Dainty doesn't do it: What men want in their houseplants

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from “Indoor Plant Decor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants” by Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson. The chapter selected, “Haberdashery,” is one of several on specific interior design themes the authors use as inspiration for selecting and styling indoor plants. “Haberdashery” is meant to inspire men, and we hope it sparks ideas for marketing houseplants to guys at your garden center.

Few publications on decorating with plants focus on the male population. Though men in general might not seem to care one way or another about sharing their living space with plants, we know that isn’t always true. So in order to get an idea of what men really do want, we asked them. An informal survey on Facebook showed that yes, they have very definite preferences, albeit basic ones. We found that it isn’t all that difficult to incorporate plants as a design element in a decidedly masculine environment. ­— Kylee Baumle

Haberdashery

Okay, guys. Let’s talk about your uniquely masculine space. We hate to stereotype anyone, but if you’re like most men, you want your living quarters to be hip, yet comfortable, and you don’t want a lot of froufrou. You might confidently wear a pink shirt on occasion, but the colors you live with likely don’t veer in that direction. And we’re betting you have better things to do with your time than clean house and fuss over your potted plants.

Leathers, woods, metallics and neutral colors suggest masculinity, but a pop of color here and there guards against monotony. Favorite pieces are those that serve a purpose as well as being good-looking, such as the end table that has a magazine pocket attached to the side.

You probably want your plants to fit that description too, don’t you? Low- or no-care is a must and architectural plants work well for you. While you want your plants to make a statement, they need to stay out of your way.
 

First steps

Dainty doesn’t do it when it comes to plant choices, so the containers they’re in should have some heft to them. Glazed ceramics, beautiful woods, hypertufa and concrete, metallic pots, and heavy glass will complement their surroundings.

Large floor plants with strong architecture can be like a piece of furniture if given a place of prominence, or they can provide the perfect backdrop for existing pieces.

Some men like flowers, and a cut bouquet often fulfills that need, rather than a plant with roots. But for an ongoing color fix at a lower overall cost, consider a potted plant with simple flowers, such as the Peace lily (Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum) — or even brightly colored foliage like a red or pink Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema).

You might think there aren’t that many plants that will forgive you if you get busy with other things and forget to water them or to raise the blinds in the morning to let more of the day’s light in. But not all houseplants are needy or demand more of your attention than you’re willing to give them. Low-light plants such as snake plant and ZZ plant and many succulents will work with rather than against your lifestyle.

Some plants have a coolness factor that appeals to men, such as air plants (Tillandsia), which don’t need soil to survive. Lithops look just like little rocks — in fact, are called “living stones.” Crotons have such vivid colors that they almost don’t look real, but it can be just the right plant to provide visual variety.

Don’t shy away from plants like orchids just because they seem so exotic and “flowery” — their strong shape and low maintenance make them perfect for manly spaces. Choose a white bloom color and pair it with an earthy or neutral container color to cut down on the feminine while boosting the masculine appeal.
 

Plants for a Haberdashery Interior

• Agave (Agave spp.)
• Aloe (Aloe spp.)
• Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
• Bromeliads
• Cacti
• Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
• Corn plant (Dracaena marginata)
• Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
• Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
• Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
• Living stones (Lithops spp.)
• Orchids
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum)
• Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
• Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
• Snake plant (Sansevieria spp.)
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
• ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
• Donkey ears (Echeveria purpusorum)