Once upon a time I only used faux plants in my decor. Now I love finding beautiful and unique real house plants to use as decor throughout our home. I thought I would never be able to keep them alive and that held me back from using real for so long! The turning point for me was when I set a specific day once a week to water my plants, and I have seen far more success with that method and only kill a plant every once in a while now, ha!
Although a plant does die here and there, I find the price of real plants, especially from local hardware stores such as Home Depot or Rona, to be much more affordable than faux plants and its ok if one dies. The benefits of a living plant far outweigh the fact that there is some trial and error with learning how to keep them alive. However with that said I still love finding a good looking, realistic faux plant and still recommend them, especially if your schedule is hectic and you may be gone from your home often throughout the month.
I usually water my plants every Wednesday. If your plant leaves are turning yellow, you are watering it TOO MUCH, if they are curling in and turning brown and falling off, you are not watering it enough. I start with a little bit of water and fight the urge to douse my plants with a ton of water, a little goes a long way. Succulents need hardly any water, where as a tree might need a good soaking until water runs out the bottom. You can also look up your plant online and see what the experts say for watering and sun needs.
Now on to my three current favs for houseplants!
I love all things rubbery looking haha. I tend to be drawn to succulent esq plants and all three of my top favourites have a shiny, rubbery leaf.
#1. Schefflera Aboricola aka Dwarf Umbrella Tree (top photo)
I love this plant for its size and how manageable it is. Mine is not in direct sunlight and I water him once a week with about 1/4 -1/2 cup of water.
#2. Baby Fiddle Leaf Fig
You can usually find a baby fiddle leaf fig at your local greenhouse however I was lucky and found mine at Home Depot for $7! I water them once a week, with about 1/2 cup of water and keep out of direct sunlight.
#3. Pepermia Varigated
There are a ton of peperomia types and I have searched and searched for the exact name of mine however I can’t seem to find one. I love love love this plant and have three throughout our home. The shape and way the leaves fall plus the tiny added pink edging to the leaf make it my favourite in our home. I have found all of these at Home Depot, and treat them similar to a succulent. Although I water them once a week its with just a small splash off water and that seems to keep them the healthiest. They also seem to like to sit in direct sun or at least a very sunny room.
I am no expert and all I have learned is through trying out plants and seeing which work best in our home. I hope this encourages you that you also don’t have to be an expert to give real plants a try and remember to not take yourself to seriously if one dies. Just try again, and soon we will all be leaving in our own greenhouses ?.
