Just Add Plants
Like any self-respecting millennial, I’ve accumulated many a houseplant over the years. It’s been a long process of trial and error (lots and lots of error) but I feel like I’ve finally found my footing as a responsible plant caretaker. Here’s a little tour of some of my favorite plant moments in our house.
Let’s start with the fiddle leaf trees.
Oh man, these poor plants had very humble beginnings and lost nearly all of their leaves after being bounced around the house for months on end. But after placing them in this sunny location by the slider and watering them almost daily, they have thrived. Everyone says you need to go easy on watering, but in my own experience, they need A LOT of moisture.
In addition to frequent watering, I will periodically wipe down the leaves with a paper towel and mineral oil to remove dust. I’ve also dumped coffee grounds directly into the soil and they seem to enjoy that as well. (TBH, I’m just winging it but it seems to be working!)
Now let’s discuss a less finicky plant: POTHOS.
I absolutely love these houseplants. Not only do they grow quickly and trail beautifully, but they are so easy to care for. You can place them in virtually any indirect lighting situation and they will take off.
I don’t have a set watering schedule for my pothos (or any of my indoor plants, really). Instead, I wait for the leaves to start to curl or droop and use that as my cue to give them a good soak. They usually perk back up within a day or two.
In an effort to make my pothos look fuller and less leggy, I will give them frequent hair cuts to stimulate growth. It feels counterintuitive but it truly helps! The plant shown above is definitely in need of a good chop.
But here’s the best thing about pothos: every time you take cuttings from one plant, you can create a whole new plant! Just place the cuttings in water for a few weeks (or forever!) and watch the roots sprout. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
Another houseplant that is easy to care for is Spanish moss! They are air plants so they don’t need to be rooted in soil and only require occasional watering. I love how these guys add the perfect amount of texture to any space with minimal effort involved.
Sometimes I’ll buy a plant without knowing where I’m going to keep it, but that’s where this large tray comes in handy. The tray sits on our dresser and acts as a “holding spot” until I figure out where I want each plant to end up. In the meantime, it brings life to our bedroom and looks incredible in the late afternoon light.
I truly believe house is not a home unless it’s teeming with plant life!
