I have to admit I don’t have a green thumb, but even though faux or fake plants seem to be making a pretty significant comeback (um, does every home blogger now have a fake fiddle leaf fig in their home?) I just can’t. But I promise it’s not a snobbery thing. I just think no matter how good the fake looks an artificial plant kind of defeats the purpose of having a plant in your home.
No joke, when we lived in KY I went to a functional medicine doctor and one of the things he was passionate about telling all of his patients was that they should have plants in their home. He was also big on turmeric and felt that everyone should be taking it every day, but that’s a story for another day. Anyhow, I remember thinking, really? House plants are good for your health? I always thought house plants were about aesthetics; I had no idea they could detox the air, reduce airborne dust levels, increase the humidity……and there are even some studies out there that show house plants can help you focus, speed recovery to cold and flu symptoms and even reduce blood pressure. Like seriously, who knew it was about more than just looking pretty?
Real Plants for Life!
So I’m team real plants even if I’m legit struggling to grow a healthy fiddle leaf fig. But you know what? This little guy in my entry foyer is sprouting two new leaves right now, and you would think I just birthed these leaves myself based on my level of commitment to see them thrive. If I could swaddle these little baby leaves and rock them to sleep, I would. Don’t judge me.
(*Sidenote – These faux leather leggings are the kind of faux I can get down with. 😉 )
Plants That Seem to Thrive on Neglect
While I may not have a green thumb, I have become quite friendly with a couple plants that seem to thrive on neglect. Which makes them a match made in heaven for me.
1. First up is my main boo, the snake plant! See that taller plant up there next to my fiddle? Well, that plant is a little over two years old! And I have yet to repot it…….and I’m pretty sure I haven’t watered it since December. That’s my kind of plant! Snake plants are really inexpensive, and you can find them everywhere from your local nursery to Walmart.
I have snake plants all over the house. Because they don’t require a ton of light they’re great to use in places where you don’t have any windows, like our powder bathroom.
2. Next up, the ever so pretty chinese evergreen. They come in many varieties, but I’m partial to the the ones that have light pink stems and a little bit of pink and red in the leaves. This little beauty rarely asks for water and doesn’t need a lot of light to live. God bless her low maintenance heart. I see these plants at Lowe’s all the time.
Low Light Lovers Are Where It’s At
I think one of the biggest issues to growing, or should I say keeping house plants alive, is location. Many house plants need a lot of light and depending on how your home receives light during the day the places where you may want a house plant for aesthetic purposes may not be the most ideal location for a plant to thrive. This is why I always look for low to medium light loving plants. They’re typically not picky about where they live in your home!
My favorite is the nerve plant which has the prettiest leaves. I prefer the one referred to as pink wave because it’s pink veins are just gorgeous.
These plants aren’t hard to find. Just about any place that sells plants will have these. They make great centerpieces.
(There’s another fiddle hanging on for dear life. Say a prayer.)
Low light plants are also great to use on bookshelves where natural light may be minimal and/or filtered.
(Art by Melvin G.)
Beautiful Planters
As much as I love fresh flowers, plants give me an excuse to collect beautiful planters! I’m always on the look out for them when I’m out thrifting, and I love going to art festivals and checking out handmade pottery. Here are a few beauties I’ve recently come across online.
I have two of those pink ridged terra-cotta pots and absolutely love them! They are so much prettier in real life than they look online. And you should definitely check out the etsy shop that makes the small planter I featured above (#3) because this artist also makes the most incredible jewelry in addition to these beautiful pots.
So what about you? Are you getting on the faux plant bandwagon or are you still trying to keep real plants alive in your home too? No shame either way. Just curious.
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I banished all fake plants a few years ago and I have a nice collection of real plants now. The only fake I use is during Christmas. I use faux evergreens.