I’ve always had house plants, but ever since Pinterest came on the scene, I have more plants than ever before. Seeing a room without plants now seems like there’s something missing. Not only does it add something living (obviously) to a room, but it also adds something not too perfect. Which brings me to fake plants. I just can’t do it. I know, I know they are practical and they make them so good they even have less than perfect leaves to make them look real, but still, I like real ones. Here’s a look at my favorite houseplants at the moment.
Am I missing any good ones? Do you talk to your plants? I don’t talk to them, but there may be some name calling. See if you agree with the names I give my plants: The Work Horse, The Popular One, The Don’t Bother Me, I’m Fine, The Prim & Proper Topiary, The Messy, but Reliable Fern and The High Maintenance Maidenhair Fern.
The Work Horse – More commonly known as the Pothos. It is impossible to kill these plants. You can forget to water them, never replant to a larger container and still they thrive.
The Messy, but Reliable Fern, more commonly known as the Boston Fern. I have ferns outside in my planters on the porch and one inside doing a pretty swell job of hiding my gas logs for the summer. They tend to drop leaves, but pretty easy to clean up and they are inexpensive for such a large plant.
The High Maintenance, but thinks she’s low Maintenance Maidenhair Fern. My most favorite plant, but not the easiest to keep looking fresh and beautiful like this one. I can justify buying them because they last way longer than fresh flowers. To keep them looking lovely for as long as possible, they prefer indirect light and a light mist almost every day. Keep the soil moist, but not drenched.
The Don’t Bother me, I’m Fine – Other names for this plant: Snake plant and mother-in-laws tongue. This plant can be in direct or indirect light, water it when you remember and it will be fine. Basically, the opposite of the finicky Maidenhair Fern.
The Prim & Proper Topiary – I love my Myrtle Topiaries. They are precise, a little bit formal and always ready for a party. I use them in place of flowers when setting the table and they look beautiful every time. They are pretty low maintenance, but they do need to be watered almost daily when they are in small pots like these.
The Popular One – I read people had trouble keeping fiddle leaf fig trees alive or how they brought theirs back from a single leaf. My house is on the small side, so my plants need to be on their best behavior at all times. I feed all of my plants about every other month with Miracle Gro and I use a Moisture Meter to make sure I’m not over watering. My house gets about the average amount of light and everything thrives. I think it’s a combination of feeding your plants and not over watering them. A common mistake, I suspect. So….what are your tips on caring for houseplants and what’s your favorite? Mine is the high maintenance, but thinks she’s low maintenance (the worst kind) Maidenhair Fern. (Yes, that is a reference to When Harry Met Sally).
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Annie,
I agree, I just can’t do faux houseplants. Fortunately, you’ve listed some of my go-to plants. I have a large pothos in a porcelain foot bath on our dining room table—the room gets the least amount of light and yet the plant thrives. I love it for that reason alone. The topiaries I rely on are English ivy. I’ve had a hard time finding the myrtle, and when I do find it it’s cost prohibitive. I find that if I water and fertilize the house plants last for years. I occasionally take them into our atrium (which is filled with indirect sunlight) and gently mist them off and let them get fresh air for 24 hours—a mini spa for my plants.
xo,
Karen
Karen,
You are so lucky to have an atrium! I have to take mine outside on the patio for their mini spa bath!
xo
annie
LOL at your plant names and the “high maintenance that thinks she’s low maintenance”! Soooo funny! And so true! Your names are very accurate. I have pretty much all of the same plants (except the topiaries) and I also get a lot of light so mine do quite well. I recently bought two macramé plant hangers – remember those? I had them in my apartments back in the 70s. They are back! I’m going to attempt my Boston fern in one…we’ll see how that goes.
Have an awesome weekend, Annie! xo
Karen,
Of course I remember those macrame plant holders. Back in the 70’s I think we had Spider plants in them, right?
xo
annie
Shultz makes a great houseplant fertilizer that I’ve been using for years.
Not everyone is aware of the Scott’s Miracle-Gro relationship with Monsanto and Roundup or their federal conviction and multi-million dollar fine for the sale of poisoned wild bird seed.
Emma,
That’s good to know. I will add a link for Shultz liquid plant food. Thank you!
Annie
I have never been a very good indoor gardener but I would love to try some myrtle topiaries. I have never found a source out here. Your houseplants look so healthy and happy!!
Cindy,
You must have a place to buy topiaries near you! Everything is beautiful where you are!
annie
Where do u buy ur house plants?
I buy most of them at Home Depot and a few at Terrain in Westport.
Greetings from sunny Arizona. I just found your blog on Friday. I read the entire six years nearly, in two days.
The short summary is I love everything you do , eat , and say ! Yours is a fantastic blog . I will be right here reading with a/c and three fans…naked. Ha
Karen,
Well thank you for reading! All six years, wow! ! love Arizona! My husband and I met in Phoenix. Stay cool! It will be November before you know it!
annie
Hi Annie
Way back in the day you showed a remedy for cleaning old bottles. I had a brown Clorox bottle that I could NOT get clean..
Rice and vinegar worked like a charm. Shouldn’t mention that I was a skeptic , right?
Your plant names are pretty on point haha! I went through a stage where I wanted NO houseplants whatsoever. My house was designated a no houseplant zone, with the exception of Orchids. I blame Sex and the City for this behavior. The one when Carrie and Aidan moved in together and she wanted nothing to do with his houseplants. Over the last few years, I’ve had plants in the house and they really do make a difference. My husband grew up having lots of plants and herbs around, so we always have potted rosemary, aloe, and other small plants in the kitchen. I have a palm that I got at Ikea (I couldn’t find a fiddle leaf fig anywhere!) and it adds necessary green and height to our family room. I have a similar gold-trimmed terrarium/planter as you from West Elm and though it does leak from time to time, I have succulents in there. Next I am buying a fern for our gas fireplace with white brick. It’s a great idea and yours looks amazing!
HI Mary-Irene,
Isn’t it funny how we go through stages of wanting/not wanting things around us and the influencers that give us these ideas!? Hope you have a great weekend with your sweet family!
xo
annie