Plants & Yard Ideas

Now that it’s officially fall, it’s probably about time to bring your green friends inside for the season. I’m talking about the houseplants you put outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. But if you’ve ever gone on a tropical vacation during the winter, then flown home to snow, you’ll realize that sudden changes in climate and temperature can be shocking.

I know, I know. We too get sick of hearing that [insert anything here] is the new black. But I think we’ve truly found the perfect alternative to the ubiquitous fiddle leaf fig which — although admittedly lovely — is somewhat hard to take care of. If you are looking for a new plant hero to transform your interior, without demanding too much of your time, please allow me introduce you.

Cat Meschia of ctrl + curate is a craft blogger based in Gainesville, Florida where she spends her time creating beautiful things that encourage thoughtful living. Known for her affordable small-space solutions and practical yet artistically-driven designs, Cat shares everything from DIY planters to no-weave wall hangings through simple tutorials and inspiration boards.

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.

With end of Daylight Savings near, you’re not the only one anticipating (or rather dreading) the harshest months of the year. Pretty soon, your houseplants will be busy dodging drafts and soaking up every last ray of dwindling sunlight. To give your ferns and fiddle leaf figs a fighting chance at survival, follow these ten tips for winter plant care to get your plants through the worst of it. 1. Move plants away from vents, radiators or drafty windows.

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.

It looks like those plant lady vibes may actually be improving your lifespan. Recent research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital dives into the results of an eight year study covering the possible link between vegetation and life expectancy—and the data suggests it’s time to turn over a new leaf. Spoiler alert: Women who live in homes surrounded by vegetation not only have lower mortality rates, but improved mental health, too.

Back in October 2016, IKEA’s external innovation hub Space10 announced the Growroom, a spherical structure that allows people to grow their own food locally and sustainably. Last week, Space10 made the plans available to anyone who wants to build their own circular farm.

When I chose the trim color for my home, it was the last decision in a long line of decisions at the end of a gut rehab. I was in project overload and gave some vague instructions to the painter one random day that I wanted gray, and the next thing I knew it was done. I’m totally fine with the color, but it’s maybe just a teensy bit dour? (Never mind that Edward Gorey called from the grave to accuse me of stealing his look.

Set the style standard on your street.

Oh where to begin? My backyard is a pit of earthly despair, good for only three things really: dog waste, weeds and my own tears. I had good intentions when I first created the space, but my installation was poor to begin with, and then ongoing maintenance was not my friend. Ultimately, the grass didn’t stand a chance against all the dog abuse and my own neglect, so weeds and mud moved in, choking out any chance of happiness.

I’ve reached a new state of being, and I owe it all to my front yard. I call it “peak curmudgeon.” Because there’s one soul-sucking Sisyphean home task that drains me like no other — the endless loop of pulling weeds. I try to keep on top of them, but no matter how often I deal, they are there waiting for me again the following week. Weeds leave me muttering and cursing mess.

We love our pets, even when they are annoying little troublemakers. So when our furry friends start munching on our plants and digging around in the dirt, it’s our job to keep them safe (even when we want to strangle them). Being the human in the relationship means doing the research and only populating our homes with non-toxic varieties of plants. We’re making it easy for you. Below are some of our favorite pet-safe plants that are non-toxic for both dogs and cats.

Okay so I’m admittedly a bit of a black thumb. For starters, my apartment—like most in New York City—has windows that directly face the brick exterior of a neighboring apartment, which means natural sunlight is, well, reserved for time outdoors. Throw a busy schedule and life in the mix and remembering to water your succulents is not as easy as it sounds . So although it’s upsetting that I can’t even keep an air plant alive, it’s not terribly surprising.

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.

First things first: congrats to Amanda on purchasing her first home! Taking the plunge can be nerve-wracking, exciting and is always a very big deal. (We’ve got some tips on making it less scary if you need them.) After settling in to her new abode, the next step was to tackle the exterior, which Amanda felt needed a little boost. With the help of a few family members, a super smart paint job and flower power, the home has a fresh look and a whole lot of curb appeal.

The highly-anticipated Pandora: World of Avatar opens officially to the public on May 27 at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park. While most will beeline it to the two new rides, the photos we’ve seen of the incredible landscape make the argument to slow down the pace (just a little bit —wouldn’t want to lose your spot in an up-to-six-hour line).

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.

Turning a driveway and storage area into a beautiful lounge for adults and children alike seemed like an impossible feat for Ali and Evan. Luckily they had a great friend, Lake, who knew exactly how to transform this space! From Lake Sharp of array.la: The lean-to structure immediately creates a sense of privacy and much needed shade, but still allows for airflow and light. The look of the patio is centered around the colorful Laotian lanterns that Ali showed me at our first meeting.

When you live within city limits, it’s rare to have access to private green space. In a perfect (and sustainable) world, we would all have our own backyards, overflowing with lush shrubbery, robust herbs, and fruit-bearing trees right next to our cute little chicken coops. In reality, we’re forced to get a little more creative – vertical gardens, hanging planters, and fruit purchased from the local market.

Ashley’s adorable home needed a bit of a boost in the exterior paint department. After giving herself permission to just friggin go for it, she decided that they would not only be painting their home sea-foam green, they’d be doing it themselves. Sweat was sweated, paint was painted and a few labor heavy weekends later, a bold and bright house emerged.

Homes across the world come in a rainbow of colors, but there’s one hue that’s king when it comes to working with just about any style of architecture. It’s not an exterior paint choice for the faint-hearted. But those willing to take the paint plunge will be rewarded with a dramatic curb appeal sure to get the neighbors talking. All black!

In today’s real estate market, affordable ranch homes are proving their potential. When they aren’t dismissed, torn down, and then replaced by larger McMansion-style homes, they get snapped up by eager buyers happy for the large lots, large windows and friendly layouts. These exterior renovations show you don’t have to compromise your style, and that there are so many ways to customize and modernize an ‘outdated’ home’s appearance.

Nothing adds life (literally and aesthetically) to a space quite like plants. And in a kitchen, plants can serve a double purpose, because if you choose to grow herbs, you can look at them and eat them, too. You may think that having a teeny-tiny kitchen means no room to grow things, but that’s where you’d be wrong. If you’ve got the light, we’ve got nine ideas for ways you can find the space.

Is it just me, or was 2017 the year everyone became obsessed with plants? I can barely remember to drink enough water myself, let alone keep houseplants alive, but I so admire the plant lady lifestyle. I want to fill my apartment with ferns and flowers and feel a little extra life in my home, but without a naturally green thumb, I need a little help, and I can’t be alone in that, right?

The exterior of Erin’s home was not only weathered and not particularly stylish, it appeared to be falling apart. They decided to tackle a major exterior overhaul while living in the house, and lived to tell the tell. Five weeks later they had a gorgeous new exterior that pays homage to the historic character of her neighborhood. From Erin: Our two bedroom, one bath, ~1,000 square foot row house previously had a stucco front which had been placed over the original brick exterior.

I love Halloween, but in the making costumes, eating candy, and drinking a cocktail while asking “and who are you supposed to be?” kind of way. When it comes to the actual scary stuff, I’m the first to cry and run for my life. I jump a foot when a pin drops, fast forward through tense movie scenes, and avoid haunted houses as if my life really depended on it. And thanks to these yards on Instagram, I’m now going to sleep for the next month with all the lights on.

I’m both unwilling to store artificial christmas tree supplies, as well as insecure about going out to buy a live tree. Past years, I’ve either foregone holiday decorating, or DIYed some sort of makeshift faux tree. While those choices may work for some folks, it’s always left me wanting. That’s why when I came across this houseplant at the hardware store a couple of years ago, I knew it would be the perfect “Christmas tree” for me and my small space.

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.

Nothing says “welcome home” like a smart exterior. Though if your curb appeal could use some punching up, there’s a relatively simple and effective way to change that, and it’s currently trending on Pinterest. Today, the Pinterest 100—the company’s 2018 trend report—was released, and we spied this tried and true trick for updating your home: a boldly hued front door.

When we’re busy making cookies, wrapping gifts, and brewing hot chocolate, we sometimes forget to look after the quietest living things under our care: our plants. But there’s no time like the present (ha) —when guests are around, and when the greenery inside looks even greener because of the barrenness outdoors — to give our plants some extra love and attention. Turn over a new leaf (another ha) in 2018 and become the plant parent you’ve always wanted to be.

This neglected home was purchased in 2004 and in the intervening years, it’s slowly been made over by a loving new owner. Let’s see how its exterior has changed and improved over the last 14 years. This post is really a “Before and After…and After” project, as the home has evolved over time. Here’s a full-length shot of the house in 2004, when John originally purchased it: I had wanted to find a home to renovate, but had a very limited budget.

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.

When I opened this reader-submitted project, I thought, “Aha! Our dear reader has obviously uploaded their “after” photo to the “before” box, happens to the best of us, not a bit of trouble,” because it never occurred to me that the lovely space you see here could possibly be a “before” photo. Oh, but it is! Now this balcony is a tropical retreat—in Switzerland, no less.

Plants add vibrancy to our living spaces like nothing else quite can. And although tending to them isn’t necessarily hard, they are living things that require our time and attention. Anything that makes caring for plants a bit easier is a plus in our book — because this means we can add a few more! Here’s how coffee filters contribute to smart, less-mess plant maintenance.

Name: Ron Goh Location: Auckland, New Zealand Size: 2142 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Ron is a digital designer… and a plant addict, as evidenced by the Auckland home he shares with his partner, and two dogs (a mini schnauzer and chihuahua). He describes their loft, located in a 1920s converted factory in the Victoria Quarter, as packed with character and featuring cityscape views. There are two levels: an open plan kitchen/dining/living area below and two bedrooms above.

Bloomscape, a newly launched startup out of Detroit, wants to help you become the plant parent you’ve always wanted to be. If you’re a beginner who is kind of befuddled about what plants to buy, where to buy them and what to do when you get them into your home, Bloomscape might be for you. If you think you’ve got a pretty good handle on the situation but could use a little moral support and loving advice, Bloomscape might also be for you.

While most people think it’s neglect that does house plants in, over-watering is actually the most common way to kill your green friends. Keeping them alive means figuring out how to not drown them, and that’s where charcoal comes in. Without proper drainage, water will linger at the bottom of the pot, and roots become water-logged and susceptible to rot, fungus and bacteria. Unfortunately, when it comes to water, not all flower pots and planters are created equal.

West Elm’s boho-chic summer collection of furniture and accessories will have you throwing impromptu garden parties in no time (even if it’s just a backyard-less fantasy). The globally-inspired, itching-to-be-Instagrammed looks include rugs in modern ikat patterns, eye-catching woven seating, and a plethora of modern outdoor furnishings.

As spring ushers in all the flowery feelings that accompany rebirth, renewal, and fresh signs of life, we’re going to turn our attention this weekend to the living decor that graces our homes: our plants. With the advent of the season that most houseplants will begin their growing seasons in earnest, the extra TLC we give them now will be repaid with lush, thriving greenery.

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?

Green thumbs might seem to have an innate knack for caring for plants, while black thumbs appear to be doomed with a Midas touch of death. But the only difference between green thumbs and black thumbs, really, is just familiarizing yourself with both your particular plants’ specific needs and also some general plant-keeping guidelines.

Choosing the right houseplant for your space isn’t exactly a science. Also not a science? Astrology. But much like covering your apartment in greenery, exploring what your zodiac sign might reveal about your personality is a ton of harmless fun (for not a ton of money). We’ve taken the joy of mapping sun signs to their houseplant counterparts based on the traits of both the plants and the personality that will be caring for them.

There’s no shortage of plant-obsessed accounts to follow on Instagram. The hashtag #plantsofinstagram alone produces more than 1 million posts, most of which come straight from the hands of plant parents across the globe. And if you’re anything like us, you depend on Instagram posts to help inspire and inform all of your gardening endeavors. So to ensure that your feed is always filled with helpful plant info, we rounded up 10 of the coolest plant accounts to follow on IG.

This past Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend gave me a potted orchid instead of the usual bouquet of carnations and roses. Having never owned an orchid before, I checked the tag for care instructions and learned I was supposed to water it with three ice cubes, or about ¼ cup of water, once a week. I’ve been feeding my orchid its ice every Friday, and it’s been blooming spectacularly for the past three months. But are the ice cubes really the secret to orchid success?

Listen up, beginner planters.

Fun fact: Pineapples are actually a member of the bromeliad family, a tropical species long popular with houseplant enthusiasts for their dramatic spiky leaves and neon-colored blooms. And, it turns out, you can even grow a pineapple as a houseplant, too. You don’t need to make a special trip to the nursery either—just add a pineapple to your grocery list and you’ll have exactly what you need to start growing a brand new pineapple plant.

I know I am not the only one depressed by the state of the world right now, growing more and more incredulous and outraged with each passing day. If you work hard, and do what you can to make things better out there, it’s okay to take a break too. One of the best ways to recharge is to gather a group of friends, go outside, and indulge in some brainless fun this summer. Balance your rage/shock/concern with some wholesome/ridiculous/playful outdoor games.

I live in a one bedroom “garden” apartment, which means that I get to have my own front door, porch, and small strip of flower bed. The only downside? The flower bed is under the porch roof, which means it’s constantly damp and shady, and also an ideal mosquito habitat. So this year, after frantically trying to squash a few rogue mosquitoes that snuck indoors while I was carrying in groceries, I’ve decided to get myself some mosquito-repelling plants.

Though it certainly feels like it when you watch people with the gift of making every plant under their care flourish, no one is born with a green thumb: There are only black thumbs who become green thumbs, and black thumbs who haven’t yet. If you’re in the second category, knowing these dirty little secrets hidden in the closets of your green thumb friends will speed you on your own path to that enviable star plant-parent status.

Do you dream of fragrant green herbs sprouting on your kitchen windowsill? Cherry tomatoes ripening on the vine just outside your door? If you’ve got a least a little patch of sun on a porch or balcony, you can grow a container garden. But before you head out to buy seeds, you might want to check with your local library to see if you can “check out” a pack or two. Yep, libraries aren’t just for books and movies anymore.

Have you ever peeled back the leaves on a bunch of homegrown kale to discover hundreds of scaly little bugs? Those are aphids and the sight of them will make you throw away your kale and order pizza instead. And anyone who’s had a houseplant infested with spider mites will have been tempted to chuck said plant, pot and all, straight out the window. The damage they cause can eventually kill the plant, and the mites spread quickly.

One of our readers found herself in a familiar situation: she had an outdoor space (yay!), but it was basically unusable (boo). After just two weekends of work, this wannabe balcony has been transformed into a tiny, precious piece of alfresco heaven. Reader Abby Robinson was kind enough to submit this project.

Adding a few houseplants is a foolproof way to brighten up your decor while adding a aura of serenity to your space. Unfortunately, houseplants can get pricey, especially for big showstoppers or unusual varieties. Let’s be honest: it’s tough to pull out your credit card when you’re not sure a plant will actually survive your apartment’s environment, or the blunderings of your black thumb. But that doesn’t mean you have to live without indoor greenery.

Houseplants have gone from an accessory to a lifestyle, and having a wall full of plants is becoming more “millennial” than millennial pink. The only thing that could make it more trendy? If there was a subscription box associated with it. Well, wonder no further when such a thing will exist—The Sill has launched a Plant Parent Club.

When you live with four other people, you might need to escape the close quarters from time to time.

Whether you’re dyeing eggs for Easter, or you’re just really into packing hard-boiled eggs with your lunch lately, here’s a smart tip you can use soon: Save your egg water for your plants. Plants love calcium. When it’s present in a plant’s soil, calcium helps to keep the pH in check—a neutral soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 provides plants with the ideal environment to soak up all the nutrients they need. You know what naturally contains calcium? Eggshells.

While the grass may be a bit patchy—no surprise in Southern California—this 90-year-old yard actually looks pretty great. The house looks nice, the fence is attractive and offers a ton of privacy, the plants are interesting, and the accessories are well-suited to the space. While the home was perfectly fine before, wait until you see how it was transformed.

Great news, plant parents: the Instagram favorite fiddle leaf fig tree appears to be back in stock at select Costco locations across the country. You might remember how excited we got to spot them at a Michigan location last year (Auburn Hills) where they were around six feet tall and under $50 ($46.99 to be exact). Our plant sleuth Kaitlin Flannery just let us know that the leafy tree is back at Auburn Hills, though they are smaller in size and in price.

While it’s always exciting to have any outdoor space at all, the owners of this particular outdoor space found it to be “tiny, messy, and not functional.” After six weeks of work, this backyard is now the dreamy oasis they were hoping for. Let’s hear a bit more about the inspiration behind this makeover, as well as the challenges it posed: Our backyard is small and on a grade, but we knew we could make it nice. [It] was tiny, messy, and not functional at all for us.

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the saying holds true for homes. When your house is on the market, you want potential buyers to fall in love at first sight—and that means having major curb appeal. While the house itself is the focus of curb appeal, keep in mind that landscaping is an important factor to consider as well. Thoughtful use of plants can create visual interest and enhance the overall look of your property.

The only thing better than a well-designed tiny home is one that’s dressed up in holiday decor. And thanks to the #tinyhousemovement—which advocates pared down living in small homes such as campers, Airstreams, and of course, tiny houses—sweeping social media, there’s no shortage of festively decorated mini-abodes to drool over on IG. Read ahead for seven tiny homes decked out in holiday decor we spotted on Instagram.

Plants and macramé go together like white fur blankets and Scandinavian homes. With the reemergence of Boho and trending #plantlady tags, it’s only natural that macramé plant hangers are popping up everywhere. They were big in 2018 and we predict they aren’t go away anytime soon. Macramé is such a beautiful craft that can be the perfect finishing detail to a room and we’ll kickstart your hunt with some of our favorite DIYs and buys.

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.

We first got a glimpse into the colorful world of Troy Solomon (a.k.a. ABearNamedTroy) and Ian Mofford when we toured their whimsical West Hollywood apartment last year. Since then, the couple has transformed their drab second story patio into an equally magical wonderland laced with astroturf and pops of pink. The result is a satisfying transformation that begs the question: Why can’t we all be outside drinking piña coladas from disco balls right now?

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.

On a day off, just for fun, the owner of this house transformed its plain white facade with a very colorful paint job. This is utterly delightful—playful and vibrant with a dreamy palette that must make passersby wish they could be invited in. Roxanne of @daintylibrarian frequently creates fun, colorful DIYs that are whimsical and unpredictable. This particular shade of pink is perfection: sophisticated and modern without a hint of saccharine.

We all have been swooning hard for a while now on cacti. Not only have we been loving the image of the iconic desert plant on interior wall murals and bedspread prints, but we love the cactus itself, too. Robust and relatively easy to care for, these wonderful additions to the home bring a lovely southwestern vibe into any space. Luckily for all of us, most cactus dealers—online and off—are responsible. They grow their plants from seeds and wouldn’t dream of poaching.

If like us, you have an old concrete stoop that has more than seen better days, rather than going through the hassle of tearing it out, why not give it a facelift? From concrete stains and epoxy coatings to a variety of enclosures, there are several ways to go about this. We chose a composite decking surround as we liked the low-maintenance factor and wood look.

Name: Carrie Location: Windsor Square — Los Angeles, California When we first toured our apartment, the patio looked like a prison yard. The paint was dirty and peeling, the floor was inexplicably covered in commercial kitchen mats, and the view was a tangle of power lines looming over the ugly backsides of three neighboring apartment buildings. (And don’t get me started on the flattened toilet boxes one neighbor used for curtains!