I’ll be entering the fall season with a sense of excitement and renewal. When I think of renewal, I think of revitalization and there is no better way to revive your home’s atmosphere than by adding house plants into your décor. Do you have an empty corner or shelf, or an accent table but do not want to add another framed photo, consider a plant or plants. Currently, as I work and travel, I noticed various places integrating indoor plants into their overall design aesthetic such as Airports, Hotel lobbies, Malls, and Offices to provide a residential ambiance and natural color, which helps people feel more comfortable in larger spaces. This concept also resonates at home, plants make people feel peaceful and calm within their home environment. Indoor plants provide a variety of therapeutic and design benefits such as:
- Boost moods, productivity, concentration, and creativity.
- Reduce stress and fatigue.
- Clean indoor air by absorbing toxins.
- Adds life to sterile spaces.
- Offer privacy/screening and reduce noise levels.
- Adds volume in larger spaces
- Provides vibrancy and texture
There is a plethora of reasons to add indoor plants and many options to choose from. When considering indoor plants for your home, here are three things to consider 1) your personal schedule for maintenance 2) the decorative container and 3) location, location, location.
The top five houseplants according to plant enthusiasts are:
1. Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus Lyrata)
This shrub has long, elegant stem and branches with broad, leathery leaves. To care of this plant, it requires direct sunlight. As the plant grows prune the top branches when it grows above the window frame. Water once a week, or more if it’s winter and the air in your home is dry.
2. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera Deliciosa)
This plant has a distinctive leaf with a waxy shiny coat. Easily multipliable by clipping a leaf with the roots attached—and replant it, if you’d like. To care of this plant water once a week.
3. Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus X Meyeri)
This tree is believed to be a hybrid of lemons and mandarin oranges and when they bloom you have a beautiful fragrance of citrus flowers. Meyer lemon trees do well indoors as long as they have lots of sun. To care for this tree water weekly.
4. Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana)
This plant can grow up to 10 feet, so it requires space. The fronds have a lot of texture and broad reach creating interesting shadows and a lot of shade beneath. Palms require medium to bright light and should be watered weekly.
5. Castiron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior)
This plant has a lot of foliage and adds a lush texture and dark green color to any space. It does well in medium to low light and is tolerant of neglect, so if you have a busy schedule, it’s fine if you forget to water it occasionally. To care for this plant water once every seven to ten days.
Now that I have provided some indoor plant options, hopefully you will consider adding a few botanicals in your home. Wondering where can you purchase houseplants- there are a variety of locations to consider, take a look at Yelo Aple an online place for “plant people”, there are of course big box stores such as Home Depot, Ikea and Lowes but for a more boutique experience that specializes in plant consulting, plant maintenance and styling consider a store that specifically sells household plants and accessories such as A Pot to Plant In, located in Smyrna. I was curious, so I stopped by, toured the store and met one of the Owners, Shana Sanders and asked a few questions.
What led to your decision to open a plant store?
Plants have always been a part of my past, my Mom is a Gardner and I was into flowers. When my Husband and I purchased a home, I used Instagram for furniture and plant inspiration for my decor- but found more of a connection with plants. In 2020, while at home during the Pandemic I did a lot of research and started connecting with other plant lovers and began consulting virtually on how to maintain, replant/repot plants. Though I enjoyed the virtual aspect, I saw a void in this space and my husband inspired me to move forward with a brick-and-mortar location and almost three years later the business has been constantly growing and is doing very well.
I have noticed indoor plants being integrated into so many interior spaces. Why do you think there has been a resurgence?
In 2020, people were home and wanted something to nurture, they were experiencing uncertainty, loss, and they were lonely and upset. This brought on stress in many- plants are nostalgic and provide a sense of calm. Also, people had the time and the money to spend. Plants really do make people happy.
What advice would you give to someone purchasing their first houseplant?
You must know what plants can survive in your environment. Do you have ample lighting, do you travel often, is your space humid or dry, do you have pets? These are important questions that we can help you with or you can do your own research online. There are plants that require a lot of attention and water and others that are low maintenance, but there is a plant for everyone.
Still in decision mode? Indoor plants can cost anywhere from approximately $24.00 for smaller tabletop options and upwards to $600 (not including the decorative container) for larger indoor plants or trees. Decorating with plants is an easy way to elevate, provide balance, harmony, texture and rhythm within your home that can last for years to come. If you’re still not convinced, consider giving a plant as a gift, for a baby shower, or instead of a housewarming have a plantwarming party to get you started on your journey of plant parenthood!
