Indoor Planting

Our time in Vienna will be up this summer, and we'll be moving back to the US!  Thinking about finding a new place to live (and all of the projects that entails!) is all very exciting, but one thing I'll be sad to leave behind is my houseplants.  I absolutely love plants in any home, in just about any space, and don't think I could live without them.  At home for us, a room is never fully dressed without a plant.  This Split-Leaf Philodendron (monstera deliciosa) has been with me since it was a tiny little thing and has been a forgiving, hearty member of the family for years now.

Houseplants can add another layer of texture and an organic shape to a room, offering softness or etherial airiness, spiky angularity or bushy bulk.  Plants come in endless shades of green and other colors to add a pop of brightness where you need it, and they naturally purify your air, too!  

Martha Stewart's bright orange Japanese Maple provides a colorful focal point in a neutral sitting room.

Martha Stewart

This Fiddle Leaf Fig makes a bold statement, perfect for a large space.  Actually, this plant has been popping up all over the place as a designers' favorite.  Check out its versatile uses.

Four Walls and a Roof

House Beautiful

Habitually Chic

Chloe Warner

Elle Decor

Habitually Chic

Habitually Chic

This room is brightened up by a large Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata cv. Bostoniensis) and two matching topiaries (that look like hibiscus?).

Elle Decor

Martha Stewart

I LOVE the huge gestural shapes and large leaves of the split-leaf philodendron (Monstera delicious), which can go a long way in softening a space like this modern bathroom.

Elle Decor

Some people love gardening and growing plants at home, but I realize that it's a daunting idea for those lacking a green thumb.  While certain species really are best in expert hands, some plants are perfect low maintenance additions for your home.  Here are a few forgiving types that are perfect for brightening up any room (as long as it has a window:))

English Ivy: I love the way it trails down from a mantle, shelf, or, like in this photo, in a topiary type form in a more formal planter.  Just be careful with small children and pets; the leaves are poisonous.

Boston Fern: with medium light and enough moisture, these hearty ferns can live for decades, and I love their classic look.

The Cast-Iron Plant: it's virtually indestructible, able to deal with low levels of light (perfect for those corners where nothing else will live) and water (for when you forget!).

And finally, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig:  It's not just a pretty designer's plant!  Its beautiful, lacquered leaves add a reflective, dramatic look to any home.  In medium to bright light it can grow happily up to 15 feet tall.

Happy indoor-gardening!

Liza