Avoid These Mistakes When Placing Your Plants On Shelves

While there are many houseplants that anyone can keep alive, it's still possible to make some mistakes with even the lowest-maintenance plants. It's easy to place a plant on a shelf and think that as long as it's getting the right amount of water, it will be fine. And that may be mostly true, but if you want a full, healthy plant — and to keep it from ruining your shelves — there are a few other things to keep in mind. Rotating your plant, dusting it once in a while, and giving it a drainage dish are all key to keeping the plant, and the shelf, in tip-top shape.

There is also one thing we think should go without saying no matter where you put your plant, but especially if you are putting it on a shelf: make sure it gets the right amount of light. Putting plants in the right place is key to their survival, and understanding the difference between direct light and indirect light is critical to making sure you pick the right spot for your houseplants. Once you've picked out that spot, keep these other factors in mind.

Have you ever picked up a potted plant that sits in a terra cotta drainage dish only to find a ring on the surface below? We have! This should not be a huge surprise; terra cotta, after all, absorbs and transfers moisture which helps ensure your plants don't sit in too much water. This can be a problem when it's sitting on some surfaces, especially wood. Or maybe you've watered a plant only to find the pot's drainage dish fills quickly and overflows. This can happen to the best of us. That's why we suggest adding extra drainage protection to plants.

This is especially important when your plant is on a high shelf where you can't always see what's going on when you water it. When a plant sits above your eye level, it's easy to miss when your drip tray overflows or see that your terra cotta pot is leaving a funky ring below it. We suggest using easily thrifted plates to instantly upgrade your houseplant set up. They are cheap, easy to replace, and get the job done with a bit of flair.

Just like the tchotchkes on your shelves, plants can collect a lot of dust. Your carefully curated trinkets may not look their best when covered in dirt, but for plants, a layer of dust could mean the difference between life and death — or at least between thriving and just surviving. Dust on your plant leaves can keep it from absorbing the light it needs which impacts photosynthesis. It can also clog the tiny but important holes in plant leaves, which can slow growth.

There are a few ways to keep your plants clean, regular dusting being the easiest. Alternatively, you could wipe down the leaves. Every once in a while, you should do both. Your strategy will depend on the plant but don't forget the underside of the leaves and even the stems. Learn more about how often you need to clean your houseplants and tricks for getting the job done, so you can keep your plants healthy and happy without too much extra effort.

While you're up there dusting and watering your plants you should also give them a turn. Plants grow toward the light, but once a plant is on a shelf it's easy to forget that the side facing the wall probably isn't getting enough light and your plant will soon be lopsided. How often you need to turn your plant depends on the species and how much sun it's getting. 

Generally, plants that are in low-light conditions will need to be rotated more frequently. That probably means the plants that live on your shelves need a bit of extra attention. You can turn your plants every few days, or at least every time you water. If your plant gets a lot of sun, turn them in the morning when the sun is less intense. This can help preventing burning the leaves that have grown used to the dark side of the shelf. Now that you know how to best care for the plants, you may be eyeing the rest of your shelves thinking you have more room for greenery. We can't blame you! Check out the six trending houseplants for 2025 to add a little more life to those empty shelves.