Dipping My Toes Into the Wonderful World of Houseplants

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houseplants world

I have a shocking confession to make… Believe it or not, I’m relatively new to growing houseplants.

Yep, it’s true.

As a horticulturist, I’ve focused my career almost solely on outdoor plants with only the occasional foray into growing a houseplant or two. To be honest, I was almost embarrassed to admit that I didn’t have a house filled with plants.

However, with my life being so altered with Covid-19 and spending a lot more time at home, I’ve decided to change a few things. For one, I’m cooking more, creating more online gardening classes, and adding some houseplants to the inside of my home.

You may have seen a lot more interest in houseplants lately. Honestly, they have exploded in popularity and with good reason. People like the idea of being a ‘plant parent’ while enjoying the beauty and air-cleaning benefits of growing plants indoors.

pink-moon-botanicals-houseplants-nursery

There are countless different types of plants suitable for growing indoors.

Quite frankly, I am ready to embark on a new gardening adventure and I’m going to share it with you. To help me with my ‘plant parent’ journey, I visited Lora at Pink Moon Botanicals, located in North Scottsdale, AZ. This boutique houseplant nursery is located within Lora’s hair salon.

The shelves are lined with a healthy variety of houseplants in different sizes suitable for variety of growing conditions. Lora, is simply wonderful and provided me with helpful tips as to how to raise my new plant.

Philodendron 'Birkin' house plants

Lora chose a lovely Philodendron ‘Birkin’, which will thrive in the moderate light that hits my kitchen table.

It’s important to select a plant based on the light exposure available in your home – much like we do for outdoor plants. So, look at what areas you want to add a houseplant and see what type of light is available. There are low, moderate, and high light conditions within most interiors.

Low light

No bright light available.

Moderate light

Bright light, but no direct sun.

Sunny light

Area with direct sun for at least part of the day There are many houseplants able to do well within each different light situation. If you have a particularly dark space where you want a plant, look into adding artificial lighting.

*Note: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Houseplants-Party-Lisa-Steinkopf

To help me on my houseplant journey, I read the fabulous NEW book, “Houseplant Party” by Lisa Steinkopf. This book is available to pre-order, at the time of me writing this post. I received a free copy to review. Lisa breaks down how to grow houseplants into simple steps and lists her favorites.

She also shows how to create fun projects to highlight the houseplants in your home. One project I may do is to create wooden frames so I can hang houseplants on my walls. I enjoy exploring new things and am excited about gradually expanding my houseplant collection.

house plants world

However, I think I’m off to a great start with my Philodendron ‘Birkin’, don’t you? Do you have a favorite houseplant or have any tips you’d like to share? Share it with me on Instagram and tag me @az.plant.lady – I’d love to see them!

Book Review: Living With Air Plants

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Old creosote roots with air plants( Living With Air Plants)

Old creosote roots with air plants (Living With Air Plants)

Air plants are both unique in their shapes as well as their relatively easy care. You have undoubtedly seen these fun plants in all sorts of places. I see them cropping up on home decorating sites, Pinterest, gift shops and much more. It’s easy to see why they are so popular as they add a fun design element to your indoor space.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.

A variety of small air plants ( Living With Air Plants)

A variety of small air plants

Living With Air Plants

Living With Air Plants

This book is a one-stop resource for anyone who wants to delve into adding air plants to their own indoor space as it covers all of the information that you need including:

Propagation

Care

How to Display and Use

Easy Air Plants to Grow

Air plants arranged on a shelf ( Living With Air Plants)

Air plants arranged on a shelf

The distinct shapes of air plants create interest wherever they are added such as on a desk or a plant shelf.

Tiny air plants arranged along a string of twine ( Living With Air Plants)

Tiny air plants arranged along a string of twine

I was provided a free copy of Living With Air Plants for my honest review.

Guidelines for the care of air plants is addressed in this book and yes, they really don’t need to be planted in the soil. Plus, they get what they need from being sprayed with water!

There are countless different varieties of air plants and easy to grow species are listed toward the end of the book to help ensure your enjoyment and success with growing these cool plants.

*I was provided a free copy of Living With Air Plants for my honest review.

Book Review: Potted, DIY Stylish Garden Containers

Book Review: Potted, DIY Stylish Garden Containers

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Book Review: Potted, DIY Stylish Garden Containers

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.

Do you have a container, or two, filled with flowers or maybe a succulent? Chances are you do. Many of us settle for the bland shades of brown or beige when choosing pots and miss out on an excellent opportunity to add interest and color to our outdoor spaces.

I am a strong proponent ditching boring neutrals in favor of colorful pots with unique shapes and textures in my ongoing attempt to encourage people to think of plant containers as outdoor decor. As a result, I was thrilled with I was contacted by Annette Gutierrez, one of the authors of Potted: Make Your Own Stylish Garden Containers and asked to review her book.

Innertube from an old tire converted into a planter at the Tucson Botanical Garden.

Innertube from an old tire converted into a planter at the Tucson Botanical Garden.

Within the pages of Potted, Annette and her co-author, Mary Gray, inspire as they show the reader how to create unique and unusual containers that create instant interest.

During my garden travels, I seek everyday items that are reimagined and converted into unorthodox planters such as a recycled tire innertube. 

Book Review: Potted, DIY Stylish Garden Containers

Annette and Mary refer to themselves as decorators rather than gardeners and own a store in Los Angeles, aptly named Potted where they create innovative receptacles for plants using everyday items such as cinderblock, PVC pipe, and even old wood doors to name but a few. 

Book Review: Potted, DIY Stylish Garden Containers

If you have ever shopped for colorful or unique containers, you’ve undoubtedly experienced sticker shock at the high prices and settled for a boring, but sturdy terra-cotta pot. Over twenty container ideas await the reader, each of which, meet the following criteria:

  • It must be affordable
  • Materials must be easy to find
  • A good DIY project for the average person

I must admit that after finishing the book, I was looking at ordinary items like paint cans and plastic garbage pails in a different light – decorated and filled with plants.

I can hardly wait to get started! How about you?

Disclosure: I received a copy of ‘Potted’ free of charge for my honest review.

A Rusted Pick-Up, Trash Can Containers and a Kitchen Garden

Look At What I Grew From Kitchen Scraps…

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houseplants

houseplants

Who knew that you could grow ‘houseplants’ using kitchen scraps?

I was inspired to find gardening projects that could be done indoors, for those gardeners who are stuck inside during cold winters.

The photos below were taken over a 14 day period from planting, to what they look like just 2 weeks later.  I must admit that I am quite impressed.

I started with growing a radish…

houseplants

I am hoping that my radish plant will flower at some point because I have heard that radish flowers are quite pretty.

houseplants

My garlic cloves grew quickly and I will use the greens as a garnish, much like I would use green onions.  Garlic greens have a mild garlic flavor.

Kitchen Scraps

My lentils are quite pretty and delicate looking.  I am waiting for them to flower, which will make them even prettier.

Kitchen Scraps

I realize that many people have grown a vine from a sweet potato – but I hadn’t tried it.  After it grows, the vine will be a pretty addition to my kitchen windowsill garden.  Now that the roots are growing, I will hopefully see some green sprouting on top.

Kitchen Scraps

I did have one plant that didn’t come up.  The book that I was inspired by said that you could plant fresh green beans, but mine didn’t grow.

**You can also plant dried beans after soaking them overnight and they should come up.

The goal of this project wasn’t to grow ‘food’, but to enjoy the foliage of the plants themselves and brighten up a dreary winter for those who live in cold climates.

I really had fun with this project.  I think it would be a great activity to do with kids, don’t you?