If you haven’t already noticed, there’s a home decor trend that is not going away any time soon.
House plants are back.
Whether you are lucky enough to have a sunroom or just a small corner of your home that receives the slightest bit of light, there is a houseplant for you. Houseplants are a great option as they let homeowners have a green thumb year-round. They can be a solo project or something the kids or grandchildren can help grow. Either way, growing houseplants beautify a home, while also helping improve air quality.
Related: How to Find More Zen at Home
Plants For the Beginner
Some people are intimidated by houseplants. For anyone that has resisted giving houseplants a try for fear of possessing a brown thumb, you are in luck. There are plenty of beginner houseplants that do not require a lot of maintenance or care. This group of houseplants is an excellent jumping-off point for anyone that wants to give this trend a try but is a bit intimidated. According to The Spruce, here are “The 7 Best Houseplants for Beginners:”
- Golden Pothos Vine
- Spider Plant
- Snake Plants (sometimes called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
- Dracaena Species
- Succulents and Cacti
- Bromeliads
- Lucky Bamboo
Related: Understanding Material Strength for Sunrooms and Patios
Plant Parent Tip:
Did you know you can order plants online and have them shipped to your home? No matter where you live, sometimes finding the plant you want can be challenging. There are great online resources for buying plants from your computer. Our favorite store on Amazon is Shop Succulents. You can have hundreds (or just a couple) of mini succulents shipped directly to your front door.
Pet Friendly Plants
First and foremost, it is essential to keep all family members in mind when bringing in new houseplants. If you have pets in your home, do a little research before purchasing houseplants. Most retailers should be able to direct you to pet-friendly plants, but it never hurts to confirm a plant’s safety online. Also, The Sill, an online resource for purchasing house plants, goes as far as having a pet-friendly plant category. This way, you can quickly narrow down your options and start growing. If you’d like to add non-toxic pet-friendly plants to your home, consider these:
- Echeveria
- Calathea Medallion
- Bird’s Nest Fern
- Calathea Rattlesnake
- Hoya Heart Plant
- Haworthia Zebra
- Echeveria Lola
- Orchids
- Marimo’ Moss’ Ball
- Pilea Peperomioides
Plant Parent Tip:
It is always a good idea to check with your vet about houseplants while doing your research online. If you start to get overwhelmed by all the options, consider letting someone do the decision making for you! The Sill even offers a monthly subscription for pet-friendly, non-toxic plants.
Related: Turn Your Porch into an Enclosed Patio
Low Light Plants
Having a sunroom or stunning bay window in your kitchen is not a reality for everyone. So, if natural light in your home is a bit scarce, it is no reason not to have houseplants. It can be great news because there are many low-light tolerant plants to choose from, so any home can quickly implement the urban jungle trend. First, determine where your low-light spaces are that you want houseplants. Then, do your research to find an ideal plant. House Beautiful went as far as naming 30 low light houseplants with online resources to purchase. Here are their top 10:
- Japanese Sago Palm
- Aralia Ming
- Devil’s Ivy
- Nerve Plant
- Ponytail Palm
- Weeping Fig Tree
- Chinese Evergreen
- Peace Lily
- Peperomia Obtusfolia
- Red Aglaonema
Plant Parent Tip:
If you have any trouble with your houseplants, go online. There are useful resources that can help you solve most plant issues. Once a month, take a damp cloth and wipe down the leaves and stems of your plants. Cleaning your plants will ensure they do not gather dust and keep their sheen.
The urban jungle does not require a large sunroom, expansive bay windows, or even an extraordinary amount of sunlight. Anyone interested in trying this trend needs to:
- Evaluate the sunlight where they want to place houseplants.
- Consider any pets in the home.
- Determine a budget for creating an urban jungle.
Your investment in plants can even extend to your friends and family. After settling into your role as a plant parent, you can start propagating your plants to add to your indoor garden or give them to others.
