I have other indoor plants, but they take a back seat to these other two, and I have no doubt that were it not for their annual vacation outside during summer, when I actually take care of them along with the outdoor containers, they would have been goners long ago.
Still, for a long time I’ve known that there was a whole other world of indoor plants out there. And that’s where Indoor Plant Decor comes in.
The new book—a “design stylebook for houseplants,” according to the subtitle—by Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson spoke to me from the first line of the introduction. “It used to be that indoor gardening meant a ficus tree in the corner of the living room, a pothos plant trailing from the top of the entertainment center and a row of African violets in the kitchen window.”
Plants, Indoor Plant Decor proves, can be just as much a part of your home’s decor as a throw pillow or decorative vase but with far more style and the benefits that come from plants, including some that actually purify the air in your house.
The book is unlike most gardening books, possibly because it straddles an interesting line between gardening and home decor. Although small in size, the book is big on information, and the size seems well suited to the layout. Each chapter starts with a scrapbook-style series of photos setting the scene for a design aesthetic and finishes with a DIY project to create plant decor in that style.
The latter is where the book shines. Too often, projects spelled out in books are excessively complicated, but Indoor Plant Decor hits the right note with its easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions. Several projects are approachable enough that I found myself wanting to dig into them right away. Mini succulent cork planters are adorable and would be the ultimate in table decor-turned guest gift and the “planted book” is a creative take on plant design that you’re not likely to find elsewhere.
While the front of the book is dedicated to inspiration and how-to, at the back of the book is an easy reference guide to houseplants. A list of houseplants ranked from “easy breezy” to “design divas” is alone worth the book’s cover price. Following that is some information on common houseplant ailments and basic care information. None of it is overly extensive or mind-numbing, instead it is the right amount of easy-to-access information.
Sentimental houseplants are great and Indoor Plant Design doesn’t discount the importance or beauty of fiscuses like mine, and in fact the tips contained in the book will only help those plants thrive in my house. But the book leaves you looking at houseplants in a completely different way; one that makes you want to explore just what you could do for your home with a few plants.
I was so excited to be part of this blog book tour happening all over the gardening blogosphere today. Everyone who has reviewed the book is also giving away a great prize, so make sure to visit these bloggers and enter to win a great prize.
- The Rainforest Garden — A collection of BG&H special publications
- Gardening Gone Wild — $25 gift certificate to Logee’s Greenhouse
- Cowlick Cottage Farm — A Seed Keeper (these are so cool)
- The Casual Gardener — Dramm pruners
- Dirt du jour — Succulent plant kit
- Digging — Another Bonsai tool set
- Not Just a Housewife — Terrarium growing kit
- Personal Garden Coach — Stainless steel watering can
- Gossip in the Garden — Moss rocks
I was provided a copy of Indoor Plant Decor by St. Lynn’s Press for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Indoor Plant Decor is available at Amazon.com and at booksellers throughout the country.
I've got a spider plant I bought from Target when I moved into my first apartment with my husband (in 2004!) and believe it or not, that sucker is still going strong and has gotten HUGE. Very sentimental about it!
My favorite thing about my spider plant is that so many friends have "babies" from it now.
My favorite house plant is anything I can keep alive. Houseplants are HARD!
Some definitely are, but it's nice that the book has a list of easy houseplants. I've decided I should probably just stick to that list, though.
I am super sentimental about the 3 African Violets my parents got me when my first dog had to be put down… I've propagated them, babied them, and now the three have turned into 6 (which could probably be divided out again into 9!) Also, I have a ponytail plant I got when I started my first job and it has quadrupled in size despite many bouts of neglect, now it is pampered and growing!
Oh that is so sweet about the violets. I got a violet from my godmother's collection when she died and I was horrified that I killed it in no time.
Not really sentimental about my houseplants, they usually die, but I do have a couple of African violets that have been hanging in there for awhile. Thanks for the chance, love the little tool set!
Those tools are so cute and look really well made-handy for getting into small spaces!
My favorite indoor plants (outdoor as well) are those shared by friends. I often think of the special friend who shared them as I pass by. They tend to get a bit more frequent care resulting in a slightly longer predicated lifespan than some of other indoor plants in our midst.
I agree!
My favorite houseplant is my yellow moth orchid. I'm so pleased that I finally have the right conditions to grow it in.
Oh beautiful!
I tried to grow some bonsai trees (from seed no less) when I moved to Austin – they didn't do very well…but then, that's because my house is a dark little cave. My office, on the other hand…I think it's time that I tried bonsai again.
Wow … that's impressive! You must have far more patience than I do!
I don't think I get sentimental about houseplants, but I haven't really kept any lately, instead focusing on the outdoors. a book like this is exactly what I need to get some life inside too!
It is!
I had to give up on house plants after we moved out of our first house… I'm hoping to start growing some herbs at the new place, though – does that count? 🙂
Sure! Herbs count!
I don't think I get sentimental about houseplants. I have some that I propagated in college and a few that I received when my father passed. Ferns never seem to survive in my hands!
Oh ferns are hard (and messy!)
I'm so happy that there's someone else out there that is attached to houseplants too! Mine include a spider plant that was born from one of my mom's plants, a jade plant I was given by a friend when I moved from the beach to the mountains and a peace lily from my grandfather's funeral. I have others, but these are the ones that I baby 🙂
I love jade plants and they seem to live forever. A friend has a huge one that had been her grandmother's fo decades.
I love my house plants, but……they usally HATE me.
Sometimes I think mine feel the same way.
well, the first houseplant I fell in love with was an aloe and now twenty years later, I have about 50 pots of different aloe. I wouldn't say its sentimental – more like an addiction!
Oh wow! That is so cool I love aloe (and so handy to have around). Some aloes are just so beautiful. Do you have a special planting mix you them in?
Erin, I think my whole plant addiction is due to the influence of women who came into my life when I was a very young girl. They were gardeners and plant lovers who passed along the hobby to me in the form of advice, pots, and of course, plants. I still have one of those pots and remember Mrs. Sheldon very often. I'm pretty sure I still have descendents of the plants I received also. I attend 4 plant swaps each year and have great memories of wonderful people who gave me special plants from their own collections. Some of these people are no longer with us, but have gone to their reward. This is what makes gardening sentimental for me.
patty
[email protected]
My indoor plants can be mood changers. I look up and see one blooming and I get all excited (still). Loosing one sends me through the 12-stages of grief sometimes. It's silly, but that's okay. Many are gifts that have a personal connection.
I love my succulents as they are so easy to take care of and the different shapes are pretty. [email protected]
I desperately tried to keep a Serissa bonsai alive several years ago, and cried when it finally died. Lesson learned: I kind of suck at bonsais. But my other plants are doing great! I'm currently in love with my burro's tail sedum and have starts of it all over the house.
I just started bonsai!
I get sentimental about all of my plants! Right now I have a Diffenbachia that is suffering, possibly from a bacteria, and unfortunately, everything I've read says the only thing you can do is to toss it (boo hoo)!
I'd love to try an orchid.
I'm sentimental about ALL plants. The ones indoors need to be rotated outside regularly, though, because my house is dark! Succulents and a lovely combination of equisetium and striped spider plant are hardy enough to stand being inside for a couple of weeks at a time. I put them in clay pots on a white tray for a coherent look.
Hi, Erin. I'm new to your blog, but will be stopping by often to check out your posts.
I don't currently have any favorite houseplants. I think that could change with a lot of the great ideas found in the Indoor Plant Decor book.
Susanne
From the Market to the Plate
Putting Words Down On Paper
I really love my bonsai tree!
I love my mint plant. It is the only thing I have kept alive during the past year so it is very special (and hardy).
I love love my orchids, the gifts that keep on giving! Thank you! Pamie G. New Braunfels, Texas
I have a spider plant that my Mother in Law gave me when my husband and I first were married and I'm definitely attached to it!
I have a mother-in-law tongue that is quite huge now. It is very special to me. The origins go back to 1972. I was going away to school and my dad gave me a mother-in-law's tongue. He died 2 months later, so this plant was the last thing he ever gave me. I kept it until 1991, 21 years, until my house burned in the Oakland Firestorm, and it was destroyed. Shortly after, a friend (not knowing the meaning of this plant to me) gave me a well-developed mother-in law's tongue, which I still have today, almost 22 years later. This plant is a daily reminder of my dad, of friendship, and perseverance in the face of tragedy.
Mine is the Spider Plant,My grandma had three of them growing up and always gave her babies to friends and family,she had so many of them and it has always been my favorite plant because of her,now I give away my own babies !
My favorite indoor plants are my apple blossoms
I love houseplants! Cyperus Ornamental Grasses are my favorite
I bought a white bat flower plant this past winter, and have been exceptionally excited to have it bloom, but unfortunately it has not been happy with the overly dry conditions during our cold months. I'm hoping a place on the porch during our humid summer will make it a much happier plant!
I love my Snake Plant. I received it 33 years ago in a planter for the birth of my son. How memorable!
I love my Christmas Cactus.
well, the first houseplant I fell in love with was an aloe and now twenty years later, I have about 50 pots of different aloe. I wouldn't say its sentimental – more like an addiction!
delo