ZZ Plant: The Graceful, Foolproof Semi-Succulent

July 2, 2020 by micah catherine 2 Comments

Are you a forgetful gardener? Chronic vacationer? Then the Zanzibar Gem, or ZZ Plant, may be right for you! This semi-succulent hails from the arid climates of Eastern Africa, so it’s naturally used to enduring drought spells and is a great choice if you have a brown thumb. In addition to how easy it is to care for, these foolproof plants work day and night to purify the air in your home! Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you ZZ Plant is thriving in your home.

Keep the Light Moderate
ZZ Plants thrive in medium, indirect light. It makes for a good office or bathroom plant with its ability to tolerate low light conditions (even florescent lighting). They’re known for their deep-green, waxy leaves, so if you notice that the leaves are turning yellow or curling, its a sign of too much direct or bright light. If the leaves become lighter and more transparent, you’ll want to move your plant to an area that gets more light. To ensure your plant is receiving optimal light at all times, frequently wipe down the leaves and rotate it.

Infrequent Watering Is Best
ZZ Plants are semi-succulents and like the true nature of these types of plants, they don’t require much water. Their fleshy leaves are also great absorbers of moister in the air, so frequent misting will help your plant thrive. In general, these plants only need to be watered every 3-4 weeks. Only when the soil is fully dried out do you need to give this hardy plant another drink. Their root system is especially designed to retain as much water as possible, so overwatering can easily drown this plant. Just remember, when it comes to the ZZ Plant, when in doubt, let it drought!

Remember Routine Care
Like all plants, ZZ Plants with be the healthiest and happiest when they receive routine maintenance. In addition to providing proper levels of light and water, fertilizing this plant through the summer months ensures it’s receiving the proper level of nutrients. If encouraging your plant to grow, repot it in either spring or summer in a planter that is 1-2 inches larger than its current size. ZZ Plants are slow-growning, so you can extend the time between repotting up to 18 months instead of every year. If you prefer a small desk plant, replace the soil and trim the roots, but keep it housed in the same pot.

New to plant care?
The ZZ Plant is a great starter option! Have you heard of this plant before? Do you currently own one or will you put it on your must-haves list? Comment with your thoughts below!

XO,
Micah

The Dos and Don’ts of Houseplant Styling

June 25, 2020 by micah catherine 3 Comments

Houseplants can soften or sharpen a room by bringing unique textures, colors, and shapes to an otherwise bland living area. Alongside furniture, they’re a piece of art, an ever-changing living sculpture—adding just the right touch to make a house feel like a home. Houseplant styling is one way you can take advantage of the potted foliage that might otherwise be scattered haphazardly around your home. Well, it might be that bad, but a little style never hurt anyone. Here are my top dos and don’ts for houseplant styling:

DO mix colors and textures. The varieties of indoor plants are virtually endless, and with them comes a vast range of leaf shapes, patterns, textures, and colors. Instead of buying multiple of the same plant (or family of plants), choose plants that have contrasting, but complementary patterns. Pair the multi-colored, wayward leaves of a Tricolor Stromanthe with the uniform, rich-green leaves of a ZZ Plant and the sharp, thick stalks of an Aloe plant.

DO vary plant sizes. Just as important as mixing color and texture, group plants of varying widths and heights for a more organic look. An easy way to stagger plant heights is by incorporating plant stands or hanging vine plants from the ceiling. This houseplant styling trick can add dimension to any room and can help fill in corners that would otherwise be left awkwardly empty. If you don’t have enough plants to style a room corner or are short on plant stands, a large floor plant like the White Bird of Paradise will fill in the cobweb-y corners in no time!

DO follow the odd-number rule. Grouping plants in pairs around your room can quickly lead to a symmetrical and formal look instead of the urban jungle you were hoping for. When styling, arranging plants in odd numbers (groups of three is a safe bet) can give your room a more casual feel, especially if these plants also vary in size, color, and texture. For the floor, group a Parlor Palm with a Snake Plant and Chinese Money Plant. For a shelf, pair a vining English Ivy with a Bird’s Nest Fern and Blue Columnar Cactus.

DON’T overlook your pots. It may come as an afterthought, but your pots can play a big role in how styled your plants are, too. Choose pots that complement the color and texture of the plants they hold. For a more modern look, shy away from pots that flare at the top and instead choose straight-edge designs with solid prints, two-tones, lines, or geometric patterns. Different textures, such as shiny brass planters or rough, woven baskets also add style without being overbearing.

DON’T leave home decor behind. While you can use plants to fully furnish the shelves, floors, and side tables of your home, that doesn’t mean you can’t also collect fun and unique home decor as well. Books, photographs, candles, ceramic elephant sculptures (basically anything you would find at HomeGoods) will all add visual variation to your furniture, not to mention a potential pop of color. If you’re not ready to commit to vast numbers of plants in your home, this is a great way you can incorporate your foliage and decor styling skills, without the added responsibility of plant care.

DON’T forget to research. You might be ready to jump right into houseplant styling, but always remember that plants need unique care. Make sure the plants you’re grouping together all have similar requirements for water, light, and humidity. Golden Pothos, which remains healthy even in low-light conditions, may not do well when paired with a Fiddle Leaf Fig near a brightly lit window. Similarly, grouping plants that all thrive in humid conditions, such as ferns and succulents, allows them to create a pocket of moisture to help each other grow.

Ready to get creative?
Styling your plants can be a fun adventure, especially if you have the base knowledge to do it properly. I’d love to hear about how you’re making your home more stylish with your plants!

XO,
Micah

Monstera Deliciosa: The Lush Floor Plant with Iconic Leaves

June 11, 2020 by micah catherine 1 Comment

Last weekend marked a significant life event for me as a plant owner: I finally bought myself a Monstera. There’s something special about this floor plant… it has caught my attention time and again. It might be those unique “swiss cheese” leaves. Or its deep, forestry green color. Whatever the reason, the allure of this unique plant led me to purchase one. I love it.

Contrary to some people’s first thought, this plant’s full name—monstera deliciosa—isn’t the name of a spell from Harry Potter. (You life-long HP fans would already know this, but hey, it’s me.) While there’s some debate as to why half the name means “monster”, it is clear that the epithet, deliciosa, is in reference to the delicious edible fruit it produces. Unfortunately, as an indoor floor plant, Monstera plants won’t create any fruit, though they will grow gloriously tall and lush. Here’s what you need to know to take care of these split-leaf beauties:

Light Level
Monstera plants are tropical, hailing from the dense, soggy rainforests of Central America. They’re actually vining plants that will make their way up trees to be closer to the light. In fact, it’s theorized that the holes that develop as leaves mature is to help light reach lower leaves living near the shaded forest floor. As the ornamental floor plant in your home, however, a Monstera will thrive in bright indirect sunlight. And you’ll still get to watch the “fenestration” process of these growing leaves. Be sure to occasionally wipe the dust off these large leaves to ensure proper photosynthesis.

Pro Tip: If your Monstera plant casts a shadow, it’s getting too much sun! Try moving it further from a window so it receives more indirect light.

Water Schedule
Monstera plants are tropical, but that doesn’t mean they prefer moist soil at all times. Wait until the first 1-2 inches of soil are dry to water your plant again. Then slowly pour clean water around the entire base of the plant until it begins draining out the bottom of the pot. Remove this excess water immediately to avoid root rot. Mostera plants also like humidity, so a daily misting is a great way to keep them happy, especially if you live in a dry climate.

Vining Support
In addition to their underground roots, Monstera plants also grow aerial roots designed to provide leverage when climbing trees. Without any support from a trellis or wooden climbing stick, your plant may grow sideways instead if up. If you’re noticing that your plant seems to be spreading out, install a support system and encourage the plant to grow upward by securing it gently with rubber twist ties. If this seems like too much trouble, you can always prune and propagate them!

I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly excited about my new “monster” plant. Has this plant been on your list? Do you already own one? I’d love to know your thoughts!

XO,
Micah