5 Coastal Grandma-Approved Plants to Help You Get the Look

Plants that will give your home serious coastal grandma vibes

By
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller sitting holding a large houseplant
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller has been writing about houseplants for The Spruce since winter 2020. She has a collection of over 75 plants in her London flat. She authored the book "The Rainbow Atlas" and her writing has appeared on Bustle and BuzzFeed.
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Published on 08/29/22
coastal grandma plants

The Spruce / Design by Amy Sheehan / Image by coramueller / Getty Images

The coastal grandma aesthetic is all the rage right now. If you haven't seen it yet, imagine Nantucket meets classic borderline preppy meets minimalism. It’s been around for ages but is definitely having its moment now. The whole aesthetic has gone viral on TikTok when it comes to fashion and home decor. But what about plants? Can they have a coastal grandma aesthetic? The short answer. Absolutely. There are several types of plants that can give off that vibe. We especially love different types of ficus and anything that looks like a tree. We’ve rounded up 5 coastal grandma-approved plants so you can fill your home with them. 

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  • 01 of 05

    Ficus Altissima

    Closeup of ficus altissima

    KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    The Ficus altissima, or yellow gem, is a plant that is very similar to the fiddle leaf fig. It’s actually a really interesting plant in the wild: It grows on the branches of larger trees and then twists around the host’s trunk until it gets to the ground. This type of plant is perfect for smaller spaces because it doesn’t take up as much space as a fiddle leaf fig does but still has the coastal grandma look. It loves lots of light as long as it isn’t direct. You only need to water it whenever the top two inches of the soil are dry.

  • 02 of 05

    Kentia Palm

    kentia palm

    Getty Images / Photology1971

    The Kentia palm is a great plant for beginners because they are pretty easy to care for. They’re quite beautiful and are a striking addition to any coastal grandma home. They are native to the South Pacific and like to be planted in a well-draining potting mix. Only water them when they’re top two inches of soil dry out. Mist them occasionally and wipe away any dust from their leaves to help them absorb the sunlight. They can live in low light situations but prefer indirect light. Kentia palms are great plants to transition from indoor to outdoor during the summer months. Simply put them in a shaded area and they will thrive. 

  • 03 of 05

    Weeping Fig

    weeping fig

    Getty Images / Westend61

    The weeping fig tree is probably the most coastal grandma on our list. It’s a very elegant plant and the dark glossy leaves add a peaceful, natural look to your home. If you really want something special, try to find one with a braided trunk. These plants like bright, filtered sun and fast-draining potting soil. Water it regularly during the summer and less during the winter. If your plant drops a few leaves, change up your watering schedule — it could be developing root rot. Mist regularly or place near a humidifier to create the optimal growing situation for your weeping fig. 

  • 04 of 05

    Fiddle Leaf Fig

    Fidlde leaf fig

    Getty Images / sarayut Thaneerat

    Fiddle-leaf figs can be a bit finicky, but don’t let that scare you off. You need to get your watering schedule perfect — not too wet, not too dry — so check this one with a moisture meter before watering. They love bright indirect light and don’t enjoy cold droughts. They love humidity so be sure to mist regularly. Also keep the leaves clean so they can properly absorb the sun. These plants are notorious for dropping some leaves once they’ve been moved to a new environment so if you decide to purchase one, don’t worry if that happens when you bring it home!

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    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    Citrus Trees

    citrus tree

    Getty Images / coramueller

    Citrus trees, like a kumquat tree, are a great addition to your houseplant collection. They’re not only beautiful to look at but they also fill your space with a beautiful aroma. As long as you keep them happy you can expect them to flower and fruit annually. They’re also a great plant to bring outdoors in the summertime, if your climate allows. If you’re caring for them indoors, make sure they're getting at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They like it to be humid so if you can place it in the kitchen or bathroom, even better. Water them once or twice a week during the summertime and less frequently in the winter. You’ll have orange-looking fruit growing in no time.

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