Houseplant Addiction

Are you addicted to houseplants? Do you make unnecessary trips to your local home improvement store or nursery? Do you trip over empty pots if you’re not careful in the garage? Is this even a problem?

All of the above apply to me. When I moved into my house a few years ago, I legitimately had no idea how to decorate. I never had a blank canvas and so much space. I dutifully hung some pretty pictures, but still I felt the space needed more color and texture. I brought a few plants with me from my last living space, and in my new sunny, airy home they sprung to life and thrived. It was only natural that I got more. My first fancy plant purchase was a $40 monstera deliciosa. Over the past three years, I visited local nurseries, purchased hard to find plants online, and even picked up a sad, dusty peace lily from the local antique shop.

Now I have at least 30 houseplants. There are some that I just can’t keep alive despite my finest intentions. Ferns, for instance- they just shrivel up and die. Certain succulents may be over watered in my home. However, the remaining ones are doing great and require little maintenance.

Here are some of my favorites:

Good ol’ monstera: Easy to care for, forgiving of your watering habits, gorgeous. Keep in mind this one can get big if you let it. You can stunt its growth by keeping it root bound (within reason).

Pothos: Can a plant be any easier to care for? This plant loves sun, but tolerates shade, and creates a beautiful trailing habitat. I water it two to three times per week, depending on the humidity level in my house. You can even take cuttings and root them in water, and give them to your friends. Free houseplants make you more popular (fact).

Jade: Feng shui dictates this is a good luck plant, thought to bring prosperity and abundance into its owners life. My first jade plant was purchased at my local home improvement store. It outgrew its first pot and is now happily living in a slightly larger pot near a sunny window. My second jade is currently taking over its too small pot and will be transplanted in the near future. I took cuttings of this one, rooted them in water, and now I have another one in my kitchen window. They are all happy and healthy. Have you ever seen a huge jade plant? Truly something special to behold.

Philodendron: I am relatively new to the philodendron world, but I quickly accumulated 4 varieties in the past year. I became obsessed with finding ‘philodendron pink princess’ on the internet, and in the interim accumulated other plants with thick, lush leaves in tones of yellow, red, and green. One grows tall and stately, and others gently trail out of their pots. My pink princess sits next to my bed, a daily reminder of how obsessive internet searching can pay off.

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Wandering jew: I didn’t name this plant so don’t be offended. This plant is pretty cool. My first one I purchased again at my local home improvement store. It has silvery tones on the top part of its leaves, but the undersides are purples. Last year I thought I killed this plant, but I cut it back and now it is full and lush once again although it is living in a slightly dark corner. I heard this plant can get a little straggly, so don’t be afraid to cut off the sad parts: it should grow back. I also found a PINK wandering jew (formally named tradescantia tricolor), and those are thriving as well. This plant is tolerant of too much or too little water, but I do baby them a bit. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

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Those are my top 5 favorite houseplants. I have many others, and some day I may post about them. For now, please enjoy my beautiful houseplants in all their glory. Do you have a favorite plant? Tell me about it in the comments.