Breathe Life Into A Home Naturally With Plants!
Not only do plants improve the air quality in a house but they bring nature indoors which is linked to emotional well-being. In both home staging and redesign, plants literally liven up a dull space.
For the Beginner
There are several house plants that actually thrive by being neglected. The following plants do fine in moderate to bright, indirect light and don’t need a lot of watering:
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
- Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
If you have pets, always do your research before bringing a plant home. Some are toxic!
For the Entryway
There isn’t anything much easier to grow than a snake plant or mother-in-law tongue (Sanseviera). They are great in entryways or foyers because their hardiness can withstand temperature changes from the front door constantly opening and closing. Slender and vertical in shape, they fill a corner really well or go nicely along side of a entryway console table. Pictured at right.
For the Living Room
Make a statement in the living room with a Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera). This plant will instantly add interest to the room with it’s large, heart-shaped leaves. As it ages, the leaves will become covered with cut-outs that resemble swiss cheese.
For the Kitchen
Succulents are all the trend right now. They don’t occupy much space and will be happy on a sunny kitchen window sill. There are so many interesting varieties to choose from but the String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) is a succulent that I had never seen before. The leaves actually look like jumping dolphins.
For the Brown Thumb
As a homeowner, I prefer real plants but as a home stager, I use a lot of faux plants. These aren’t the silk plants or flowers that your tacky aunt decorated with in the 80’s. These are realistic looking fake plants! Nearly Natural has been a great source for me and recently I bought a whole slew of great looking faux plants by Threshold at Target.
