Between traveling last week and our photo shoot this week, Kriste and I weren’t able to get a Design Ramblings filmed for today. We are getting back in the swing of things next week, though, so you’ll see us next week.
A couple of months ago, I decided to buy some myrtle topiaries. My house was suffering from a bit of “preserved boxwood overload” and some of them, after several years of being on display, were looking a little tired and fuzzy. I was ready to make an honest effort at caring for live plants.
I bought the myrtles from Terrain, which is the only place I was able to find them. They were definitely an investment and I took that seriously. I’ve watered, spritzed, turned, trimmed and even given them a pat of encouragement here and there and they have stayed alive and green and happy for two whole months! I know, not a staggering amount of time, but it’s a record for me. Sad, but true.
With this two-month record and my very inspiring trip to Wisconsin, I asked Kriste if she would take me to a couple of the local nurseries that she is familiar with. They are both huge and it was helpful to have someone along who knew the layout. And, I went a little nuts.
I bought all sorts of indoor plants at both places…just whatever caught my fancy. I also picked up some gravel to fill the bottom of containers for drainage. Given that I had already bought some plants at Lowe’s and then shopped at not one, but two nurseries, I was feeling a bit like a crazy plant lady. You know them. First of all, I use that term affectionately, but you know who I’m talking about. They have entire windows, rooms even, dedicated to their plants.
Anyway, I was starting to feel like I had gotten carried away and now every room would feel like a jungle. Once I got all of the plants organized, though, it looked a bit more possible to work them into my spaces in a way that looked nice.
I bought a lot of small plants in varying textures, heights and colors and I loved combining them in larger containers, like footed ironstone bowls and tureens.
I planted some of the small ones in little cups and mugs.
I love these dwarf shrubs. They were the most expensive thing I bought ($14.00), but they were so sweet!
And I even bought a small weeping fig (or ficus) tree for the living room. I filled a galvanized pail with some gravel and then potting soil and the tree. I topped the soil with mulch to keep the moisture in and make it look a little neater. One of the nursery employees told me this guy might shed some leaves at the stress of being moved, but he seems to really like the corner I put him in. There’s pretty light that comes in from two directions.
And there’s still more…
AND I just received the baby tears I ordered from Amazon AND Brenda is sending me some more plants as well! I’m not quite at the place where I need a dedicated window or room, but I’m inching closer.
I tell you…it’s a strange thing that suddenly I feel comfortable caring for live plants. I’ve always felt uncomfortable and stumped and inept, but honestly, I just wasn’t interested in it. Now that I am, it’s hard to explain, but I just feel more comfortable. I still have years and years of learning that needs to happen, but it now seems like a fun journey of discovery, not a giant time-sucking textbook I need to force myself to memorize as I leave innocent, dried-up plant carcasses in my wake.
43 Responses
So beautiful, I love the plants you chose. But what’s really nice is how you present them in pretty footed ironstone bowls. They just wouldn’t look the same in plastic pots!
I love your blog and have been creating one thing after another from your tutorials! Slipcovers, french chair makeovers, farm table and more. Anyway I just today found an ironstone soup tureen and would love a plant in it but I am afraid to put soil and water in it as the glaze is checked. Do you think the checked glaze can get wet?
Love your choices from a decorative stand point. From a horticultural stand point, don’t be surprised if a lot of these plants disappoint you. Outdoor plants need to be outdoors-there just isn’t enough light inside a building for them. and that ficus, if it doesn’t go through a major shedding of leaves, it will be a miracle.
You might try covering the exposed dirt with some preserved moss (I bought mine at Joann’s before). It really adds a nice look to your plants.
I love all the plants Marian, I especially love the Ficus tree! I wish I had more sunny windows in my home to grow plants, but I never did have a green thumb!
I’m in the process of adding in love greenery to my home, too! Would you mind sharing the names of the plants that you bought? I’ve been looking for a few to put in a large silver champagne ice bucket that was my parents’. Thanks!
I did this same thing last year! I developed a love for succulents. I’ve never been able to keep a plant alive either and it really bothered me! My mom assured me that the slips she gave me of her different succulents were very easy to take care of so, I went crazy. I planted them in beautiful cups, vases, decorative bowls, etc. etc. And then the knats took over. I tried apple cider vinegar and many other tips and tricks I found trolling on Google for answers lol but they wouldn’t go away. I put my beautiful creations outside and they died ;( I think I over watered them and kept the soil too moist. However, I’m encouraged to try again reading your post. Seeing all those green lovelys in beautiful ironstone is giving me that urge to plant again!
Leah… try wiping them down with milk. It especially works on succulents. I learned this trick from a dear family friend many years ago
The plants you left potted and grouped together will probably thrive and bring you great joy in the long run.
But I have to say that even Luther Burbank would have trouble keeping a plant alive in a container without drainage holes. A layer of gravel in the bottom of a closed container simply collects excess water – it has nowhere to go and quickly sours and rots any roots unlucky enough to find it.
Would it be possible to punch holes in the bottom of the ficus pail and set it in a large galvanized bowl or tray?
Retail nursery staff should be more helpful in terms of explaining plant basics to customers so that plant novices had a real head start in keeping their purchases happy and alive.
I was thinking the same thing – drainage. Nothing kills a plant faster than soggy feet (besides zero water).
I love having plants in the house; the green is so restful on the eyes. However, there is no such think as a care-free plant. They are less needy than kids and pets, but they do need time devoted to their care. You have to be a plant person, just like there are dog people or cat people. If you want to be a successful plant person, you can’t look at plants as a decorating fad. As crazy as it sounds, you develop a sort of symbiotic relationship with your plants. I worry about my outdoor plants when it doesn’t rain, kind of like a worry about my kids when they don’t eat enough. (I love my kids tons more and they are way more important, but you get the idea). I feel sorry for them and try to find out what they need to thrive. I try to group my house plants together or put them where I see them daily so I can tend to them.
Kate, you can’t see me, but I’m waving my fist yelling, “Comrade.” You are so right!
They all look so beautiful, love them in the ironstone. Those mini shrubs are gorgeous,I’ve never seen them before. I’m an indoor plant assassin so I recently planted a few succulents they’re supposed to be easy to maintain but they’ve never met me lol. Continued success with your plants Marian, enjoy!
You can’t go wrong with plants & all yours are sooo cute! I love that tall plant with the blue bucket!! Happy weekend!
Paige.Rose
from
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
finish off the top of your containers with slightly crushed up sphagnum moss or Spanish moss….it will give them a more finished look and you will still have evaporation from the moisture in the container ……(no rocks on top holds to much moisture) look at kathys blooming creations on facebook….
They all look great. Just a word about the fig – it will drop leaves – not just from the stress of moving. you think it’s dying but it’s (hopefully) not. don’t overwater any of these. I used to have more indoor plants than I could count (it was an addiction I think) but now have one and that’s more than enough. But I only water my plants when they are very dry and they do beautifully. good luck!
They look great! The only indoor plant I currently have is an aloe plant. Do you know anything about dividing aloe? Mine is getting a bit big for the pot it’s in and I need to divide it, but don’t want to kill it.
I’m also interested in getting some boxwood or ivy for other parts of my house 🙂
It’s nice to see someone fall in love with growing something green. The way you’ve chosen to display your plants is lovely and so in keeping with your style. But based on my experience, I would be careful about planting directly into containers with no drainage holes, although I’m sure it can be done su:cessfully if you’re extremely attentive about your watering. Even with gravel, some plants will get wet feet and be unhappy . Where possible, I think it’s better to plant in a pot and place the pot into a more decorative container. That said, I have several ferns in terrariums that have been living happily with no drainage holes for several years. You just need to know your individual plants by name and their requirements. Good luck, and have fun with your new area of interest! Why not try something like a maidenhair fern under a cloche or cake dome next? Instant terrarium:-)
I am reading your article and looking at the lovely little baby plants and nice ironstone tureens and what catches my attention and makes me stop scrolling????? You have an English Setter print on the wall ! I own and show English Setters….I am THE crazy dog lady apparently !
Personally, I have a brown thumb when it comes to house plants. If it doesn’t bark at me, or if I don’t trip over it 10 times a day, I will forget about it and not feed it ( or water it). I do have a large collection of Iron stone and several are missing lids, you’ve got me thinking I might want to “try” house plants again. hhhmmmm…..
I say just enjoy the plants and don’t stress over them. Develop a routine for watering (Tuesdays are my “ice cubes on the orchids and soak the air plants day”, otherwise I’d forget) and you’ll find out which ones like their new home and which ones don’t. A little water goes a long way on a small plant.
And if they die, it’s no biggie. The nurseries will make more and collectively they still probably cost less than a large bouquet of unusual flowers that would only have lasted a week.
The next time you head east in PA, try to include a visit to the flagship Terrain. It’s fabulous.
Yes, that’s how I feel. I’m going to enjoy them and try to take good care of them. So much of this time is learning what works and what doesn’t.
The live plants look wonderful in the ironstone! I also love the topiaries in your dining room! I’ve begun adding a live plant or two in my home. After seeing how lovely they look in ironstone, I may add a few more. I’ll wait to see how your plants do. I bet they will do just fine! Your photos are lovely as usual. The first photo with the shot of your dinng and living room look amazing!
Nothing like beautiful live plants to complete rooms. I don’t have enough, but what I have done is to plant them in a pot with a drainage hole then place that pot in a crock, chamber pot, etc. Let us know how they do!! 🙂
I’m a crazy cat lady, but I also have 100 or more indoor plants. I have a fig over 20 years old. It can shed a lot of leaves and look like a dead thing and come back all fresh looking in a couple of weeks time.
I never plant straight in to containers, apart from drowning them it’s too much hassle when they need repotting as they get bigger. Some antique pots are no longer 100% waterproof so stand them on a coaster or pretty plate, or glass plate from a discarded microwave or something. if you can’t find a plastic flower pot low enough for a dish, you could use a margerine tub or something as long as you poke some holes in the bottom. I often use pretty stones, glass décor marbles or moss to cover the earth, I think it stops some of the water evaporating. And I baby bio (UK) once a fortnight except orchids which don’t like too much of it. I think one of the secrets of indoor plants is to nip off any yellow or dead leaves if you notice them.
your display looks gorgeous, looking forward to the “shoot” pics . xx
Love the plants! I agree it’s best to use a clay or plastic pot with holes placed inside a decorative container (for drainage). I’d love to see an update on how your plants do, and maybe a post from Kriste about attractive and hardy plants for living inside all year round. I don’t have many plants–about 4 inside–but I may be a little crazy. I talk to mine. 🙂
The key in keeping plants alive using rocks in the bottom instead of a drain hole is to NOT over water them. Let them dry out between watering and they will do quite nicely. Beautiful choices and combinations!
The “baby tears” plant that you have-I’ve heard it called something else, but I can’t remember. Do you or any of your readers know another name that it might be called? I bought one in remembrance of a friends’ mother who had just passed away, but it was called something else. Maybe it was “angel tears”. Have you heard of that? Anyway, your pictures make me want to put out a few plants in my rooms. Your presentation is nice.
hi Carlotta,
I’m sorry about your friend’s Mother’s passing.
In answer to your question: Yes Angel tears is correct. They are one of the sweetest aren’t they.
Marion,
I really hope that you enjoy your new found affection.I really adore your choices and they look as though they’ll be right at home. They really do help to add to your home.Some help to detoxify the air as well. I’m not saying you have to worry about that though. The other ladies had some good suggestions so I won’t echo on that. It is a learning process and we all start somewhere.
Marian,
Love all of your plants. Just an FYI… The dirt from planting in the ironstone pieces will turn the inside of the ironstone brown if there is any crazing present on the inside of the piece. I know you do not mind pieces that are yellowed or have brown damage to them, but something to keep in mind if you have some better pieces that are valuable. I have not found any method to remove dirt in the crazed areas. Not even bleach or denture tablets. 🙂
Blessings
Hi Marian,
So delightful that you are experimenting with having live plants in your lovely home. It’s such a great touch. I think it changes the entire feeling of a room.
Having said that, I’d hate to see you set yourself up to fail with your beautiful plants. In my 40+ years of gardening outside and inside, I’ve learned, by trial and error, a few fundamentals. I see that a couple of other posters have commented that the plants need drainage. This one is pretty critical. the gravel in the bottom of the pot is a good idea, but I wouldn’t actually plant them in the decorative container. Rather, plant in a plastic pot with drainage. then, place the plastic pot on top of a little gravel in the decorative container. Ideally, I would recommend taking the plant out of the decorative pot and water it in the sink so it can drain before you put it back.
The other thing is that some of the plants you chose need bright sun to grow and won’t do well inside, unless in a very bright window with several hours of sun. The rosemary comes to mind.
I wish you much success in building your new skill set!
I have also had a brown thumb history with indoor plants but have had good luck with a peace lily this last year. Could you add the names of the plants to your photos? I’d like to source some of them!
So fun to see others have fun with something I also enjoy! I remember my mom having a ficus inside for years. This was in SoCA, so maybe there was enough light coming in through the windows. You could also use some full-spectrum lightbulbs near your more light-loving houseplants to see if that helps with their light requirements. The challenge of figuring out what will keep a plant alive and thriving is part of what I enjoy about gardening!
Enjoy the ficus trees. They should keep blooming off and on all year if they have the right light. I think yours is in a good spot. I have been buying succulents and have had more success with them because they need so little care. I have killed everything I had in the last few years except for a beautiful jade plant which thrives in spite of me.
You are not alone! We moved about 2 1/2 years ago and I have been filling this house up with live plants, I have lost a few, but with Lowe’s having a one year refund or replace policy on plants, I’m still going strong. And it’s great Feng Shui! And I enjoy it, and I,too had never been interested before. I just love looking at beautiful, live green plants in my home in tureens, white ironstone, favorite tea cups and pretty containers that strike my fancy! Have fun and keep ’em alive!
Cathy
Marian.
I’ve much more success growing a ficus tree variety called Ficus maclellandii Alii, or banana fig, rather than the common ficus benjamina. None of my ficus benjaminas have ever lived more than a few years, and none looked very healthy during that time. They drop leaves like mad, and eventually succumb to scale.Very fussy about water- do not keep the roots wet.
Ficus maclellandii Alii,on the other hand- has been a joy to care for- they are much hardier than ficus benjamina, and are a beautiful plant, with long skinny leaves. I have had my plant for a few years now. It doesn’t drop its leaves, and is much less susceptible to bugs as is ficus benjamina. It doesn’t like direct sun, so during the summer I give it a vacation on my covered porch, and it has rewarded my care by growing to over 6’ now..
They are frequently available at Home Depot
Check this site:
http://www.plantsrescue.com/ficus-maclellandii-alii/
You may want to try orchids! They flower for 3 months or more, and they look great in ironstone. I have some in ironstone wastebowls. Phaleanopsis, or “moth orchids”are the easiest.
I am a passionate gardener, but I have inconsistent luck with houseplants. They add so much to a room, though so I persevere. I love your containers and combinations. I’m inspired to go and get a few more plants!
Marian, you have all that ironstone- I know you use it regularly, and have some of it rotating through, selling it and what not, but you love it, I daresay, A LOT, it makes sense to use some for plants that you might enjoy some ironstone and greenery in each room. I think I read somewhere good feng shui is 9 plants in every room (live or pictures)? Maybe someone can back me up. I think you just don’t over water and keep and eye if they start to look less than perky switch to a larger pot. Some will do well and some may not. Do not drill holes in the iron stone…
Dear MMS, Maybe a Design Ramblings about de-boxwooding our homes? I look around me and it’s everywhere in my home! I think I’ve overdone this fad … Hugs, Anne Boykin
I have a brown thumb. What I usually do is buy fresh flowers from the farmers market and place them in vases around the house. They are beautiful and I don’t feel too bad when then die after a week. I just go back to the farmers market for more. Its amazing how plants and flowers can make you so much happier. You inspired me to a couple of firsts this year. My first trip to Lucketts, was amazing and I am looking forward to next year. And I recently bought some indoor plants. I bought a lily from a lady in my neighborhood. She said it is very old and she told me how to keep it alive. A nice sunny spot with a few small cups of water each week. And I purchased some violets for my window sills. So far so good but its only been two weeks. Next for me is some succulents. They look beautiful. I read all the comments so I have some ideas. My only concern is my cat. Will the lovely Miss Ruby eat them? I guess I will have to wait and see.
Ha! Look at all those pretty greens everywhere! What is it about a little fern here and there that just makes a room feel better. Plus, the green from your plants look so good with the colors in your house. I love the baby tears, and the little ruffly ferns… and those topiaries are absolutely the perfect thing on the dining room table
Cindy
I so enjoy your way with expressing yourself. It makes me smile and laugh. Probably because I find myself in the same place and time of what you are writing about.
Your plants look great and yes they do require an occasional watering, snipping or loving tap but it is so rewarding. I’m very happy for your new found happy place. Enjoy!
I know that feeling, I do not have a green thump in my body at all, and now that I live in a basement apartment nothing ever lives to long down there haha. Succulents and plants have been growing on me and maybe one day I’ll try them! They look great in your space and brighten it up with color I love it, they provide oxygen and smell awesome so go crazy plant lady as much as you like ( I say anyway!!)
Lauren Baxter | LB Designs
xx