Listen, I’m all for the stormy weather and gray days, but after a while a girl just wants a little sunshine. With a wall full of windows in my bedroom, the gray just kinda seeps into the room. I need a little green. A little life to the blah. Enter my new love of plants.
Let’s Make This Easy: Houseplants For Beginners
I was concerned I would quickly murder all plant life I brought into my home, so I started with a lot of googling and found my first green kids. Moss. Hard to kill, easy to care for, and pretty darn cute.
So, I went home to the Middle Of Nowhere PA and pulled some moss from my backyard. While I SOMEHOW managed to turn the moss brown (probably the water in New Jersey), a coleus plant sprouted up and is now growing like a weed on my windowsill. So maybe I don’t have the killing touch after all.
Follow The Light: Put Plants Where They’ll Actually Thrive
If you’re looking to bring a little green indoors, I compiled my research into a handy little chart. Find out what direction your windows face, and then check the chart for plants that like that sunlight exposure.
I found a few different plants that gravitate towards different light levels based on what direction your windows face. Keep in mind that if you have pets and/or children in your home, it’s best to check whether these plants are dangerous for them to potentially munch on. Ya never know with those little creatures…
North Plants | West Plants | South Plants | East Plants
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A Home To Grow Into: Cute Pots For Plants
As much as I love a big flashy plant like the Coleus or the Snake Plant, I really love the different range of pots that Abby found for this post. I’ve been eyeing a few from Terrain, but am waiting for my budget to give me the head nod. We found pots of every shape and size from teeny tiny to “you’ll need a hand-truck to move this mother.” Just be sure the pot has the proper drainage for whatever you’re placing in it (and yes, material sometimes matters)!
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A Peek At Terrarium Ideas
I feel like terrariums are a great answer for people who want plants but are worried about pets or kids getting into them. They’ve caught my eye for some time now, and once I have a little more window space I may indulge in getting something from the list below. The main two things to keep in mind when planting and placing terrariums is how humid it should be, and how much sunlight it should get. They get HOT in there, guys. The last thing you want to do is suffocate or boil your New Green Kids. The best I can say is do your research thoroughly! There’s a difference between designing a terrarium for looks and crafting one for longevity.
Below are some plants I’ve seen that are good for different kinds of terrariums. Some are cool with being almost completely enclosed while others (like the air plants) can just chill in a cute dish or holder.
Bright Light Plants | Medium Light Plants | Low Light Plants
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Glass Greenhouses
I pulled a few of the terrariums I’d love to have (once again just side-eyeing my plant budget over here). These range from fully open-air ones that would be better for cacti and succulents (not sure if they can count as terrariums at that point), to fully enclosed glass containers that would work well for moss. Once you get your plants situated in there, you can always add some decorative rocks or pieces of wood. I’ve even seen some really cute tiny statues people house in their terrariums. Honestly, what I love most is how reflective of personal style these things can be.
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I won’t claim to be an expert on any of this stuff. I am a Newly Made Plant Mom myself. But I definitely have found a new love of having big leafy greens spanning my entire room. There’s something soothing about it. Maybe a reminder of back home deep in the woods? If you guys have any tips for a greener thumb, let me know! Have a favorite plant or terrarium? Feel free to share!
Your Resident Dungeon Master,
Syd
Local artists and Etsy vendors have amazing and customizable options for planters and pottery. Instagram is sure to feature pop-up sales with artist collectives who are talented each in their own right. There may even be a small gallery or community arts space available to you locally that carries ceramic or other handmade items. The major annual national ceramics convention (NCECA) was just cancelled yesterday due to covid-19 concerns, so now, more than ever, is an excellent time to support small, artist run businesses. We all will appreciate your support!