In honor of Annual Houseplant Appreciation day, I thought I’d give a shout out to some new houseplants I’m growing for 2016.
First up, in the bathroom I’ve added a Sansevieria laurentii (a.k.a. “Snake plant” or “Mother-in-law-tongue”). This plant will thrive in the humid, tropical conditions of the bathroom and will flourish even in a dark corner.
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
Not only that, it filters out chemical toxins in the air that come from cleaning products, toilet paper and personal toiletries. And it only requires watering about once every two weeks so I don’t have to worry about it when we are off on vacation.
The key to successfully growing houseplants is pairing the right plant with the right light; paying close attention to watering needs and, of course, choosing a container to match your home’s decor. I chose this pretty pot from HomeGoods because it’s a perfect match for the plant and the bathroom decor. Definitely a winning combination!
Coming in a close second is this Boston Fern. In a few months, this will get moved outdoors, but for now it is brightening up the hearth of my fireplace in the bedroom.
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
Be sure to mist your fern to keep it from going brown. It’s also great for adding humidity to your room.
A splurge for me this year is an Alocasia Calodora (a.k.a. Persian Palm or Elephant’s ear). This plant does best in indirect sunlight.
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
I think it looks awesome paired with this basket I found at HomeGoods and I’m hoping it will be happy in its new home in my knitting room/office.
Another addition is some Paperwhites. While not exactly houseplants, if you need a little spring in your step this winter, consider forcing some bulbs indoors.
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
I bought this lovely glass container and decorative stones at HomeGoods. Just add a little water at root level and watch them grow. Bulbs do want some sun so be sure you place them in a room that gets ample light. There’s nothing like spring bulbs to beat back the winter blues.
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
Of course, honorable mention goes to my ever-growing collection of air plants, succulents, orchids and carnivorous plants (many which have been featured in previous posts).
Photo by Joan Kosmachuk
So, go ahead, talk to your houseplants. Tell them you appreciate them. Maybe even pop out to HomeGoods and treat them to a new plant stand or a special new container with room to grow.
Are you planning to introduce any new plants into your home this year? Share your ideas in the comments!