Bringing Nature into the Home

Bringing nature into the home creates spaces that evoke a sense of peace and calm. One of the best ways to achieve this is by incorporating plants. Houseplants align perfectly with biophilia, which is the human tendency to connect with nature and other living things.

I’d like to share a story about what my oldest daughter likes to call "the house where plants came to die." I always admired my mom’s green thumb, but mine seemed to have the opposite effect. To be honest, I didn’t take the time to care for my plants properly. I often left them to fend for themselves, only watering them once they started wilting. My poor plants! Can you relate?

Today, however, I have a thriving indoor garden, and I love it! Adding plants to your decor can bring life and freshness to your space. They also produce oxygen, which helps you breathe easier. If you’re like I used to be and don’t have the best green thumb, here are some easy-to-care-for plants that require minimal effort:

1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

• Undemanding; thrives in shady or indirect sunlight
• Extremely drought-tolerant; hard to kill
• Bonus: Acts as an air purifier

2. Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)

• Ideal for bathrooms with low light and humidity
• Perfect for forgetful waterers (water every 3-4 weeks)
• Beautiful climbing plant; great for creating a spa-like retreat

3. Rubber Plant

• Prefers indirect sunlight
• Water when the soil is bone dry
• Mist with water to keep it lively; bathroom humidity is ideal

4. Jade Plant

• Loves a sunny windowsill
• Prefers to stay in one spot; avoid moving it around
• Only needs water when the top inch of soil is dry (typically every couple of months)

5. Algerian/English Ivy

• Quick to grow and thrives in shady spots
• Helps reduce mold; great for bedrooms and bathrooms
• Easily propagated by snipping trailing stems and placing them in water

Have a favorite indoor plant that's not listed? Hit reply. I'd love to hear about it. Bonus: send me a picture of your plant for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.