It’s obvious, but it needs to be said; living things turn a house into a home. Family, pets, and in my opinion, plants! I’m not religious, but I do believe in surrounding yourself with life. The force connects us all! Ahem, sorry…
At the beginning of this year, I Marie Kondoed the shit out of our home.
It was the end of my maternity leave. The baby crap was everywhere. In our less than a thousand square foot home, I was starting to feel like I would die some terrible hoarder’s death, trapped under an exersaucer.
There was a massive purge. I organized every drawer and cupboard. I made three goodwill runs in one week. If you walked into my house, you probably wouldn’t think a minimalist lived there, but you wouldn’t think a doomsday prepper did either.
There is joy in getting rid of stuff. That’s another post. What I want to talk about today, is one of the things simplifying helped me realize.
Plants Bring Peace
Plants are wonderful to be around. My plants makes me feel like a badass, Earth-mother-hippie-goddess. I feel pride in the fact that I’ve managed to keep them alive. They make my city dwelling feel a little more natural.
My favorite Christmas tradition is the tree. I make my husband take me to get one as soon as Thanksgiving is over. Bringing the outside in is magical. What can I say? I’m a simple pagan.
We build lives that separate us from nature. Having plants around is good for your indoor air quality. It’s good for the soul. I live in an urban area. If I can’t live in nature, I’ll take living with nature.
Things I’ve Learned in Ten Years as a Plant Mom:
- Buy quality ceramic pots straight from the manufacturer. A trip to the pottery warehouse is fun and you can get great deals on planters with small, unnoticeable defects.
- Plants can improve air quality. Repay the favor by wiping their leaves down every now and then.
- See a return on your investment. We bought one spider plant about seven years ago. We’ll never have to buy another! We just plant some of its babies every few years!
- Know your limits. I can’t be bothered to water something more than once a week. I need houseplants that fit with that level of commitment.
- Do a little research. The ASPCA has a searchable database of plants that are toxic to dogs or cats. You can find it here.
- The darker the leaf, the less light the plant will need. This is a super vague guideline, but it was passed on to me by another badass, Earth-mother-hippie-goddess and it has really come in handy.
Some house plants are hardier than others. I’ve personally had success with Money Trees, Peace Lillies, Spider Plants, Snake Plants, Cast Iron Plants (for low-light), and Areca Palms. Somehow, I’ve managed to kill my fair share of herbs and succulents that should be “easy” to care for. Go figure.
Chances are, you can keep SOMETHING alive! Bring some beauty and life into your home!