How to Care for Prayer Plants

These indoor plants have a reputation as being kind of hard to grow. That is because they are the Goldilocks of the plant world and need things to be "just right". Not too hot, not too cold. Not too wet, not too dry. You get the idea. But if you can find the sweet spot, then they will thrive!

Watering Prayer Plants

They prefer filtered water. Of course they do :) Haha. Tap water won't necessarily kill them, but they do better with water that doesn't have high minerals like hard water or salts from water softeners. I have a PUR water pitcher already so I use water from that. Rain water is another good option, although I don't have a way to collect it year round and live in a desert. So PUR pitcher it is! I do occasionally give mine tap water. Like all plants, it is best to water them with luke warm water instead of super cold.

Water your plant thoroughly until water is running out of the drainage hole and then rewater when the top 25% is dry. They do not like to dry out too much but can also get root rot if you water too often. These plants definitely need a drainage hole for the excess water to drain out. An evenly moist soil is best.

Temperature & Humidity for Prayer Plants

They don't have any special needs as far as temperature. Whew! They, like most houseplants, prefer the ideal temperature rage of 60-80 degrees. I have most of mine in my bedroom which is in the basement and is usually a bit cooler than the rest of the house at 65-70 and they do great. I have some upstairs where it tends to be a bit hotter and they are also happy there.

"They" say that these plants like high humidity. I take this with a grain of salt because I live in the desert and don't have a whole house humidifier system and mine do great. I do try to use a small humidifier during the winter but I'm not good at remembering to fill it. So it is hit and miss here during the winter and they still seem to do alright. I will say that my large Medallion Calathea did get some dry spots on it's leaves this winter. My point is, don't think that you need to have a super humid, "perfect" environment to keep these guys happy. If you were worried, you could always buy a small humidifier for the winter months or put your plant in the bathroom where it will get steam from the shower. They probably do love a humid environment seeing as they are a tropical plant, but they adapt well to whatever climate your home offers too.

Fertilizing your Prayer Plant

I used a diluted liquid fertilizer every time I water. I have also used the slow release spikes from Miracle Grow in the past with good results. All house plants benefit from fertilizing since eventually, the plants take up all the nutrients from the potting soil and those nutrients need to be replaced. Be careful not to over fertilize! This can burn, and ultimately kill the plant. When it doubt, it's a good idea to water it down a bit.

Light Requirements for Prayer Plants

Prayer Plants like to have sun but not too much and not direct light. Direct light is when the light is directly hitting the leaves. Like if it were close to a window without sheer curtains. It is the harshest of all lighting situations, and while some plants can handle limited time in direct sun, most prefer indirect sunlight. Examples of indirect lighting would be across the room from a window, or near a window if it has curtains or blinds to help filter the light. Too much light can burn the leaves as well as make the leave's color fade.

They can also handle low light conditions. But not super low light. In my bedroom, the windows face north and west. Most of the day they are in a low light situation but in the afternoon they get lots of sun. They seem to do well there. My Pray Plants that are upstairs get south and east light and they also do well. As long as the lighting isn't extreme one way or the other, you are good to go.

Types of Prayer Plant

Maranta (maranta leuconeura) is the plant most commonly thought of Pray Plant. There are many different kinds of maranta plants, but the most commonly found in nurseries are the Red Maranta, Lemon Lime Maranta, and the Kim Maranta. They have striking patterns with veins in contrasting colors.

Calatheas are one of my favorites! There are so many fun varieties. I have been slowly collecting different types of calathea plants over the last couple of years. They are my latest obsession. I currently have Calathea Orbifolia (which has round leaves with silvery stripes), Calathea Ornata (Dark green leaves with pink pinstripes), Calathea Medallion (Large round leaves with dark and light rings), Calathea Rufibarba (Long leaves without distinct markings but still the trademark burgundy color on the underside of the leaves), and the Calathea Rattlesnake (Long leaves with markings).

Ctenanthe is another family of plants that fall into the Prayer Plant category. Common ones found in nursery are the Never Never, Tricolor, and Compactstar. Their leaves are long and narrow and they grow more upright rather than spreading.

There are not as many varieties of Stromanthe. The most readily available one or most recognized is the Triostar (similar to but not the same as the Tricolor Ctenanthe). It is on my list of plants to get in the near future. The pink, white, and green leaves are stunning. Stromanthe Sanguinea is another one you may come across at your local greenhouse. Sanguinea Magic Star is one I have not seen in person, but is also beautiful.

Are you familiar with this houseplant? Which of these are your favorite?

I recently wrote about Norfolk Pine care. Head over to read about that fascinating houseplant!

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Norfolk Pines

Norfolk pines (araucaria heterophylla) are commonly sold around the holiday season as an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree. I wish they were as beloved (and as readily sold) all year long. But if you are wanting to add this plant to your home, right now might be the best time to snag one as I have seen them go on sale at several nurseries since the Christmas season is now over. They are a bit harder to find the rest of the year. If you can't find them at your local nurseries, you can try etsy or Amazon.

Norfolk Pines (Norfolk Island Pine tree) are native to, you guessed it, Norfolk Island. It's a small island in the South Pacific Ocean. So while these are sold as an alternative to a pine tree, they are actually a tropical plant that love full sun. They aren't even true pines! They are not cold hardy like a pine tree and can't tolerate temperatures below 40 well. You can place them outside during the summer months (keep in partial shade), but you will need to bring them indoors when the temperatures start drop. Keeping them outside can also initiate new growth.

Lighting

They love bright, indirect light. Morning light is best, but anywhere in your home where they will get at least 2 hours of bright light is fine. They can handle a medium light situation but may get a bit leggy (which means tall and with leaves more sparse) in the lower light levels. Direct sunlight is too much light and may burn the needles. These plants are similar to Fiddle Leaf Figs in the sense that they don't like to be moved around. Once you find a spot it's happy in with enough light, keep it there. It is a good idea to rotate your Norfolk pine every few months so all of the plant get the same exposure to the light. This is a good practice for all houseplants. Otherwise they can get a flat side! See my houseplant 101 post for an example and more details.

Humidity

Like most other houseplants, Norfolk pines like high humidity. Since most of us buy them in the winter when our homes are the driest, this means you will have to boost the humidity levels somehow. These tips really apply to all tropical houseplants.

#1 Create a pebble tray

Use a cookie sheet or a plastic serving tray to create a pebble tray for your plants. Add some pebbles (which you can buy at a pet store, craft store, or home improvement store) to the tray and place your plant on top of the pebbles. Add enough water to the tray to almost cover the pebbles. The pebbles keep you plant from touching the water and getting root rot. The water in your pebble tray will evaporate, creating more humidity in the air around your plants.

#2 Group your plants

Did you know that plants give off humidity? They do! Water in the plant escapes through pores called stomata. It is called transpiration. Generally speaking, the broader the leaf, the more humidity the plant creates. Since Norfolk pines have small, thin needles, they don't create a lot on their own. Grouping it together with other plants will help create a microclimate of high humidity.

#3 Buy a humidifier

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think misting a plant is pointless. You would have to mist a plant multiple times a day for it to have any affect. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't have the time to do that.I am doing good to remember the weekly watering. I am a big believer in using a humidifier in the winter months to create a higher humidity level. Not just for my plants, but for the sake of my skin. I hate that itchy feeling and having my nose all dried out. I group my plants together into groups. One group in the living room, one group in my bedroom, and one group in the office (I have a lot of plants!) I have 3 small humidifiers that get placed near each group. You don't have to buy expensive ones. I like this one: Amazon. The fact that they are grouped AND have a humidifier, help them not just survive the winter, but thrive.

#4 Keep away from air vents

This might be a bit more obvious, but keep your plants away from air vents. Not just in the winter with the heated dry air, but all year long. Plants don't like moving air directed at them or drafts. So avoid placing them near doors as well.

Watering

These plants like well draining soil so stay away from using a moisture retaining mix. Half succulent/cactus soil and half regular houseplant soil would be good. Or you can add in peat moss to the soil. In their native environment, they grow in sandy soil and their roots are particularly sensitive to root rot. Water when most of the soil is dry. They will also need to be in a pot that has good drainage so the excess water can drain out. If you see yellow needles, you are water too much. If you see brown needles, you need to water more and/or increase the humidity. Both of these are common problems. If watering issues happen, it is possible that the lower branches will die. Trim them off using sharp pruners. Unfortunately, these will never grow back, but your Norfolk pine will still be beautiful even with the loss of branches.

Other Care & Info

They don't need to be repotted until the roots start to come out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. They like to be a bit tight in the pot. It is probably best not to repot in the winter either since that is the time of year when it is already stressed from less humidity and less sunlight due to shorter days.

Unless you are using a diluted liquid house plant fertilizer that is meant for weekly feeding, only fertilize in the spring and summer.

Norfolk pines are categorized as mildly toxic to pets. It can cause an upset stomach if eaten.

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Norfolk pines are beautiful houseplants! In a lot of ways, their needs are the same as other houseplants. If you see one, be sure to snag it and bring it home. You won't be sorry.

This post contains some affiliate links.

Pedestal & Footed Planters

This guy is my latest favorite find. I picked him up at World Market and my button fern looks adorable in this 5" pedestal planter!

This darling planter would add a touch of whimsy to your space. It comes in different colors and sizes. Think of all the different plants that could give it a fun hairstyle!

While visiting a local nursery, I saw these hobnail planters and couldn't resist. I bought two sizes in two different colors.

This copper footed planter has me drooling and is currently in my cart! Aged copper and greenery is the perfect combo!

I love the texture on this terracotta footed planter. It would look great in any space!

I picked up these gorgeous green pedestal planter at Walmart. I love the tow tone and the shiny + matte finish. It is one of my favorites!

This was another Walmart find. I love it so much that I got a small and a large. I have to say, I have been really impressed with the selection of planters at Walmart in the past couple of years. A lot of my pots come from there.

Can't decide if you love footed or pedestal planters better? This cute set gives you one of both!

This large planter has a bit more of a traditional style. I can see it fitting just about any design style. It comes in three colors too!

This rainbow footed planter is just plain adorable! It has a boho vibe but would also be darling in a little girl's room.

I love that this more modern pedestal planter has a drainage hole and saucer! No need to carry this guy to the sink every time. It comes in other colors as well.

Whether they are ceramic, metal, modern or traditional, pedestal & footed planters look great in any space!

What are you favorite types of planters? Do you have a favorite "got to" place to shop for them? I would love to know!

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This project was originally shared in my book, Natural Accents.

How To Drill A Drainage Hole

Supplies:

• Drill
• Diamond Bit
• Spray bottle with water
• Ceramic, glass, or clay container

Step 1: Make a Notch

The surface is smooth and can be slick, especially since you will be adding water. So if you make a notch, the bit is less likely to slip. Wet the surface with the spray bottle. Hold the drill at an angle and drill long enough to make a little mark.

The reason you need to use the water, is to keep the diamond bit cool. Without it, the friction would create heat, which would melt the glue holding the diamonds onto the drill bit.

Step 2: Drill!

Once you have the notch, continue drilling at an angle. While drilling, slowly bring the drill upright until you are drilling straight down. Add more water if needed. Use some pressure (but not too much force) as you drill.

Step 3: Prepare for the Break Through

Check periodically to see how much you have gone through the container. Once you are close, you will start to feel a difference in how the drill feels in your hands.

When I feel like I am getting close to breaking through, I tighten up my upper body so I can control the drill better and so the drill won't slam into the surface I am working on.

It is so satisfying when you finally break through and see a perfect little drainage hole! For larger containers, multiple holes are recommended.

You could turn pretty much anything into a planter once you know how to add a drainage hole! The possibilities are endless. What would you create? I think I need to go thrifting soon.....

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Large Indoor Trees

Large indoor trees give a space visual interest. They are good at filling awkward corners. Plus, if you have a large tree, that means you get to shop for cute large pots!

Source: Galerie Provenance 

I am currently on the hunt for a large olive tree. I love their foliage!

Source: Brown Design Group

I love how this tree drapes over the sitting area so you feel like you are reading your book outside!

Source: Hydrangea Treehouse

A sunny entryway is the perfect spot for a tree.

Source: House Beautiful

My fiddle leaf fig in the living room is one of my favorite plants. It is already touching my ceiling (again!) even though I recently cut the top off to propagate.

Source: Stacy Risenmay

Here's another cozy nook where I wouldn't mind snuggling up with the book, Secret Garden.

Source: Elle Decor

One time when I was a teenager, my boss asked me to deliver something to someone in a neighboring town. The house was the coolest 70's style home with a tree growing out of the ground in the entryway. It brought back my childhood memories and made me even more determined to have one one day. So the next couple of examples are probably my fave!

Source: Arch Daily

Here's another stunning example.

Source: Design Boom

I'm currently obsessed with rubber trees and this one is #goals.

Source: Freundevonfreuenden

I love the full, draping trees and tall & bushy trees, but I also dig the rounded topiary shape of this one.

Source: Bolig

So I am curious... How do you feel about large indoor trees?  Give me all the big tree? Or too much commitment? Do you have any in your homes? If so, what are your favorite kinds?

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Houseplant Care For Beginners

The number one problem people have with their plants is that they either over water them, under water them, or do a combination of both (are inconsistent). So let's start out by chatting about watering & soil!

#1 Drainage

Houseplants need drainage. Their roots can rot if they sit in water for too long. If you find a pot that you love, but it doesn't have a drainage hole, you have two options. You can drill a hole in it, or you can use it as a cover for a grower pot (or other pot with holes).

Cover: You can place the grower pot the plant came in the cute pot that doesn't have drainage. I like to place a canning jar ring or something under the growers pot so that when water drains out, the plant isn't sitting in the water.

Drilling: To drill a hole in a plastic pot, just use a regular drill bit. If it is glass or ceramic, you can use a diamond drill bit with some water to keep it from getting too hot.

#2 How Often To Water

There is not "one size fits all" answer here unfortunately. I like to set a timer on my phone for once a week and then I check each plant. Some do need a weekly water and some need a bit longer. But if I have a reminder set, I at least remember to check on them consistently. I have a couple of ferns that are a bit needy, so they are in my kitchen and living area where I see them the most. Sometimes they need a drink twice a week.

Houseplant care for beginners

It is also tricky because some plants like to stay evenly moist (some ferns) while some like to dry out in between waterings (succulents and cactus). You need to know each plant and their needs. If you don't want to remember a ton of different types and their information, I suggest researching and finding plants that need similar care and sticking with those. Pothos and philodendrons are similar and easy to care for, for example, and they have a variety of types within those families. I have a post all about easy to care for plants.

To test the soil, I usually just stick my fingers in. Most of my plants get watered when the top inch or two is dry. You can also use a moisture meter.

Moisture Meter found on Amazon *affiliate link*

Another method of watering is to "bottom water". Place your pot in a bowl of water or a sink of water and allow the water to absorb up through the drainage hole. It is a good way to avoid over watering.  as soon as the top is moist, remove from the water.

#3 Choosing the Correct Soil

Something most people don't think about is having the correct soil for their plant. Succulents and cactus need a sandier soil that drains well, for example. They like to dry out a bit so if you choose a soil that says something on the packaging about it retaining moisture, then it wouldn't be a good fit.  Something that holds moisture, would be good for ferns though. Most of my houseplants get potted in the Miracle Grow Indoor Plant soil made for houseplants.

#4 Lighting

Each plant will have different lighting needs. Some thrive in bright light while other need a lot less. It is important to know the lighting needs as this can have a huge impact on the health of your plant. Most house plants have little tags that will tell you the name and basic care instructions. Before you buy a plant, consider where it will go and if the light requirements are correct.

Direct light means there is no filter (ie. curtains) and it's close to the light source with light hitting the leaves.

Indirect light means that it is farther from the light source and doesn't have light directly hitting the leaves.

So if you see a tag that says "Indirect bright light" you could put it in a sunny room but not in the window sill or a side table right in front of the window. Maybe place it across the room or on a shelf next to the window.

If it says "Low light" or "medium to Low light" it would be great in a corner of a room that is shaded or a room with small windows and less natural light.

A side note with lighting, remember to rotate your plant. If not, one side will get bushier than the other and it will be lopsided. Plants follow the sun and grow towards the light. Every time you water, simply turn it a bit :)

This one didn't get rotated for awhile and is flat on the back

#5 Keep Them Clean

Dust your plants! The leaves have small holes that they "breath" through call stomata. Dust accumulating can block them. A layer of dust can also hinder the plants ability to photosynthesize. In short, dust stunts its growth. Plus, they look so dull and sad! To dust mine, I just rinse then leaves off in the sink and then gently dry them with a soft cloth or paper towels. I have hard water, so I don't want them to just dry on their own and get spots. If I have a plant too big to carry to the sink (like my giant fiddle leaf), I take damp rags to it and wipe them down.

There is a healthy debate about the product called Leaf Shine. Most house plant enthusiasts shy away from using it thinking that it can clog the small stomatas. Some say it is good because it repels the dust. I choose to err on the side of caution and avoid it.

#6 Treating Pests

Luckily I have only had to combat spider mites and pesky fungus gnats. The two things I use are Neem oil and systemic insect control insecticide granules. They treat a variety of pests. The oil if for the leaves and the granules are for the treating the soil.

Systemic Houseplant Insect Control              *           Neem Oil

#7 Humidity

All houseplants need some level of humidity. Some of them need high amounts. Unfortunately, most homes are drier than they would like. Especially in the winter when heaters are going. There are a few things you can do to help your houseplants out.

*Don't put plants near air vents. This dries them out!

*Use a humidifier. I only do this in the winter and only for the ones that need it the most. I small cheap ones and place them in a    couple rooms.

*Group plants together. Plants give off moisture as they "breath" so if you group them together they help each other out by             creating humidity. This is something else I do in the winter.

*Place the plants with the highest need in your bathrooms. The steam from the showers give them extra moisture they need.

*Place them on a tray with pebble and water. As the water evaporate, it creates humidity. Just make sure the bottoms of the pots    are not sitting in the water.

Most of my houseplants are fine on their own and don't require additional humidity, even in the winter. But my fiddle leaf fig, ficus, ferns, and prayer plants are the ones I tend to baby.

#8 Trimming

Most plants don't need to be trimmed, but vining plants will at some point. I LOVE plants that trail. I like to hang them and watch as they grow longer. But eventually, they get "leggy" and start to lose their bushy appearance. There is an easy fix. To prevent this, keep it trimmed and don't let it get too long. If it does get past that point and it is looking a bit sparse on the top, have no fear! That can be remedied. Trim the longest vines and place them in water. The little nodes will turn into roots and then you can plant them into the same pot to create a thicker plant. It's kind of like hair plugs ;)

If you have a plant that has yellowing leaves or brown edges, you can use clean scissors and trim those away too to keep the plant looking its best.

Houseplant Care For Beginners - Takeaways

These 8 areas of focus are my houseplant care for beginners tips. Do you have any to add to the list? Please share in the comments! 

If you only get ONE takeaway from this, I hope that it is that as long as you research the plant you are buying and know its needs, you will be fine! You may kill some along the way and that is also fine. Heaven knows I have killed my fair share over the years. But you will figure out which plants do well in your unique environment. If a plant starts to show signs of distress, google the type of plant + the problem and you can figure out what to do. You may need to move it to a new spot or water it less. But, YOU'VE GOT THIS.

Now go buy some plants 🌿!

When I was in high school and college I loved ivy. I even had white bedding with pillows that had an ivy print on them and forrest green carpet. When Shane and I married I was determined to have ivy plants all over our apartment. You guys, I could have paid the rent at least one month with the amount of money I spent on buying those poor plants. I researched and found out they needed filtered light so I bought sheer curtains so the light would be just right. I am not sure why, but I can not keep an ivy plant alive! But I kept trying for the first 3 or so years. It was like the really hot guy you date but he is dumber than a box of rocks. You want it to work out so bad because he's so pretty, but you just can't do it. Once I gave up on the ivy fixation, I had more success which gave me more confidence.

After almost 17 years of buying and having house plants, here are my favorites that are also easy to care for.

Bird's Nest Ferns

This is probably my all time favorite house plant. The first time I saw one I didn't know what it was called and there wasn't a tag with it so I bought it on a whim and hoped for the best. I nicknamed it the lasagna plant since the leaves curl on the edges like lasagna noodles. I later looked up online and found out the name. Luckily for me, they are easy to care for. I am obsessed with ferns, but they are hard to grow here in dry 'ole Utah. This one requires less watering and is okay with the low humidity.

There is another variety that doesn't have as skinny or as ruffley of leaves but it is still awesome. With both plants I love watching new leaves uncurl from the center. Speaking of the center, when you water these plants, avoid watering directly on the center part (the rosette) since it could cause it to rot. Water the edges of the pot instead.

Pothos

Pothos are an excellent starter plant. I have never killed one, even in my newly married days. I am a serial plant relocator. I like to move them around as I rearrange other home decor accessories and even when I move one and forget where I put it  for a month or more, it is still kicking. It may look a little limp, but I water it and it perks right up.

The other cool thing is that if you accidentally break off part of it or you just want another one of these plants, if you stick the cut part off in water, it will grow new roots. Plant it in a new pot and keep it watered well while the roots take hold and you have yourself a whole new plant! I usually wait until the new roots are a few inches long before repotting.

There are different variations of the pothos plant. I have a spotted one and a golden yellow one. Both are growing in my wall planter in the hall.

Philodendron

This is the other plant I recommend for beginners. It is often confused with the pothos above, but has a more heart shaped leaf. It is just as easy to care for as the pothos.  Both are vines and will eventually drape or climb if given something to climb up. I like how it hangs in this beaded planter!

Believe it or not this is also a philodendron. It's lacey leaves may throw you, but it really is! It will eventually need to be staked as it gets taller.  My kids call this the dinosaur plant because they leaves are pretty big and it looks like something they would have eaten long ago.

This is my newest houseplant addition so I have had it less than a year. So far so good!

Bamboo

I do not currently have any bamboo but it was one of the first plants I bought after my ivy phase. I had a neighbor in our second apartment that was obsessed with them and got me on the bamboo bandwagon. It is SUPER easy to care for and is commonly sold. We moved a lot in those early years so not all my plants made it in all our moves. I had to give some away. I need to go on the hunt and find a big plant like the one pictured here.

(Photo Source)

Cactus

Again, I had some early on but ended up getting rid of them as we started having curious toddlers. The kids and I were just talking the other day about how we can finally get some as long as we put them up on tall surfaces or in tall planters so Kevin, our dog, won't get poked. There are so many variations that it would be fun to get several and group them like this picture!

(Photo Source)

Dracaena

I have two of these. One is all green and one has white stripes. One I have had in my hallway for a few years and one was a gift from this past summer.  The one I got as a  gift, I put it on my office prop shelves and  forgot I had it. I think I spaced it because I didn't lovingly pick it out, buy it myself, and name it (kidding...). I "found" it later, much later, and it has a few brown crunchy leaves at the base but all in all, it looked pretty darn good.

When they are young they are bush and as they get bigger some variations can get woody trunks and resemble a ponytail palm.

Spider Plant

I threw this one in here even though I have never had this plant because growing up I swear everyone had one! They were the "it" plant of the 70's and 80's. They were (and are) popular because of how easy they are to care for and because they are non-toxic unlike most other houseplants. The little baby plants at the end of the vines can even be repotted for new plants!

(Photo Source)

Aloe Vera

It wasn't until the last 5 years or so that I could appreciate the more architectural plants like the aloe vera. I had been more drawn to the more full and lush plants.  I think it is good to have a mix of styles not just in home decor, but also in plants. This is a plant that is recommended by many as a good plant to have in your bedroom since it puts off so much oxygen. It is suppose to help you sleep better.  Plus, this one comes in hand if you get a burn!

Plant stand tutorial

Norfolk Island Pine

I bought this one several years ago because my kids thought it looked like a mini Christmas tree. They wanted it in their room. You guys, if you want to talk about forgetting a plant, THIS guy right here get neglected more than any other plant we own. My boys never water it. I never even remember we have it since it's usually at least partially covered in dirty laundry. This little guy is a trooper. He only gets watered about once a month and he is still going strong. He has not had a lot of growth. He would probably grow more if we actually took care of him.

Succulents

As I have gone around speaking at home shows or at events promoting my book, Natural Accents, I have heard more than once that people buy succulents because people say they are fail proof, and then they end up killing them. I will admit to killing some myself. There are certain types I can not keep a live. See the spiky one in the white bowl? I have bought three and the longest one lasted was 6 months. I do better with thicker ones.

I have found through talking with people that the common problem is over watering. Water it enough that the soil gets wet and don't water it again until the soil dries out.

They need a lot of sun. Try putting them in a sunny spot (south facing away from the window or right by the window east facing).

There are SO MANY varieties and they are all so different! That is what is so fun about them.

Z Z Plant

Z Z, easy peasy. I know this whole list is "easy to care for plants" but some are even easier than others. This one, my friends, can withstand neglect and very low light. If you have a room that doesn't get a ton of light, this is your plant. It is so shiny and rubbery that it almost looks fake. Some say this is a slow growing plant but I have found that they grow pretty fast. In this photo by the typewriter I had only had it about a year. Now, a few year later, it is 2 ½ feet tall.

Remember the laundry room I did for my friend? I bought her a ZZ plant because the laundry room only gets natural light when the garage door is open. This was back in July and it is so tall now that it doesn't fit on her shelf. It is on her table and has about doubled in size. And for the record, my friend swore she had a black thumb.

Swedish Ivy

This was another plant I bought on a whim because I had never seen one before and I thought it was pretty. I lucked out again because it is very easy to care for. It resided in my laundry room for about 3 years and I always forgot to water it. It would occasionally drop some leaves but it always remained bushy and pretty. This is another plant that you can propagate (cut off and put in water to grow new roots).

Snake Plant

This guy is in the same category as the ZZ plant as far as neglect and low light. I swear it is indestructible!  I have had two of these guys for several years and just bought two more for my office closet. Yep, a closet. You can put these guys just about anywhere!

 Tree Stump Planter

Air Plant

Such a fun and funky plant! I had not tried one out until a couple of years ago but love them! They literally do not need any soil. I just soak them in lukewarm water every couple of weeks for about 20 minutes. If you live where it is humid you could get away with soaking them in water every 3 or 4 weeks.  The downside is that your kids will want to play with it and they may lose it. I still can't find one of mine! He is probably still alive....

Hanging air plant

Air plant bookend

Ficus

Remember in the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days when they had a love fern? Well, Shane and I had a love ficus. Even before the first ivy plant, we had a ficus tree. I can't even remember if we bought it or if it was a gift, but it was our first plant together. We had it for seven years. It survived grabby toddlers who constantly picked off leaves and tipped it over. Buy sadly, it did not survive our move in the back of a moving truck across the desert. I should have packed it in the minivan, but hey, we had a lot of good years. I really need to get another one!

(Photo Source)

I would love to hear what plants you have had luck with! Are any of your favorites not on the list? List them off in the comments :)

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This post has affiliate links

Propagating a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Step 1: Prep

Make sure your sheers are sharp and clean. Use rubbing alcohol or bleach to clean them to prevent diseases from being passed from plant to plant. Since mine are primarily used outside, they definitely needed to be sanitized! This pair is fairly new, so I didn't need to worry about sharpening them but the easiest way to sharpen them is to use a tool like THIS.

Step 2: Cut!

Cut at an angle and watch for nodes. The little white dots on the stem of the branch are nodes and they are what will become the roots. You need to make sure that the part you are cutting off has these nodes to have a successful propagation.

These are what they look like.

Step 3: Add Rooting Hormone

I use this kind and I just dip the end of the stem in it before adding it to water.

Step 4: Add it to Water

Regular tap water is fine. There is some debate about if you should change the water or not through out the process. I didn't. I did, however, check the water level and added more as needed. Someone on TikTok (where I posted the video of this process) said it would work better if I used darker container or painted the jar black since roots like the dark. That would be a fun experiment to try it both ways and see if there is a difference. But mine was just a clear mason jar and it worked just fine. But maybe it would be faster if it was dark? If you have propagated both ways please let me know!

Step 5: Wait

Some plants grow roots quickly like Swedish Ivy and Pothos. Fiddle Leaf Figs take their sweet time. The nodes will turn into rough looking bumps in a couple of weeks and then slowly over time will turn into roots. It typically take 6-8 weeks to get not only primary roots but secondary roots. It needs a healthily root system before you can plant it in dirt so don't jump the gun and plant too early.

Step 6: Plant!

Like I mentioned above, you need primary and secondary roots before planting. So the first long shoots will need to start growing lots of little tiny offshoots.

Use good quality potting soil that has good drainage. Fiddle Leaf Figs like to dry out a bit in between waterings so don't use a moisture control type potting mix.

Use a pot with drainage holes for the same reason. In fact, grower pots are perfect. I like to keep them after I repot plants so I can reuse them but you can also buy them at Home Depot or online at Amazon.

Make sure that no part of any of the leaves are covered with dirt or even touching the dirt. This can cause them to rot and fall off.

Step 7: After Care

While full grown Fiddles like to dry out a bit in between waterings, when new and getting established, you need to keep the soil moist. Water more often than usual so the roots don't dry out. So that you don't forget, place it in a spot you will see daily. A place where it will get lots of indirect light. And now I have to find a cute planter for my new baby Fiddle! Maybe one of THESE DIY ones.

Did You Know?

Your old plant will be just fine. In fact, cutting your fiddle leaf will actually help it! Cutting promotes branching and new growth. In the photo below you can see where I cut the top off and a new branch growing. This picture was taken a few weeks after cutting. It grew a new leaf on the other side soon after this.

If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is skinny and spindly, this is a good way to help it fill out. Even if it isn't up to the ceiling yet.

It is now almost to the ceiling again! I wish I would have cut more off the tree. If I had known it would grow that quickly, I would have. I will probably have to cut it again sometime this year. So take my advice and cut a little more than you think you should.

Do you have any questions? If I skipped anything you are curious about please hit me up in the comment section. And if you have had any experience with propagating Fiddle Leaf Figs, I would love to hear your thoughts and how it went!

Potting Soil    *     Sharpener    *     Rooting Hormone      *      Sheers     *     Grower Pots

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Supplies

*Affiliate link

Sculpey Polymer Clay

Glass Vase ( I buy mine at the Dollar Store)

Straw

Rolling pin (Optional)

Prepare the Clay

Sculpey polymer clay is my favorite to work with. I used about half of the box for the planter. You have to warm it up by working it in your hands before you can sculpt or roll it out.

Roll it Out

Once it was warm, I took ⅓ of the clay and rolled it into a ball. I used the bottom of a glass vase to flatten it out. This will be the bottom of the planter.

The rest of the clay that I warmed up got rolled out to the same thickness.

Form the Planter

I placed the round piece on the bottom of the vase and then wrapped the other piece of clay around the vase.

*I have used glass and ceramic items to help me mold and craft things with clay in the past and was able to easily remove them once they were baked, but this time it was harder to get the vase out. You may want to coat the vase with something to make it easier to slide it out.

Sculpt the Face

I pinched along the bottom where the circle piece met up with the other piece. Then I smoothed it out to hide the seam. I smoothed out the seam along the side as well.

I wanted a primitive look so I made the whole thing look lumpy and uneven by pressing my finger tips in the clay in random places.

Once I had a slightly uneven texture, I started sculpting the face.

I started with the nose by pinching the bridge. It was surprisingly simple to create a face. I truly believe anyone could do it. The divot between the nose and mouth and the roundness of the cheeks are key to making the face seem more real.

Drainage

Once I had the face how I wanted it, I created drainage holes in the bottom using a straw. I probably would have been fine to only have one hole given the size of the planter but I did three since the holes are small. Drainage is so important for plants.

After looking at the face again, I decided to open up the eyes. A toothpick was the perfect tool!

Bake it!

Follow the directions on the box and bake it in the oven. Once cooled, remove the glass vase from the clay head planter. and you are ready to put a plant in it!

Clay Head Planter

I think it is because it is white, but it was really hard to photograph the clay head planter and have it look like it does in real life. It loses some of the detail. I am really happy with how it turned out though and think it is a fun addition to my bookshelves!

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Have you ever sculpted anything or played around with polymer clay? I'd love to hear about your projects!

You can see all my other planter projects HERE.

Hi, my name is Stacy and I am addicted to plants. My kids occasionally sing "Welcome to the jungle!" as they enter the family room, especially after I buy a new plant or two. Over the years I have shared lots of ways to decorated with plants. I even wrote a book about it! Today I am going to share some ways to decorate for the holidays with plants.

I got some happy mail the other day. A box full of houseplants! If you have ever bought a plant at Home Depot, Walmart, Trader Joes, Costco, or pretty much any store, you have probably bought a Costa Farms houseplant. You may even recognize the little red angel that are on the tags of their Exotic Angel collection. There are so many different types and they are all beautiful. Let me show you how I styled them for the holidays!

5 Ways to Decorate for the Holidays with Plants

You don't need to banish your houseplant to a back room until the holidays are over. You can easily incorporate them into your holiday decor!

Present Display

When my kids were little we didn't have a big tree. We had a smallish one that we put up on an armoire, because kids... right? I wish I would have thought of this fun present display idea back then! Even if you do have a big tree, this would be a fun place to place presents. Maybe this could even be an advent calendar filled with 12 small gifts.

Ladder Christmas Tree

Are you looking for a fun non-traditional "tree"? How about a ladder? Fill it with green plants and top it with a star.

House plants actually do better during the dryer winter months if they are grouped together (and away from heat vents!), so this not only looks cute, but helps the plants stay healthy.

Lettered Planters

Stencil some letters on your pots to spell a holiday themed word. Noel, Merry, Jingle, or JOY! They would look great on your stairs, porch, mantel or a holiday tablescape.

Baskets and Ribbon

I always say, if all else fails, stick your plant in a basket. Plants always look good nestled in a basket. Add some festive ribbon and "Boom!" you have a fun holiday decoration.

New Years Gold Pots

My inner magpie couldn't pass up these shiny gold buckets at the store. I just knew they would make cute temporary pots. I added some vinyl numbers and set the plants inside. It couldn't be easier!

Confession time... Sometimes my ideas are big fat flops. I had the brilliant idea to use sparklers for the photoshoot. I thought "How cute would they look all lined up with a sparkling sparklers sticking out of each one?" Massive fail. Do not light fireworks in your house. Ha! Another tip, don't substitute vanilla ice cream for milk when making alfredo sauce. Also, what does it say about me that I had ice cream but not milk? Priorities ;)

Instead of the sparklers I opted for these glittery things that I got in the Christmas section of the craft store. They are sort of sparkler-ish.

No plants were harmed in the making of this photoshoot.

So I am curious, do you decorate with plants during the holidays? I would love to hear your ideas! I also would love to know what your favorite type of houseplant is so comment below. 

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Wood Bead Planter

What is better than a planter? A hanging one! This was such a fun project! You can see the full tutorial HERE.

Mason Jar Wall Planter

This project I created on a whim YEARS ago and it is my most pinned and my most copied project. Just for clarification, these are not herbs. I know it has been shared all over the interweb as an "herb planter" but those are houseplants. I do not recommend planting herbs in mason jars. See the original post HERE.

Hexagon Planters

They started out gold but they showed fingerprints so I painted them black. Whatever the color, I love this trio!

More details are found HERE.

Tree Stump Planter

Another super popular post of mine if this tree stump planter. It was worth the arm workout that it took to hollow it out. You can see how did it HERE.

Crate Planter

It is pretty easy to build a crate! Sure you could make one and use it for storage, but wouldn't it be better to put a plant in it? The tutorial is found HERE.

Hanging Geometric Planter

Figuring out the math for this one required the help of my husband. But once we figured it out it was easy to make the compound mitered cuts. I don't have the tutorial for this one on my site. It is found in my book!

Terrarium Lamp

I have a thing for terrariums. We go way back to the 5th grade. My first one may have been made out of a soda bottle, but I have evolved since then. How about a terrarium lamp? Get the instructions and supply list HERE.

Candle Holder Terrarium

Do you know what else you can use to make a terrarium? A candle hurricane vase! With a tiny modification, this candle holder is now one of my favorite planters. See how HERE.

Wood Wall Planter

Guess where I bought one of the items for this planter? The pet store! I put a staghorn fern in mine but really you could do any type of plant. The tutorial can be found HERE.

Modern DIY Planter

This is one of those "it is easier than it looks" type of projects. I like the two toned coloring but it would look good all the same color, stained or painted! See how I built it HERE.

Scalloped Planter

This was one of the first planters I shared on my blog. I ended up painting it white and adding it to my secret garden fence. Instructions are found HERE.

Topography Planter

Did you ever have to make a topography map out of cardboard in school? I'm not sure what made me think of it one day but I decided to make a wood version. It ended up being a darling planter! Get the instructions HERE.

Geometric Patterned Planter

Several years ago, 3M challenged me to find something that I liked while in NYC and then create a project that was inspired by it. I found a design on the bottom of a very old building, took a picture, then recreated that design on a planter! See how I did it HERE.

Triangle Planter

I struggled with what planter to put on my corner shelves in the kitchen. A round one looked so dinky. I decided to build a triangle one that would fill up the shelf and not have wasted space on either side. The tutorial can be found HERE.

So if you are looking for a Saturday project and love plants like I do, I hope you'll give some of these DIY planters a try!

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Because the glass can come off the wood base, it was not water proof. I used clear caulk to seal the inside seam. It starts out white and dries clear.

I filled it with some gravel that had been rinsed well. This will help with drainage plus I like the layered look.

I sprinkle a bit of this activated charcoal before adding the soil. It helps it not grow grow green slimy stuff in the bottom of the terrarium. You can pick it up at a pet store or on Amazon for really cheap. (Affiliate link)

Sometimes it can be hard to fins small ferns meant for terrariums in your local nursery. I have started buying them from Amazon. When I order it says "variety" and it is always a fun surprise to see which ones come. It is like the adult plant lady version of a grab bag.

I think it makes a happy addition to my mantel!

How has your summer gone so far? Has it been laid back, or are you getting lots of projects done?

The big project I needed a tiny break from is our upstairs bathroom and the little project I decided to do was this DIY modern planter box.  I partnered with Minwax to bring you the tutorial. It is pretty simple and would look great indoors or outside on a porch.

Supplies:

¾" plywood

Table saw

Miter Saw

Lattice trim

Brad nailer gun

Drill

1 ½" screws

Stainable wood putty

Sandpaper

Black paint

Wood stain

Foam brush

Paper towels

1 ½" casters

First, you need to cut out the pieces for the box. I wanted it to be 12 inches wide by 14 inches tall. Since I was doing a basic butt joint, two sides had to be narrower to fit inside the other two sides. You could always do a 45 degree cut to have a prettier corner, but since it was going to be painted and mostly covered up, I didn't think it mattered to take the extra time.

Add the width of two boards and then subtract that from the width you want it to be when completed. For ¾ inch boards, that is 1 ½ inches making the inside boards 10.5 inches instead of 12.

Because the bottom piece will also fit inside, it will also need to be 10.5 inches.

Because planters will be getting wet when watering the plants inside, the wood will want to warp over time. I have found that brad nails do not hold up well over time. I use screws to hold together planters. Screw together your box, sand it well, and then paint or stain it the base color.

I cut the trim on my miter saw to have 45 degree cuts on each end so when they meet up at the corner they had a nice mitered corner instead of a butt joint. Nail the trim on with a finishing brad nailer or glue it and hold it on with clamps until the glue dries.

Putty the nails holes and any gaps using a stainable wood putty. When it is dry, sand it smooth. Make sure you sand off all putty except where the little nail hole was. Even though putty is stainable, it is only stainable to a point and your finish may look splotchy if you don't sand off all the extra putty.

Wipe down the planter box after sanding. I ended up hosing mine down because the sawdust in all the little recessed areas was hard to wipe off.  When it is dry, it is time to stain!

I chose to use this Minwax Wood Sheen. It is waterbased and is easy to clean up. Because it has a sheen to it, I made sure to wipe off any that got on the painted wood by running a damp cloth over the painted parts. If I would have had an extra foam brush (I go through them like crazy!) I would have used a damp foam brush since it would have fit so well in between the slats.

I did two thin coats. The more coats you add, the more sheen your project will have. I like satin or matte finishes so I didn't add more but you certainly could for a richer and shinier look.

I am really happy with how it turned out! It is actually going to go in one of the boy rooms I am hoping to work on this summer. That is my next big project after the bathroom renovation. One of the rooms will have a mid-century modern vibe and I think this DIY planter will fit right in with the design.

But for now it will happily reside in our family room!

I wasn't going to add casters at first but I am glad I decided to. I think it looks better with wheels!

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This post was sponsored by Minwax but the project idea and opinions were all my own!

I say "under $50" because the most expensive one listed is $45 but most are $30ish or less. I love planters but I LOVE getting a good deal even more :)

I have an addiction to small planters. You can never have too many! You can easily stick them on a shelf or tuck them corner. And because of their size, you can always find good deals.

1. Amazon (affiliate)      2. CB2      3. Target      4. All Modern      5. Etsy      6. All Modern    7. All Modern

Whether they are for outdoors or inside, you can find so many different styles.

1. Home Depot     2. All Modern      3. Target       4. Target        5. Amazon (affiliate)

Large and tall planters can get really pricey so I get extra excited when I find a good deal. Some of these will surprise you on how inexpensive they are given the size.

1. Target      2. Walmart      3. Home Depot      4. Walmart      5. Home Depot

I think hanging planters are my favorite! I wish I had more places to hang plants. I may need to order some of these....

1. Stacy Risenmay       2.Etsy    3. Amazon  (affiliate)      4.CB2          5. CB2      6. Etsy

I'm curious, which of these planters are your favorite?

.

I drew a sketch of this project months and months ago but it kept getting pushed back. When I partnered with Minwax for several posts, I knew this could be one of the projects which gave me the opportunity to finally cross it off my list :)

I put it up in my dining room and I like it there but it really is for my future bedroom. Since I don't know when that room will get done, It has a temporary home that works for now.

Here is what you will need!

Supplies:

(3) ¾" square dowels

(8) 1" wooden beads

sandpaper

wood glue

cotton rope ( I used clothes line)

foam brush

Minwax wood stain

drill & drill bit the same size as hole in bead

Step 1

I cut six pieces 7.5 inches long and six more pieces 6 inches long.

Step 2

Two of the 7.5 inch pieces and two of the 6 inch pieces will be glued together to form a square.

You will end up with three squares.

Step 3

Trace the inside of one of the squares into a thin piece of plywood and cut it out to act as the bottom of the planter. It should fit snugly inside one of the squares. After you sand all the pieces, you will glue along the inside seam of the bottom piece. Wipe away excess glue with a damp paper towel since even the "stainable" wood glues don't stain as well as bare wood. The glue seams will be on the inside and won't really be visible once the planter is hanging.

Step 4

It is time to stain! I chose my old time favorite, Dark Walnut. I like to use a foam brush to apply the stain.

*TIP* I used a paper clip that I straightened out a bit to dip the beads into the stain.

Step 5

Once the stain has dried, stack the squares up and using the bead as a guide, drill all the way through. Put a scrap piece of wood underneath to protect your work station.

Step 6

Cut four pieces of rope to your desired length. Knot one end and add tape to the other end so it won't fray and so it will thread more easily. Thread the rope through the holes of the bottom piece.

Turn it over and start threading the beads and other squares.

Now it is ready for you to add a plant and hang it up!

What did you do over the weekend? And just for fun.... since it is Halloween today, did you dress up??? I was a party pooper this year BUT I was Gru from the movie Despicable Me last year and my dog Kevin was my minion.

Here are my other Minwax Posts

This post was sponsored by Minwax but the project idea and opinions are 100% mine :)

I love mixing rustic items with modern or unexpected items. I knew this plant stand needed some glamorous gold legs!

I bought some tapered legs from Home Depot but I decided they were a bit too long for this so I cut off a few inches which made them slightly less tapered. If I were to do this again I would have gone ahead and bought the 4 or 5 inch legs to begin with.

I sprayed them with my new favorite gold spray paint.

And I added some furniture leg pads since it would be going on my hardwood floors.

Since the wood slice was not sealed, I added some polyurethane. I ended up doing 3 coats.

I drilled holes on the bottom for the legs. Drill holes that are slightly smaller than the screw part.

It really was just that simple! I think it would be pretty to make three that were different sizes and heights to group together.

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What projects did you get done over the weekend? Or were you lazy and binge watched Call The Midwife like me? :)

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You might recognize these planters. They are in my book, Natural Accents, and were originally gold. I really liked them gold but I wanted them to be in my office and gold would not have worked as well. Plus, the gold paint has actual metal in it and so it showed finger prints if you moved them or touched them for any reason.

I sanded them a bit and painted them black! You can see how much my ZZ plant has grown since I first got it. The jade plant had an unfortunate accident when I took it out of the pot to be able to paint. I have forgiven my kids and I replaced it with another plant. All is well :) This is a new snake plant since the other one got transplanted to the stump planter last year. I just love snake plants!

My favorite thing about these planters is the way I designed the bottom. I attached the bottom higher up into the planter so a bowl could fit underneath to catch any water that may drip out after watering.  These planters are actually bigger than they seem in pictures and I didn't want to lug them to the sink to water them like I do for some of my smaller plants.

They are pretty happy in my office under the fingerprint art!

I hope you have a happy long weekend filled with many projects :)

I think the view from the top is my favorite!

My first idea was to make a vase and I made this before the planter. Since both the planter and the vase are basically made the same way, I have just one tutorial.

Supplies Needed:

(affiliate links)

Plywood

Pencil

Wood Glue

Spade Drill Bit

Jig Saw

18-Gauge Brad Nailer

Drill

Bud Vase (I like the test tube style) or Succulent Plant

#1. Start by drawing the smallest shape first. Just freehand it.

#2. Cut out the first shape with a jig saw and then trace it. Once it is traced draw a shape slightly larger around it. This will be the line you follow to make the next cut.

#3. Continue doing that until you have a stack high enough for your bud vase to fit inside or deep enough for a small succulent.

#4. Sand them smooth.

#5. Start from the bottom and glue them together. Avoid getting glue in the center since you will be drilling a hole for the vase. Every few layers nail them together.

*If you are making a planter, you will need a hole at least 2-3 inches wide which is wider than a paddle bit. Drill a hole large enough for the blade of a jig saw to fit through and then use the jig saw to cut a circle in the center. Don't cut a circle in the last one since that will be the bottom but do drill a hole for drainage.

After the holes are cut for the planter, you can glue and nail them together.

#6. Once the glue has had a chance to dry, drill a hole deep enough that your bud vase will fit down inside.

My bud vase fit right down in. But if you want, it would also look good to have a little of the glass bud vase peek out.

I decided not to stain the vase. I added some wipe on poly and called it good.

I decided to stain the planter in Early American from Minwax. Since the plywood is very porous, I added the wood conditioner before staining.

I think I might make a larger version out of solid wood. What do you think? Would it look good larger and on a patio?

I had built a crate planter and I wanted it to make a statement, not just blend in. I don't have all the colors that are available but these are the ones I grabbed and had to choose from.

After testing them on some scrap wood, I chose the Navy Blue but I was really torn between the blue, coral, and yellow.

Planter Tutorial

The planter is very simple to build. Decide how big you would like to make it and cut some 1x4s to that length. Drill some pocket holes using a Kreg Jig. Half of the boards will have pocket holes that will connect the corners together and half will have holes drilled down to connect the boards together. This will make more sense as you see the following steps.

Screw the boards together at the corners to create a square.

Repeat the process until you have as many square frames as you want. The more you have, the taller your crate will be.

Then you will screw each of the square frames together through the downward pointing pocket holes.

Creating the bottom of the planter can happen one of two ways. One option: You can trace the outside of the crate onto some plywood and use the pocket holes to attach the bottom to the crate. The downside is you will see the board used for the bottom. Second Option: You can trace the crate on the inside (so the bottom piece will fit snugly on the inside of the crate) and use a nail gun to attach the bottom. You will need to fill the nail holes with sandable, stainable putty.

If you are going to add dirt to this and put the plant directly in this, you will need to add a drainage hole. But I prefer to keep the plant in a regular pot and set the plant inside the crate without a drainage hole. This way when I water the plant, if any water seeps out the bottom, it stays in the crate and doesn't go on my floor.

I love that I can have a fun, saturated color but still see the wood grain. If bold and bright are not your style, they have a ton of other colors to pick from. The colored stains are water based and are mixed in the store for you.

Would you ever stain something a fun color? What would you stain?

Did you notice my books? Does it make you twitch to have books not alphabetized? We are going to dive into that tomorrow!

I received product and compensation from Minwax for this post but the ideas and opinions are all mine.

As I am starting to put my house together again (Yay! Finally!), I am finding permanent places for some of the projects I did for my book, Natural Accents. I decided to share a few of my all time favorite planters from the book.

Hexagon Planters

These were fun to make and I started out staining them a medium brown. But after looking at them for a few days, I decided to paint them gold! I'm not sure if they will stay gold or get painted another color, but they are for sure finding a place in my home.

X planter

I love anything with an X detail to it. It is so classic. When I bought a lemon tree that was too large for any of the pots I had, I built one and made sure to add my favorite detail.

Hanging Geometric Planter

This is one I had to confer with Shane on for all the angles but it was worth the many angled cuts because I LOVE how it turned out! I have about 5 spots I want to hang this. I either need to do a meeny miny moe or make a few more :)

Hanging Clay Planter

Playing with clay brings me back to when I was a kid. It is relaxing and fun at the same time. Make it any color, size or shape! Just make sure it has a drainage hole.

Terrarium Side Table

This was hands down my favorite project in the whole book. It was also the one that I was the most nervous to try. I had never welded plexiglass before. But it worked out great and I would do it all over again. It will be in my family room next to the couch and will be the first thing people see when they walk in.

This is just a sample of the planter ideas from the book. There are also flower vases, beach themed projects, tree branch and stump projects, rock projects, and other natural elements like pinecones, and acorns. There are vignettes, tablescapes, and how to display nature photography as well.

What is your favorite way to decorate with plants?

 (affiliate link) Natural Accents