Your Guide to Houseplants and Hardwood Flooring

If you have hardwood floors in your house, you might be wondering if you can keep plants. The good news is that you can! There are a few things to keep in mind, however, to make sure your houseplants and hardwood flooring are happy and healthy. 

Plus, we’ll also cover:

• The pros and cons of plants and hardwood
• General tips for houseplants and hardwood flooring
• Tips for more advanced plant parents

Introduction

Houseplants and hardwood flooring make a great pair. In fact, if you have hardwood floors in your house, you might want to consider adding a houseplant or two to help spruce up your home.

Plants can add color, life, and even a bit of extra oxygen to your home. Not to mention, both they and hardwood flooring can help purify the air in your home as well. 

So, what are the cons of keeping houseplants with hardwood flooring?

For one, while your plants may love water, your hardwood flooring can’t say the same. In fact, water and other liquids can destroy hardwood flooring. In addition, spilled soil and other plant-related debris can cause damage to your floors.

But don’t fret or toss your houseplants just yet. Just follow a few simple precautions and you can enjoy the beauty of plants in your home without damaging your hardwood floors.

(Left) Canewood – French Connection | (Right) Pebble Beach – Newport

General Tips for Houseplants and Hardwood Flooring

1. Choose plants that need less frequent watering (fewer chances for spills and leaks)
2. Use a waterproof plant saucer to catch water as it drains from the pot after watering
3. Use a stand to keep your plants elevated (so humidity and moisture doesn’t collect between the pot and the floor)
4. Use a watering can with a small opening and long spout to minimize spills
5. Wipe up any spills as soon as they occur

Advanced Tips for Plants and Hardwood Flooring

For experienced houseplant lovers, your setup and care requirements may look a bit different from that of a less experienced collector. Here are tips curated just for you –

1. For high-humidity plants, avoid misting near hardwood flooring
2. Ensure humidity levels are kept between 35-55% in rooms with hardwood flooring
3. UV lights may help your plants, but they can damage your floors. If your plant’s UV reaches your flooring, use a rug or other covering to protect it
4. When fertilizing, use extreme caution to never let it leak onto your floor. Even a few droplets can cause staining and discoloration.

Overall – Best Options

For homes with hardwood flooring, the best plants are ones with minimal watering requirements. That includes low-light succulents, snake plants, pothos, and spider plants. Be on the lookout for our upcoming list of other plants well suited for homes with hardwood flooring.

However, while we love plants, we don’t recommend those that love water or high humidity. These plant’s care requirements can harm your hardwood floor, even if the damage isn’t immediately visible.

When in doubt, reach out. We are only a message or call away from answering any houseplant and hardwood flooring questions you may have.