Houseplants Archives - Curb Appeal

The 5 Best Trees to Grow Indoors

Just like with smaller plants, there are indoor trees for rooms of all shapes and sizes. Adding larger plants can make a statement in your interior design and provide other benefits like filtering the air and providing fresh oxygen. If you’re thinking about getting an indoor tree for your home, here are some suggestions to help your search.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig is a trending plant among interior design and houseplant enthusiasts alike. It has huge leaves that begin growing densely packed together and gradually spread out as the tree matures. While many choose to keep their taller fiddle leaf figs green all the way down, you have the option of pruning the lower leaves to expose more of an empty “trunk.”

Rubber Plant

Rubber plants are another choice with large, statement-making leaves. There are several varieties with different colored foliage, but some of the most popular are those with leaves so dark green they almost appear black. The glossy texture and thickness is part of what gives the rubber plant its name. You can keep these plants in small pots or allow them to grow into trees up to 5 feet in height. It’s common to group two or more plants in the same pot for a dense, lush presentation.

Jade Plant

Jade plants require a lot of patience to get to true “tree” status. However, mature jade plants can grow to upwards of 4 feet tall and are so easy to propagate you can create an entire jungle of jade from a single mother plant. It’s a type of succulent which means it will need a well-draining potting mix and plenty of light. Be careful not to over-water it, but keep the soil slightly moist to encourage growth and plump, shiny leaves.

Areca Palm

Areca palms are fast growing and perfect for creating an instant tropical vibe. They have long, elegant fronds and fanning leaves that can grow up to 4 feet high or more in the right conditions. They require lots of bright indirect sunlight to flourish. A great bonus of this indoor tree is that it’s completely pet-safe, so you don’t need to worry about curious dogs or cats suffering any harm from chewing on a leaf or two.

Yucca

Yuccas seem similar to miniature palm trees with thick, bare trunks and spikey full clusters of leaves at the top. Many designers and plant enthusiasts combine multiple plants of different heights in the same pot to create a fuller but staggered presentation. These trees are great for more forgetful indoor gardeners, as they are drought tolerant and don’t need frequent watering. They’ll thrive in full sun and add visual interest to any room of the home.

These are just a few suggestions of indoor trees to try in your home. You can buy many of them as tabletop-sized potted plants and grow into full trees over the course of a few years. However, you can also find fully sized versions of these plants at nurseries and garden stores for a higher price point. Whichever you choose, you’ll love the addition of fresh greenery to your home’s aesthetic and environment.

Should You Keep Houseplants in Your Bathroom?

Most popular houseplants are native to tropical climates, which might make your bathroom seem like a perfect fit. While the warmth and humidity from baths and showers is perfect for many varieties of plant, there are some other factors that come into play. Here we will go over the key things to consider when deciding what plants to add to your bathroom decor.

Windows

The first thing to consider is whether your bathroom has a natural light source. Sunlight is obviously crucial for keeping plants alive and well, but there are varieties that tolerate or even prefer the shade. If your bathroom gets lots of bright indirect light during the day, you will have a larger list of plants to choose from. If your window is shaded or if you don’t have a window at all, you’ll need to opt for a low-light loving type of bathroom plant. Fluorescent bulbs alone are enough for some plants, so don’t lose hope if you’re lacking windows.

Usage Frequency

Many plants thrive in the high humidity levels of a bathroom. However, it’s important to remember that human usage actually creates the humidity. If nobody is taking showers or baths, the air in the bathroom does not differ from anywhere else in the house. This means that if you have multiple bathrooms, some will be better suited for plants than others. Primary bathrooms or bathrooms shared by multiple family members are ideal because of the constant usage. Guest bathrooms, powder rooms or otherwise less frequently visited bathrooms won’t have the same humidity level.

Temperature Fluctuation

Some bathrooms can go from hot to cold and back in 24 hours. If you notice your bathroom gets dramatically cooler at night than during the day, it might be a cause of stress for plants. Rapid temperature changes are difficult even for the hardiest plants, so if you want to keep some living greenery in your bathroom do what you can to regulate the temperature. If you’re not sure how much fluctuation you have to work with, try putting a portable thermometer in the bathroom for a few days and make a note of the temperature at different times during the day.

Plant Suggestions

Based on your specific bathroom conditions, there might be some plants better for you than others. Here are some recommendations:

For low light, go for snake plant, spider plant, ZZ plant and shade-loving ferns. All will be fine with bathroom moisture and living in low to moderate natural light. For ZZ plants in particular, fluorescent bulbs alone should be enough to keep them alive and happy.

For lower humidity, pothos and Chinese evergreen are excellent options. Both are lush and hardy plants that don’t need the extra moisture from the bathroom, making them perfect for a guest or secondary bathroom with less regular usage.

For dramatic temperature changes, air plants are your best option. These plants can make excellent decorative accents in a bathroom and survive colder temperatures with ease.

If your primary goal is visual appeal, never underestimate the aesthetic power of artificial plants. Some of the more modern faux greenery available on the market is incredibly lifelike and won’t care at all about your bathroom conditions. Otherwise, keep the above considerations in mind when determining what plant will work best for your bathroom.

Bedroom plants: 4 Benefits you should know

Bedroom plants can improve your space in more ways than one. Not only is adding houseplants a great way to liven up a room and add some natural greenery, it can also have specific benefits for your bedroom. Here are some of the top benefits of bedroom plants:

Plants increase humidity

Many plants can increase the humidity of a space through their natural processes. Plants absorb water through their roots and process it through their stems and leaves. The extra water evaporates and goes back into the air, adding to the overall moisture of the room. While a houseplant won’t replace a humidifier for increased humidity, every bit helps.

Plants purify the air

Many houseplants can help remove toxic compounds and other pollutants from the air. Having bedroom plants will combat trace amounts of toxins like formaldehyde, benzene and xylene, to name a few. According to a 1989 NASA study, many of the most popular plants are also some of the best living air filters, making them perfect for a healthier home and bedroom.

Plants relieve stress

Houseplants have a calming effect on many people and have been shown to reduce stress levels. Caring for live plants can help with anxiety, depression and even a simple bad mood. Adding plants to your bedroom can help you rest better and wake up feeling refreshed and closer to nature.

Plants are living decor

In addition to health benefits, plants are extremely stylish. Top interior designers include houseplants in their home designs and especially love featuring them in bedrooms.

Every houseplant is a unique piece of living decor, adding greenery to match any bedroom style.

Plants: 5 Common Houseplants to Avoid with Cats

Your new home may feel more cozy with the addition of pets and houseplants. However, some combinations of the two simply don’t mix. Avoid these five common houseplants if your home has four-legged family members.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is good for soothing dry, irritated skin, chapped lips and minor burns. Many homeowners keep an aloe plant on hand for just these emergencies. However, if you have a furry family member, you might not want to bring home this tropical succulent. Aloe is toxic to some pets. As a result, if your cat or dog ingests it, they could suffer vomiting, diarrhea and listlessness.

Safer Alternative: Haworthia

Identifiers: Deep green spines with white “stripes”

2. Pothos Plant

Pothos is a pretty houseplant that grows well in low light and is deceptively easy to care for. However, if your cat eats a leaf, they’ll likely suffer oral burns and swelling, complicated by vomiting. So while this bloom is beautiful, remember it can also be deadly for your furry friend.

Safer Alternative: Spider Plant

Identifiers: Long, thin leaves with a lighter green tint

3. Begonia

Begonias are beautiful, there’s no argument, and they grow inside or out. They’ll even winter over under the right conditions. However, begonias are highly toxic to cats. This means if your cat gets too curious, they may end up with a severe burning sensation in their mouth, lips and gums. They may also suffer excessive drooling and trouble swallowing.

Safer Alternative: African Violets

Identifiers: Deep green, fuzzy leaves and rich violet or purple flowers

4. Jade Plants

Jade plants are common houseplants. Their waxy, green leaves grow quickly, making this a popular choice for homeowners with green thumbs. However, if your cat takes a bite, they can suffer the symptoms of depression, ataxia and slowed heart rate. Vomiting is another serious symptom that may arise if your cat or kitten comes into contact with Jade plants.

Safer Alternative: Christmas Cactus

Identifiers: Brilliant hues of green with supple red flowers

5. Mistletoe

While you may not grow mistletoe in a pot on your windowsill, many homeowners still bring clippings inside over the holiday. Whether used to decorate the mantel or hung over the doorway out of tradition, mistletoe can make your cat or dog feel anything but merry. This plant can cause cardiovascular collapse, erratic behavior and dangerous dips in blood pressure.

Safer Alternative: Christmas Cactus (A clear fan-favorite)