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• FLOWER POWER

I consider myself to be more of a foliage kind of guy but lately, I’ve been adding more flowers to my collection. I’m very particular when it comes to choosing flowers: the flowers have to be white and I have to like the foliage.

I currently have five different types of flowers:

Phalaenopsis ‘Moth Orchid’

They are one of the most popular indoor orchids. Who doesn’t have one?? 

Amaryllis

I recently potted my first bulb and starting to see some growth. They seem to make an easy-care houseplant and create beautiful foliage when they are done blooming.

Spathiphyllum ‘Peace Lily’

One of the most common houseplants because they are so easy to grow. Besides the charming, dark green leaves, the peace lilies can help improve air quality, removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the surrounding air!

Strelitzia Nicolai ‘White Bird of Paradise’

The Strelitzia reginae is the orange cut flower that is commonly grown, so having a “White Bird” makes it a little more special. I’m obsessed with its large banana-like leaves.

Anthurium

These produce long-lasting flowers throughout the year; I purchased mine in July 2017 and it has been blooming since! 

Each one of these flowers make great indoor plants but they all require different care so make sure you do your research.

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Instagram: @blckthmb​

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•HANG IN THERE

If you’re a plant enthusiast like me, space is always an issue. I also have a pet rabbit named Treasure Isla (@bunnytrove), so I have to get creative when it comes to displaying my green babies because setting them on the floor is like telling her it’s dinner time!

My favorite way of displaying my plants is in hanging baskets. There is something magical about a plant hanging above your head. There are also so many varieties and colors you can get hanging baskets in – cotton or metal, 1-tier or 3-tier, etc.  – your options are endless. I personally love natural, beaded, macrame hanging baskets.

When it came to actually putting the hanging baskets up, I wanted them to have a seamless appearance. I originally had the baskets attached to a spring link, hooked onto an eyebolt, toggled into the ceiling. Unfortunately, some of the macrame hanging baskets were too short for the plant to get enough light it needed. I came across a retractable pulley system on Amazon that allowed me to lower my plants whenever I needed to, which made my plants a lot happier.

Here is a visual of the equipment I used to execute this:

• Cobra Anchors 3/16 in. x 3 in. Zinc-Plated Driller Toggle

• Everbilt 3/16 in. x 3 in. Zinc-Plated Steel Eye Bolt

• Everbilt 1/4 in. x 2-3/8 in. Zinc-Plated Spring Link

• Sienoc Plant Pulley

I replaced the screw the toggle was provided with the eyebolt so you have something to hook onto. After I installed everything, they end up looking like this!

They are very easy to install. All you need is a ladder and a ruler to determine your spacing. I hope this gave you some ideas for displaying your plants! If you have any questions about where I got my hanging baskets or further questions regarding how I installed them, feel free to ask.

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Instagram: @blk.thumb

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•IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS

The Arecaceae, commonly known as palm trees, is one of the most cultivated plants and one of my favorite indoor plants. My favorite characteristics of this flowering plant are their fronds. There are currently 181 genera with around 2600 species known. The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life.

I currently have three varieties of palms. Starting from the left (pictured below) is my Neanthe bella ‘Parlor palm.’ A great plant to start with thrives in homes and workplaces where other species may struggle. Next up is my Chrysalidocarpus lutescens ‘Areca palm.’ It has many names, but I love how it’s identified as the ‘Butterfly palm’ because the fronds resemble butterflies. Fun fact, the Areca palm took first in a NASA study of the 10 best air purifying plants. Finally, Ravenea rivularis ‘Majesty palm’ is currently the tallest plant in my room reaching a little over 3 feet. They’re fast-growing, relatively easy to find (purchased mine from Home Depot on SALE) and requires little maintenance. My personal experience with the Majesty palm has been a learning one. The first few months were difficult with yellowing fronds, but it’s almost been a year and I’ve learned how to properly care for it. I have a couple other “palms” that you may enjoy.

DON’T BE FOOLED! These aren’t actual palms. The two plants (pictured below) may have “palm” in their name, but they are far from it. Starting from the left, the Cycas revoluta ‘Sago palm’ is actually a cycad, which is one of the oldest groups of plants dating back to prehistoric times. Its easy care makes it a great plant for beginners. To the right is the Beaucarnea recurvata ‘Ponytail palm’ which is not actually a palm it’s apart of the Lilaceae (Lily family). The Ponytail palm is forgiving and easy to care.

I hope you see why I enjoy palms – or “palms” – and if you don’t have one yet and looking for a great starter plant give one of these a try and tell me how it worked out for you. Nothing feels more tropical than a palm tree.

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•BABY PLANTERS

Interested in starting a plant collection? Here are top 5 selections (in no particular order) for you to begin your urban jungle or your plant hoarding.

SNAKE PLANT

The Sansevieria is commonly known as the “snake plant” or “mother-in-law’s tongue,” among other names. It’s one of the most tolerant houseplant you can get. The care is very straightforward; put them in indirect sunlight and let them dry out between waterings. They can survive low light and few insect problems.

PHILODENDRON

(left - picture below) Philodendrons are my personal favorite plants; you can learn a few reasons why with my last post. There are two types of philodendrons: the climbing varieties and the self-heading types. Whichever you get, they are considered one of the easiest to grow. The plant can readily adapt to any indoor environment. This houseplant will thrive indoors year round.

SPIDER PLANT

(right - picture above) The Chlorophytum comosum is popularly known as the “spider plant.” It’s considered one of the most adaptable houseplant and the easiest to grow. My favorite part of this houseplant is the spiderettes that dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web. Caring for spider plants is easy and they clean the air of harmful toxins.

POTHOS

The phothos is considered a great way to get started caring for houseplants and can grow almost anywhere. Phothos plants can even make a great addition to your bathroom or office because they can tolerate low light.

ZZ PLANT

The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, better known as the ZZ plant, is one of the toughest houseplants around. This houseplant is tolerant to a wide range of conditions, including low light, low humidity, and periods of drought.

These are just a handful of houseplants that I own and successfully care for. I have a few variations of each one and I suggest you give one of these houseplants a try.

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•FEELING THE PHILODENDRON

(Philodendron bipinnatifidum ‘Atom’)

Ever since I fell into this new obsession for indoor plants, there was something about philodendrons that caught my eye. Visually, I love the large and imposing leaves, and they come in so many different shapes and sizes. They sometimes have both aerial and subterranean roots, like my Monstera deliciosa, which makes it more unique. The care for philodendrons is fairly easy because they adapt so well in the home.

(Philodendron ‘Narrow’)

Make sure you provide your philodendrons with bright, indirect sunlight. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out in between waterings. You want to also clean the leaves with a moist cloth or damp cotton; the dust can block pores, which can interfere with the plant’s ability to breathe. These are just some basic information regarding the care for philodendrons.

(Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss cheese plant’)

Every plant and environment is different. Just pay attention to what your plant is telling you and you’ll be fine.

(Philodendron imperial red)

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The journey begins🌱

I found myself to have a black thumb in the past, killing every plant that I touch. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2017 when I started my collection, finding out I have more of a green one. It was a hobby I was really interested in, so I bought my first plant, an African violet. I should have done my research before hand. Luckily, it is still alive and well. After doing more research on indoor plants my collection kept growing, making it 51 plants in my bedroom. Follow me for some tips and tricks and my urban jungle journey.

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