Dear Plant Stylist: "I’m really into the vintage Laurel Canyon meets jungalow vibe. Any recommendations?"

Photo by Lauren Engel for Mid-Century Home, featuring a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree and Monstera Deliciosa.

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’ve bought small plants locally in the past, but I’m ready to invest in some statement plants from Léon & George. I want them to align with my apartment’s style: 1970’s inspired, Laurel Canyon-esque vintage. Any idea what kind of plants Joni Mitchell had?

Best,

K.F.

Dear K.,

I love receiving inquiries like these, because plants can bring so much style to an already beautiful space, and they make incredible focal points.

The style of your home sounds like a natural match for living greenery. Houseplants reigned supreme in the 1970s, so there’s no way to get this look wrong. Still, there were a few standout varieties that really encapsulate the aesthetic of the ‘70s: Pothos varieties, ferns of all sorts, and cacti are all emblematic of the decade.

In the ‘70s, Pothos and Fern varieties were popular for their ultra-lush foliage. The cascade of leaves displayed by Pothos varieties is stunningly sculptural, reminiscent of intricate macrame or even the eponymous beaded curtain. A pair of Cascading Pothos, situated on staggered levels, is a stunning way to showcase these medium plants. Pothos are tolerant of varied light and require watering about once a week.

Complements like wood stands, macrame hangers and baskets were very popular in the ‘70s, and for good reason. They’re a way of showcasing pieces of exquisite hand-made craftsmanship, and they can elevate your plants for purposes both pragmatic and stylistic. Our wood stands are handmade of sustainable hardwood, and they are compatible with our classic, cylindrical Mid-Century planters. Playing with tones of coral and gray ceramic will be a fun way to inject earthy color into your abode.

I’d be remiss not to mention that a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree would be a seamless choice for a floor plant in your space. Super-popular in the ‘70s for their romantic, viola shaped foliage, they bring height and fullness with great texture and jewel-bright coloration.

And for vibrant accent plants, ferns are a shoo-in. I think just about everyone had a profusion of verdant ferns in the ‘70s. Just look at this living room, filled with beauties like the Boston Fern, Bird’s Nest Fern and Staghorn Ferns.

Photo via Design Sponge, featuring a Bird’s Nest Fern, Fiddle Leaf Fig, and Staghorn Fern.

You can get a sense of the conditions that ferns require just by looking at them. Luscious and bursting with life, they like to be kept consistently moist, and appreciate indirect light and shade. The Bird’s Nest Fern, with its elegant, quill-like foliage, is a perfect gateway plant to the intoxicating world of ferns. And Philodendrons, like the Little Hope, are a seamless complement to ferns, with similar watering and light requirements.

Now in answer to your question regarding Joni: we know for a fact that she had succulent, tillandsia and and cacti at her Laurel Canyon home. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to your statement plant: The Desert Cactus. Yes, they are mystical monoliths- but don’t be afraid of this plant, because it is exceptionally easy to care for. Ample bright light is all it needs to thrive, along with an occasional drink. And two desert cacti, flanking a doorway, create the ideal portal to a magical home.

So excited for you to begin your plant-gathering, K. Every home needs, as Joni Mitchell would say, a “Little Green.”

And now, a playlist inspired by the vibe!

Easy Care Plants, Delivered

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