Wednesday, January 14, 2015

indoor plants for the home

From an environmental, economic and aesthetic perspective, indoor plants tick all the right boxes. Perhaps the quickest and easiest way to inject some verve into your home, indoor plants are the interior decoration du jour - and for good reason. 

I used to buy flowers on a regular basis and I admit, I love nothing more than a fresh, pretty bunch gracing the bookshelf or dining table; I literally smile every time I look at them (a pedicure has much the same effect). Fresh flora really does make me feel better but...a bunch of blooms is ephemeral, hence from an economic perspective its sometimes hard to justify the purchase (especially when tacked on the end of an already daunting grocery bill).

But indoor plants? Give them some care and they last a good, long while. I admit, I've killed a few of them in my time (the maidenhair fern is a tough one) but persistence definitely pays off when it comes to potted greenery. Generally, indoor plants require little in the way of attention but I've found that regardless of the variety of plant or aspect of your home, trial and error is the only way to go. It's also comforting to know that as well as looking good, indoor plants contribute towards a healthier home by cleansing the air (beeswax candles are great at it, too).  

If you've got children, a trip to your local nursery is a fun and productive activity and in my opinion, it's the best way to do your plant research. Talk to the staff about the best indoor plants for your climate and home and go from there. The plastic pots that you buy your plants in will do for the time being but if you want to pretty up the scene a basket offers an ideal alternative. 

If you're looking for some online inspiration I highly recommend Gardenista and if you're lucky enough to have a vintage trolley on wheels, take Claire's cue (a mobile planter is great if your plants need to chase the light). 

Despite the relentless heat right now (wilting is an apt word to describe my current state), I'm making plans for late-pregnancy nesting and they include a few trips to the nursery for some succulents and the like; plants that require very little in the way of care considering my time is about to be stretched like never before.


8 COMMENTS

  1. I love the idea of indoor plants, and had one in our bathroom for some time before it sadly didn't make it anymore. Both my parents have green thumbs and I seem to have missed out on that gene which is VERY annoying! I guess I'll just have to keep trying :)

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    1. I think persistence and patience is key when it comes to growing anything green x

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  2. I struggle with maidenhairs as well. They are so lovely and delicate though that I keep trying…luckily my local nursery sells mini-maidenhairs for two dollars.

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    1. That's cheap! They're definitely not $2 around here x

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  3. I love indoor plants and just bought some for my place this year. It's such a room freshener! One of my goals this year is to learn more about indoor plants, mainly so I don't get my kitty sick :)

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  4. I bought my first indoor plant last year - a fiddle leaf fig tree - when I was about seven months pregnant. I can't believe how well it has thrived; it's practically twice as big as it was when I brought it home. Since then, I've acquired a few more plants - golden pothos, sansevieria, stag horn fern, and a few succulents - and I'm in love with all the softness and homeyness they bring to our space. Lately, I've taken to finding yard sales that are also offering plants. I've gotten some gorgeous matures palm ferns in sturdy pots for just a few bucks each. Now I'm on the hunt for a medium sized rubber tree.

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  5. beautiful picture! I totally agree, a trip to the nursery to choose plants with the kids a perfect way to spend the afternoon with them, they usually love it!

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  6. Oh my gosh, the maidenhairs - I've killed about eight!

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