Dear Plant Stylist: Help Me Decorate This Desert Abode!
This Mid-Century desert home enjoys a Bird of Paradise for a splash of green.
In our Dear Plant Stylist series, we share styling and lighting inquiries received by our in-house stylists with our audience. So read on-- you just might find that your plant styling questions are answered below!
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Dear Plant Stylist,
I recently moved to the desert and want to decorate my home with more plants. I used to live in a very wet climate, on a tree-lined street, and while my new home is nestled amidst the arid beauty of the desert (and this landscape is stunning in its own right) I can't help but feel that I need some more lush greenery in my life! Can you offer some guidance on the types of plants that would thrive in my desert home while adding the vibrancy and life I'm yearning for?
Sincerely,
D.D.
Dear D.D.,
The desert is so beautiful, but for someone who loves to gaze at green, I understand it can feel stark! Creating a green haven in a desert environment is not only achievable but also incredibly rewarding, and the good news is, as far as houseplants go, a desert climate won’t limit you too much, since your plants will live indoors. I’m sure we can help you select plants that should help scratch your itch, as well as complement the stunning landscape that surrounds your home!
First things first—as I mentioned, don’t feel limited by the dry and arid climate of your new home. While your outdoor landscaping will be a completely different story, your houseplants will live (I imagine!) in a climatized setting indoors. That means mostly indirect light and regular watering with a watering can—no need to wait for the desert rain for these plants! However, depending on how much you run your AC, you may like to consider getting a humidifier.
Now that we have this out of the way, we can focus on plants that bring lushness to a whole new level, while also vibing well with a desert decor—think Joshua Tree or Marfa inspired! The Fiddle Leaf Fig is such a classic and popular plant, probably because it so gracefully complements quite literally any decor. It’s big, fiddle-shaped leaves will surely inspire you, and having an tree inside your home is obviously a no-brainer if you miss your tree-lined street!
A Fiddle Leaf Fig blends into an environment, including a desert decor. Photo via newdarlings.com
Another statement plant you may consider is an Olive Tree. The Olive Tree is actually a very drought-resistant and heat-tolerant plant that you could even place outdoors in your desert home. If you do place it indoors, make sure to find a very sunny spot as this plant likes to have several hours of direct sunshine per day.
And we would be remiss not to mention a cactus—it is the desert after all! Both the Jade Cactus and Desert Cactus are, in reality, tree-like succulents that are adapted to live indoors (but can also go outside!). If you’d truly like to make a nod to your new home’s beautiful landscape, consider one of these gorgeous and minimalist cacti. Another perk of these plants is they need very infrequent watering and in general next to no upkeep!
How can you resist a cactus moment in a desert setting? Photo via @thejoshuatreehouse
For smaller floor plants, you might consider something like the Dracaena Compacta—its lush green leaves look great against neutral interiors and the sand-toned exteriors of the desert. The Ponytail Palm is a quirky plant that seems to marry a jungle look with dry, desert vibes, and Snake Plants are great air purifiers whose minimalist look will complement a desert decor.
Don’t forget to add accents here and there: consider a Cascading Pothos to bring lushness to shelves, bathrooms or other areas where its trailing foliage may hang, or a Parlor Palm for a mini oasis wherever you place it.
Finally, might I suggest grouping plants together in clusters. Mix and match different heights, colors and foliage shapes to maximize the feeling of lushness in your home.
I hope this was helpful, and please share the results— I’m so excited to see your desert abode come to life!
designed to thrive
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