Designing with Plants
Ever since I can remember, I loved interior design and plants. As a child, I played with Barbie dolls and enjoyed decorating their "home", a wooden box my parents got from a garage sale, that I painted and furnished with all kinds of things I found around the house. I also remember cutting little flowers from our garden and putting them in tiny vases for the dolls. Anyhow, for me, plants are essential in any space, they provide a hint of nature in our life but they also clean the air we breathe.
All over Instagram I see beautiful urban jungles and I can't help think, wow that's a lot of work. As much as I love plants, I could never take care of that many, especially considering that many plants are very high maintenance and require more things than just water. For that reason, I have made a list of my top 5 favorite and easy plants that will enhance your space, but also not die so easily.
1. Golden Pothos
This one you will read in every plant blog, its the easiest to take care of, and honestly, its true. I water mine about every week and a half or when I can tell she needs it, (yes all my plants are girls). She will get wilted leaves when its time to water. When this happens I hang her in my bathtub and give her a nice shower. She will cheer up in a few hours. Pothos do tend to loose leaves so don't worry if you find many yellow ones. Note that pothos are trailing plants, meaning they trail upward trees in the jungle, so if you want them to grow faster have them vine on your wall or like many others with a moss pole, which I highly dislike the looks of it. It's better to hang with a fun macrame plant hanger like these on Amazon.
2. Monstera Deliciosa
As the word says it, this delicious monster-like plant is a favorite among plant lovers. These grow extremely fast and all over the place so make sure you secure it once its starts growing wildly. I water my Monstera every week and a half or two, but not as often as my Pothos. Monsteras do like humidity and enjoy indirect light. Mine is close to a window and close to other humidity-loving plants and so far she loves it. Monsteras look great in floor pots next to a piece of furniture, these Mid Century pots come in a pair and would be perfect in any space.
3. Heartleaf Philodendron
This deep green plant is among the favorites in the plant world. The leaves have heart shapes and we can find this plant in my color variations. Philodendrons are also trailing plants so they are perfect on top of a shelf to have them hang or vine up to an empty wall where you need to fill the space. I would recommend the Neon Philodendron, because their leaves are a beautiful neon green/yellow color and bring a bright pop of color to any space. Similarly to the pothos, water every week or when you notice wilted leaves. I have my Neon Philo in a cement pot which contrasts perfectly with the neon leaves. I got mine from Ikea but this similar one with a saucer is on Amazon.
4.- String of Hearts
This plant is one of my favorites. They are lovely and so delicate but pretty sturdy plants. They are in the succulent family so don't need water as often but more often than others. It is easy to tell when its thirsty because the leave will look soft and curl in. Remember that even if its a succulent it will burn if placed in direct sunlight, you want to place it near a window where it will see the sky, that way you insure it will grow and grow. These are perfect in hanging pots or on the top of a bookshelf, they will stand out and look unique in any space. You can also add some cuteness if you place it in a pot with a face and make it look like hair! I personally love this one from Amazon.
5. Scindapsus Pictus (Satin Pothos)
I saved my favorite for last. This plant is just plain perfect! Stunning looks and SO SO easy to take care of. First of all, the deep green velvety leaves have these tiny silver speckles all over and glimmer in the light, is there anything more perfect than that? NO! This plant is the easiest to take care of, indirect sunlight or even lowlight will do and the plant needs watering every two to three weeks and I only water when the leaves curl in. Honestly, this plant is a dream, I have 4 different ones and my longest is about 7 feet long (my baby). I have this one hanging from the tall edge of a wall and others are hangin from one of these minimalist pots from Amazon, these plants also like to vine up so if they are having they tend to grow smaller leaves at the end.
As you can see, with these five plants you will be able to change your decor and bring a little life and color into your space. I chose these particularly because they visually tell you they need water which can be challenging as a beginner or a helpless brown thumb plant lover.
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