I love a houseplant. Some (my husband) might say I have a problem. Most women throw in a new nail polish or a magazine while getting everything on their list for the week; I throw in a houseplant.
Here’s how I rationalize it (because I try to rationalize everything):
1. Houseplants are good for you. They provide fresh air, help filter the air, and studies have shown they can help boost your mood.
2. They are often cheaper than flowers. I can buy a bundle of decent flowers for $10 and enjoy them for a week at best, or I can get a houseplant and enjoy it for as long as I can take care of it.
3. They really make a big difference in the appearance of a space! Your home needs life. Rooms feel static and stale without life. Take a look at any image in a magazine and I guarantee there will be some sort of foliage or living thing in it.
Now, let me begin by saying this is not something I come about naturally. I should, but I don’t. My parents are rather avid gardeners and have always spent a lot of time outside tending to plants. You can show my mom just about any plant, and she can tell you what it is and how to take care of it. I avoided helping with their yard work at all costs growing up. My brother and sister would be sweating their butts off while I was practicing piano or working on a project for my sewing class. Prissy? Who me?
So, for those of you who are still houseplant virgins, let’s begin where I began: with some faux foliage. It’s not the best, but when it comes to decorating your home, it’s better than nothing. Faux has a bad rap, and rightfully so because there are some rather hideous things out there. I think topiaries are the best looking option when it comes to fake plants, and I started with these that are now on the kids’ piano. Here is a similar set. Preserved boxwood looks much nicer, but with the quality comes a higher price.
As a disclaimer, I want to say that I don’t have any knowledge on houseplants other than my own experience. We happen to live in a house with no big trees around. Bad for our electric bill in the summer, good for keeping our home light and bright and plant friendly. If your home doesn’t get much light, many of the plants I have might not be a fit for you. Your dry, desert climate is going to affect plants differently than my humid, Midwest climate. I will, however, start by recommending this:
My mom kindly gave this moisture meter to me after I had started to amass quite the collection of plants. It’s like a thermometer, but it reads moisture and comes with a chart of the most common plants and what their levels should be before watering. This thing really helped me figure out how often I should be watering everything. I don’t use it much anymore (unless I get a new plant that is giving me trouble) but it was great for setting my watering schedule.
The first houseplant I ever purchased was an orchid. I saw someone post about them on instagram one day and when I saw them at Aldi for $9, I thought, “for $9 I can give this a shot.” Housing 3 of them at the moment, they have definitely become my favorite houseplant. They need a good amount of sunlight, so place them in a bright room, and keep them away from drafts -doorways, air vents. I give mine 3 ice cubes once a week and that’s it! Simple and beautiful and mine keep their flowers for several months. The one in our living room flowered for 3 months!
The plant on the mantle is a Bromeliad. I picked it up at Walmart for under $10. I give it 1/2 cup of water once a week and it seems happy.
After the orchids, Aldi had a small assortment of housepants for $2-3, so I purchased one of each. The plant on the left is a dracaena ‘janet craig compacta’ and the snake plant (right) have done well with very little watering. The aloe vera plant in the back was $3 at Walmart.
Aldi had small hydrangeas for $4 this last spring and I picked up a pink one (it’s the plant in the white pot). It has not rebloomed yet, but I probably need to move it outside for it to do that. Some more aloe: I have actually used it on a burn and it worked like a charm!
The fiddle leaf fig tree was my biggest splurge (about $40) and the plant I was most worried about. I bought it last year at Heartland Nursery and was nervous after hearing so many mixed reviews on them. At first this little guy seemed a bit finicky, but I was persistent with watering (trying not to get too excited and over water) and I left him in one sunny spot, and now he seems to be thriving. He’s grown at least a foot and I hope one day he’ll be huge – they can grow to be 10′ tall!
On Xander’s dresser sits a ficus. We got it at Heartland and it was in the section with the “fairy garden” plants. I think every nursery has one of those now. He gets up late and takes a long nap, so the shades in here are drawn a lot during the day. It was important to find something that didn’t require a ton of light. The cloche on top allows the plant to almost water itself…Xander just spritzes it with a spray bottle about once a month.
I’ve always loved my mom’s asparagus fern, and picked up this moisture loving one at Heartland.
I had such great luck with the smaller snake plant, I kept my eye out for a larger one. Walmart had this one on sale for $11.
The jade plant in the black pot is from Home Depot. For $10, it makes a great addition to our dining table and it’s another one that only needs a small drink about once a week.
Clearly I’m still learning myself. This senecio vitalis (serpant’s blue chalk fingers) is obviously not too happy that I just transplanted him into such a pretty gold bowl, but I’m doing my best to not flood him with water and kill him.
A few dont’s that are common killers:
Don’t move plants around a lot. Like people, they like to feel at home. They get adjusted to a particular place and they don’t like change.
Don’t over water! This is probably the number one killer of plants. Most houseplants want to dry out before you give them another drink, especially any kind of succulent. Let the top inch of soil be bone dry (yes, you have to stick your finger down in there…a little dirt isn’t going to hurt your nails. I say this as someone who didn’t want to do that at first myself.)
To add to an already lengthy post, I can’t sign off without wishing a happy birthday to my favorite boy. Xander turns 4 today! I can’t believe how the time flies and how big he has become. I cherish this gift from God and am so blessed to be his mom. He brings me delight and challenges me in ways I never imagined. We are more alike than I care to admit, and it is humbling and beautiful to see that.
I hope you enjoy this Freaky Friday! We’ll be partying Friday the 13th style tonight, and I look forward to sharing it all with you!
So, what houseplants have you tried your hand at?
Shavonda says
Happy Birthday Xander!!!! I love this post and I've become slightly obsessed with house plants too over the last 6 months. I was previously both scared and uninterested in them, but once I got my first one to thrive I've been on a mission to add life all throughout my home. My newest addition is a snake plant and I'm so super excited about that. I did learn just this week actually, that you're supposed to take them out of the container they come in in the store or nursery and transplant them into a much larger pot. I was also advised against loosening the roots once you take them out of the container and prior to placing them in your new planter. It may seem obvious, but I had no idea id been doing it wrong all this time. I'm always on the hunt for my next addition. Maybe ill give jade a try.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I didn't know that about not loosening the roots, good to know! Thanks, Shavonda!
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Happy Bday to your little guy π He's a cutie! I need to get more house plants especially with the cold weather coming. You just inspired me to go out and do it! Happy Weekend Gwen π xo Kristin
themakerista@gmail.com says
Glad I could inspire. π Hope you're having a great Saturday, Kristin!
Julia Konya says
Happy Birthday Xander.
Your plants are amazing and I so want a fiddle leaf fig but haven't found one yet. Bummer!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I'm sure a local nursery might have one, hope you find one! They do add a lot to a space!
Denise @ frazzled JOY says
Hi there! I'm new to your blog and I am really enjoying it :). I love plants, but I seem to kill them all, but you have inspired me to try again!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, I'm so glad you're here Denise! Thanks for reading! I think it's good to try again. I used to kill about anything. I really recommend that moisture meter. It will help you gauge how you're doing with watering. Hope you're having a happy weekend!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
You've got the touch – your plants look so happy and healthy. The opposite of the plants at my house. π Happy Birthday Xander! 4 is a great age!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady! I'm glad to hear 4 is good…hopefully a bit less emotional than 3. π
Diana says
Haha, yesterday was Avery's 3rd birthday. I didn't realize they were exactly a year apart.
themakerista@gmail.com says
His birthday was actually Friday, I just posted it at about 11:50 and probably should have waited a few more minutes. π Happy birthday to Avery!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
I am, sadly, not an aficionado when it comes to house plants. I sure love them though, and maybe your tips will help me π Happy birthday to your sweet boy!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I'm sure you don't have a black thumb! π The snake plants have seemed to be the easiest, if you're looking to take another stab at it!
heidi says
i really like your marble platter/tray/lazy susan? on your dining room table. i've been looking for something similar for my living room. any tips?
and i once took a cross country trip in a moving van and mistakenly put my grandmother's jade plant inside an empty garbage can for 3 days. it survived the trip and revived itself with a little love and water.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Heidi! It's actually from a thrift shop. This one right here is very similar and a really reasonable price.
That's a great story! Some plants are really resilient, aren't they?
Chelsea says
Oh my goodness. I have noticed and envied your plethora of beautiful green houseplants. π I have killed every houseplant I've ever owned. I'm great with outdoor plants though, I just can't get it right with the indoor. I've started keeping my eye out for nice looking fake (not easy to find) until I can build up the courage to purchase another plant. My house is definitely lacking without the "life" you mentioned!
themakerista@gmail.com says
See, I'm better with the indoor. Less dirt and no bugs. π Ha! I'm sure if you can do outdoor plants you can do indoor too!
Kim @ TheKimCollective.com says
Thanks so much for sharing more info about your plants! My husband seems to think I have way too many, too, but of course, I disagree. They bring so much life and interest to a room. My home doesn't get much light, so choosing ones for my house has proven a bit tricky. The one orchid I tried died rather quickly. I have quite a few succulents (aloe, jade, etc.), a great big snake plant (in a brass pot just like yours!), a few pothos plants, a dracaena, and a fiddle leaf fig that I absolutely adore. Next to the fiddle leaf fig, my favorite would have to be my zz plant. Have you ever had one of those? They're quite interesting and really easy to care for.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I have not, but they look beautiful! Did you get one at a local nursery? I don't think I've seen them at my usual plant scouring stores. π
Kim @ TheKimCollective.com says
I actually picked mine up from Ikea, of all places. It was a decent sized plant for under $10. They can be quite expensive at nursuries because it takes quite a while to propagate them, but this year, I've seen a few pop up at Home Depot in the $15 dollar range. Definitely check them out if you get a chance. It seems like they can grow just about anywhere.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I am dying for us to get an Ikea here! Ours is set to open next fall. I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for one of these, thanks Kim!
emily says
so many great ideas! really love the snake plant in the brass pot…gotta try that!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! Those pots are super cheap at Hobby Lobby!
Autumn Beach says
My home is SO lacking in the houseplant department. Honestly, I've never owned one, which is so sad, because I know they're beneficial in so many ways – aesthetically and environmentally. I've just never had any desire. Although, I think all of yours look fabulous! Okay, and totally unrelated, but I just have to say that I'm feeling kind of cool, because I have the same salt and pepper shakers. I know…lots of people probably do. I grew up with them, which is why I think I like them. Plus, they're just great design. And – once again – totally unrelated, but I just saw your kilim/Sharpie redo featured in Young House Love's Friday Forums! HOW COOL! That's awesome!! And last, but not least, happy birthday to sweet Xander!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Autumn, I did not know that, thanks for telling me! That is kind of exciting. π
The salt and pepper shakers were my grandma's so they are sentimental to me too!
Thanks for always leaving the kindest and most thoughtful comments. They brighten my day! Hope you're having a great weekend and enjoying this glorious weather!
charmaine says
What a great post and I completely agree! I think I'm going to get that mini moisture tester. Have you tried ficus decora?
Naina says
I absolutely LOVE adding plants to a place, seriously, they make any room look so much more homely. It's really pretty unbelievable how far a little green can go.
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Maryn says
You have a lovely home! This makes me want to work on my green thumb. So far, I've killed every plant I've owned.
themakerista@gmail.com says
you can do it, maryn!
sarah m. dorsey says
Love all of your plants, I definitely need to add some to my home!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Sarah!
Mrs. DeVore says
Thank you for the tips! I am definitely a black thumb, but I love the way live plants look!
themakerista@gmail.com says
You're welcome!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Happy Birthday Xander!
Thanks for the tips! I have a terrible black thumb but I'm trying to make it less black, and maybe a little more brown haha I have had a snake plant on my list for a while now as well as a fiddle leaf fig tree but I've heard those are poisonous to animals so I guess that's out π
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Caitlin! I think a snake plant would be a great start! I've noticed that they are the plants they usually have inside malls. I figure if it can grown in a dark dingy mall, it can grow almost anywhere!
Yes, most houseplants are poisonous. Our black lab doesn't seem to be interested in any of them and he stays in the basement when we're not home, where I don't house any plants. Most of our plants are up higher anyway, but I've found my daughter digging in my fig tree pot a few times. :/
Teresa @wherelovemeetslife says
What wonderful timing for me to stumble upon your blog and read this post!! π I am toying with buying some plants for the house, but I am a serial plant killer. I'm hoping to try out a few of yours! Thanks
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, great, Teresa! I know you can do it! Much easier than a dog or child. π I recommend a snake plant and let it really dry out in between waterings. Best of luck!
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
My house is surrounded by trees so we don't get much natural light. I choose plants accordingly, but the plant types I like don't seem to care for my technique. I'll have to try out that moisture meter, since I can never tell whether I'm under-watering or over-watering. It gets very mixed reviews on Amazon, but hopefully I'll have as good of luck with it as you do.
I have been amassing plants the past few months and a friend gave me a good perspective on them. She said as long as I don't spend too much on the plants, I can think of them like fresh flowers. If the plant dies, I didn't invest too much but enjoyed it while it looked good, and can buy another! May have to do that with my ferns. I found the perfect fern to fill a void on my mantle, but it died off rather quickly. I love how it looked, so I might just have to buy and re-buy if I can't keep them alive!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hollie, thanks for your comment! Yes, I don't have that problem, but it's a problem I would like to have for other reasons!
I totally agree with your friend. That's how I feel too. I spend less on a plant than I would a bundle of flowers I really liked, so I don't feel as bad if I lose one. Was your fern a maiden hair? Those are so lovely and hard to keep alive! π I've only had good lunch with Boston ferns and asparagus ferns. Any other kind has died quickly! Hope the moister meter works for you, and thanks for reading!
Vanessa Goddard says
I love your tips and choice of plants and I have recently gone out and bought similar ones using this post as a reference. I have had trouble finding stylish pots to put them in, where are yours from?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Vanessa! Most of mine are from thrift stores. A few are from Target or Lowe's on sale. Best of luck!
Andrea S says
How do you make pots work without holes in the bottom/sitting on a small plate? I love the looks of your pots, and hate having to sit plants on small plates/trays, but always seem to kill the ones that are just in a bowl. Any tips?
(I know this post is pretty old, but you linked it from your recent contribution to "quick fixes" so of course I read it. π
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Andrea! If a pot doesn't have a hole in the bottom there are a few different things you can do. You can use a plastic insert (like what most plants come in) and plant the plant in that and then put the insert in the pot, you can drill a hole in the bottom of the pot, or you can put rocks in the bottom of the pot to keep water away from the roots. Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Sarah Lillian says
I also adore houseplants and am slowly filling my house with them, despite my cats best efforts to kill them. Just stumbled upon your blog and L O V I N G it! Now please excuse me while I go stalk you some more…
Stella Matthews says
Nice post!! Thanks for sharing.
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