If you love plants as much as I do, you’re probably reading every houseplant blog on the internet and sourcing out all the good books on plants. I have learned a great deal, and along the way, accrued a collection of handy plant guides and gorgeous coffee table houseplant books. Today I’m sharing some of the best houseplant books I know you’ll dig.
These books have been authored by plant experts, combining an immense amount of knowledge with beautiful photography. Whether you are interested to learn more about indoor plant care or want to dabble in interior design with plants, these houseplant books will help you advance your skills and staying inspired!
Table of Contents
Best Houseplant Books
1. Wild at Home
Most plant enthusiasts would know Hilton Carter, the Dr Phil of houseplants. The houseplant expert has gained celebrity status in recent years, making appearances on Ellen, the Rachel Ray Show and other tv shows. I have a huge crush on him, and I adore his plant-filled apartment. His love for plants is infectious and he makes plant styling so much fun.
In this book, Carter brings us on a tour of his apartment as well as other lush spaces. He provides plenty of tips and tricks on how you too can create your own urban jungle. He’ll show you where to place plants in your home, how to propagate, how to find the right pot, and most importantly, how to arrange them so that they look their best. Definitely the best houseplant book for decorators!
2. Urban Jungle
Another popular houseplant book is Urban Jungle, by bloggers Igor Josifovic and Judith De Graaff. I adore the photography in this book and the beautiful European green homes featured in it. The book compiles plant styling ideas, care tips, and lifestyle from the international community of “Urban Jungle Bloggers.” And you’ll get to see the homes of the most Instagram famous plant collectors, who provide tips on how to transform your home into an urban jungle.
3. Living with Plants
DIY plant lovers will like this houseplant book! This book is part plant care, part DIY interior decorating, and part philosophy. It includes mini-guides on creating plant-related DIYs at home. There are over 30 innovative projects, with clear instructions on you can green-up your living space: from moss wall hangings, stylish propagation stations, potted plants, air plants, water plants, hanging baskets, terrariums, and more. The book is written by Sophie Lee, founder of botanical styling company, geo-fleur.
4. Plant Society
Plant Society was the first indoor plant guide I bought and it still stays dear to me. Australian architect and plant stylish, Jason Chongue, showed me that caring for plants is really not that difficult. His book features a plant encyclopedia that covers 25 best houseplants for beginners, along with a style guide for every room of the house. And the book is sprinkled generously with artsy photos that will give you ideas for styling your home with plants. You’ll also find interviews with ‘Plant People’ from around the world, who provide an insight into their unique relationships with house plants.
5. Jungalow: Decorate Wild
Well-known designer and artist, Justina Blakeney, has a new book on how to design wildly creative interiors and I’m obsessed with the lush interiors featured in the book! Jungalow is the term coined by Justina for the brand that embodies her wild, but cozy and homey, style. This book might lean more towards interior design than houseplants, but I guarantee you’ll love it if you’re into decorating with plants.
In each chapter, Justina shares her distinctive point of view on everything design fans want to know — how to take cues from nature, how to authentically glean inspiration from their heritage and travels, how to break rules, and all the other paths to truly begin to decorate wild. Along the way, Justina also shares personal narratives, practical advice, and nuanced insight into how she lives in her own space.
6. How to Houseplant
This quirky houseplant book gives a lighthearted take on caring for plants. Author Heather Rodino offers an animated, colorfully illustrated overview of plant care, profiling 50 of the most popular houseplants, from the Boston fern and the fiddle-leaf fig to the moth orchid. Her accessible advice on handling pests and diseases, troubleshooting problems, and assessing your growing conditions, will give novices the confidence they need to begin nurturing their own collection
7. Leaf Supply
This gorgeous indoor gardening book is every bit as useful as it is beautiful. Interior designers and plant experts, Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, really want you to love indoor gardening and growing as much as they do. Leaf Supply provides comprehensive (but easy to follow) care instructions for 100 houseplants. But much more than a plant guide, their book also gives interior styling advice on choosing the right pots for your plants, best utilizing your space, plus practical advice on plant food, lighting, temperature and other factors that affect plant growth.
8. How to Raise a Plant and Make It Love You Back
The title of this houseplant book itself will catch your attention — and the book’s content does not disappoint. The book is written by the creators of the House Plant Club community, Erin Harding and Morgan Doane, who both have huge followings on Instagram. Aimed at a new generation of indoor gardening enthusiasts, this is one of the best houseplant books for the novice “plant parent,” providing tips on how to choose plants, and above all how to care for them and keep them thriving.
9. The New Plant Parent
If you follow @houseplantjournal on Instagram, you’ll know how meticulous and smart Darryl Cheng is in his approach to plant caring. As an engineer, he gives very practical and scientific advice in his book. He also teaches the art of understanding a plant’s needs and giving it a home with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients. After reading Cheng, you’ll be much more confident and active in your plant care, relying on observation and insight rather than just following rules.
10. How Not to Kill Your Plant
Last but not least, this is one of the best houseplant books in terms of positive reviews. If you’re horticulturally challenged and can’t keep a house plant alive to save your life, then this book is for you! This tongue-in-cheek humorous book is designed for plant parents who really want to sustain their hobby without killing anymore plants!
With over 50 different types of popular houseplants, this indoor plant book summarizes what type of care your plants do (or don’t) need. Find out which types of plants will thrive in your living space. You’ll also discover how to keep a cactus alive, where to hang air plants, which of the pink houseplants are easy to care for, and how to repot succulents. Understand how much light, water, heat, and humidity your plant needs. If you can only buy one book about plants, make it this one.
Which of these indoor plant books do you have? I hope my list of best houseplant books will help inspire you with plant styling and decorating ideas, and develop your knowledge on houseplant care. I sure as hell have learned a great deal from these books about plants! Happy reading!
Thanks for sharing. I’m always looking for new books like this. I also love the look of them with my plant displays, and of course on the coffee table.