Blakeney Justina - The New Bohemians

PLANT-O-PEDIA

A HOME AINT A HOME WITHOUT PLANTS

I was at my local plant nursery checking out a fern the other day when a beautiful old woman who was eyeing a pothos looked at me and said, A home aint a home without plants. I smiled and agreed. Im still trying to figure out if the nursery planted her there to say that to everyone, or if I was the lone receptor to that sweet sentiment. Regardless, I couldnt agree more. Plants bring to a home what no designer dining table, perfect parquet, or luxe lighting can. Plants breathe life into a room, and they add deep color, bright freshness, and a bold vitality to a space that only something living can bring.

But alas, unlike a designer dining table, plants need sunlight and water, and they can be fussyfear of being a plant killer deters many people from keeping plants in the home. And thats precisely why I enlisted the help of landscape designer and plant expert Stephanie Bartron to assist in this plantastic chapter.

My favorite plants and plant installations from the book are all explained here. So if you fell in love, like I did, with the purple shamrock in Emily and Adams Portland home (see ), this mini plant-o-pedia will give you all the tools you need to bring these plants into your own home and care for them. Its not about green thumbs or brown thumbsits about knowing what the plant needs and fulfilling those needs. So lets get growing!

ARIELLES CRAZEMAZING TERRARIUM

GET THE GREEN A diverse collection of CACTI, SUCCULENTS, and Sansevieria (SNAKE PLANT) WATER Water this collection weekly from late spring until late fall, making sure to saturate each little pot. During winter months, water each cactus deeply just once a month. Some, especially the succulents, may prefer a bit more, so give them an extra hit if they look droopy or sad. SUNLIGHT Direct sun at some point in the day, in a bright, sunny room. If your curtains are closed until noon, it should be a room that gets afternoon sunlight. PLACEMENT These plants photosynthesize in a special way that allows them to absorb CO2 and release O2 during the night, so if you have a sunny bedroom, this would be ideal! Theyre also dramatic in an entryway or sunny hallway, and you can move the whole collection outside during hot summer months. EXTRA CREDIT Remove spent leaves and flowers from succulents to keep them looking fresh. Plan on repotting them as pots fill up, possibly yearly for the succulentsyou can also break off stems that are too tall and replant the tops. New roots will form, and they wont look so leggy. Use a very long-necked watering can so that each plant can be watered individually, without you risking getting poked by the many sharp spines. Tape is the best way to remove spines from fingers should you get prickedgently apply tape to your skin, press down on the affected area, and slowly pull the spines out.

MILEECES TABLETOP TERRARIUM

GET THE GREEN These terrarium plants are well-matched, needing similar light, water, and temperatures. BLUE FESCUE (Festuca glauca). Graptopetalum kimnachii. REFLEXED STONECROP (Sedum reflexum). WATER Water weekly, but let dry between waterings. SUNLIGHT Bright direct or indirect light. PLACEMENT Small terrariums like this are great on coffee tables, side tables, bookshelves, and desks. EXTRA CREDIT Dont overwater! This glass terrarium doesnt have drainage and will hold humidity.

KATHERINS AERARIUM

GET THE GREEN AIR PLANT (Tillandsia) WATER Mist well with a spray bottle two or three times a week, or more often if especially dry, or completely submerge plant in water for a few hours every few weeks. SUNLIGHT Bright, filtered light. PLACEMENT Since they dont need soil, air plants can be hung from string or wire, placed in a bowl or shell, mounted on a wall, or kept in a terrarium. EXTRA CREDIT Air plants can take great temperature fluctuations, but dont let them freeze. Dont water with distilled or softened wateruse filtered water or tap water (let it sit first to dissolve chlorine). Water in the morning, not at night, as these breathe in carbon (and out oxygen) at night and need to be dry to do so. These plants flower just once, then produce pups or plantlets and then die. Gently separate and discard the dead plants.

JUSTINAS CUBBY GARDEN

GET THE GREEN (1) ZANZIBAR GEM or zz (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) WATER Water once a month in the winter, twice a month in the summer. Dont let sit in water. SUNLIGHT Shade to partial sun. PLACEMENT Does well in low light, so this is a great low-maintenance plant that will do well almost anywhere, even in relatively dark areas of the home. GET THE GREEN (2) ICE-BLUE SENECIO (Senecio serpens) WATER Water regularly but let dry completely between waterings. Water less often in winter. SUNLIGHT Bright or indirect sunlight. PLACEMENT Hang in a window or place on a windowsill. GET THE GREEN (3) STRING OF BANANAS, FISH-HOOK SENECIO, BANANA VINE, NECKLACE PLANT (so many names!) (Senecio radicans) WATER Water weekly or less. Allow to dry out between waterings. SUNLIGHT Partial shade outdoors, medium indirect to bright direct light indoors. PLACEMENT This is a great easy-care hanging plant for tall shelves, hanging planters, or window boxes. EXTRA CREDIT All parts of this plant are poisonous, so keep it out of reach of children and pets. Bring it indoors if temperatures drop below 45F (7C).

MILEECES TROPICAL WASHROOM

GET THE GREEN (1) AIR PLANT (Tillandsia) GET THE GREEN (2) BROMELIAD (Guzmania variety) WATER Keep water in the flower cup, if possible. Water weekly at the base. SUNLIGHT Bright, indirect light is best. PLACEMENT Great for tabletops and desks. EXTRA CREDIT Use bottled or filtered water. The flower can last for several months but will eventually fade. It should be cut off at that point; new plantlets will grow at the base after flowering and the central plant will begin to die. Gently divide new plantlets and discard the spent central plant or replace with a new, flowering plant. GET THE GREEN (3) SCHEFFLERA, UMBRELLA TREE (Brassaia actinophylla) WATER Likes humidity. Water regularly, letting soil dry slightly between waterings. SUNLIGHT Bright but indirect light is best. PLACEMENT