Learn how to bring nature into your home and create a healthier space with indoor plants. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you!
It is amazing how much someone’s advice, inspiration and behavior can influence you. I shared an office with Saki at my previous job for only a brief time, but she forever changed my life in two profound ways:
I now use the word ‘same’ almost every day (in addition to many other youthful sayings that she introduced me to); and
My home is much healthier from plants filtering out pollution from indoor fragrances, products, and materials.
Saki stylishly brightened our dark, windowless space with plants that purified the recycled, toxic air (and put my fake flower vase to shame). I enjoyed the greenery in our office, but was hesitant that I could keep plants alive on my own—mainly because I had tried many times before with a very unsuccessful track record.
She graciously persuaded me to give it another shot, claiming that I could be successful with the right types of plants. And she was right! After her continued encouragement, I purchased 7 plants for my condo from a local nursery—most of which are still alive today. I found the Peace Lily and the Snake, ZZ and Pothos plants to be low-maintenance, resilient and picturesque.
If you want to experience cleaner air, more of nature, or if you currently have indoor plants and want some extra guidance, you are in luck! Saki has graciously volunteered to share her expertise with us! Below are her tips to keep your plants thriving.
Saki's Top 3 Tips to Successfully Care for Indoor Plants:
1. One of the most helpful and simple tips I learned early on for keeping indoor plants happy and healthy is to keep a plastic pot within your decorative pot. This allows for better drainage when watering since decorative pots typically don’t have a hole at the bottom. When the soil of indoor plants is completely dry, I like to remove the plastic pot (with the plant in it) from the decorative pot and place it in the sink or bathtub. I let water fill up the plastic pot and drain through a few times. Once it’s done dripping, I place the plastic pot back into the outer decorative pot. This helps to ensure that water doesn’t build up at the bottom of decorative pots, which can cause plants to be overwatered and just unhappy.
2. When my indoor plants need nutrients (e.g., their coloring is off or they aren’t producing new growth), my favorite thing to give them is the water-soluble seaweed plant food by Maxsea. It has an earthy smell to it (just when you open it) and resembles greenish sand. I’ve been using it for years and swear by it—it gives plants the extra boost that they sometimes need. I add a bit to the water, depending on the type of plant being fed (recommended ratios are on bottom, but I always eyeball it), and then water the plant as usual. I typically let the greenish-water drain through the soil a few times, catching the water that drains with a bowl and watering the plant a couple times with that same water so the nutrients really absorb into the soil. I’ve found that the natural plant food really keeps my plants healthy, resulting in new and faster growth.
3. My favorite indoor plant is the Philodendron Cordatum (Heart Leaf), hands down. I love its vine-y look, and its shiny forest green leaves of slightly varying sizes. It’s also incredibly easy to take care of and to propagate! I even have one draping in my living room that is actually a cutting of the one from the office that Danielle and I shared years ago.
Saki—you truly are amazing! I have no doubt you will own your own landscaping business one day. Thank you for your invaluable advice! 🌿
I have come to associate indoor plants with health and clean living. They beautify your space while filtering out harmful chemicals, and give you an appreciation of nature when you can’t make it outdoors. If you haven’t purchased many plants or accessories before, please know that they might be more expensive than you anticipate. I would recommend looking for pots ahead of time to help save on costs and/or slowly building up your greenery collection. It will be worth it!