Posts by Marie Claire

5 Reasons Why Plants Make Make The Perfect Gift For Any Occasion

The Pilea AKA Friendship Plant is one of our top-selling gifts— even the New York Times agrees it’s a great housewarming gift! Photo by @theweekendmixologist

Finding the perfect gift is no easy task. It can be incredibly time-consuming to find something of value that the recipient will appreciate and that they don’t have already. But if you’re at a total loss of which gift to get for a holiday, a birthday, a housewarming, or really any occasion… try a plant!

A few reasons why plants make the perfect gift…

They’re symbolic. Plants are not just representative of the beauty of nature. They are also the symbol of life, gratitude and luck, among other things! That’s why they make such great housewarming gifts, wedding gifts, birthday gifts and more— no matter what the occasion is, there’s a perfect plant for it.
They’re gender neutral. While flowers can be the perfect gift for certain occasions, the truth is that, unlike plants, they unfortunately are not always seen as a gender-neutral gift. Plants make the perfect gift for anyone and for any occasion, and they also last longer than flowers, too!
They have many benefits. Plants don’t just look great— they also serve many health and wellness benefits such as cleaning our air and making us feel happier and less stressed.
They’re timeless. Trends come and go, but beautiful greenery is timeless. An elegant and understated gift, it’s something that will never go out of style.
They’re a crowd pleaser. It’s no secret that plants have been having a moment in recent years. No matter who the recipient is, odds are they either like plants, or love plants!

Convinced yet? The best part about it is that you can gift a beautiful potted plant to anyone in the country by simply ordering online. Léon & George plants come with stylish, handmade ceramic pots and lifetime access to our Plant Doctors so that your recipient is fully supported all along the way, no matter the color of their thumb. So what are you waiting for? Give the gift that grows.

The perfect gift for any occasion

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Join hundreds of customers in choosing Léon & George for all their gifting needs. We make it effortless to send an impressive and upscale gift to all the important people in your life, near and far. Enjoy some of the perks of shopping for gifts with Léon & George:
- Fast, nationwide shipping with express and overnight options
- Innovative, custom packaging that ensures your gift arrives in pristine condition
- Personalized gift message options
- Select your preferred ship date, if desired
Every plant gift includes simple care instructions to keep the plant happy and healthy over time. You may also select to include a custom gift message. All gift orders are covered under our 45 Day Guarantee and our Plant Doctor program, which means the recipient can message us anytime for plant care support. Their gift will include a QR code to quickly set up their guarantee and access the Plant Doctors.
Any plant makes a fantastic gift, but there are some that are particularly symbolic or meaningful when sent as gifts:
- The Braided Money Tree is said to bring good luck and prosperity to its home—it’s a great congratulatory or good luck gift!
- The Pilea is also known as “the friendship plant” and makes a great gift for pals near and far!
- The Zanzibar Gem is not only incredibly hardy but it’s also often referred to the “eternity plant”.
- The Snake Plant is popular thanks to its air-purifying powers, making it a great gift for wellness-minded friends.
Browse all our most popular plant gifts.

GiftsMarie ClaireApril 22, 2023Gifts

The 3 Main Benefits of Houseplants

Humans have an innate connection to nature, and having houseplants in our home or office can have incredibly beneficial impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. Curious about the benefits of houseplants? Read on to learn why they are so good to have in our homes, offices, and other interior spaces.

1. Air purification

In 1989 NASA conducted a research study on how to best clean the air inside its space station. It concluded that certain common houseplants like the Snake Plant or Parlor Palm are highly effective at removing toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from the air. And of course, plants also convert carbon dioxide into oxygen as part of their photosynthesis process and are great for reducing the effects of sick building syndrome, which is basically the bad feeling you get when you’ve spent too much time indoors. And don’t forget the Snake Plant, which not only purifies the air but also releases oxygen at night (while you sleep!), making it the perfect plant for the bedroom.

While it generally takes quite a few plants to noticeably purify the air of toxins, having just a few in your home certainly can’t hurt!

2. Increased happiness and well-being

Beyond the health effects of just breathing cleaner air, studies have proven that plants in indoor spaces are associated with “increased pleasantness, lower anxiety, and lower blood pressure.” They also help people heal, and it’s been shown that patients in hospitals recover faster and use fewer painkillers in rooms with live plants. Imagine that kind of effect in your everyday life!

And what about benefits of plants in the workspace? It is no secret that they are said to help us concentrate and improve productivity. Check out this excellent TED talk where Kamal Meattle speaks about how he increased productivity at his company by introducing plants in his employee’s workspaces.

3. Instant decor upgrade

Every interior decorator knows there’s nothing like plants to instantly boost the appeal of an indoor space, and no home is complete without a bit of greenery. Even if you take plants on their aesthetic value alone, they are very effective at making a place feel vibrant and lively. Think of them like living art— they bring color and life to our homes, and make them feel more welcoming.

It’s clear our lives are better and more beautiful with plants in them! So what are you waiting for? Get some greenery into your space stat!

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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EducationMarie ClaireMarch 30, 2023Plant Benefits, indoor plants, snake plantComment

When and how often should you fertilize indoor plants?

Plants need light, water, and nutrients. Most plants get their nutrients from the soil, but over time a soil’s nutrients can get depleted, especially with potted plants. This is when fertilizer comes in handy. But there are a few things you should know about fertilizer before feeding your plant.

When to fertilize
Different types of fertilizer
Recommended fertilizers
How to fertilize indoor plants

When to fertilize indoor plants

The general guideline is to fertilize during the growing season, which is usually spring and summer. The extra warmth and light during these seasons stimulates plant growth that pauses during the cold and dark of winter. This is also why plants need less water during the winter. Adding nutrients at the right time helps spur that growth.

What type of fertilizer to use

Most commercial fertilizers include three main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK for short). These are often listed as numbers on a fertilizer’s packaging, in the form of 10-20-15 or 15-15-15. The numbers correspond to the percentages of N-P-K in the fertilizer. All purpose fertilizer usually has them in equal proportions, but the labeling should be clear. There are special fertilizers for plants like orchids or roses that have different proportions of NPK and other micronutrients the plants might need, and there are even fertilizers for stages of growth (ex: younger plants often need more phosphorous). A fertilizer’s label should tell you all you need to know about what it’s meant to be used for.

Liquid Fertilizer

A water soluble fertilizer that you add directly to your watering can every 2 weeks. Any brand will do, just follow label instructions closely for proper measurements. Overdoing it can scorch the plant’s leaves.

Benefits:

gives you more precise control over the amount of nutrients your plants are getting
allows you to see results faster, observe how your plants are reacting, and adjust future feedings (amount & length of time in between) accordingly

Slow Release

At the beginning of the growing season add slow release fertilizer directly to your plants’ soil. Any brand will do, but follow label instructions closely.

Benefits:

you'll only have to feed your plants once during this growth season as these fertilizers release a small amount of nutrients into the soil intermittently over 2-3 months
if vacationing is on your agenda, you can leave knowing your plants have the food they need to flourish in your absence

Recommended fertilizers for indoor plants

Any indoor plant food is suitable, but here are some recommended products worth checking out:

Boost Vitaminé Natural Plant Food

This natural plant food contains only four ingredients and is designed to be used with any indoor plant. We love it because unlike harsher, chemical-based fertilizers, it’s gentle enough to use sparingly even in the winter!

Potion Magique Foliar Feed

Ever tried foliar feeding? While it won’t be as effective in boosting new growth on your plant, it will increase nutrient intake through the plant’s leaves, and also works as a wonderful rescue remedy for sad or neglected plants. Try Potion Magique, a potent, all-natural foliar feed that you use in your misting routine (and also smells divine!).

How to fertilize indoor plants

Always follow the guidelines that come with the fertilizer you’ve purchased. Some fertilizer is liquid that you mix in when you water the plant, and some comes in solid form you stick in the soil or sprinkle above it. Generally speaking, fertilize your plants 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer, and reduce to one time per month or no fertilizing during the winter (depending on the strength of your plant food).

Something to note is that it’s very possible to give a plant too much fertilizer. It’s possible to “burn” a plant with too much fertilizer at once, and you’ll notice this if the tips of the leaves turn yellow/brown.

Also note that new commercial potting mix generally already has fertilizer in it, so you wouldn’t want to fertilize a freshly potted plant right away – wait about a month or so.

That’s about it. Now go forth and feed your hungry plants!

Plant CareMarie ClaireMarch 21, 2023Plant Care, Fertilizing

6 Tips & Tricks To Improve Your Watering Routine

Watering an indoor potted plant seems obvious, right? You just take the water and pour it in – what more is there to know?

As it turns out— a lot! Watering plants is at once incredibly simple while also being a bit of an art. From the basics (don’t overwater!) to the tricks (ever tried bottom watering?), step up your watering routine with these simple tips and tricks.

1. Feel the soil before watering

The best way to know if a plant needs water is to check if the soil is dry. Gently stick your finger in the top part of the soil and check the humidity. If it’s still wet, it means it probably has enough water for now. If there’s some decorative moss over your soil, make sure to feel below it. Do note that generally plants in smaller pots will need to be watered more often simply because there’s not as much potting mix to keep the moisture in.

If you have a very large plant, you may consider a moisture meter to help you gauge when to water.

2. Water the soil evenly

Make sure to water all around the plant, not just in one area. The plant will develop more evenly and will be less stressed if it’s getting water through all its roots. Water around the edges of the pot since that's where the roots gather. This makes it easier for your plant to drink and get even saturation.

3. Use room temperature water

Don’t use water that is too hot or too cold. Room temperature water (about 68ºF) is optimum for nutrient absorption and doesn't give your plant the shock of being too hot or too cold. Plants like to be comfortable too!

Boost Vitaminé

All natural, highly effective plant food to use during your regular watering routine. Supports healthy roots and promotes new growth.
**$24**

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4. Adjust your watering to the season

Your plant’s water needs will vary based of whether it is their growing season or their dormancy stage. You’ll want more in the spring and summer when your plant is growing. Plants use less energy during the fall and winter because they are resting. There’s less light and part of their natural lifecycle results in them being slightly dormant at that time of the year. As the days become shorter, even in the fall, adjust your watering routine to make sure your plant is not getting too much. But no matter the season be careful that your plant is not sitting in front of an air vent where it is getting hot or cold drafts, this can dry out its soil and cause health issues.

5. Try bottom watering

Bottom watering is a method of watering where you let the plant’s bottom half soak in water (versus pouring it over the top). This allows the plant to drink as much as it likes from its roots, and leave whatever it doesn’t want behind. Try it out! Leave your plant soaking in a few inches of water for a couple hours up until one day and notice how the water magically begins to disappear! Read more on this technique here.

6. Avoid overwatering

Last but certainly not least, and probably the most important thing to keep in mind when watering your plants: don’t overwater! Plants that have more water in the soil than they can consume will develop root rot. This happens when roots can’t get the air they need because they’re surrounded by water for an extended period of time and start to decay. Avoid this by using lighter soils (really when we say soil, we mean potting mix), as well as pots with drainage holes, and simply watering your plant in moderation. Make sure that you are letting your plant dry out a bit between waterings and occasionally lift it from its decorative container to make sure it isn’t sitting in water.

Good luck, and remember that for most indoor plants it’s best to err on the side of under watering — it’s much easier to fix a thirsty plant than one that’s been drowning!

Plant CareMarie ClaireAugust 14, 2022Plant Care, Watering

5 Reasons Why The Pothos Is The Ultimate Plant For Beginners

A beautiful Pothos AKA Devil’s Ivy plant is the perfect plant for beginners

The Cascading Pothos (epipremnum aureum), also known as the Devil’s Ivy, has a well-deserved reputation as the easiest houseplant to own. With very little care, this plant develops long vining stems (that can grow up to 10 feet long!) with leaves that unfurl open and grow larger over time. Read why our plant stylists recommend this plant time and again for beginners just starting out!

They’re not picky about light
Though the Pothos grows best in bright light, it can survive even in dark corners of a home or office, so even if you aren’t sure what light your space has, you can bet this plant will be just fine!
They’re fast growers
The Pothos is one of the fastest growing plants out there and will give new plant parents instant gratification. With plenty of bright indirect light, this plant will constantly sprout new leaves on its vines, and can grow over 10 feet long!
They’re easy to style
Some plants require extra maintenance to keep them looking as good as the day you bought them. The Pothos is not one of them, and like other trailing plants, it simply grows in a beautiful shape on its own. However, for those of us who want to get creative, pinning up the vines or styling them on a bookshelf is an easy way to make it a bit more unique to the space!
They’re communicative
This plant isn’t just easy to care for (it is so indestructible that it has earned the nickname “Devil’s Ivy” because of its hardiness). Even in the worst cases of neglect, the plant will communicate its thirst by heavily drooping, only to spring back to life once it’s watered.
They’re great air-purifiers
This plant is not only beautiful and lush: it is also a terrific air purifier that filters our indoor toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. That means that, while beautifying any space, they are also doing their part to clean the air!

Want to try a Pothos for yourself? The lush, leather-like leaves of the Pothos come in all sorts of colors and varieties, like the N’Joy Pothos or Jade Pothos. Check out this plant and more on our easy-care plant section, and remember that you’ll have help along the way — all Léon & George plant purchases come with lifetime access to plant care support!

Say hello to the majestic Elephant Ear.

The Alocasia, or Elephant Ear as it is commonly called, gets its name from its flat, jumbo-sized, heart-shaped leaves. Elephant Ear plants make a great decorative piece for a spacious room and instantly bring a lush, tropical vibe. They are typically fast-growers that thrive best with indirect sunlight, humid settings and moist soil.

A few fun facts:

The entire plant is edible, but only when cooked
A popular houseplant since the 1950s, it can live decades with the right care
In Asia the plant is known as “the great protector”

There are a few different varieties of the Elephant Ear, including the Alocasia Regal Shield (pictured), Alocasia Calidora, and the Alocasia Black Magic.

How To Care for The Elephant Ear

This plant is easy to care for indoors and does not require an expert green thumb. Here’s the low-down on how to care for the Elephant Ear plant:

Light: medium to bright indirect light is ideal
Water: water once a week or when the top two inches of soil is dry
Feeding: fertilize once a month in the spring and summer
Miscellaneous: as a tropical plant, the Elephant Ear loves a consistently warm environment. If it’s too cold, brown spots may appear on the leaves, and if it’s too hot, it may droop

Read our full care guide on the Elephant Ear to learn how to grow this majestic beauty!

Where to place an Elephant Ear

Beyond medium to bright indirect light for the Alocasia, you’re also going to want a lot of space: this plant does not get too tall, but it can get quite large in width and will need room to grow. While this is not a great plant for a small room or narrow corner, the Elephant Ear can truly transform a space if given the chance!