Saturday, September 11, 2010

The Underrated Houseplant

I just don't think houseplants get the credit they deserve. They are incredibly inexpensive, come in a variety of colours and textures, are easy to care for and they last a long time. What's not to love about all that? Do any of you have houseplants? Hate them? Have a brown thumb? Fill me in.

I believe this is an aspargus fern. It's perfectly happy sitting in some vintage pottery.

A gardenia (about to flower again) sits on the window sill in our bathroom.

I believe this is an asparagus fern as well. Feel free to correct me if need be! This cute canvas planter, by Serax, is from Orling & Wu here in Vancouver.

A beautiful begonia sitting in pottery by Bison (a fantastic Australian company).

Now, this next bit is not a houseplant, but thought I'd show you a bit of a "before and after" of our, once unwelcoming/hideous, front entrance.

Booo.

A selection of plants picked up for 30% off. Whoohoo!

A little more welcoming now. The pot is huge, but very light weight (when empty!) and it also doubles as a chalkboard. This makes me happy.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Back on Monday for Baked on Monday. I think it will be some kind of bread. I have to take a break from butter for one week ;)
at

34 comments:

  1. JaneSeptember 11, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    I agree. Houseplants are considered very 1970s but we all need some green inside. I would actually like a House Tree in my living area but haven't the faintest idea was kind I need (maybe a fig)> Love your entrance xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. FelicitySeptember 11, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    A house really isn't a home without at least one plant is it.
    Am LOVING your welcoming pot at the front door, does it have a matching twin for those who sneek in via the back?
    x Felicity

    ReplyDelete
  3. brismodSeptember 11, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    I love your houseplants and your Bison pottery. A little bit of nature in the house is a great thing. I've got a lovely white orchid in the kitchen as well as a flowering bromeliad. And in my front entry I have a bullet planter with a spider plant and a glazed pot with sansevieria.xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pinecone CampSeptember 11, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    Yeah for all you plant lovers! Oh, and I don't have a matching twin for the back. That's another story. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marisa SeguinSeptember 11, 2010 at 7:16 PM

    Working at Westcoast Gardens turned me into a houseplant lover. I picked up tons of plants from work like lovely rex begonias (I'm fascinated by these!), crotons, wandering jews (gorgeous leaves), and pothos'. I wish I could take them all with me to my apartment in Milwaukee!

    (Also, loving that chalkboard planter!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. MakeminemidcenturySeptember 11, 2010 at 8:39 PM

    I love an indoor plant! I do admire your begonia ... it's too colourful. And all your plants look to be thriving.

    Indoor plants are very "Annie Hall"! Thus, they have my seal of approval.

    Their potting mixture also serves as a snack for my one-year-old, whenever it takes her fancy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just MarthaSeptember 11, 2010 at 10:04 PM

    That asparagus fern looks so h-e-a-l-t-h-y. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  8. MariaSeptember 11, 2010 at 10:39 PM

    Just saying hi from the BYW e-course. I could relate to your blogs in the homework assignment (er which I haven't done yet!). I love cooking and baking so I'd love to see what you have in store for us on Monday! x

    ReplyDelete
  9. kittySeptember 11, 2010 at 11:05 PM

    Ok, wait a minute - I like houseplants,especially yours - gorgerous!! BUT-- I just recall some past ex boyfriend thinking he could decorate his place with 70's ferns in macrome hanging contraptions. 9 times out of ten those poor plants would be dying, thirsty and drooping in that orange macrome...shame.

    Needless to say, your houseplants are not like those frat boy plants! hahha! xo
    p.s i have a brown thumb!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Papier, Ciseaux, Cailloux...September 11, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    What a biautiful welcome ! I love the differents colors and hights...

    ReplyDelete
  11. SUNDAY COLLECTORSeptember 12, 2010 at 1:49 AM

    I'm a big fan of the indoor plant - they are good for the air inside too! Love the chalkboard pot, what a lovely idea.

    ReplyDelete
  12. jules @ The Diversion ProjectSeptember 12, 2010 at 4:14 AM

    love that pot by the front door - looks brilliant! jx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Little Paper TreesSeptember 12, 2010 at 5:11 AM

    love house plants!

    ReplyDelete
  14. GinaSeptember 12, 2010 at 7:22 AM

    what a cute "hello" flower pot!
    those begonas are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Vintage HomeSeptember 12, 2010 at 7:41 AM

    ....Love the front door!...I Great pot!...smart girl!..as always
    I have the same fern as your first one ...and I have kept it alive for almost a year...
    I must say you have the best plant holders & a great bathroom!
    Fun to see some of YOUR home!

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownSeptember 12, 2010 at 8:55 AM

    I HATE houseplants! as if I haven't enough to do already without tending a dust harbourer! should I be unfortunate to recieve one I delight in starving it of love and killing it off quick. Darn cacti are hard to finish off...

    ReplyDelete
  17. lisaroySeptember 12, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    I've always loved houseplants but after so many moves, most haven't survived so I go for fresh flowers instead. Love your canvas planter and your entrance looks great with your chalkboard container! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. the southern hostessSeptember 12, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    Such happy little plants! I can't manage to keep any alive.

    ReplyDelete
  19. christine, just bellaSeptember 12, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    I love how plants add some life to a room! Though I only seem to have a few rooms in the house where they get this life... not enough sun in the other, I guess.

    I LOVE your little 'hello' pot, what a sweet little entrance! So great to see some of your house!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lady GreySeptember 12, 2010 at 3:08 PM

    I completely agree, house plants make a place so much more homey and welcoming.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gigi ThibodeauSeptember 12, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Okay, I love that chalkboard pot! And I love houseplants. I have them all over the house as well as on the glassed-in porch. I think they look amazing if they are well kept and watered and thriving, and are in beautiful pots. Plus, they help clean they air. What could be better? I'm so glad that you posted about this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. the chirpy birdSeptember 12, 2010 at 9:34 PM

    My mum always says, "happy plants make a happy home" :)
    xo tash

    ReplyDelete
  23. ~*~ saskia ~*~September 13, 2010 at 2:51 AM

    I'm afraid I'm not that kind of plant lover...
    Do have a wonderful week! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. EmmaSeptember 13, 2010 at 7:03 AM

    great minds must think alike...I just posted about a houseplant too - although a much bigger one - the fiddleleaf fig. i think plants can make an interior!

    ReplyDelete
  25. MiseSeptember 13, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    You're good at plant-pots! No boring old terracotta in sight at all.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Erica CookSeptember 13, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Chalkboard!? brilliant! and so cute.
    I'm experiencing a new love of house plants too. Am trying 3 little basil plants and will post them friday. I'll be sure to reserve comment in a week or two when I've killed them though.
    At least I am good at keeping the kids alive. xo

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jan HalvarsonSeptember 13, 2010 at 10:28 AM

    Loving all your plants. I always kill mine. always. even cacti.

    And the new entryway is beautiful! Love that pot.

    ReplyDelete
  28. elisa rathjeSeptember 13, 2010 at 10:53 AM

    beautiful transformation. i love houseplants, but i have to have enough of them to remember to water them, too few and i neglect them. it also helps to have watering cans that i love. x

    ReplyDelete
  29. KristenSeptember 13, 2010 at 1:38 PM

    I do like the warmth plants add to a room, but they die too quickly under my care :) I love that chalkboard pot! And I don't think it's too big - the size is perfect for the entryway!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Pooch Purple ReignSeptember 13, 2010 at 3:30 PM

    i have no plants inside right now. it was all i could do to get the kids off to university :)
    maybe now i can get a plant.... haha
    i love the chalkboard planter. neat idea
    ~laura

    ReplyDelete
  31. Jodi KendallSeptember 13, 2010 at 3:34 PM

    I adore houseplants! But I don't have a garden anymore, so it's my only green thumb outlet ;) I really love Jade indoors, in the direct sun, they just thrive. A beautiful succulent.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2010 at 10:58 PM

    It took me a while, but I love houseplants now. That might be because I've stopped killing them.
    I have to say I love that chalkboard planter. Where is it from?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Pinecone CampSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:56 AM

    Anonymous, the planter is from a store, here in Vancouver, called Bloomfields. It was 30% off, so I couldn't afford not to buy it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. BridgetSeptember 14, 2010 at 3:30 PM

    you are absolutely right- they deserve a little more accolade.
    i have a few that just will not die and i love them for it.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.