Houseplants

Hooray for lazy plant parents!

Move over, dahlias, mums, and sunflowers—here's how to use fall's new hot flower all over your home.

These doll heads that were refurbished as planters are creeping everyone out.

There’s one critical step you have to take to make sure you’re getting the most out of these classic pots.

Although a turkey baster is usually used to help maintain moisture when cooking, it’s also a really useful tool to save your plant from harm over time.

This is a no brainer.

Much like almost everything else you need for a house, turns out IKEA is a pretty good option for plant shopping.

Get excited to never kill another plant again.

$26.99 for a fiddle leaf fig, anyone?

You'll want ten.

There’s just something about a well-done window box that makes the outside of a home or building look especially polished and welcoming.

These tiny home dwellers managed to add beautiful plant life into their compact abodes in cute and clever ways!

Beyond the ick-factor, fungus gnats are harmless to people and generally harmless to plants, so long as they don’t start breeding out of control because the larvae will feed on and damage plant roots.

Remember pet rocks? Yeah, it’s time to upgrade. Meet the marimo ball.

There are proven benefits to hydrating your beloved plants with coffee.

The term “goth plants” isn’t one you’ll see in your average box store garden department. These plants have darker leaves and flowers, deeper and richer colors, and/or other components that are more emo than your run-of-the-mill greenery. This Reddit thread on Colocasia Black Magic led me to the Plant Goths thread, and my interest was officially piqued.

Want to take your plant parent status to the next level? Check out these modern ways to decorate with your greens.

From wall planters to floating shelves, here are eight items that will help you create a plant wall that won’t cost you your security deposit.

The best plants for small spaces and low light, plus watering tips, and more.

Most plant parents know that a regular watering schedule is key to keeping your leaf babies thriving. Perhaps you already pump the jams while tackling this important task, but now there’s a soundtrack made specifically for giving your thirsty stems a drink.Created by artist Past Palms, the eponymous EP “is a sonic reflection of yearning for nature in a nature-less place.

There are so many different types of summer solstice traditions around the globe that we could never possibly list them all, but this flower-focused one from Sweden is especially lovely for the occasion. On the night of Friday, June 21, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is gifting travelers flying from the US to Scandinavia a bouquet of seven gorgeous fresh flowers, which they are to put underneath their pillows.

Indoor plants have seen their fair share of sunken living rooms, mall food courts, and midcentury modern. Let’s take a tour through the houseplant bubbles of yore.

Do you know what a mandrake is? If you’re a botany enthusiast, you probably do. However, if your plant knowledge ends right around “dandelion” and “ivy,” you may not know. It’s a hearty root, but it’s also different from other growing thingamajigs in that it…kind of looks like a human. And if you’re a fan of Harry Potter franchise, you know this more than anyone as to how alive they can seem.

These unusual plants are shooting to the top of our “must-have” list and gaining traction among collectors and plant parents.

This is the perfect time to bring your houseplants outside to promote new growth and overall health.

These blooming beauties bring color to your indoor space.

Fresh flowers or a new plant can transform a home as easily as the weather. But personally, I find both of them to be a giant pain in the neck.

If you’re reading this story, there’s a good chance you’re a brand new plant parent. Congratulations! After sifting through countless species and asking yourself some serious questions to make sure you’re up for the task, you’ve finally found a plant that you will have to hold, love in sickness and in health, until (plant) death do you part.The only question that remains is how you’ll use your plant.

These gorgeous blooms are perfect for a container-sized cutting garden.

Fiddle-leaf figs. Monstera deliciosa. Prayer plants and umbrella plants… or is it nerve plants and elephant ears?  Whether through drop-shipping or subscription boxes, access to living plants has never been easier. But how do you keep them all straight? How do you know when to water what? Does anyone know exactly what “bright, indirect sunlight” actually means?Here is your plant guide, from A to Z.

Fresh flowers are one of life’s ultimate indulgences: they’re beautiful, they’re fabulous, they’re gone before you know it. Here are 14 gorgeous, ephemeral arrangements from our House Tours and a discussion of just what makes them work so well— besides their own gorgeousness, of course… Danielle’s Charming, Classic Chicago Walk-Up: Ranunculus Ah, the sweetest little cabbages of the floral world.

Succulents are all the rage these days, which means they’re popping up everywhere. In funky containers, concrete planters, wreaths, even bridal bouquets. But as cool as they are — they often come with a hefty price tag — which is why I decided to make my own. Instead of attempting the more common wreath form, I opted for a modern take on the traditional mistletoe kissing ball.

These are the best things we've bought for our plants.

Q: Can I use house plants to improve my home’s indoor air quality? There is data and research on the value of outdoor plantings and the positive effect on air quality through natural transpiration. It would seem that the same would be true of indoor plants, if well maintained, both in terms of overall humidity levels, and in terms of potential CO2 reduction and biofiltration.Sent by TomEditor: Here’s what our friends at Green Home Guide have to say.

There are a lot of options out there for apartment dwellers who want to compost, and like most things it’s not as simple as one style fits all. It’s about finding what works best for you. Try something! And if it doesn’t work for you… try something else! This is an easy indoor compost option for people who need something cheap, customizable and space friendly.MaterialsA container to house your compost. It can be as big or small as you like.

It’s ok, go ahead and laugh… and then get your mind out of the gutter. But if rare, unusual statement plants cause your heart to flutter, then the Platycerium is for you. This tutorial will show you how to mount your stag to a piece of wood, then properly care for your new living art! Like orchids, the staghorn fern (Platycerium) is an epiphyte, which means they do not require soil to grow but attach to and gain nutrients from other plants, while not harming the host plant.

Most folks don’t realize how easy (and cheap) it is to grow your own baby greens, even with a very limited amount of space. Just think about all the plastic bags and clamshell containers used for packaged greens that you buy at the store (not to mention how long they’ve been sitting in that plastic before they even get to market). Why not save the packaging and transit time, and harvest your own baby greens at home?

Weeds. They’re polarizing little things, met with hatred by some and indifference by others. I, for one, am not loving the dandelions popping up in my yard this spring, as we’ve been working on a grassy (albeit imperfect) area for our son to play in without resorting to chemicals, and dandelions are foes of grass (especially tender new shoots). Once they spread their ground-hugging leaves, they stifle what’s around them, leaving only dirt behind.

Planting season is upon us, so let me tell you a little story of how this garden came to be. When we bought a house last year, I failed to inquire about the summer weather, thinking it would be just as warm and clear as it was on our open house day. NOPE. Instead, I encountered summers full of chilly fog and harsh winds, much to the dismay of my aspiring green thumb.

My boss recently took one look at the Majesty Palm plant in our office and told me to throw it out. True, it was looking a little sad, but it had looked sad before and bounced back—so I had faith it could do it again and tasked myself with saving the plant. Is that because I wanted the challenge or because a Majesty Palm is a large plant and throwing it out would be very… involved? Who’s to say! Saving the plant seemed like the best option on all accounts.

I took a trip to the craft store a couple of weeks ago with the intention of picking up a few Christmas decorations. On a whim I decided to DIY my own succulent wreath, and walked out with my arms filled with supplies. I love the idea of decorations that can easily be modified and used year round. When the season is up I plan to remove the bow and hang my wreath outside.

You may be thinking quintessential spring flowers like daffodils and crocuses are your best bets for spring planting. However, these early-season bloomers, along with tulips and hyacinths, grow from bulbs, and they get a headstart on the growing season with a fall planting.For that first sunny day of spring when you’re itching to get outside and dig around in the dirt, stick to planting colorful annuals.

Growing garlic is very easy and very rewarding. It grows well in small spaces, a perfect specimen for a container garden, and also prospers in large garden beds. It’s a staple on most weekly grocery lists and has amazing health benefits, plus it keeps those pesky vampires away, making it one of the most valuable plants in your garden. Find a sunny spot with well-drained, rich soil for your garlic, and it will be very happy and fruitful.

Strawberries are the quintessential summer fruit. Juicy, flavorful, and packed with vitamin C, they are a must-have for any summer garden. Organic berries can often be on the expensive side at the grocery store, so grow your own, cut down on packaging waste, and keep that extra cash in your pocket! Strawberries love the sun, they need at least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day, so keep that in mind when placing your containers, or tilling up your bed.

I wish I’d inherited my mother’s green thumb. But truth is, when it comes to plants, if it’s alive in my house it’s probably pretty hardy. Here are the five types of plants that have survived even my hands. White birds of paradise. I love big, dramatic plants, and I had to have one on each side of our bed. I’ve lost track of how many palms and peace lilies I went through before giving up. Then I found these white birds of paradise and they are so happy!

There’s nothing that can freshen up your space or brighten your day like a bouquet of flowers. The only downside to these lovelies is that we wish they would last longer. We’ve all heard of different tips and tricks to help our flowers stay fresh as long as possible, and I thought I would put some of the common options to the test. Keep reading to see the results and the big winner!

A recent New York Times article highlighted the current “it” plant of the home design world: the fiddle-leaf fig plant. Dark green leaves and height create a bold statement in any home. But have we arrived at “peak fiddle-leaf”? I’ve observed another plant taking center stage in interiors recently. A beautiful, dramatic plant addition to any home—but without the price tag (or sometimes-fickleness) of fiddle-leaf plants.

Fresh, colorful flowers don’t exactly come to mind when you think about foliage in the winter months. But when summer is so far away, there’s no reason to wait to bring some floral happiness in your home and garden again. Many flowering plants bloom in colder months and can handle rough winter weather, and some of them aren’t too far off from your sunny spring and summer favorites.

It seems everyone and their brother has plant fever these days, and the only cure is MORE PLANTS! We’ve mastered the art of watering, they’re all stayin’ alive. Now we’re onto more cosmetic issues, like: just how shiny and clean can I get my plants? Can I buff them with banana peels? According to an old folk remedy (and a few people on YouTube) shredded banana peels draped all over plants can help to rid it of an aphid infestation.

Keeping your plants clean (and dust-free) is vital to their health and happiness. Along with attracting harmful pests, too much dust on your plant’s leaves can make it hard for your houseplants to absorb light and properly photosynthesize (remember that from elementary school?). That’s why experts recommend dusting off your plants at least once a month by using a clean microfiber cloth. But for the healthiest houseplants possible, the cleaning shouldn’t stop there.

As an event florist, keeping flowers alive and looking good is a pretty integral part of my livelihood at Winston & Main. I often joke that all design and artistry aside, I’m really more of a triage nurse for my floral friends. I assess their condition and get them stable, so they can leave my watchful eye and make their beautiful way in the world.

Vertical gardens are an exciting outdoor project because they show off your flowers and plants beautifully and aren’t difficult or expensive to make. In fact, they can easily be made out of mostly recycled (and recyclable) materials. Vertical gardens are also especially well-suited to small outdoor spaces so no worries if you don’t have a whole yard or deck to work with. Below are the basic instructions for how to make a vertical garden planter using scrap wood and a pallet.

You’re going on a two-week trip. You’ve made your lists, you’re running last-minute errands, and you’ve made arrangements for pets and mail. It’s easy to forget about your green household companions, your plants. But if if you do, you’ll come home to find them unhappy or worse. Here are some ways to care for the verdant members of your household when you’re out of town. Before you leave for your trip, remove all dead leaves from each plant.

For design-aware individuals, plant buying isn’t a matter of picking up whatever potted plants the grocery store happens to have on display. No, we want that perfect snake plant that we already have the ideal stand for, or that fiddle leaf fig that we envision arching just so over the reading chair in the living room. Whether you’re shopping for interior plants, privacy hedges, or container gardens, you probably have something specific in your mind’s eye.

I love finding overlooked products in hardware and garden supply stores that I never knew I needed. I recently discovered one hiding right under my nose that’s a clever, inexpensive way to add life and style to a living space. I, for one, can’t wait to use it at home. What is it? A flower pot clip. They are a quick, easy and cheap way to hang plants. Simply drill a hole, hang the hardware onto your chosen surface, then clip on a planter.

It’s hard to settle on the biggest draw of house plants. Is it the inherent sense of pride in being able to keep another living thing alive? Is it the aesthetic brownie-points of a perfectly arranged succulent sill? The perceived higher air quality?

The holidays may be over but there’s another uniquely important day to note on the calendar: January 10 is National Houseplant Appreciation Day, which means it’s time to celebrate the joys and benefits of tending to an indoor plant. Along with improving the air quality in our homes, houseplants make wonderful roommates—they’re quiet, easy to care for, and fun to look at—and NHAD is all about paying homage to their awesomeness.

Move over cup holders: plant holders are this year’s newest table accessory. No longer do plants need to placed on the floor or tucked away on a window sill, but front and center on their own specially designed space. Created by the uber-talented Toronto design studio WOOYOO, the Pokopoko table makes it easy to give your favorite plant babies a seat at the table, according to Contemporist. The designers wanted to create a table that took advantage of the empty flat space.

Ready for your next weekend project? With summer slowly winding down, all I can think about is spending my evenings outdoor, whether in a friend’s backyard, a restaurant patio, or a city park. Patrick Davis, consultant by day, DIY carpenter by nights and weekends, has just the project to get your outdoor space ready for those early fall hangs. The best part? It only takes up a few square feet!

Pothos and snake plants may be pretty, but sometimes, they just don’t scratch that houseplant itch. If you’re in the market for something unique, check out the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla). This plant comes in all different sizes—from tabletop babes to tall, majestic specimens that deserve a corner of their own. Plant shops and nurseries used to carry them exclusively around Christmas. After all, Norfolk pines have the look of a festive, holiday tree.

Curious about growing the feline-friendly catnip (Nepeta cataria)? Why wouldn’t you be? A quick Instagram search brings up thousands of videos of cute kitties going bonkers over the green stuff. But catnip isn’t just for cat owners: It’s a delightful addition to any window herb garden and even consumable by humans. Catnip tea can help with stress and digestion. Here’s how to grow this purr-fect herb. Give your plant as much sunlight as possible.