Houseplants in Salt Lake City
Big-box stores sell plants that have spent days on a truck and weeks under fluorescent lights. At Beyond the Leaf, we pick our houseplants for health, then help you choose one that will actually thrive in your home, whether that’s a sunny south window in Sugar House or a dim corner of a downtown apartment.
Tell us about your light, your schedule and your pets, and we’ll point you to the right plant. If it’s not a good fit, we’ll tell you.
Houseplants
Hand-picked indoor plants, matched to your space and ready for Utah’s dry air
Why Buy Houseplants From a Local Plant Shop?
- Healthier plants. We check every plant before it goes on the floor, looking for pests, root rot and stress.
- Advice that fits Utah. Most care tags are written for humid climates. We’ll tell you what changes at 4,300 feet in a desert.
- The right plant, not the easiest sale. Low light? Cats that chew everything? Gone half the week? We’ll match you honestly.
- Help after you buy. Bring a photo or the plant itself if something goes wrong, and we’ll help you figure it out.
How to Keep Houseplants Alive in Utah
Dry air
Houseplant advice online is usually written for Florida or the Pacific Northwest. Salt Lake City is different, and that’s why so many plants struggle here. Here’s what to know.
Salt Lake’s air is dry year-round, and heated air in winter makes it drier. Tropical plants with thin leaves, such as calatheas, ferns and some philodendrons, can get crispy brown edges. Group plants together, set them on a pebble tray with water, or run a small humidifier nearby. Plants with thick, waxy leaves handle dry air best.
Hard tap water
Salt Lake tap water is mineral-heavy, which can leave white crust on soil and pots and brown tips on sensitive plants. If you see it, water with filtered water or rainwater, or flush the soil with plenty of water every month or two to wash out mineral buildup.
Strong summer sun
At our elevation, the sun is intense. A south- or west-facing window in July can scorch plants that would be fine in the same window somewhere else. Pull sensitive plants back a few feet or add a sheer curtain in summer.
Dark winters
Short winter days mean less light and slower growth. Water less from November through February, skip fertilizer, and move plants closer to the window. Keep leaves off cold glass.
Overwatering is still the #1 killer
Dry air makes people water more, but soggy roots kill more plants than dry ones. Check the soil with your finger first. Most houseplants want the top inch or two dry before you water again.
Find the Right Houseplant for Your Space
Our selection changes with the season and what our growers have. Call ahead if you're looking for something specific.
Low-Light Plants for Apartments and Offices
No sunny window? These tolerate lower light better than most:
Heartleaf philodendron: soft, trailing, and forgiving
ZZ plant: nearly indestructible and handles dry air well
Snake plant: upright, sculptural, and happy to be ignored
Pothos: fast-growing trailing vines for shelves and hanging pots
Cast iron plant: lives up to its name
Easy-Care Plants for Beginners
New to plants, or keep forgetting to water? Start here:
Snake plant and ZZ plant: water every 2–4 weeks
Pothos: droops when thirsty, then perks right back up
Hoya: waxy leaves that store water and suit Utah's dry air
Succulents and cacti: perfect for a bright, sunny window
Pet-Friendly Houseplants
Some popular plants, including pothos, monstera, philodendron, snake plant, ZZ plant and peace lily, are toxic to pets if chewed. Ask us and we'll point out which plants are safe.
Statement Plants
Want one big plant to anchor a room?
Monstera: big split leaves, fast growth
Fiddle leaf fig: dramatic but picky; it wants bright light and to stay in one spot
Bird of paradise: tall and tropical-looking, needs a bright window
Rubber plant: glossy leaves and tougher than the fiddle leaf
Houseplant Care Cheat Sheet
Light, water and pet safety at a glance, plus which plants hold up in Salt Lake City's dry air.
| Plant | Light | Water | Pet-safe? | Handles dry air? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bird of paradise | Bright, some direct sun | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Boston fern | Medium to bright indirect | Keep evenly moist | Yes | No, needs humidity |
| Calathea | Medium indirect | Keep lightly moist | Yes | No, needs humidity |
| Cast iron plant | Low to medium | When top 2" dry | Yes | Yes |
| Chinese money plant (Pilea) | Bright indirect | When top 1–2" dry | Yes | Fairly well |
| Fiddle leaf fig | Bright | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Haworthia | Bright indirect | When soil is fully dry | Yes | Yes |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Low to bright indirect | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Hoya | Bright indirect | When soil dries | Yes | Yes |
| Monstera | Bright indirect | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Parlor palm | Low to medium indirect | When top 1" dry | Yes | Fairly well |
| Peace lily | Low to medium indirect | When top 1" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Peperomia | Medium to bright indirect | When soil dries | Yes | Yes |
| Pothos | Low to bright indirect | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Prayer plant | Medium indirect | Keep lightly moist | Yes | No, needs humidity |
| Rubber plant | Medium to bright indirect | When top 2" dry | No | Fairly well |
| Snake plant | Low to bright | Every 2–4 weeks | No | Yes |
| Spider plant | Medium to bright | When top 1" dry | Yes | Fairly well |
| Succulents & cacti | Bright, direct sun | When soil is fully dry | Varies | Yes |
| ZZ plant | Low to bright indirect | Every 2–4 weeks | No | Yes |
Flowers last a week. A plant can last for years. Houseplants make great gifts for housewarmings, birthdays, new jobs, get-well wishes and thank-yous. Tell us who it's for, and we'll help you pick a plant that fits their space and experience. For a first-time plant owner, we'll pick something hard to kill.
Houseplants Make Better Gifts
Brighten up a lobby, desk or break room with plants that handle office lighting and an irregular watering schedule. Tell us about the space and how often someone can water, and we'll recommend plants that will last.
Plants for Your Office or Business
Repotting While You Shop
Has your plant outgrown its pot? Bring it in, choose a new pot here, and we'll repot it with fresh soil.
Houseplant FAQs
Where can I buy houseplants in Salt Lake City?
Beyond the Leaf at 156 E 900 S, SLC carries hand-picked houseplants for every light level and experience level. Stop in or call 801-833-7105 to ask about a specific plant.
What's the easiest houseplant to keep alive in Utah?
ZZ plants, snake plants and hoyas are the best choices for Utah's dry air and inconsistent watering. Succulents also do well if you have a bright window.
What houseplants are safe for cats and dogs?
Spider plants, calatheas, Boston ferns, parlor palms, peperomias and Chinese money plants are generally considered non-toxic to pets. Ask us in the shop and we'll point out pet-safe options.
Why are my plant's leaf tips turning brown?
In Salt Lake City, it's usually dry air, hard tap water, or both. Try filtered water, flush the soil occasionally, and add humidity for tropical plants.
How often should I water my houseplants in winter?
Less than in summer. Most plants grow slowly from November through February, so let the soil dry out more between waterings and skip fertilizer until spring.
Can you order a houseplant you don't have in stock?
Often, yes. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll check with our growers.
More From Beyond the Leaf
- Fresh Flowers: bouquets and arrangements made to order
- Landscape Plants: special-order trees, shrubs and rose bushes
- Corsages & Boutonnieres: custom flowers for every Utah dance
