Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned astrology buff, you likely know that your zodiac sign can offer valuable insight into your many strengths, your disposition overall, and the things that are important to you. As a plant owner, insights like these are especially useful. We all want our plants to thrive, and choosing the right plant variety for our unique circumstances is the first (and most important!) step. 

If you’re purchasing a new plant friend from Leon & George, you probably already know that bringing a new, living plant into your home is a special and exciting time, as well as a big decision. So find your sign below and read up on our galaxy of guidance. You can feel confident in your choice, because we’ve curated the perfect Leon & George plant for you! 

The Perfect Plant For You, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Capricorn

Braided Money Tree

Clear-eyed, straight-shooting Capricorn! You’re a grounded and pragmatic soul. You’re not afraid of responsibility, and you don’t leave things half-finished. This makes you a deeply responsible plant owner, and we’d trust you with any Leon & George variety! But you also deserve a break from all your hard work, which is why, with its marriage of intricate beauty and easy-care simplicity, we think the Braided Money Tree is the plant for you. 

Aquarius

Zanzibar Gem

Aquarians, you’re like the ocean: sometimes calm, and sometimes crashing in tsunamis of creative energy, but never still. And while you love to get lost staring out the window, Aquarians also don’t like to be bored, so you’re often on the go. That’s why an easy-care plant that’ll do fine when you float off on an impromptu road trip is the perfect choice for you. And with their super-lush foliage, the Zanzibar Gem reflects your dewy disposition. 

Pisces

Calathea Medallion

Beloved Pisces, you’re a gentle and deeply creative soul that brings imagination and artfulness to all you do. You’re deeply attuned to all that’s around you, and any plant will be fortunate to call you friend. Pisces are often thought to be near-or-truly psychic, because of their intuitive connectedness to all living things. The Calathea Medallion, or Prayer Plant, is the perfect match for you: spiritual and beautiful, reacting with an otherworldly grace to the shifts in light from day to night.

Aires

Red Congo

Aries, you’re coming in hot! With your courage and drive, you’re a force of nature, ruled by the sun, with fire as your guiding element. The Red Congo is a perfect match for you- vibrant and bold, Red Congos respond to the brightness of the light they receive with deeply pigmented, red variegation on their beautiful leaves.

taurus

Snake Plant

There is so much to love about the strong and earthy Taurus. And Taurus, you may be a stable and practical soul, but you also have a deep love of sensory experience- so it’s only natural that a stunningly variegated and sculptural plant would be the right choice for you. Enter the Snake Plant: grounded in the earth, but reaching toward the sky, the Snake Plant is strong (read: virtually indestructible) but innately graceful. 

gemini

Golden Petra

Like you, Gemini, the Golden Petra is expressive, charming and has an enchanting natural charisma. Happy to bask in the haze of indirect light, the Petra can also handle the spotlight of direct light once in a while- she’s adaptable, like you. And just like Geminis, Golden Petras are naturally sociable, appreciative of the microbiome and humidity produced by being placed among a group of plants with similar care preferences. 

cancer

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Cancer, you’ve been famed throughout the ages for your skill as a naturally supportive friend and an artistic spirit. Your emotional acuity can also mean that you experience a wide range of moods- not unlike the beautifully iconic diva, the Fiddle Leaf Fig! With your sensitive nature, you have just the disposition to pamper your Fiddle through any rough spots and appreciate the overall beauty of this sometimes tricky, but always worth it, showstopper of a plant.

leo

Bird of Paradise

How dull our garden would be without a Leo (or a Bird of Paradise) in the mix! And you’re so easy to care for, too. All you need is lots of light (and love, and admiration) to flourish and thrive. Truly birds of a feather, Leos and Birds of Paradise light up their environment and don’t quit. Vivacious! Eye-catching! It always feels good to stand next to a Leo or a Bird of Paradise’s fire.

virgo

Jade Pothos

The earthy Virgo has so many admirable qualities- you always take the high road, and your patience can seem infinite to your fire-sign friends! That’s why the Jade Pothos is a natural match for you. Gentle and beautiful, the Jade Pothos rewards patient plant owners with a cascade of jewel-tone leaves in its own time. (Often quickly-the Jade Pothos is a swift grower!)

libra

Silver Evergreen

Peaceful Libra, your compassion nature and love of balance is a gift to all you meet- and it serves you well as a savvy home stylist, too! The Silver Evergreen is a seamless fit for you: with lushly full, variegated foliage and exceptional air-purifying effects, the Silver Evergreen promotes tranquility, luck (according to legend!) and lends a sophisticated grace to Libra homes. 

scorpio

Ruby Ficus

Scorpio, you’re the best friend a plant could ask for. Loyal, honest and brave, you’re a natural leader, and you don’t follow trends- you set them. And we think that every Ruby Ficus must sprout under the Scorpio sign, because they are hands-down your astrological doppelganger! Pick a Ruby Ficus for its boldly hued foliage, and keep it for its easy-care watering needs. And like you, Scorpio, Ruby Ficuses also have a penchant for self-growth. (These can grow up to eight feet tall!)

sagittarius

Magenta Triostar

Sagittarius, you’re most well known for your deep sense of honesty and justice. But you’re also spontaneous, fun and dynamic, with an appreciation for life’s variety. The Magenta Triostar is a great fit for you: a true individual with a richly independent life. (As a member of the Prayer Plant family, the Magenta Triostar’s leaves close during the night, and open to salute the sun during the day. (A fitting friend for you, Sagittarius, as you’re a fire sign!) 

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In the age of wellness and self-care, it has become abundantly clear that plants are good for us. But when it comes to air purification, there’s a lot of misleading information out there. How do plants improve our environments, and which plants clean the air? Will just one plant make a difference? What are the best air purifying indoor plants, including for low light spaces?

Let’s dive a little deeper and lean about how plants clean the air, and which are the best air purifying plants to add to your space!

How do plants clean the air?

Plants purify the air during photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light and carbon dioxide into food to fuel growth and creating oxygen along the way. And in addition to removing CO2 and creating oxygen, many plants also absorb other gases and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene and formaldehyde, which are found in many common household goods and are linked to various respiratory health issues.

TOp air purifying plants

Some plants are better at cleaning the air than others. According to the NASA clean air study, below are a few of the most powerful air-purifying plants:

• Snake Plant, particularly the Laurentii variety

• Palms like the Kentia Palm or Parlor Palm

• Silver Evergreen

• Devil’s Ivy, like the Cascading Pothos or Jade Pothos

• Ferns, like the Boston Fern or the Bird’s Nest Fern

• Spider Plant

• Ficus trees, like the Weeping Ficus or Rubber Tree

And many more! Check out our full collection of air purifying plants here.

do plants actually remove toxins from the air in my home?

While plants do in fact clean the air, one plant won’t necessarily make a big dent in your air quality. You need a relatively high concentration of plants in order to reap the benefits. That said, though a single desk plant might not make a difference, it certainly won’t cause any harm!

Thinking of adding a few plants to help freshen up your space? Shop our full collection of air purifying plants and get them delivered straight to your door.

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Oscar, his partner Denys, and a beautiful Ficus Audrey in their colorful Mission district apartment.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, writer Oscar Raymundo took advantage of a rare dip in San Francisco’s real estate market to upgrade to a bigger, brighter pad. The result? A budding green thumb, of course.

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Living in a house full of plants wasn’t always Oscar’s story. Like many San Francisco residents, he and his partner Denys had been hustling to make the most of an increasingly impossible city for over 10 years. Factors like small spaces and limited light left little to be imagined in terms of living greenery.

But also like many San Francisco residents, they took advantage of a truly unprecedented lull in the city’s real estate market during the pandemic to upgrade to a bigger, brighter spot to call home. 

And with both working from home, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

From left to right: a Kentia Palm, Silver Evergreen, and Dracena Lisa + Kentia Palm.

A writer and producer at Instagram, Oscar’s day to day involves everything from crafting content about internet cat personalities to finding creative ways to showcase movers and shakers across different communities.

He and Denys had never expected to be spending so much time at home, reveling in the company of their mischievous cat, Tokyo. After a few months of making their one bedroom apartment work, they realized there was no better time than the present to consider a move. With so many San Francisco residents leaving the city to work remotely elsewhere, the opportunity for an upgrade was ripe.

A sprightly Dragon Tree enjoys Oscar’s attention.

“My plant care secret? Have conversations with them.”

— Oscar raymundo

Cue in an adorably charming Edwardian walk-up, flooded with light and spacious enough to house not only a home office for each but a guest-room-meets-gym, a dining-meets-meeting room, and a chef’s kitchen that would leave any urbanite envious.

Though Oscar has called the Mission home for over a decade, it wasn’t until moving to this apartment that he really began to nest— and collect houseplants. With all that space and light, how could he not? His collection includes everything from an impressive Ficus Audrey and lush Kentia Palm to small cacti that, as he believes, should keep the curious Tokyo at bay.

He credits his green thumb to his grandmother, who believes the ultimate secret to keeping plants happy is speaking to them. He says, “It’s hard to find things in common with a 90 year old. But the plant thing– we can talk about that. Her secret is to have conversations with them.” And he blames his cat Tokyo for the occasional casualty.

His plants look fabulous, so maybe there’s something to it. As far as the cat is concerned, he hasn’t found a solution yet.

Photos by Margaret Austin

Oscar’s Picks

Dragon Tree

Kentia Palm

Silver Evergreen

Ficus Audrey

Love Fest Fiber’s Britt-Marie Alm and her family in their charming home in the Sunset District.

San Francisco is a kaleidoscope of inspiration, renowned for its rich culture and the global influences that enliven every aspect of the city. So when we had the opportunity to tour the gorgeous, bohemian home of fiber artist and owner of Love Fest Fibers, Britt-Marie Alm, you know we were thrilled. Located in the Sunset District (itself an icon of multiculturalism, and San Francisco’s largest neighborhood), Britt-Marie’s nest is a dream: lovingly decorated with treasures from her far-flung travels and ample living greenery, we think you’ll agree that this home is truly a jewel in the crown of SF’s Sunset District.

A World Traveler Finds Her Home Base

Since her first, fateful visit as a teenager on a community service mission, Britt-Marie has been driven by her love for the culture and the people of Tibet, and she has found ways to return to the country ever since that initial trip. Over the years, Britt-Marie visited again and again, exploring the country’s culture, learning Tibetan, researching Tibetan spiritual traditions, and finally falling irrevocably in love with regional Tibetan fiber traditions. A life’s passion was born. 

From left to right: a feathery Zanzibar Gem, glossy Rubber Plant, and stunning Red Congo.

Much has come to pass since those early years, from a decade-long career in philanthropy to the ultimate adventure, motherhood! But Britt-Marie’s love of Tibet, and of sustainable fiber practices, has been a constant and her San Francisco based, globally-minded company, Love Fest Fibers, carries her passion worldwide, offering small-batch, sustainably harvested yarn and fiber goods from Nepal, Tibet and the West Coast of the US. 

From The Mission To The Sunset

Prior to the pandemic, Britt-Marie tells us, she and her family were living in a studio in the Mission District. Space was a challenge, and with the new normal of spending most time at home, they quickly learned that their little brood was outgrowing that space. So they did what so many of us have done during the past couple years: they moved! From the admittedly cramped bustle of the Mission to a charming new home in the Sunset District, Britt-Marie suddenly had the space to go wild, and room for her eclectic decor and textile art to breathe. 

Love Is In The Details

Colorful texture and playful decor make the perfect kids’ room!

Is there anything more inspiring than feasting your eyes on the decor of a world traveler? We think not and Britt-Marie’s home proves us right! Every object has a story, from a lovingly hand-hewn wooden bench from Tibet (estimated to be over three hundred years old!) to the canopy in her daughter’s room, repurposed from the altar crafted for Britt-Marie’s wedding by Oakland-based fiber artist Meghan Shimek.  

Sky-High Foliage And A Fab Fiddle

From feathery Zanzibar Gems to a gorgeous Red Congo Philodendron, greenery reigns supreme in this house and it’s the perfect complement to a collection of furniture and decor that’s both precious and functional. The piece de resistance, though, is unquestionably Britt-Marie’s towering Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, standing at well over eight feet tall (and brushing the ceiling)! The living greenery is itself an ongoing project: “Most of our plants have been with us for years. There's one in particular that I've had since I was in college—that means it's been with me for well over two decades!”

A sky-high Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree leans into the light.

A Dose Of Green Goodness

“Beautiful plants are like great artwork to me, I love what they add to a space.”

— Britt-Marie Alm

Attuned to the natural world, Britt-Marie’s home incorporates the palette and poetry of nature with a stunning array of living plants. “Plants feel like part of the family to me,” Britt-Marie says, “and they help create that sense of home in a space. I love returning back to them at the end of a long day, seeing how they grow and change over time, and watching them thrive when they find just the right corner in our house.”

The overall feeling of this eclectic, lively home is one of peace, invigoration and creativity. And we think there’s a lesson here for all of us: if you follow your inclinations, your passions and your heart, you can’t go wrong.

Britt-Marie’s Plant Picks: Red Congo, Zanzibar Gem, Rubber Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, Kentia Palm.

Styling a modern space can be challenging, we know! When you consider that modern spaces often hinge on a “less is more” aesthetic, that can mean that extra consideration and care goes into every piece of decor you use. The modern style is typically clutter-free, with streamlined decor, a neutral palette, and well-considered pops of color. And when it comes to adding greenery, there are additional considerations like care requirements, overall appearance and lighting needs. But selecting a perfect plant for your modern style doesn’t have to be a herculean task! We have selected the absolute best plants for modern spaces based on a few simple tenets: a gorgeous look, easy-care disposition and flexible light requirements. Read on to learn more!

Dracaena Lisa

The ideal statement floor plant needs to pack a punch. An unforgettable plant for a modern space will feature lots of lush foliage, towering height, and will always look healthy. That’s why the Dracaena Lisa is one of the very best options for a modern look. They are naturally quite tall (up to six and a half feet!) and because they are a genuinely easy-care indoor variety, keeping them in tip-top shape is simple. They can tolerate low light, need watering only when their topsoil is dry, and rarely require special care. Done and dusted!

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

If you’re looking for a dose of absolute elegance, the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is a shoo-in. You’ve probably seen these gorgeous trees in the glossy pages of interior design magazines- or even in photos of well-considered spaces from the 1970s-80s. The history of the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, or Ficus lyrata, is rich- and so is its aesthetic. Be prepared for a glorious diva of a statement plant that will require ample bright, indirect light and some special attention. Fiddles are well worth the extra devotion and care, but can be best for owners with moderate plant care experience. Still, you’d be hard pressed to find a more iconic plant for a modern space.

Bird of Paradise

We think it’s a given that any modern space needs a Bird of Paradise. Immediately cheerful, this gentle giant brings plenty of texture and height to enliven streamlined spaces. Their vibrant coloration adds a pop of color to neutral palettes and modern furnishings, and creates a natural focal point. The best news of all? They’re beyond low-maintenance. They require direct sun (as much as possible!) but beyond that, all they need is light watering when their topsoil is dry. A perfect statement plant for the modern aesthete on the go.

Monstera Deliciosa

If you’re looking to add living sculpture to an artful space, the Monstera Deliciosa should be at the top of your list! Perfect for adding intrigue and texture to spaces with minimalist decor (or for imbuing a playful space with a pop-art punch!) the Monstera Deliciosa is having a moment. But don’t worry, it’s popularity is well-earned: and we think that the Monstera’s status as a covetable it-plant is here to stay. After all, they’re incredibly easy to care for, grow abundantly, and have some of the most enchanting foliage we’ve ever seen! Your mood will be boosted every time your eyes come to rest on an abundant Monstera- and it’s easy to keep them in thriving good health. They’re adaptable to medium, indirect light, and need water only sparingly.

Bird’s Nest Fern

If you’re considering a humidity-loving jewel of a plant for your stylish bathroom, look no further than the Bird’s Nest Fern. Modern bathrooms are often neutral, and adding some texture can work wonders for illuminating the overall aesthetic of the space. Talk about leafy goodness: the Bird’s Nest Fern’s iconic, quill-shaped foliage adds an instant dose of enchanting, lush texture, and with their tropical origins, they adore the additional moisture that bathrooms receive.

Calathea Rattlesnake

Need some intriguing color for your Tulip Table? The Calathea Rattlesnake is here to save the day for your Saarinen! Featuring super-vibrant, fluttery foliage in shades of emerald and burgundy, this easy-care medium plant was made to dazzle on modern surfaces. This tropical variety prefers bright, indirect light, but it’s also adaptable to shady areas.

Dracaena Compacta

Do put this baby in a corner. Corners are often overlooked when styling a room, but they’re so much more than dust-collectors. All they need is a little green! And the Dracaena Compacta is a dream plant for corner placement. Featuring a laddered aesthetic, with playful pom-poms of lush, wild foliage, Dracaena Compactas have charm to spare. And because they do perfectly well with medium light, you don’t need to worry that they’ll languish in a previously unsung corner. They were practically made for that spot!

Pilea Peperomiodes

Enter the space-age: if you’re looking for kinetic appeal and a sense of play, the Pilea Peperomiodes is the plant variety for you. With flying-saucer foliage and a lush structure of stems, the Pilea easily injects charm and an artful, sculptural attitude into any space. Perfect for shelves and coffee tables, the Pilea will thrive near a window that receives bright, indirect light.

Snake Plant

The Snake Plant is a gold standard for a reason: these low-maintenance beauties have gorgeous variegation on their slender blades, achieve stunning height, and are natural air purifiers. Set a Snake Plant anywhere you want to add a bit of effortless style, and enjoy their mood-boosting properties (as well as their renowned reputation for bringing their owners good fortune)!

King of Hearts Anthurium

If your space’s palette is a mix of muted tones, the King of Hearts Anthurium is just what you need: a lively and enchanting pop of color that’s perfect for tabletop placement. We guarantee that you’ve never seen a crimson quite this vibrant- and the spade shape of their blooms is immediately Mid-Century (think poker cards, tiki bars, and Lewis-Carroll style charm).

Now that you’ve selected your plants, it’s time to set yourself up for success! Information on how to care for the plant varieties above, as well as guidance for troubleshooting common plant care issues, is all available at La Residence.

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Shopping for a new Bird of Paradise to grace your home or patio should be a joy, not hard work. But the truth is that purchasing any new houseplant can be tricky. After all, this is no ordinary piece of a decor: a statement plant is a living, breathing centerpiece for your space. It’s worth it to do it right- but buying a new Bird of Paradise doesn’t have to be a chore! It all comes down to knowing what to expect from your plant, and what to look for as you shop. So read on, because we’re here to fill you in on everything you need to know before you buy a new Bird of Paradise!

Your Bird Of Paradise Will Need Bright, Direct Light

Birds of Paradise love direct sunlight. It’s one of the reasons that they are such a prominent and popular plant for outdoor spaces in the sunniest locales: they are happiest when placed in spots that receive bright sunshine. And although they flourish in full sun, they also appreciate a bit of light diffusion, like most plants. Long story short: the sunniest spot in your home or yard is likely a great spot for your Bird of Paradise! If you have questions about the lighting your Bird of Paradise will need, everything you need to know about lighting requirements is available in our light guide. It’s an easy read, and a great resource!

Your Bird Of Paradise Can Grow Big And Fast

Birds of Paradise are the go-to statement plant if you’re looking for impressive overall size. Towering height, a full, gorgeous canopy: Birds of Paradise have it all. Your Bird of Paradise can grow fast with sufficient light, so if you’re looking for a plant that will consistently push out new foliage and create a breathtaking focal point, a Bird of Paradise might just be the perfect plant for you.

Now, Where To Place That Bird Of Paradise?

If you have your heart set on a Bird of Paradise, knowing where to put it is paramount. Consider its needs: it requires ample, bright sun, as we have mentioned, but what about that expansive canopy? You’d be selling the incredible aesthetic of your Bird of Paradise short by squishing it against a wall, and its large, quill-shaped foliage would not thank you for it. Plan on placing your Bird of Paradise in a sunny spot that is roomy enough for the plant to spread as it grows and worships the sun. A helpful hint: expect your Bird of Paradise’s diameter to be about as wide as the plant is tall.

Birds Of Paradise Have Wild Foliage

You have probably noticed that the foliage of a Bird of Paradise is singularly beautiful: huge, for one thing, but also fluttery, feathery and frayed. This is normal! Bird of Paradise leaves naturally create splits, frays and coils as they grow. This is an evolutionary feature, adapted by the plant to allow its foliage to dance in the wind, rather than be damaged by gusts. These splits and frays will occur whether your Bird of Paradise is placed indoors or outdoors, so expect it from the outset. We think that these imperfections are perfect- and they’re definitely perfectly natural! But if you don’t like wild leaves, you might want to try a plant with more straightforward foliage. A Rubber Tree, perhaps.

Your Bird Of Paradise Will Need only Light Watering

Birds of Paradise are conveniently drought-resistant. Sounds wonderful, right? It is! But it also necessitates a certain amount of self-control. We all love to baby our plants, but it is very important not to overwater your Bird of Paradise. That means that instead of dousing it whenever you fancy, you should be probing its soil for moisture once weekly, and watering only when its top two inches of soil are dry to the touch.

….But Its Watering Needs Will Vary By Season

One of the fun things about plants is that they’re just like us! Well, kind of. If the sun is beating down like a congo drum and you’re regularly reaching for a cold drink, it’s likely the time of year when your Bird of Paradise may also need a little more water than usual. The opposite also applies: in deep midwinter, when it’s hard to force ourselves to get our daily recommended liters of water, your Bird of Paradise may also require a bit less. The good news: you don’t have to guess. Just stick your finger down two inches into your Bird of Paradise’s soil once a week, and water only when dry.

How To Select A Healthy, Gorgeous Bird of Paradise

No matter where you purchase your Bird of Paradise from, it’s important to go with a supplier that you trust. Do a little research- it’s actually fun! Trustworthy vendors and shops will have positive reviews and helpful, knowledgeable customer service providers. If you decide to buy your Bird of Paradise from a retail shop, check the plants you’re considering for signs of browning foliage, sticky sap, and insects. If the plant appears stressed or unhealthy, it’s not the one for you.

Avoid Purchasing Your Bird Of Paradise From A Garden Center

Getting the lowest price for any purchase is tempting, but it’s not always the best choice- especially when it comes to living plants. Without strong relationships with growers and a high standard for quality, the plants offered by garden centers may have an appealing price tag, but no guarantee of a pest- free, healthy plant.

Additionally, you can’t control how your plant is treated while it’s at the garden center or retail store. Because all plant varieties have different requirements for things like light, water, and plant food, a one-size-fits-all approach is convenient for the store, but dangerous for the health and appearance of the plant.

Have you ever noticed that the nursery section of home improvement stores, garden centers and other retail locations has lots of bugs? We have too- and that is not ideal for plants. And once an insect-infested plant is in your home, there is a significant risk of the insects migrating from your new plant to the other plants in your space. Talk about something to avoid at all costs- eradicating bugs can be a time-consuming and stressful process. Save yourself a world of trouble by buying your new Bird of Paradise from a supplier that you trust. Plants that are nurtured lovingly from the start are set up for success for years to come.

How To Select The Right Size Of Bird Of Paradise

With this one, the ball is really in your court! If you are looking for a tree-sized statement plant to illuminate an entire room with vibrancy, you can’t go wrong with an extra large Bird of Paradise of five feet or more. If you’re wondering if a Bird of Paradise that large will continue to grow, well, the answer is yes! Birds of Paradise can reach ten feet in the wild, and although that would be unusual in a domestic environment, you can expect gorgeous growth from any well-cared for Bird of Paradise.

If that sounds a little too large for you, opt for a Bird of Paradise of three to four feet. Birds of Paradise of this size are still statuesque and lovely- and their aesthetic impact is still dazzling. But you may find that your options for placement are more varied if you select a smaller plant. And again, your Bird of Paradise will grow!

Even The Healthiest Birds Of Paradise Can Experience Stress From Time To Time

Plenty of people have had experience with plants that just didn’t seem happy, and usually the issue is significantly easier to identify and treat than you’d think. Most issues with Birds of Paradise come down to a simple case of overwatering or insufficient light. At Leon and George, we offer lifetime Plant Doctor support to every customer that purchases a plant from us. That means that we have a team of master gardeners on staff to assess any issues, suggest care adjustments, and guide you in your plant parenthood. You never have to go it alone! And you can start on strong, green footing, because we have fun, detailed articles on plant care, styling and more available twenty-four hours a day at La Residence.

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Bird of Paradise

A lush and vibrant statement floor plant with a gorgeous canopy of wild, quill-shaped foliage. Perfect for sunny spaces, the Bird of Paradise requires only light watering and is a low-maintenance option for plant owners on the go.

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This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the full spectrum of love with a custom playlist that’s perfect for impromptu dancing, cranking up while you cruise on a scenic drive, or just bopping along with at work. 

We are so grateful for the ones we love. From family to friends, from partners to pets, our loved ones are what light up the journey of life. So share the love, and enjoy the tunes! Happy Valentine’s Day from Léon & George.

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

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Image credit: Staghorn Fern and Calathea Rattlesnake, by Leon & George

There’s no better season to tap into the pleasure of sustainable decorating than the holidays! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all- and the perfect opportunity to allow nature’s beauty to shine inside your home. So as you prepare to engage in all your favorite things, don’t forget to enjoy the experience of decking the halls.

1. Wildcrafted Wreaths and Garlands

If you’re reading this, you’re likely already a nature lover. The outdoors can be your playground and a great way to use the natural beauty around you. Wildcrafting wreaths, garlands and bouquets from wild plants that are responsibly harvested from nature is a wonderful way to curate your own array of authentic decor. An easy place to start is with conifers, like pinecones, cypress boughs and other evergreen accents. What’s around your home? Is there an abundance of wild sage around you? Aspens or birches nearby? Find a mix of colors and textures. Once you’ve gathered your elements, simply weave them together as a wreath you can hang or assemble them tastefully across an entryway table. Your decor is sure to please and right on point for the season.

From left to right: XL Rubber Tree, Snake Plant, & XL Fiddle Leaf Fig

2. “CHRISTMAS TREES” YOU CAN KEEP YEAR ROUND

Sometimes city living makes it logistically difficult to bring home a big beautiful Douglas Fir. Naturally, we recommend sprucing up your houseplants as a sustainable alternative to Christmas Trees. It’s safe to use traditional decor like ornaments and garlands, just be careful with placement. Find the strongest boughs and be careful not to poke the leaves. XL plants that are strong and more mature can be decorated with traditional indoor lights. Fairy lights would be better for smaller sized plants.

Bring out the family ornaments you love, and intersperse them with homemade ornaments of origami paper, found materials, and clay! You’ll love the aesthetic, and it will be entirely unique to your home. 

3. Rosemary Trees

Decorative, super cute, and ready to inspire your inner chef. To successfully grow herbs indoors, you need direct light and attentive watering skills. Rosemary Trees are a perfect alternative for smaller spaces and for adding a touch of holiday to your kitchen decor. Make it modern by pairing your mini tree with a Scandinavian style ceramic planter. As an herb that you can grow all year round, its distinct flavor complements savory and sweet dishes alike.

Image credit: Vintage Léon & George, Rosemary Tree in Jaws Blue ceramic

4. LIVING CENTERPIECES

We love a gorgeous centerpiece, but we also know that cut flowers can bring on a certain melancholy as they dry over time and don’t grow back. Consider arranging a living centerpiece by showcasing colorful, ruby-toned plant varieties like Magenta Triostars or the bright and sprightly Silver Evergreen. Add touches of gold and small ornaments to consummate the holiday touch.

5. Homemade (and Even Home-Grown!) Decor 

If you’re already headed to the grocery store or the garden, you’re well-suited to enjoy the pastime of stringing your own garlands and ornaments! We love the traditional aesthetic of garlands made of popcorn, and they’re especially fun to make with loved ones and kids. We also adore the classic appeal of dried orange slices and pomanders, and their scent is divine. Simply slice the citrus thin and dry it on low in your oven. For pomanders, you can insert cloves into the orange’s peel. Make sure to insert them close together, covering the entire surface area of the fruit, if you’d like the orange to dry entirely and last for years to come. 

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THE HOLIDAY COLLECTION

When it comes to those we love, it’s what is inside that counts. That’s why we’ve curated our holiday gift collection to reflect the very best: premium greenery to adorn beloved spaces, essential care products comprised of the highest quality of ingredients, and accessories that are a pleasure to use every day.

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Photo Credit: Margaret Austin

Remote office need a little sprucing? Or perhaps there’s simply an absolute mess behind you, which you completely forgot tidy up before your 8am meeting. Of course a living plant will drastically improve your Zoom game, but in the meantime, here’s a gift from us to you: a few backdrops to instantly put some lush greenery in your corner! Tested by our team and Plant Stylist approved, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful, plant-filled background.

How to use: simply right click, save, and upload to Zoom! Keep in mind that once you’ve set it as your background, the logo will read backwards for you (but not your audience).

Working In Paradise

Morning Light

Urban Oasis

At Home With Léon & George

Parisian Cafe

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered

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

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Photo Credit: @riverwoodbuildingcompany

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, 

We just moved into our forever home— a modern farmhouse-style, two-story home that we waited years for. We chose this style because it suits our minimalist aesthetic, and the interior is spacious and gets tons of light. What plants will pair best with this style? I want easy-care varieties that will blend well with modern appliances and accents. 

Best,

T.B. 

Hi T., 

Congratulations on your new home! There is so much to recommend the modern farmhouse aesthetic, so you’ve made a great choice. We love modern farmhouses because they’re classic and clean, often incredibly energy-efficient, and they offer the perfect canvas for decorating in your own personal style.

You mentioned your preference for a minimalist look, which jives well with our ceramics collection. Every option-- the classic Mid-Century, more angular Scandinavian, and curved Nouvelle-- is ultimately minimalist in style and will blend seamlessly with the modern farmhouse aesthetic. So, go wild on pots! Shades of gray, black and white will be particularly good options for your home. 

Undoubtedly the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is the ultimate statement plant for a modern farmhouse style. Photo Credit: @spmliving

The fact that you receive a lot of light in your home bodes well for your options in regard to plants. We recommend starting with a statement Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree— or two! These statuesque beauties thrive in bright, indirect light, and they’re especially breathtaking as pairs, flanking thresholds. They are also a wonderful choice for a solo statement plant to brighten a corner. 

If your space receives steady, direct bright light, you can incorporate a large Bird of Paradise. They bring fantastic size and texture, with an easy-care disposition that has endeared them to our customers nationwide! 

Large statement plants are definitely the way to go with most modern farmhouses, as they so often boast large features like windows and fireplaces and soaring ceilings where possible.

A Bird of Paradise brings a welcome splash of color and life to this beautiful white-washed sunroom. Photo Credit: www.homebunch.com

For subtle, large floor plants, Rubber Trees are a fantastic option. They have deeply tonal foliage and are the perfect height for placement near seating and end tables. Their streamlined style means that they blend well with varied decor, and they’re a perfect counterpoint for the charcoal, black and gray accents that are common in modern farmhouse interiors. Pairing the Rubber Trees with a dark or black wood stand makes their richly colored foliage pop, and they require watering only when fully dry. 

For plants to place on surfaces, the Tineke Rubber Plant is a shoo-in. Its gentle, pastel foliage is a gorgeous accent for the white walls of modern farmhouses. Leafy varieties like Little Hopes and Bird’s Nest Ferns are immediately homey and nostalgic, and make perfect centerpieces for dining areas and as accents to nightstands. 

Leafy plants like the Cascading Pothos (pictured) or Little Hope make wonderful accents for modern farmhouse decor. Photo Credit: www.homebunch.com

If your modern farmhouse is home to curious pets (or children!) be sure to check out  this collection, which features all of our non-toxic houseplant varieties, including lots of stunning options for shelves, tables and other raised surfaces. 

When it comes down to it, you really can’t go wrong when selecting plants for your modern farmhouse. That’s the magic of this streamlined style of home- it will easily accommodate your vision! But it can be fabulously accented by healthy, living greenery. Choose plants that will thrive in the bountiful light your home receives, and they will flourish for years to come!

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Easy Care Plants, Delivered

Beautifully potted plants, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Photo credit: @ashleykane

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 live in the Sunset district of San Francisco and my apartment receives medium to low light. The sun almost never shines directly through my windows and it’s often foggy. What kind of plants would you recommend for my home? I want an extra large plant and a couple smaller complements to flank focal points in my living room. 

Best,

D.L. in San Francisco

Dear D.L., 

First things first-- we love the Sunset! That marine layer may make the neighborhood feel like Fog-gust is a year-round affair, but it’s one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in San Francisco, and it’s a wonderful place to call home-- both for you and your plants. There are so many gorgeous cities that experience that summer (or year round!) gloom, but don’t worry-- there are plants to thrive in every location, no matter what light it receives. 

You mentioned that your apartment receives medium to low light, and we believe you-- but it’s important to be sure of these things, so if you want to double check before you make any purchases, you can always use our Light Requirements For Plants: Explained! blog post. 

Now onto your plant options: the medium to low light that your apartment receives is not a dealbreaker. In fact, most of the houseplants we offer prefer indirect light. Houseplants are often tropical species, originating in rainforests with thick canopies which receive only diffuse light, so the bright light that can shine through (and be magnified by) glass windows is prone to scorch the leaves of many indoor plants. 

In short, you have a wealth of options and I’m excited to share them with you!

The Dracaena Lisa is a gorgeous, towering statement plant that can survive and thrive with little to no natural light.

For your statement plant, I’d suggest a Dracaena Lisa. These extra-large plants average six feet in height from bottom of pot to topmost leaf, and their lush foliage is reminiscent of tropical locales- they bring a tremendous dose of greenery to any space. They’re also exceptionally easy-care and low light tolerant. 

Your Dracaena Lisa would be best situated 5+ feet from any windows. 

My recommendation for a pair of plants to flank your space would be two of our large Zanzibar Gems. They’re a gorgeous match for the Dracaena Lisa, with fantastic texture, deep green tonality and a height averaging three feet from the bottom of their pot to their topmost leaf. 

Zanzibar Gems are low-maintenance, require remarkably little water, and are tolerant of all light levels. 

Parlor Palms and a variety of Pothos varieties would make great additional accent plants, and would do well in medium to low light without direct sun. The options are almost endless, and we offer two collections exclusively for medium light and low light environments, so you can feel confident as you shop from these collections that you’re purchasing plants that will thrive in your space.

With the plants done, we can move onto the next step! What reading chair will go beneath your gorgeous Dracaena Lisa? A Barcelona Chair, I hope-- maybe with an Eileen Gray side table? Nothing says San Francisco like streamlined design!

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Easy Care Plants, Delivered

Beautifully potted plants, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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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, 

One of my dearest friends has invited me to come along to her vacation house this summer. What would be a good plant to give as a Thank You gift for the host?

Something easy, please, 

L.R.

Dear L., 

First things first: congratulations on the getaway! We all need one more than ever after the year we’ve had. 

Living plants make such fantastic gifts for hosts. They’re truly thoughtful and emblematic of your appreciation and care. They can also be a little bit tricky to choose, because you don’t want to saddle your friend with a daunting new responsibility. But there are so many genuinely low-maintenance houseplants that this doesn’t have to be an issue. 

Let’s start with the biggest considerations, and then we can work our way down to styling preferences. 

Does your friend have kids or animals that might chew plants? We promise we’re not conflating beloved children with unruly pets, but toxic houseplants are a bad idea for both! If this is a concern, you’ll want to choose a non-toxic plant from this collection. 

Lighting also plays a part in choosing plants. Many plants are flexible, but if your friend’s space receives particularly low light, you’ll want to let this collection be your guide. 

The Lucky Plant Set Duo is a great gift for hosts who can appreciate good feng shui.

Now, onto the fun stuff. If your friend and gracious host is holistically minded, (really, who isn’t?) you could consider giving her the gift of wellness and bountiful fresh air, by picking out an air-purifying plant for her. Many gorgeous houseplants have air-purifying qualities, and these have been verified by scientific institutions like NASA, so we’re not just pulling your leg. 

Rubber Plants are naturally air purifying, and they’re popular for their deep coloration and high-gloss foliage. They are a great fit for spaces with richly colored decor. Snake Plants, alias Sansevierias, are likewise air-purifying, and they’re possibly the most foolproof plant for gifting there is. They’re gorgeous, they have impressive height and lush fullness, and they’re virtually indestructible. They fit seamlessly into any style, and are a stunning addition when placed in the corners of rooms, or as a pair to flank an entryway. 

Our Lucky Plant Set Duo is a great choice for gifting because it has wonderful contrast and variety. A verdant, jewel-tone Zanzibar Gem is paired with a graceful and airy Braided Money Tree in this feng shui-friendly set of plants renowned for bestowing good luck (and even monetary windfalls!) on its owner. 

Houseplants have the wonderful quality of being aesthetically flexible. At their core, they are all case studies in natural beauty, and they can blend into and enhance any style of interior decor that a given space might have, which frees you up as the gift-giver to hone in on more specific details, like light requirements, non-toxic options, and care needs. 

Every plant I’ve mentioned above is low-maintenance and easy to care for, but don’t be afraid of go off-roading as you shop! We always list this designation on the product page for our plants. Find it by clicking “Is This Plant Right for Me?”

Happy Hunting, L., and have a great trip. Viva rest and relaxation! 

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Easy Care Plants, Delivered

Beautifully potted plants, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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