The Best Plants for Each Room in Your Home

Posted on by micah catherine 1 Comment
plants for your home white bird of paradise plant leaves against white wall

By now, it should come as no surprise to learn that nearly every room in my home is occupied by at least one plant. And we know that plants for your home can add a touch of color and quite literally breathe life into every room.

But not all houseplants are created equal. Some do better with high humidity and others love to soak up the sun. The good news is that for every main room in your home, there’s a houseplant that will fit in perfectly with the decor, purpose, and level of light.

Living Room
Your living room is often your greatest area of traffic and what many guests will see first. Choosing a statement floor plant (or two) will provide a refreshing focal point. They’re also useful for hiding unattractive cords or equipment and for filling in the empty corners of the room. If you have any shelving or mantles than need a little extra decor, a shelf plant is a perfect addition. Recommended plants:

  • Bird of Paradise: bright light, floor decor
  • Rubber tree: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron: low light, shelf decor

Dining Room
Your dining room may not have as much extra space as the living room, but that doesn’t mean a plant or two can’t adorn this room. In most homes, the dining room is full of bright light, so this room is ideal for fiddle leaf figs and other floor plants that need full sun. If you don’t have room for a floor plant, hanging a creeping vine (such as a philodendron or pothos) in the corner of the room can add a touch of elegance, too. Recommended plants:

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig: bright light, floor decor
  • Monstera Deliciosa: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron/Pothos: low light, tabletop/hanging decor

Kitchen
The best part of having plants in the kitchen is that you can choose ones that can double both for decor and to add flavor to your meals. If you have a window in your kitchen, you have a prime spot for plants you can also eat, such as basil, cilantro, and other herbs. While your kitchen won’t be as humid as your bathroom, it will still be more so than other rooms in your house, so succulents are an excellent addition, too. Recommend plants:

  • Herbs: bright light, countertop decor
  • Succulents: medium light, windowsill decor
  • Philodendron: low light, hanging/cabinet top decor

Bedroom
Plants in your home will help purify the air, but this is especially helpful in bedrooms. Adding a plant or two to your bedroom provides a calming sanctuary for resting and may even help you breathe easier! Choose plants that not only make you feel happy but ones that fit in with the level of light most common for your room. A plant in need of bright light may not do well if you like to keep the curtains drawn for most of the day. Recommended plants:

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig: bright light, floor decor
  • Snake plant: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron: low light, hanging/dresser top decor

Bathroom
Your bathroom is unique in that it gets the highest level of humidity, but often the lowest level of sunlight. If your bathroom does have a window (like mine), you have a perfect tropical oasis for such plants as succulents and cacti. Otherwise, sticking with a plant that prefers the humidity, but not the direct light is a better choice. Unless you’re fine with leaving them near a window for a few hours each week. Recommended plants:

  • Succulents, Air plants, Cacti: bright light, shelf decor
  • Parlor Palm: medium light, floor decor
  • Pothos: low light, shelf/hanging decor

What’s in Your Home?
Buying plants for your home can seem a little daunting, so I hope this guide will make shopping fun! What plants do you already have in your home? Which ones are you going to buy next? I’d love to know!

XO,
Micah

Troubleshooting Common Problems in Houseplants

Posted on by micah catherine
succulent plants in glass vase troubleshooting problems with houseplants

Houseplants are some of the best additions you can make to your home, but caring for them can sometimes be a challenge. I’ve had my fair share of plant woes (I see you, succulents), so this week’s blog post is all about troubleshooting common problems you’ll most likely experience.

Most houseplants, like the golden pothos, are fairly low-maintenance and won’t need much care from you. But paying attention to the common signs that show they’re in need of a little extra love will keep them happy and healthy for much longer. Here are six common mistakes new plant parents can make and how to fix them:

1. Overwatering
Perhaps the most common mistake you can make is overwatering your plants. Don’t worry! It’s easy to do, but once you’re aware of how to properly water your plants, you won’t be making this mistake again. If mature leaves are turning yellow or new leaves look more brown than light green, hold off the watering for a while. The best way to keep your plant from drowning is to only water it when 1-2 inches of the top layer of soil no longer feels moist. It’s ok to wait to water your plant until the soil is quite dry.

2. Underwatering
Your plant will make it fairly obvious if you’re not giving it enough water. The leaves will turn pale yellow and sickly and may even feel dry and crisp to the touch. The stems will be droopy and weak. If you notice that the soil is very dry and crumbly, it’s time to water! Give your plant a good soaking, then be sure to follow the tip above to ensure you’re providing the proper amount of water.

3. Root Rot
Plants that have been overwatered for too long can fall victim to root rot. This condition can occur when the soil is too dense or the pot doesn’t have a proper drainage hole. This leaves the soil moist long enough for fungus to grow and spread. If your plant has more yellow leaves than not, remove it from the pot and check to see if the roots look dark and soggy. If so, gently remove all the soil from the roots, cut away the unhealthy roots, and repot. Most importantly, don’t overwater your plant!

4. Too Much Sun
Many houseplants don’t actually require much direct sunlight. This is what makes them so easy to care for! If your plant is getting too much sun, many or all the leaves will pale and become yellow-brown, tan, or even appear scorched. You may be able to accommodate the high levels of sunlight by watering your plant more. However, it is probably best to move the plant to a less sunny part of your home and replace it with one that loves spending time in direct sunlight, like a cactus or succulent.

5. Too Little Sun
Much like when plants are underwatered, if a plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it’ll appear wilted and droopy. The leaves will feel soft and curl inward and also easily fall off the stem. Certain plants can also grow tall and spindly, leaning toward any source of natural light. If your plant is looking pale and dreary, simply move it closer to a window and let it soak up some rays. It won’t take long for your plant to perk up again.

6. Overlooking Pests
Unfortunately, indoor plants can attract pesky insects, too. Fungal gnats, spider mites, and other pests can seriously damage your plants. Check routinely for signs of an infestation, including white veins, yellowing blotches, and streaks on leaves. And, of course, actual insects. If you see signs of trouble, spray your plants with neem oil, a non-toxic and natural pesticide you can find at your local garden center. Once the insects are gone, you can keep them from returning by misting your plants monthly with a 1:1 rubbing alcohol-water solution mixed with 1 teaspoon of dish soap.

Keep Your Plants Happy
Now that you know some common problems many people have with their houseplants, you’ll be better able to diagnose the cause of your own. And keep your plants happy and thriving long-term! Have specific questions about one of your plants? I’d love to help!

XO,
Micah

The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Posted on by micah catherine 2 Comments
boardwalk disappearing into forest of pine trees

Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. An imaginative and reserved nature-lover, she spent many happy hours, notebook in hand, pondering the world through quiet observation of the trees and animals that surrounded her.

Like me, Oliver wasn’t much for the spotlight. She let her writing speak for her and it earned her great recognition. She’s a recipient of both the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award, winning numerous other awards and honors throughout her whole life.

Oliver passed away earlier this year, but the over 30 poetry collections and works of non-fiction she published leave a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. Of her collections, A Thousand Mornings, Devotion, and House of Light (from which this poem is taken) are three of my favorite.

The Summer Day
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Have you read any of Oliver’s poems? Which poets are your favorite? I’m always looking to add to my collection!

XO,
Micah