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ShareAltum’s houseplant picks for your living spaces.
Is it possible that plants have become even more popular lately? We follow a lot of design bloggers, builders, and retailers and the general consensus is that a space isn’t quite finished without at least one plant. Check out your favorite builders, designers and DIYers on Pinterest or Instagram and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Plants really do spark joy.
They’re also a fast way to add a pop of natural green to a room, a bit of height, even a delicious fragrance. And they clean the air we breathe–their superhero power.
So we thought it might be practical and fun to ask around the garden center for some of our favorites picks for living rooms, kitchens and home offices. We’d love to hear yours, too.
LIVING ROOM
Style reigns supreme here and you have some chic options for tables or floors.
FIDDLE LEAF FIG
A design favorite (there’s a reason we’re still seeing them in gorgeous rooms in 2021), Fiddle Leaf Figs are great floor plants perched inside chunky baskets and pottery. The leaves are large and showy and if you’ve been looking to add a little height to a room, the FLF is your go-to. They like bright light, so save a spot by the window as long as they aren’t baking in the hottest afternoon sun. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering.
ZZ / ZUZU PLANT
Especially for the forgetful among us. ZZs grow best with little human intervention. The glossy, feather-shaped leaves sit on wand-like stems and are so perfect they almost look fake. The best part? The ZZ will thrive in everything from low to high light, which makes it perfect for a dim corner or a bright room. Treat it like a cactus and less is more when it comes to watering.
RUBBER TREE PLANT
Glossy and glamorous, the Rubber Tree Plant is one of our favorites. It loves some bright light, just not too much direct heat. If you’re overwatering, leaves will yellow and fall off, so adjust accordingly.
PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
These Seuss-like stems have burst onto the plant scene and we’re not the least bit sorry. They’re not always easy to find and can be in short supply, but when you can find them, they make a stylish and whimsical table or shelfie accent. Just make sure they have a slice of bright, indirect sunlight and water weekly to keep him happy.
KITCHEN
Counter space is at a premium, so we like plants that thrive on a windowsill, shelf or can be hung above the sink.
We’re not talking bathroom-level humidity here, but with all the running water, it’s more humid than other areas of the house.
HERBS, LIKE ROSEMARY
Because there’s the benefit of fragrance and snips here and there while you create in the kitchen, we’re always fans of adding a pretty pot of Rosemary or fresh basil. They’ll thrive in bright to moderate indirect light and require regular watering. We have occasional shipments of fresh topiaries and small herbs, so give us a call or stop in to browse.
LEMON CYPRESS
As delicious as it sounds, this handsome, textural topiary is actually a variety of Monterey cypress. Give yours a good soak once a week and a full day of direct sun each day to keep it happy. You’ll be rewarded with hints of lemony goodness when you gently brush its foliage. Slight kitchen humidity will help fill the air with lemon as well.
SPIDER PLANT
A great green or variegated hanging option, Spider Plants have spider-like blades or spiderettes that dangle down from the mother plant. They’re tough plants that will flourish in bright light with well-drained soil. Like so many other plants, too much water can lead to root rot.
PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
See LIVING ROOM.
OFFICE
Low maintenance is the name of the game, right? We have enough work to do in the office. We chose these varieties for looking good while respecting our time.
TRAILING POTHOS
We saw this headline for the Trailing Pothos: ‘The Perfect Houseplant for People Who Kill.’ Funny, but true. You’ve probably seen them in cubicles, because they can grow in high, low, even artificial light. Magic! Normal watering without letting the soil become swampy.
SUCCULENTS
Plucked right from the pages of Pinterest and Instagram squares, succulents like Sedum, Haworthia, Echeveria, Crassula (or Jade), Aloe, Agave, Kolanchoe, Rhipsalis, Senecio, Aeonium and so many others look stunning in shallow bowls and pottery. Be sure they get at least six hours of bright sunlight, let them dry out completely between watering and plant in airy, well drained soil, something you’ll already have if you buy your succulents at a garden center.
ZZ / ZUZU PLANT
See LIVING ROOM.
PILEA PEPEROMIOIDES
See LIVING ROOM.
SPIDER PLANT
See KITCHEN.
Tell us about your favorites! We’d love to see how yours grow and how you style them, so please tag us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you’re looking for a specific houseplant you don’t see online or in the garden center, let us know and we’ll see what we can do to find it for you.
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