Cottage Calm: Houseplants for a Softer, Slower Style

While the indoor jungle trend has filled our feeds with bold foliage and towering tropicals, there's another movement quietly growing—one that’s rooted in softness, nostalgia, and calm. Often described as cottagecore, cottage calm, or simply a more curated approach to houseplants, it’s about more than just aesthetics. It’s about how we want our homes to feel.

At Happy Houseplants, we’ve always loved a good rainforest moment—but our hearts have long belonged to this gentler side of greenery. From the beginning, we’ve celebrated the kind of plants that soften a space without overpowering it, that grow slowly and gracefully, and that feel right at home among vintage fabrics, natural textures and well-worn books.

So what is cottagecore, really? In design terms, it’s a romantic return to the handmade, the natural, and the gently worn. Think of the English country interiors of Matilda Goad, or the earthy, unhurried feel of House & Garden’s “slow decorating” features. Cottage calm is the houseplant companion to this aesthetic: foliage that accents rather than dominates, quiet shapes, familiar forms, and timeless favourites.

You’ll find it echoed in the soft palettes of Cabbages & Roses, a the global brands like Anthropologie have embraced this mood, layering terracotta pots, handmade ceramics, and vintage botanical prints into their collections.

If your idea of green doesn’t include a machete, here are six houseplants we think define the look—and why they’ve become essentials in the shift from jungle to cottage calm.

Scented Pelargonium
These soft, minty-scented plants are the ultimate cottagecore favourites. Their variegated leaves and fresh fragrance make them feel more like a garden windowsill than an indoor trend. Brushing past one is a joy—and they pair beautifully with natural wood, glazed pottery and linen. Increasingly seen in design shoots and quiet luxury homes, they’ve found their moment.

Peace Lily
There’s a reason the Peace Lily has endured for decades. Its soft, upright leaves and occasional white blooms bring an immediate sense of calm to a room. Unlike jungle-style plants that demand attention, the Peace Lily is content to sit quietly in a corner, purifying the air and softening the light.

Spider Plant
Light, lacy and endlessly generous, the Spider Plant is perfect for adding gentle movement and greenery to shelves and windowsills. Its arching stems and baby offshoots give it a lived-in feel, and it thrives without fuss—ideal for those who love their home full of quiet life.

Parlour Palm
This elegant plant earned its name in Victorian drawing rooms—and it’s just as suited to today’s gentle interiors. The Parlour Palm brings vertical softness and works beautifully in rooms with original features, vintage pieces or handmade details. It’s a calm presence rather than a jungle statement.

Pilea Peperomioides
This charming plant, sometimes known as the Chinese Money Plant, offers round leaves and a pleasing, sculptural form. It sits happily on a windowsill or side table and adds a subtle design touch to any space.

Aspidistra
The ultimate cottage plant. Known as the “cast iron plant,” Aspidistra was a favourite in Victorian homes for good reason. It thrives on neglect, tolerates low light, and carries a sense of heritage and timelessness. With its deep green leaves and classic shape, it’s perfect for older homes, rented spaces, or anyone looking to add quiet dignity to a room. It’s a natural fit alongside antique furniture, William Morris prints, or glazed earthenware.

At Happy Houseplants, we’ve always believed in creating living spaces that reflect how people actually live. While we adore bold foliage and the thrill of rare tropicals, we know that for many people, home is about peace, not drama. That’s why we’ve stocked plants like the Aspidistra and Spider Plant from day one—long before they were trending—and why our collection includes so many calm, classic houseplants that suit slower, softer interiors.

If you’re building a home around quiet moments and thoughtful touches, these plants are for you.

They’re not the wild ones—but they’re the ones that stay with you.

Explore our Cottage Calm collection