Houseplants are everywhere, and it adds a bit of green jungle love to spaces to help spruce up living rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms. I’m sharing our houseplant journey today on the blog. C’mon folks, grow something!
A Couples Journey With Houseplants
As a kid, I grew up on ten acres of land in the rural parts of southern Michigan, so seeing green is something familiar to me. As an adult, I naturally gravitate towards green hues, earth tones, and almost anything blossoming. I love plants and remain intrigued by the idea of plants growing from a single seed.
How soil, water, and sunlight make seeds germinate, take root, grow, and blossom, and the process continues. Photosynthesis anyone? Plants are such a beautiful mystery; plants are silent living things that are essential to the overall health of the planet. Well, it turns out plants are just as good indoors too.
Plants are excellent, well at least some plants are good, most are non-threatening to humans. There are some houseplants you may want to be wary of because their toxicity can be harmful to pets and kids. So do your research. However, some of the plants I’ve listed below are great for just about any home. I have wanted plants in our home for years, but it wasn’t happening. Tatanisha always refused, but her reluctance to having plants was rooted in her fear of killing them, not remembering to water and care for them, because plants can’t water themselves. But her fear was rooted in something lots of first-time plant parents experience. As a couple, we are better at caring for houseplants together, “Honey, did you water the plants?” Yes, that’s love.
She isn’t alone; there are lots of people who love the idea of having plants but have zero confidence about how to care for them. Over the past few months, there’s been a sea change in The Worthey House. Now, plants are propagating in our home. And because it’s not all on her, my baby is a lot more confident about taking care of our houseplants because she isn’t in this alone. Having plants in our home is a good thing on so many levels. Houseplants are suitable for the soul and cultivating our inside jungle is a rewarding and continuous journey of learning, discovery, and the joy of watching (and enjoying) plants living their best lives within the walls of our evolving family home.
Plants Are Dope
Really, how can houseplants not be dope? Plants take up residence and occupy negative space and make it pop! Not only are plants aesthetically pleasing, but they also have other benefits. Houseplants give us so much, and all they ask for in return is that you get to know what they need, which is mostly the right amount of sunlight and water. That’s it! Well, there’s a bit more than that, but sunshine and water are the two biggies. Ya’ know what’s cool? When my wife tags me on Instagram, showing me new houseplants or ideas on how we can enhance our burgeoning urban jungle. Shared desires. That’s what our love is all about.
Plants Are Back In Style
For some, plants have always been a thing. Currently, plants are having a moment, and I’m not mad at all. According to The Mrs., houseplants are trending, and she’s right. I’m okay with that, as longs as it means I get to add a bit of greenery to our little slice of home sweet home. Houseplants add character, depth, texture, an array of vivid colors, and houseplants are great at complimenting your home decor style with vibrancy and positive energy. Plants make our home feel alive, lived-in, and Zen-like. The lush greenery is welcoming, and that’s a good thing.
Houseplants Are Green Therapy
Maintaining plants in your living space can lead to a healthier and happier you. Plants boost productivity, brighten your mood, sharpen focus, and decrease stress. And that’s not all, some houseplants like Spider plants, Snake plants, Pothos, and Rubber plants improve the quality of the air by removing harmful toxins. So, breathe easy and let a little green goodness into your home. Having a variety of plants in your home can be a game-changer because when it comes to the air quality in your home, the more plants, the better.
How To Pick Your Houseplants
First, make a list of where you would like to have plants, then check out how much available light is coming through the windows in each room. You will need to do a bit of research to determine which plants will thrive in the amount of available light in each room. Some plants require full sun, while others are okay with low light levels. For instance, the Bird of Paradise plant prefers very bright indirect light. However, Snake plants, Garden croton, pothos, and the ZZ plant all do well in low-light conditions. The bottom line, research is going to be crucial when picking the best houseplants for your home.
Connect With Your Plants
We have a name for each of our plants. Chad is our Alocasia, Florence is our Bird of Paradise, and our Jade plant has been dubbed Mr. Serious. My point is naming your houseplants is a way of connecting with them on a personal level. When you feel like you have a meaningful relationship with your plants, you are more likely to take the time to learn about each of their needs. Also, not all plants are the same; different plants have different requirements. Some need more water more often, and others not so much. There are specific plants that require adequate drainage, while others do not. In the end, the more you learn about your plants, the better you will able to take care of them today, tomorrow, and for years to come. Healthy plants are happy plants.
Resources For Taking Care Of Your Plants
And remember, there are plenty of resources online. Sites like bloomscape.com and thesill.com have a variety with some of the best houseplants, and you can even research plants before you order one, two, or three. Check out the many YouTube videos where you can learn all things plant-related. Also, local libraries and plant nurseries are an excellent resource for learning the dos and don’ts of keeping your houseplants healthy and alive.
You can order books like Wild At Home by Hilton Carter. So, even if you currently don’t have a green thumb, well, it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way because knowledge is key to keeping your plants alive and thriving. Go ahead and buy that plant you’ve wanted to get at Ikea. We did.
We named our Garden croton Coltrane because those variegated leaves with the bold yellow, red, and orangey veined edges are jazzy AF!
Are you ready to become the houseplant parent you have always dreamed of becoming? We’ve given you some great tips, and I think you are prepared to bring your first houseplant home. Do your research first and take your time, examine your home then select houseplants that are a good fit for your level of commitment. And of course, name your plants.
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