The gardening community has been producing practical indoor plant care books and manuals for decades. Today, so many of us look to the internet for information and inspiration on indoor plants, but there’s nothing like cracking open a beautiful book on the subject. Whether it’s for your own personal growth or as a gift for a plant-loving friend, here are our favorite books that not only cover some of the basics of practical plant care but also dive into the world of living with and styling beautiful indoor greenery.

The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng

Best for: New plant parents! And anyone looking to deepen their relationship and understanding of their leafy companions.

Darryl Cheng of House Plant Journal knows a thing or two about practical plant care. His book is a wonderfully holistic introduction to the world of indoor plants, and focuses primarily on developing the intuitive sense we know as “green thumb”.

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The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer

Best for: DIYers and those looking to get their hands dirty.

From moss walls to greenhouse terrariums, this book by The Balcony Gardener’s Isabelle Palmer is a fun introduction to hands-on projects for small urban spaces.

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Wonder Plants by Irene Schampaert

Best for: architecture and interior lovers, plant styling inspiration, and unique coffee table decor.

From Antwerp to Tokyo and everywhere in between, Wonder Plants is a visual journey through beautiful green-inspired spaces. Best for gaining inspiration, this book also includes some practical plant care information.

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The Little Book of Cacti And Other Succulents by Emma Sibley

Best for: those looking to create a boho cacti collection.

The name says it all. This adorable little pocket book covers over 60 different varieties of cacti and succulents worth adding to your collection, including care tips, trivia, and more.

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Grow in the Dark by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf 

Best for: urbanites living in dimly-lit spaces.

You don’t need to have tons of light to enjoy the benefits of indoor greenery, and this book is proof. Discover and learn about the low-light beauties that bring just as much joy as their sun-loving counterparts.

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House of Plants: Living with Succulents, Air Plants and Cacti by Rose Ray & Caro Langton

Best for: practical coffee table decor.

The perfect balance of plant care and plant styling, this book makes not just a beautiful decor object but also a practical handbook for taking care of and styling some of the most popular indoor plants.

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Taking cuttings from our houseplants isn’t just for propagation purposes. Plant leaves also make wonderful accents, last for ages, and instantly add a dash of style to any corner or surface they adorn. Plus, it’s a great way to repurpose the foliage after pruning!

Wondering how to take a cutting? There is no secret. Simply snip off a stem of your plant several inches below the leaf or at the base and place in water. Many plants will easily sprout roots on their own, and will stay “fresh” in their water for months if not years. Some plants (bulbs, for example, like Elephant’s Ears) will be more like flowers in the sense that will need to be replaced more frequently.

Because this is such an easy and simple way to get more from our leafy housemates, we asked our plant stylists for a few tips on how to get creative with plant cuttings and leaves. All you need is a pair of scissors and a vessel of sorts (think vase, bottle, or simple kitchen glass) to bring instant, no-mess greenery to your home! Read on for our tips on using plant cuttings as decor.

Go big and bold

Want to make a bold statement with just one leaf? Take a leaf from a big-leafed beauty like a Bird of Paradise or Monstera Deliciosa. Use it either as a centerpiece for a table or place on a side table as an easy accent.

An Elephant's Ear leaf makes a big statement in this modern dining area. Photo: West Elm

Use them as wall art

Walls looking a little bare? Consider making your own vertical garden with plant cuttings! And if a living wall seems a bit ambitious, start simple with three simple wall vases or propagation stations on a smaller surface area.

Propagation stations as wall decor! Photo: Margaret Wright

Double up

While single leaves look gorgeous in their simplicity, there’s no reason why you can’t put multiple pieces in one glass for a fuller or richer effect. You can even mix up different textures to make a type of plant cutting bouquet!

Two is better than one, right? Two Monstera leaves complete this cozy corner. Photo: Cash VanBuskirk

Add some color

Make your greens pop with a bit of color. Consider styling a Monstera leaf with florals (the flowers you may need to refresh after a few days, but the leaf will last for ages!), or accessorize with something like these Anywhere Vases that make any vessel an instant modern vase.

We love these colorful Anywhere Vases that make any vessel the perfect vase. Photo: Poketo

Decorate a sill

Unless they’re tiny, most indoor plants won’t fit on typical windowsills, but you know what will? Cuttings! Add some charm to a bathroom or kitchen windowsill with a simple cutting in your favorite glass or recycled bottle.

The perfect accent for a kitchen or bathroom windowsill. Photo: Margaret Wright

How are you styling plant cuttings and leaves in your home? Share your look with us on Instagram by tagging @leonandgeorge!

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

SHOP NOW