If space is a consideration, prune down your indoor herb choices with ones you use frequently. Consult your favourite recipes, take inventory of how much room you have, and observe the flavour profiles you like the most.
Looking to “spruce” up your porch this holiday season? Create a beautiful and inviting entry way that will make your guests want to snap insta-worthy pictures before coming inside!
Looking to “spruce” up your porch this holiday season? Create a beautiful and inviting entry way that will make your guests want to snap insta-worthy pictures before coming inside!
Here are 5 festive ways to decorate your porch for the holidays.
1
Wrap your door. There are a few ways to make your home look like the perfect present. Try your hand at giftwrapping your front door with wrapping paper. If that’s too much for your vibe, consider a big ribbon with a Christmas bow. Kick up the present theme with a gift tag too!
2
Be generous with greens. Wrap columns in garlands and introduce evergreen wreaths for a classic holiday look.
3
Buffalo plaid accents. Add a pop of vibrant colour to your porch by including buffalo plaid accents. A few outdoor throw pillows strategically placed on all season furniture will punch up your patio. These red accents will really pop against natural, evergreen décor.
4
Make small spaces pop. A statement wreath and a few accents are a great way to make small spaces feel welcoming. Transition your summer lanterns to winter by filling them with Christmas ornaments.
5
Add some lights. The addition of white string lights add sparkle to your porch. Bonus points to these lights for letting your décor be seen at night!
There are so many ways to make your home festive for the holidays. Share your tips on holiday décor in Plant Chat!
#TisTheSeason
T’is the season for gift giving and merriment!
If you’ve got some plant lovers on your list, we’ve got you covered. From handmade to store-bought, this list has gifts for plant parents of all skill levels that will knock their ‘stalks’ off.
Let’s get gifting!
1
Aerogarden. For the table-top gardener. Aerogarden offers a variety of sizes that suit every veggie lover’s needs.
2
Aerogarden Herb Seed Pods. Give the gift that literally keeps giving. Aerogarden herb seed pods make growing herbs a snap.
3
Watering straws. All the rage for the plant parents with needy plants. If you don’t want to shell out for a store-bought model? Try making one of your own.
4
Hand painted planters. Plant lovers always need more pots. Try your hand at decorating customized pots for the plant parent in your life.
5
Props of your fave plants. From one plant lover to another, sharing propagations can be meaningful and a long lasting, thoughtful gift.
6
Plant food. All plant parents know they must feed their plants. Whether it’s a water soluble or liquid variety, plant lovers will be appreciative of being able to prevent hangry housemates. Bonus points because this gift is perfect for plant lovers of all skill levels.
7
Customized birth month flower pot. Whether it’s an arrangement or customized flowerpot, this is a sure-fire win for your astrology obsessed plant parents.
8
Hand made wreath of evergreens from your home. DIY a gorgeous boho-inspired wreath using green materials from your own backyard and garden.
9
Mushroom growing kit. Mushrooms are on trend right now. Mushroom growing kits are a great gift for the DIY plant obsessed.
We love these holiday gifts that seamlessly compliments the plant lover of your network. We hope these gifts inspire a green thumb and holiday cheer!
#falala
Autumn is in the air. This means it’s time to switch up your seasonal décor! Not ready for a full switch to winter holiday décor? We’ve got tips to help you swap your summery porch vibe for a more festive fall space
Here are 4 tips to get you started.
1
Refresh your flowers. Summer blooms have come and gone, but fall florals can make an impact. Consider a selection of chrysanthemums, violas, or pansies.
2
Nothing says fall like pumpkins. Whether they’re placed symmetrically or stacked on stairs, the addition of pumpkins will make your entry-way look picture perfect. Try out white, pastel, or the classic orange for added drama.
3
Hay isn’t just for horses. Hay can be a versatile way to showcase your front door. Add hay bales of different sizes to create levels to show off your mums, pumpkins or other fall faves.
4
Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas. A new season means a new wreath! Experiment with different textures and colours to add that finishing touch to your front door. Pro tip: be sure to measure the width of the door so you don’t overpower the space with too large of a wreath.
#HelloAutumn
What better way to be welcomed home than with a plant-filled entranceway? Not only do greens create peace and serenity, they personalize your patio or porch entryway as a segue into your home.
In fact, more interior designers are paying attention to porches, extending the design of the home past the interior walls. Even rugs and tsoshkes are being brough out as design elements to porches.
how do you achieve this on-trend patio look? Here are 5 insider tips to get you started.
1
If your porch is warm enough, feel free to move your favourite houseplants to your entrance way. Summer months are a great way for you to showcase indoor plants and even cacti can make a cameo appearance while the hot weather lasts.
2
Since porches are typically in the shade, ferns and similar full shade plants do well in less sunlit areas. Hostas and boxwood bushes are also lively choices.
3
Creeping plants and smaller flowers look lovely in hanging planters, and they also add interest and layers for a smaller porch space. If it is possible to hang planters from porch walls, try that as well.
4
For your patio outside the porch, there is rife opportunity to landscape, whether it is a small space or sweeping garden.
5
Not only are you creating visual appeal, you want to please all the senses when you first enter your home. Porch and outdoor patio-friendly fragrant florals are a wonderful way to trigger our olfactory senses and memory. From a childhood flower to fresh herb that are evocative of pleasant memories, you can enjoy a welcoming and comforting aroma as soon as you come home.
With some online research, leafing through home and garden magazines or visiting your local garden shop, you’ll have plenty of inspiration to make your patio pop with life. Whatever you choose, it’s great to have an entranceway that’s deserving of two green thumbs-up.
Prefer not to spend a ton of green on greenery? Plant swaps are your answer.
The world of plant swapping is blossoming in many ways, thanks to the trading of roots and shoots between savvy plant-lovers. As no money is exchanged, only leaves, this phenomenon attracts many looking for some free and fun plant action. As a plant trader, although you won’t be on the busy floor of a stock exchange floor, but you will help your household economy. Plant trading also provides abundant opportunity to connect with other like-minded plant lovers. You can learn new tips and tricks while sharing your own planting advice with a newfound community of plant-heads.
So, how does a budding plant swapper begin? Facebook Marketplace and Groups are a great place to start, along with your local Kijiji marketplace. Here are our top tips.
Top 7 Tips for Plant Swapping
1
If your porch is warm enough, feel free to move your favourite houseplants to your entrance way. Summer months are a great way for you to showcase indoor plants and even cacti can make a cameo appearance while the hot weather lasts.
2
Since porches are typically in the shade, ferns and similar full shade plants do well in less sunlit areas. Hostas and boxwood bushes are also lively choices.
3
Creeping plants and smaller flowers look lovely in hanging planters, and they also add interest and layers for a smaller porch space. If it is possible to hang planters from porch walls, try that as well.
4
For your patio outside the porch, there is rife opportunity to landscape, whether it is a small space or sweeping garden.
5
Not only are you creating visual appeal, you want to please all the senses when you first enter your home. Porch and outdoor patio-friendly fragrant florals are a wonderful way to trigger our olfactory senses and memory. From a childhood flower to fresh herb that are evocative of pleasant memories, you can enjoy a welcoming and comforting aroma as soon as you come home.
Good luck on your quest for growing your plant family!
As any chef or amateur cook knows, fresh herbs make a dish come alive. Some like natural herbs for homeopathic and aromatherapy purposes. Whatever your use for them, you can always have fresh herbs handy.
let them hang
On the subject of space, an excellent solution is hanging small herb planters by a window or adjacent wall.
terrariums are terrific
From cooking splatters to being playful cats, fresh herbs can be prone to damage. Not only are terrariums pretty and on-trend, but they also do a great job at protecting dainty herbs.
hydroponics
Also known as aero gardening, hydroponic gardening is a tried-and-true method to grow fresh food indoors. Hydroponics will do everything for you except the fun parts – trimming and eating, which you get to do.
companionship
Living things need companionship, and like people, plants are the same! Some herbs thrive better when planted next to certain ones. We have some examples below but a little research will uncover many more pairings. For example, basil and parsley require more water than rosemary and sage. Plant mint by itself as it tends to grow fast and furiously.
#easypeasy
As houseplant owners will have noticed, even indoor plants are affected by seasons. Spring is when indoor plants come out of dormancy, marking the start of their active growing season. Longer days and warmer temperatures make spring one of the most vital times to grow indoor plants.
These changes sometimes present challenges. Here’s our list of top tricks and tips to help make the seasonal transition easier on your green babies and set them up for a bright, bountiful future.
pick herbs you regularly use
If space is a consideration, prune down your indoor herb choices with ones you use frequently. Consult your favourite recipes, take inventory of how much room you have, and observe the flavour profiles you like the most.
step 2. got to repot
Spring is the optimal time to repot, giving plants more space to flourish. Repotting plants allows them to expand and promotes fresh growth. How to tell if a plant needs repotting? Check for:
• Roots growing out the bottom of the pot or top of the soil
• The pot physically appears to be expanding
• Water leaks right through the soil without absorbing the water
step 3. slowly introduce them to the outdoors
Some indoor plants love spending summer outside but to avoid shocking them, gently transition plants by bringing them out only for a few hours. Gradually increase the time so they adapt to being outdoors, as long as they are not left out at night unless temperatures are consistently mild. Bear in mind, plants can get sunburnt so avoid direct summer sunlight. Drainage holes are a must to prevent drowning from heavy rainfalls.
let them hang
On the subject of space, an excellent solution is hanging small herb planters by a window or adjacent wall.
step five. prune
As you know, although trimming off leaves and branches might seem counterintuitive to allowing plants to grow big, pruning any unhealthy or dried out parts will stimulate new growth.
step 6. bring the outside, in
Rainwater is more nourishing for plants than tap water, so collect some on the next rainfall to water your houseplants that remain inside. Place them by open windows when warm enough to give them fresh air and humidity.
step 7. window on, window off
During wintertime you may have relocated a plant from a chilly window, in spring you may wish to get it back. Just be conscious that sunlight can still dry out or burn delicate plants, so opt for indirect light near a window. Being the conscious plant parent you are, you’ll figure out what conditions work best.
Having plants in your home is proven to reduce stress levels, increase oxygen and enhance your overall wellness.
As we learned in science class, plants release oxygen and “breathe” carbon dioxide, the opposite of humans. Having these oxygen producers as roommates provides us with fresher, cleaner air.
here are some more wellness tips that will make you fanatical about your botanicals
Anecdotally, we’ve known for some time how our plant pals relieve stress, but now scientific research proves buds really are our buddies, showing having them around is connected to reduced cortisol (stress hormone), lowered blood pressure and a better mood.
strategically choose plants for the bedroom
Orchids aren’t just a romantic exotic flower, they are different from most plants because they emit oxygen. So do succulents, bromeliads, and snake plants, which are not just photogenic. Instagram darlings, they are perfect to have at your bedside. More oxygen means an optimal slumber.
let them hang
On the subject of space, an excellent solution is hanging small herb planters by a window or adjacent wall.
cheap and cheerful
Don’t shell out on expensive paints or furnishings to add life to a dull room when plants literally can add life. Dress up your windowsills with succulents, go for on-trend macrame hangers or adopt the starlet of social media, a fiddle leaf fig. To keep it cost efficient, check out yard sales for pots or DIY some quirky planters. We also have great ideas on plant swapping
tropic like it’s hot
Put the shower-fresh steamy air of your bathroom to use by adding plants that thrive in warm, wet conditions, for example air plants or ferns. Bonus if your bathroom, or even a sunroom, gets super hot, which is great for palms, cacti and most succulents.
Are you a lover of luscious greenery? You are not alone, considering the indoor jungle garden trend is sprawling over social media. Interior designers are also splashing green in rooms, and we don’t just mean paint.
Besides the obvious aesthetic appeal, plants are proven to help our health, from air purification, lowering stress levels, and overall wellness.
Here are our expert tips to transform your home into an indoor jungle that will make Tarzan and Jane green with envy.
let there be light
Look at what type of natural light you have coming in through your windows. Indirect sunlight generally works best. Be realistic about choosing the types of plants that will thrive in whatever light conditions you have.
credit: www.jeanstofferdesign.com 
credit: www.tessaneustadt.com
group your greens
By grouping your plants together, especially ones of varying size, you will create eye-pleasing depth. Have fun experimenting with different heights and put them into tableaux on windowsills, shelves, tables and plant stands. Social media has really given rise to suspended hanging planters as well, a beautiful way to add interest and depth.
credit: www.instagram.com/modernhousevibes 
credit: www.instagram.com/hiltoncarter
make a shelfie
If video conferencing has taught us anything, it is the importance of beautiful backgrounds, and real-life is always nicer than virtual backgrounds. Group plants on your shelves, both trailing vines and small shelf-sitters for visual appeal. Install shelving if you don’t have it already, and populate them with plants that grow vertically as well as spread out horizontally.
credit: www.instagram.com/saskiatabea 
credit: www.instagram.com/thistle.harvest 
credit: www.loveandrenovations.com
statement pieces
As most interior designers will agree, nothing makes a statement like a large and dramatic tropical plant. Add one to a large pot and place in a corner of the room to add lushness and life. Photogenic and fast-growing ones include palms, birds of paradise or monstera.
Vertical gardening allows you to use more surfaces to grow, from walls, fences, and exterior barriers. There is no limit to what you can grow, from vegetables, berries, perennials and more.
Not only are vertical gardens budget-friendly, they can get your creative juices flowing. You can decorate whatever outdoor space you have, from backyard to balcony.
Even if you are just foraying into the fabulous world of vertical gardening, there are plenty of easy projects to get you started.
Whether you are an urban-dweller living in a smaller space or you’re just plant-head with plenty of pots, vertical gardening is an appealing choice for a number of reasons:
• Don’t use up much space nor do they require it
• They are fairly low-maintenance
• Improve health and wellness
• May act as a living wall or natural
• They are attractive and affordable
statement pieces
A wooden ladder is a space-friendly and pretty way of growing and showcasing plants as a tiered, vertical display. Or if you’re a bit more handy, build a vertical planter wall using a wooden pallet.
climbing vines
Greens that climb and sprawl like ivy are great for covering less attractive walls or can also increase privacy. Other popular and pretty climbers are clematis, honeysuckle, and jasmine (not to mention pleasingly fragrant, too.)
hanging or wall planters
Using hooks, a pergola or a ceiling of terrace, hanging planters will allow plants to grow and sprawl vertically. Other ideas include wall planters or the ever-popular hanging baskets. For an eco- and budget-conscious vertical garden idea, use plastic bottles filled with flora and hung. Or DIY a trellis with cut wire.
