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil has dried out.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water once the top 5-7 cm of soil is dry
See too
8. Fern maidenhair (adiantum aethiopicum)
Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum aethiopicum) are beautiful, delicate plants that are quite compact in size, growing to about 30cm tall at maturity.
They require more attention than some of the other plants on this list, but if you have a shelf in a wet room like a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, this fern is a great choice.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
9. Lemon bud fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)
Compared to maidenhair fernthe lemon bud fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’) is lower maintenance and more hardy. It doesn’t require as much moisture and will do well in many different spaces.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
10. American fern (nephrolepis exaltata)
To the American ferns (nephrolepis exaltata) are known to be a wide variety of ferns, but you can buy a plant that suits your space if you have one. small shelf. These ferns are great for the case because they grow well in partial to low light conditions.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
11. Maranta (Maranta spp.)
To the marantas they are a great choice for a shelf as they can tolerate partial to low light conditions and have a spreading growth habit. Plus, its leaves fold upwards at night, which adds visual interest to the space. The marantas come in a variety of colors and patterns, so have fun choosing one to suit your space!
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
12. Rattlesnake maranta (calathea lancifolia)
Compact in size, unique foliage and low light tolerant, the maranta rattlesnake it’s wonderful. As long as you manage to water it regularly, this plant will be the perfect item for the empty space on your shelf!
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
13. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Named for its delicate foliage, the plant baby tears it is a small plant with a spreading growth habit that adds texture and visual interest to any shelf. Be sure to keep the soil constantly moist to prevent leaf drop.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Keep the soil moist
14. Silver pilea (pilea glaucophylla)
If you like the look of the baby tears plant, but want foliage with a slightly cooler color, look no further than the silver pilea (pilea glaucophylla). It does best in strong to medium indirect light and requires consistently moist soil to thrive.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Keep the soil moist
15. Aluminum pile (Pilea cadierei ‘minimal’)
Aluminum pilea is a low maintenance houseplant characterized by dazzling silver and green foliage. Its dwarf variety (minimum pilea cadierei) is a perfect choice for that shelf that needs a little visual boost, coming in at about 6 inches tall.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
16. Fittonia (Fittonia spp.)
To the phytonias (Fittonia spp.) are characterized by the striking veins that run through the foliage and do well in a variety of lighting conditions. They have a sprawling growth habit and don’t get taller than 6 inches in green and pink, and will make a great addition to any shelf.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Keep the soil moist
17. Chlorophyte (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the most common houseplants and popular with beginners and experienced producers, the chlorophytum will grow well on virtually any shelf.
It’s adaptable to a variety of lighting conditions – from bright, indirect light to low light – and it’s also resilient when it comes to watering. A happy chlorophytum can grow relatively quickly, so this might not be the best choice if you want to fill small shelves.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water once the top 5-7 cm of soil is dry
18. Peperomia tetraphylla “Hope”
A Peperomia Hope (Peperomia tetraphylla “Hope”) is a creeping plant characterized by thick, succulent round leaves. It requires more light than some of the other plants on this list, doing best in strong to medium indirect light. It grows quickly in the right conditions and will look great on any shelf.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Keep the soil moist
19. Peperomia orba
This semi-succulent plant is characterized by its thick, lime-green leaves and compact growth habit. It makes a great shelf plant as long as it is in a location that receives medium to strong indirect light. Let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Water when the soil is dry
20. Peperomia prostrata
A peperomia prostrata it is a small and adorable plant that adapts best to strong, indirect light. Avoid this species if your shelf is located where there is little light, as it will become pale, long-legged, and will eventually begin to drop leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid excessively dry locations.
- Light: Partial
- Water: Keep the soil moist
21. Plant ZZ Zenzi (Zamioculcus zamiifolia “Zenzi”)
While ZZ plants are a little tall for most shelf spaces, the ZZ “Zenzi” plant (Zamioculcus zamiifolia “Zenzi”) is a compact variety that reaches about 30 cm in height and grows very slowly. It doesn’t require much ongoing maintenance and is extremely drought tolerant.
- Light: Partial, low
- Water: Water when the soil is dry
*Via The Spruce