Let Your Green Thumb Guide!

One of the phenomena that Covid lockdown times gave us was the mania for indoor plants. I can think of several plant businesses that have popped up and have flourished in recent years with more and more people of all ages jumping in with both feet. Wherever you are on the plant-person spectrum,  chances are you already have or are a little curious about bringing home a plant or two. I am a notoriously bad plant-owner. But even I have managed to keep alive two – count them, two – houseplants for almost a year and a half! And I may add to my collection at some point because, honestly they are really nice to have. They give a space life, keep the air clean and add cool, natural texture to a room. There are many ways to get your toes wet when it comes to adding greenery to your spaces.

Start small. Use small plants as accents on bookshelves. Find a cute little mug or vase to hold a succulent or tiny textural plant and layer it in with your books and knickknacks. A single shot of greenery can stand on its own, or you can balance things out by zigzagging your greens from top to bottom on a bookshelf. 

You can’t go wrong with a plant baby on your bedside table. Think about any magazine spread you’ve ever seen of a bedroom space. There is almost always a vase of fresh cut flowers or a small vessel filled with a growing green. Keeping your bedside tables clutter-free is important psychologically and incorporating a living plant does even more to add to the feeling of calm in your sleeping space. 

 

 

I think a plant or two in a bathroom is a wonderful idea. In a space that is mostly utilitarian, adding a potted plant is a strong message that you’ve thought about making it beautiful as well as functional. Plus, the high moisture content of a bathroom is good for plants that enjoy warmer temps and high humidity.

Plopping some plants on open kitchen shelves or on the countertop increases the charm of this other mostly utilitarian space. It’s a good way to visually break up things like dishes or cookbooks. And it does well to add varied height to shelf or countertop contents. 

 

If you are a newbie, like me, but you like the look of a statement tree or large plant, faux might be the way to go. Fortunately, right now, the trees that are popular kinda look fake! Fiddle leaf figs are all the rage and are so sculptural and rugged, they honestly look like faux. Faux banana leaf palms are also a good choice if you want big statement-making trees without the chance that your investment might die. 

 

However, if you really do have a green thumb, you can get live versions of the fiddle leaf and banana leaf. Or, if you want to go retro 80’s, bring in a ficus (technically a weeping fig) and watch it grow! My aunt had one in her living room for over 10 years and it got so big it nearly touched her vaulted ceiling! Really the sky’s the limit for the types of statement-making trees you can grow indoors. I would just caution, from a design standpoint, to focus on a few healthy varieties versus crowding most of your horizontal planes with hundreds of houseplants. 

 

If you can’t cultivate plants indoors because of pets or babies or whatever, consider focusing your plant-growing efforts onto your porch. They can create stunning entry’s to your front door. Or add to the charm and character of your porch no matter the size. 

 

 

Now that we’ve covered these areas for potential plant placement, I think I may add some to my home’s décor. Afterall, if I can remember to take my daily vitamins (which I have lately), maybe that means I’m mature enough to be a plant parent and should add to my brood. What are some of your favorite houseplants? Are there any that people new to caring for plants should consider? Let us know in the comments! Happy houseplanting!