Warm-up your home with houseplants
No news here - we’ve been spending a lot more time at home this year. And in the process, we’ve discovered new hobbies or were reminded of old ones, and well, our worlds have changed a bit, that’s undeniable. With all these changes, many of us have put a lot of energy in the last months into making our homes cozier. And so have I this last month as we finally settled here in Florida.
You might have noticed from my Instagram and Pinterest that I am obsessed with plants and that I often share or pin them, so it goes without saying that I had to bring some nature into our home. But my love for plants isn’t the only reason I decided to bring some greenery in, and I wanted to share a bit about that today.
I firmly believe that houseplants transform a home from an almost cold, sterile environment, to a warm and welcoming space. I also believe that there is a houseplant for everyone, no matter if you have a green thumb or not. I detest fake or plastic plants, and seeing them in a house makes me sad; an exception to this would be the silk flower bouquets, those I can mostly tolerate.
Apart from the fake plants releasing unnecessary toxins in our homes, they’re just dust-collecting objects in my eyes, as cleaning them is not as easy as running your real plants under a jet of water (the shower is ideal for that). That’s why I’m a huge proponent for “live” plants, as keeping them alive is really not that complicated. I do want to caution you though if you have pets: many houseplants are toxic to pets, so ensure that they don’t have easy access to them.
There are two things that houseplants require the most: water and light. Of course, there are some houseplants that tolerate or do well in darker areas, at which point water is what you’d mostly have to worry about. Tip: plants that do well in darker areas, most times don’t require a lot of water. Always check the soil before watering.
Over and under-watering is usually what kills houseplants; my rule of thumb is a cup of water for medium-sized pots/plants every week, or two for larger plants. If you begin with this rule in mind and keep an eye on your plants, soon enough you will understand their water needs. Another rule is to always allow for the soil on the surface to get dry before watering and to ensure that your plants have good drainage, as in, don’t let them sit in a bath of water 24/7.
Create a watering schedule (set a reminder on your phone if it helps), either in the morning or evening on Saturday, let’s say, and if by the evening (if you watered them in the morning), or by morning (if you watered them in the evening), there is still water in the pot/saucer, throw it away, as that shows that the plant has more than enough water. Also, you can check the soil in between watering by knocking gently on the pot - if the sound is muted, it doesn’t need watering yet, if the sound is more sharp or clear, it’s time to water. Or, you can always buy a device to help you determine that more accurately; check this basic one or this fancier digital one (Disclosure: Affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might get a commission if you click or make a purchase through these links). Most plants enjoy being misted, aka sprayed with water on their leaves (once a week is totally fine), especially if your home’s environment is dry.
As far as light is concerned, usually, the plants you buy come with basic instructions/needs. It’s generally noted as either direct light (the sun hits the plants directly), or indirect - there is plenty of light but no direct sun on it. Read more about light levels for plants here.
The most common plants that would require direct light are succulents and cacti (cactuses) - we know they love the sun (and will produce gorgeous blooms in such conditions).
While there is a long list of plants thriving in indirect light, an example would be the fern; contrary to popular beliefs, ferns love the light and will be very happy in it (direct sun, however, might burn their leaves). I also recommend peace lilies (they’re gorgeous and unpretentious), dieffenbachia or dumb cane plant (pictured above), and anthuriums, also known as the flamingo plant that will cheer you up throughout the year. If you feel more confident, go for a triostar stromanthe plant - in my experience, it does well in indirect light, and it requires little care - with its colors, it will look wonderful in your home, and you’ll enjoy seeing its leaves move up and down in the morning and evening. Another interesting plant I love is the maranta or prayer plant, it also lowers its leaves in the evening.
If your home has more dark areas than lighter ones, don’t worry - there are plenty of plants that will be happy in it. Usually, such plants are hard to kill, making them great house companions. I recommend the snake plant (sansevieria) - don’t overwater it, the cast-iron plant, the ZZ plant - requires very little care, and pothos or devil’s ivy - called that way because it is said to grow in any environment. I used to have my devil’s ivy on my desk at work (with zero natural light), and I mostly watered it with my leftover tea (green or black) and black coffee (no sugar/sweetener or creamer), and it loved that and grew like crazy- I said I used to because I gave it to a co-worker who fell in love with it. Note: coffee grounds are a good natural fertilizer for many houseplants, check yours online to make sure it’s a good choice, as the acidity in coffee grounds may harm some plants.
Another plant that will survive in just about any conditions is the lucky bamboo or dracaena sanderiana - no, it’s not an actual bamboo plant but grows just like a real one (sort of).
Lastly, call me crazy, but there is evidence that plants love to be talked to. I make sure I do that often as I praise my houseplants for their beauty, and I tell them that they make me happy. In turn, they look healthy and happy as well.
I hope this post encourages you to give houseplants a chance if you haven’t yet, or it inspires you to invite more of them into your home - they surely will bring you happiness, at the very least.
Do you have any houseplants?
Until next time.
xoxo,
Em
