7 Cottagecore Plants to Complete the Aesthetic

Give your home serious cottagecore vibes with these houseplants

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 10/14/22
cottagecore plants in a kitchen

Design by @amberpiercedesigns / Photo by @lesliebrownphotography

If you love the cottagecore aesthetic, you need to add some plants to your home to create the vibe. Before we dive into sharing the best cottagecore plants to complete the aesthetic, you may be wondering, what it actually is. Cottagecore is an aesthetic that you can see all over social media. It’s inspired by a romanticized interpretation of farm life. It’s simple and harmonious. Imagine living in a cabin in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, living a simple, easy life. It pulls greatly from the English countryside from the Victoria era. Think Taylor Swift’s Folklore and you’ll be instantly transported to a cozy room, complete with a fireplace that you can enjoy while sipping on a cup of tea. And if you’re interested in both cottagecore and houseplants, you’re in luck because there are a lot of options out there to fill your home with to get that aesthetic. Think ferns and trailing plants that create a whimsical backdrop to your everyday life.

  • 01 of 07

    String of Nickels

    String of nickels succulent with bright green stems and round leaves in white pot

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    The string of nickels is a beautiful trailing plant that would look gorgeous on a rustic shelf. They don’t need much light as they are used to living in the shade of the forest. However, it does love humidity so make sure to give it a good mist every few days or keep it in your bathroom or kitchen. Let the soil dry completely between waterings to avoid drowning it. When you look at it you’ll feel as if you’re wandering barefoot through a beautiful forest.

  • 02 of 07

    English Ivy

    English Ivy

    The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

    If you’re looking for a quintessential cottagecore houseplant, look no further. English ivy is the epitome of the aesthetic. It grows like a weed and can give an untamed look, which would look really beautiful on a wooden shelf. Plus, it works both indoors and outdoors. They like their soil to be moist but not soggy, thrive in most lighting conditions, and love a good mist. Just pretend you’re in the rainy English countryside and you’ll be able to care for this beauty with ease.

  • 03 of 07

    Mahogany Fern

    Fern

    CEZARY ZAREBSKI PHOTOGRPAHY / Getty Images

    Ferns were super prevalent during Victorian times so it’s no wonder that they fit in really well with the cottagecore aesthetic. In fact, these delicate plants were a staple in people’s homes and gardens. The mahogany Fern does really well in a dark, gloomy environment. This makes it a great plant for low light situations as long as you remember to keep the soil moist. Because the plant is so fragile, it’s best to trim off any brown parts as you see them to keep it healthy. 

  • 04 of 07

    Asparagus Fern

    Asparagus Fern

    dowell / Getty Images

    Place this super delicate plant on a shelf and watch as the flimsy leaves reach new heights. These plants are quick growers when cared for correctly. The asparagus fern is native to a forest so it likes humidity and moist soil. It can grow well in both shaded areas or bright, indirect light. It’s an amazing way of bringing the forest indoors to ramp up cottagecore vibes in your home.

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  • 05 of 07

    Succulents

    Succulents

    Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images

    Create a whimsical succulent garden on your windowsill by pairing different varieties with each other. Succulents come in all shapes and sizes and are usually small, which makes them a great windowsill plant. They like bright, indirect light and only need a small amount of water to thrive, which is great if you don’t have much of a green thumb. 

  • 06 of 07

    Pothos

    Jade pothos in a hanging planter

    The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

    There are so many varieties of pothos plants to choose from and just about any would fit into the cottagecore aesthetic. Devil’s Ivy is the most common version (classic green) and it’s so easy to care for. They grow beautiful vines and would look amazing hanging in a window. They thrive in bright, indirect light and love to be watered every 1 to 2 weeks. Give them a small mist every once in a while, and they’ll reward you with long, lush vines.

  • 07 of 07

    Fiddle Leaf Fig

    a fiddle leaf fig tree

    The Spruce / Corinne Bryson

    If you want a statement plant the fiddle leaf fig is a great option. They like bright light but don’t place them directly in a window as their leaves can get scorched. Give them a mist every few days and wait until the soil is dry in between waterings. The gorgeous, shiny leaves are perfect for completing your cottagecore aesthetic. 

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