Houseplants at M&S:
How to care for and style them, and which to buy

Bring the outdoors indoors

Some of our houseplants can be paired with your choice of pot – from handmade ceramics to wicker baskets. Plus, all our plants are delivered for free.

Every plant from M&S comes with a care guide featuring helpful details on what your plant needs to flourish.

Start with the idyllic space

A good tip for choosing a houseplant is starting with the space you want to put it in. There’s a plant for every spot, even narrow areas and small corners.

Different plants do thrive in different levels of light. By observing how much light that perfect place in your house receives, you can find a plant to suit it.

Say hello to sunlight

Some plants really love sunlight, some love less, but all need it. The accompanying care guides will let you know how much light the plant should be getting.

For areas with bright light, like next to a window, choose plants like cacti and succulents which thrive in dessert-like climates. Areas that have medium light will suit most things, while plants such as ferns, monstera and snake plants can survive in low light areas.

Too much sunlight can cause plant leaves to burn, while too little can cause leaves to droop and become yellow. If you notice these changes in your plant, immediately move towards or away from lighter areas and remove any damaged leaves.

When to water

Like sunlight, different plants require different amounts of water. Signs that you’re watering your plants too little are wilted or crispy leaves and they may turn brown and roll up. To recover the plant, simply water it more.

However, do be careful not to overwater your plant. If the soil starts growing mould or the leaves start to droop, these are typical signs your plant has been overwatered. Hold off watering the plant to allow it to dry out.

Unhelpfully, it can be tricky to tell if a plant is being overwatered or underwatered – for example, plant leaves turning yellow is a sign of too much water and too little water. Try putting your finger into the soil: if it comes out dry, the plant needs more water. If soil sticks to your finger, the plant has likely been overwatered.

Changing the seasons

Plants, like many of us, sometimes struggle with change. Plants will grow less in winter, but don’t fret, this is natural as they are conserving energy. When it comes to watering, in winter you usually won’t need to water as much, while in summer, the opposite is true.

As there is less light in winter, plants may need to be moved closer to a window. However, in summer, plants may need to be moved out of direct sunlight to avoid burning.

Different plants thrive in different environments, so remember to read the care guide. It’s also important to look out for the symptoms that may show your plant is struggling, and then act on them.

Bathroom beauties

Not only do plants look great in bathrooms, some varieties even thrive in the humid environment. Opt for our Boston Fern in a ceramic pot, as it loves the moisture a bathroom setting provides and it prefers rooms with low light. Just be sure to check the soil once a week, and allow any excess water to drain off. Humidity-loving calatheas, monsteras and succulents would also make great additions to your bathroom.

Go green

For maximum impact, try arranging a selection of plants on a sideboard or table at different heights to create an eye-catching focal point.

Start with our Medium Zamioculcas as a lush addition to your home with its structural form and verdant green leaves, presented in a glazed ceramic pot crafted in Portugal. Only water when the soil feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Try pairing the Zamioculcas with our Sansevieria (also known as a snake plant). This almost-unkillable plant thrives in most environments – all it needs is light, watering every couple of weeks and dusting every so often. Snake plants are perfect for the bedroom, as they soak up oxygen during the day and release it at night.

The showstopping statement

When it comes to plants, sometimes bigger really is better. Calathea plants have beautiful glossy green leaves with intricate pink patterns. This plant loves partial shade and regular misting. If a leaf or stem is looking a little sad or dry, simply remove with shears or scissors to encourage new growth.

Is your houseplant outgrowing its pot? To re-pot, lightly water it the day before to soften the soil, remove the plant and prune the roots. Then place the plant in a new pot that’s roughly two inches larger in diameter, add compost, water the plant and watch it flourish.

Kit out your kitchen

Light, airy kitchens with high ceilings and plenty of surfaces are the perfect setting for a selection of statement plants. We love adding greenery to different levels, whether that’s on shelves nestled between mugs, on stools or even on top of the fridge.

Our top pick? For a touch of modernity, we love a Large Dracaena, which comes in a basket. This big and striking plant is one of the easiest houseplants to care for – just position it in a well-lit area, away from direct sunlight and only water when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Or choose our on-trend Medium Monstera (also known as a Swiss cheese plant). This statement plant is super stylish and low maintenance, too. Just place it in a sunny spot, mist the leaves regularly and again only water when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Easy to care for and love

If you're buying your first houseplants and don’t know where to begin, or are limited on time and struggle to deal with high maintenance plants, our Easy Care Green Plant Bundle could be the one for you. This bundle trio comes with one Succulent, one Sansevieria and one Ficus, all in complementary ceramics with reactive glazes.

These houseplants look great on desks or shelves as accents. Don’t be afraid to arrange a mismatched group of plants next to each other to fill up larger spaces for a more naturally cultivated space.

All over orchids

Explore our range of orchids online to add a touch of elegance to your space. Whether you prefer bright colours or muted neutrals in your home, we have many orchids online and in store. You could also pair orchids with a bottle of fizz or chocolates for a gorgeous gift.

Orchids go through cycles of flowering meaning they can last a long time when looked after properly. Our handy care leaflets come with helpful tips for how to look after your plant.

All our plants are always sourced from trusted growers and come with free nominated-day delivery, making gifting easy.