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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Photo: The Whinery

Nothing enriches indoor spaces quite like plants. They add texture, vivacity and vibrant color to interiors while doing double-duty by purifying the air. Of course, we could go on and on about their benefits all day. But when you combine them with our second favorite of nature’s inventions (coffee!) we are almost speechless with delight! Check out the incredible cafes below that have incorporated living greenery in magical and bountiful ways. 

Coffee & Plants

Photo: Coffee & Plants

Located in beautiful, sunny Pasadena, this cafe has exactly what we all need: Coffee and Plants! Featuring an Instagram-worthy wall of living greenery, cascades of rich crimson roses and an entirely-plant based menu, Coffee and Plants is well worth the trip- and pet-friendly!

62 W. Union Street, Pasadena

Seesaw Coffee

Photo: Shiun Quian

An ode to an exceptional tree. We confess to slight Game of Thrones flashbacks with the breathtaking emphasis Seesaw Coffee’s Beijing location has placed on their central, expansive tree feature. But the greenery doesn’t stop there- lush, jungle-like greenery abounds in this aesthetic marvel, designed by Nota Architects.

433 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

The Starbucks Cafe at Yomiuriland’s Yani-Biyori Greenhouse

Photo: Yomiuri Land

You’ve never seen a cafe quite like this! Yomiurland’s is replete with cascading greenery and flowering plants. Trust an iconic garden to go all-out with their new cafe. Even the Starbucks sign is made of living plants! 

Yanokuchi, 4015-1, Yomiuriland

Coperaco Cafe

Photo: Ewout Huibers

Crowned with a canopy of trawling ivy, Jersey City’s Coperaco Cafe features gorgeous, blonde wood slat construction and breathtaking marble as well as some of the most lush indoor greenery we’ve had the pleasure to witness. A cafe, treehouse and greenhouse in one-- it doesn’t get better than that! 

777 S. 3rd St, Harrison, NJ

Petersham Nurseries Cafe

Photo: Petersham Nurseries Cafe

Another gem of an English garden, Petersham Nurseries Cafe is an elegant restaurant in a traditional glasshouse. Featuring an array of gorgeous live flowers, (jasmine and bougainvillea feature prominently) this beautiful restaurant features seasonal, local food and breathtaking centerpiece bouquets. With pom-poms of hydrangeas, fragrant roses and exquisite desserts, who could possibly ask for more! 

Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond

Dalloway Terrace

Photo: Dalloway Terrace

Nestled in London’s Bloomsbury District, you’ll find Dalloway Terrace: a gorgeous indoor/outdoor eatery and cafe, complete with classic striped awnings and bentwood cane seating. With fruiting citrus trees trained in beautiful trellises and classic, English greenery, Dalloway Terrace brings to mind the very best of a UK vacation. Perfect for toting a John LeCarre novel and dining al fresco! 

16-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London

Arvo Cafe

Photo: The Whinery

No surprise that Honolulu would feature some of the most stunning and vibrant tropical plants in the U.S.! And with its indoor and outdoor areas absolutely abound with greenery, it’s the perfect place to grab a lunch of sustainably harvested fare and relax in the sun. 

324 Coral Street at SALT, Honolulu

3 Arts Club Cafe

Photo: 3 Arts Club Cafe

An absolute stunner both architecturally (this restaurant is housed in an enormous, elegant glass house) and in terms of its abundant greenery, the 3 Arts Club Cafe is housed in Chicago’s glorious Restoration Hardware. Luxe seating and verdant trees surround its iconic central fountain. 

1300 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago

Fleur Universelle

Photo: Fleur Universelle

We’ve never seen anything quite like Tokyo’s Fleur Universelle. Featuring a flower shop and tea shop, chock-full of gorgeous blooms and situated behind a statuesque tree, this hidden gem is straight out of a fairytale. It even has a fantasy-worthy treehouse, accessible by ladder! 

3F Fleur Universelle, 5-15-11 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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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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Plants are all around us: ubiquitous to both indoor and outdoor spaces, features of life’s most meaningful moments and on our plates at every meal. They’re Earth’s dominant life form, making up eighty percent of our planet’s total biomass. And they have the power to nourish, heal and even cure us of illness: twenty-five percent of today’s pharmaceuticals are plant derived. 

They’re as unique and changeable as any living organism, and some plants are immediately recognizable for their powers to heal and treat. (We’ve probably all put aloe on a sunburn, or had a cup of chamomile tea to help us relax before bed).

But some plants aren’t household names, even though their healing properties have saved lives and altered the course of human history itself. That’s why we’ve decided to shine a big ray of light on wonder plants. So read on, and prepare to be astounded by these exceptional plants and the way they have touched our lives! 

The Pacific Yew Tree

Native to the northwest region of North America, the Pacific Yew Tree was utilized as an anti-inflammatory by indigenous American people for generations. Scientists began exploring the tree as a potential cancer treatment in the 1960s, leading to Paclitaxel. It may not be a household name across the board, but since its FDA approval in the 1990s, this medication has been a vital part of chemotherapy support for many cancers, including lung, ovarian and breast cancer, as well as kaposi sarcoma, a cancer found predominantly among those with HIV or AIDS.

Source: Native Plants PNW

The Cinchona Plant

A real game-changer, the bark of the Cinchona plant was originally used to create quinine to treat and prevent malaria. Documented use of quinine as an antimalarial dates back to at least the 1600s, with the first records of use provided by Spanish Jesuits stationed in South America. Synthetic quinine was first synthesized in a lab in 1944. However, naturally derived quinine is still the most commonly used compound for quinine medications, as it’s more economically scalable. Since the 1940s, medications derived from quinine have been used to treat malaria, lupus and arthritis. It’s hard to overstate the significance of quinine! The Cinchona wonder plant has saved countless lives throughout history and drastically improved the life expectancy of those with lupus as well. 

Source: Awkward Botany

Turmeric 

Turmeric, the wonder root! We absolutely adore this magical plant, and not just in curry. Turmeric is renowned for being a widely well-tolerated supplement for issues like inflammation, and it’s thought to support the health of those suffering from joint-related arthritis, skin issues and more. Eating turmeric is commonly considered the best way to reap its benefits- which is great, because it’s delicious! 

Source: Homestead & Chill

The Birch and White Willow Trees

Did you know that aspirin is actually salicylic acid? Nor did we, until quite recently. But wait: did you know that it’s derived from willow and birch trees? We were amazed, too! It turns out, the salicylic-acid rich bark of these trees has been used medicinally since ancient times: very ancient, with documented use dating back to ancient Egypt and Sumer. The anti-inflammatory aspirin is used to reduce fevers, headaches and more- it can even lower one’s risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack. And topical salicylic acid is a mainstay treatment for a wide array of skin conditions, both common and less-than-common. 

Source: Woodland Trust Organization UK

Air Purifying Wonder Plants 

Do you love NASA? So do we! Talk about a natural treasure. And it may surprise you to know that the good folks at NASA are also plant enthusiasts, just like us! So much so, in fact, that they compiled a list of the very best air purifying plants as part of their Clean Air Study. It contains quite a few Léon & George mainstays, like the Silver Evergreen, the Snake Plant, and the Peace Lily. So although your gorgeous houseplants may not be the stuff of life-altering medical cures, you can be assured that they are good for you, all-around. Next time you give your plants a misting or watering, let them know how much you appreciate their friendship, or sing your praises: they respond to sound, and who doesn’t love being showered with affection?

Find your new wonder plant today- take a look at our Air Purifiers collection!

Source: Léon & George

L’Alchimie Botanique

A collection of all natural plant care essentials, including plant mist and foliar feed, naturally-derived fertilizer, and black olive soap for keeping plants clean, pest and fungicide free.

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If you’re like us, one of the things you look forward to most about summertime is the opportunity to read, read, read. There’s just nothing more relaxing than having a lie down with an enthralling book and letting the day go by. And while we enjoy all the opportunities for excursions and adventures that summer brings, we still need our peaceful moments of R & R! Read on to discover our collection of nature-inspired reading for the quiet moments you crave.

1. Design by Nature: Creating Layered, Lived-In Spaces Inspired by the Natural World

   Enter the exceptionally lush world of Bay Area-based designer Erica Tanov as she explores the world of earthy, organic decor and the pursuit of bringing nature indoors. Featuring ethereal, rich photography by Ngoc Minh Go, Tanov’s foundational design book is a vacation in itself- and a deeply researched, fascinating study of textiles, textures and yes, the natural world. 

   Get the book →

2.   The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession

   An oldie but an incredibly goodie, if you haven’t yet read Susan Orlean’s paean to orchid obsession, this is your year! Based on her fascinating story for the New Yorker from 1995, “Orchid Fever”, this nonfiction book offers a journey into the most fecund and fantastical parts of Florida as Orlean seeks the mythic but all-too-real Ghost Orchid. Come for its hilarious, lively prose and stay for its incredible cast of larger-than-life characters. The phenomenon of orchid collection from nature is even more enchanting and mysterious than you’ll expect.

   Get the book →

3. Plant Powered Beauty: The Essential Guide to Using Natural Ingredients for Health, Wellness and Personal Skincare

   We adore all things DIY, and this book reads like the best of cookbooks: visually engaging and full of fun recipes and information, even if you never attempt the formulas yourself! Learning about the many applications of natural plant-derived ingredients is an endless source of fascination for us, and likely for you, too! From CBD products to body scrubs to natural mouthwash, this guide touches on it all! 

   Get the book →

4. Diary of a Young Naturalist

   Brand-spanking-new and unforgettably engaging, Dara McAnulty’s engrossing memoir is a book for the ages. With incisive, perceptive prose and the tenor of the best coming-of-age stories, Dara’s diary (written when he was only fourteen) is a tender and profound study of the wilds of nature around his home in Northern Ireland. Dara shines a light on his experiences with autism and anxiety as he champions environmental activism and engages with all of nature’s intricacies, silences and wonders. 

   Get the book →

5. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

   The botanist and environmental biologist Robin Wall Kimmerer explores the wisdom of nature and weaves it into a tapestry of myth, science and historical profundity in this collection of essays. With a focus on our interconnectedness to the earth, this book encourages us to expand our eco-consciousness, return to our roots, and glean the myriad teachings that nature has always offered, but which we often forget to hear. 

   Get the book →

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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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Have you ever wondered when humans began keeping houseplants? We did, so we took a break from trimming our Braided Money Trees and did a bit of research. It turns out the history of houseplants goes way, way back. And while we all know about some, iconic plant/human pairings (Persephone and her pomegranate, Eve and a certain Tree of Knowledge, the list goes on!) we wanted to delve deep into the history of potted, indoor houseplants in particular. After all, they’re our passion! 

So take a stroll into the past with us to learn about the history of potted houseplants, and how they’ve grown to become the steadfast interior accent they are today!

The very first indoor plants

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the practice of indoor gardening with potted plants can be traced back to the early Greeks and Romans. Older civilizations like Ancient Egypt, India, and China also made use of potted plants, but mostly in outdoor spaces and courtyards. For pots, terracotta reigned supreme-- with the exception of the Ancient Romans, who gravitated toward marble planters (so chic!).

Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese cultures have unique traditions of dwarfing trees for ornamental purposes, known variably as Hòn Non Bộ, Penjing and Bonsai. These plants were designed to reflect the form of fully-grown trees in nature, and were often accompanied by decorative rocks and even water features to simulate natural landscapes.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in what is now modern-day Iraq, even featured a custom garden, specially curated for the wife of King Nebuchadnezzar II. It showcased the foliage of her homeland, with date trees, statuesque cedars and meadows.

The Renaissance and Beyond

The Middle Ages weren’t great for houseplants, or, it can be argued, for much of anything! During this period in Europe, cultivated indoor plants were largely restricted to monasteries, and plants were grown for practical purposes (primarily for food and medicine) rather than for pleasure or aesthetics.

So, thank goodness for the Renaissance and the cultural transformations it ushered in! During the renaissance, orangeries came in vogue, and global exploration, a la Christopher Columbus, meant that an influx of new-world foliage was brought home to showcase in Europe. 

The Ultimate Horticulturists: 1840-1930

With industrialization and the Victorian era, ordinary peoples’ homes were beginning to resemble more closely the homes we know today. They were warmer, thanks to central heating from coal or iron furnaces, which allowed people to take their cultivation of indoor houseplants to new heights. Ferns were exceptionally popular for their dense, luxurious foliage, and were often placed in pillar-style containers called jardiniere. Other plants that we still know and love (and sell on Léon & George!) were popular as well, like Cast Iron Plants and Kentia Palms. 

In the late 1920s, potted houseplants became available on the market for the first time (prior to this period, it was necessary to grow one’s houseplants from bulbs or seeds). The first nursery to offer potted houseplants to the market was based in Southern California-- truly a dream land for plants, and where Léon & George is based today! 

The remarkable ease of purchasing potted, grown houseplants inspired a tremendous wave of new plant owners. Plant and garden societies sprouted wildly, and fashion and interior design trends were replete with florals and botanical prints. 

Earth-First Decor: the 1960s and 1970s 

The 1960s and 1970s were all about reverence for greenery and nature. Pothos varieties, Staghorn Ferns and more were used to create fecund indoor jungles, often paired with macrame, hand-built ceramics, and nature-themed decor. Many of the current trends in plant styling are throwbacks to this fertile time of peace, love and plant worship.

Minimal Accents: the 1980s and 1990s

The 1980s and 1990s looked to the future (and sometimes to space!) for stylistic inspiration. Popular materials were minimal and fresh, like glass, lucite and industrial metal. Plant styling took a backseat during the 1980s, and stylish designers limited their greenery to thoughtfully placed focal plants which played well with gleaming surfaces and geometric designs. 

The 1990s brought with them a resurgence in popularity of the orchid. From Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief to high-fashion prints worn by the likes of Madonna, orchids were the ultimate iconoclastic plant variety of the 90s, blending femininity with their famously sculptural silhouettes.

The Aughts to Today

Houseplants experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, and have remained steadfast components of interior decor trends for the last two decades, with water-wise varieties holding court in the spotlight for the last twenty years. As our climate changes and we embrace minimalism, (then maximalism!) the junglelow (and the drought garden!), vibrant, easy-care varieties like succulents, cacti and hardy plants like Snake Plants or sansevierias continue to reign supreme. 

Credit: Encyclopedia Brittanica & Mirror80

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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,

I love plants and I want to have them in my home, but I travel a lot. I’m worried that if I take the plunge and get some, they’ll just die while I’m out of town, which would be a) expensive and b) demoralizing. Are there any truly easy-care plants that can be left alone for a week or two on end? Can I even have nice plants?

Best,

A. S. in San Diego

Dear A., 

I understand your worries, but I’m going to share a little secret with you: contrary to popular belief, there are so many beautiful plants out there that will do just fine while you’re away. In fact, most plants tend to fare better in the absence of helicopter parents!

Furthermore, most of our plants don’t require much watering-- indoor plants tend to like having their topsoil (the top two inches of soil beneath the layer of decorative moss on a Léon & George plant) dry out entirely before being watered again. 

Some of these plants are even considered drought resistant, meaning that they can go even weeks without a drop of water.

It will be useful to get a sense of the light that your space receives, so be sure to check out the Light Requirements For Plants: Explained! blog post before placing your order.

The drought-resistant Snake Plant is one of the best plants for avid travelers, as it can go weeks without water.

For large floor plants, I would recommend Monstera Deliciosas and Snake Plants. Both exhibit gorgeous height, do just fine with medium light, and need to be watered only sparingly. 

For an extra large statement plant, I’d suggest a Dracaena Lisa, which is flexible in terms of light, super-adaptable, and requires watering only when its topsoil is dry. Depending on your environment, this will likely be around every ten days to two weeks, but you can also use a moisture meter to keep track of it. 

The Dracaena Lisa is a wonderful low-maintenance statement plant to fill out tired or empty corners.

Draceana Lisas make gorgeous focal points: they average six feet in height from bottom of pot to topmost leaf, and their foliage is deeply tonal and verdant. 

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

For easy-care accent plants, I recommend medium Zanzibar Gems. Zanzibar Gems grow from rhizomes, which are tuber-shaped root sacs that hold water and feed it gradually to the plant. These root sacs mean that Zanzibar Gems need to be watered only rarely-- they control the amount of water they release to their foliage, and are exceptionally low-maintenance and independent because of this behavior!

The Zanzibar Gem stores water in its roots, making for an incredibly low maintenance houseplant.

One last thing to keep in mind: there are lots of solutions if you do have an eye on a plant that requires a bit more attention. Things like self-watering hydrospikes are great to plug into your thirstier plants while you’re away.

Happy planting, A! Avid travelers and indoor houseplants truly can go together like peanut butter and jelly. We usually see that over-care (like overwatering) is what bothers houseplants, not neglect. So rest easy, because your low-maintenance plants should thrive in your absence!

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Welcome to Le Week-end! Warm breezes, gentle spring light and brunch al fresco are all in store. And you don’t have to travel to the south of France to enjoy the luxe light of spring in bloom. Transport yourself to the most idyllic locale your heart desires with the perfect playlist for a weekend to remember. And while you’re at it, you may as well click “Save”, because it’s the ideal tonic anytime your workweek needs a boost!

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Spring styling may be in full swing, but so are occasional cat naps during those cozy April showers. From dining room set ups (who’s ready to host again?!) to living room jungles, we love seeing your #LeonAndGeorge moments at home. See which posts our Plant Stylists admired the most this month, and make sure to keep tagging us to show off your style!

Taking cat-napping very, very seriously with the pet-safe Cast Iron Plant.

@emmalwillet

See on Instagram→

Gorgeous spring styling by the talented Los Angeles based designer Brittaney Elise. Is there a plant that says “fresh” as much as the Bird of Paradise?

@brittaneyelise

See on Instagram→

We love seeing your plants and pets! Especially when they’re this cute (not just the puppy, the Silver Evergreen, too!).

@danniremender

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Spot the pup! Good luck finding him in this indoor jungle, featuring big beauties like the Bird of Paradise and Kentia Palm. A tastefully verdant living room like this is a dream come true.

@theweekendmixologist

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Money can’t grow on trees, but if something this cute could bring some good luck, why not give it a try?! This little Braided Money Tree is well taken care of with our new moisture meters (included with all large and XL plant sets!).

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Bonjour! Léon here, dropping in from Paris to assist our American customers with the gifting occasion that can stump even the most savvy son or daughter: Mother’s Day!

In preparation for this special Spring day, I’ve curated a collection of gifts for Maman. Some of them are French (like me!) some are local to Southern California (where our headquarters resides!) and some are simply dreamy, one-of-a-kind gifts that no Mother could ever forget. (As for our plant sets, they are all three, and sure to thrill Maman’s green thumb!).

So enjoy this list, mes amies, and in case you are wondering, I will never refuse a gift of catnip, dry champagne, or a bit of ripe fromage (as a treat!).

Wary Meyers Mediterranean Fig Candle

I like this American brand, with its aesthetic so reminiscent of the 1970s. All of their candles are simply magnifique, but why not try the Mediterranean Fig Candle? It’s a vacation in a (recycled glass) jar, sure to remind Maman of that trip she took to Saint-Tropez back in the day. If you’re lucky, she might even tell you the story of what happened there!

Officine Universelle Buly Alabaster Set

Officine Universelle Buly is more than just a Parisian iconoclast (and it takes one to know one). They carry some of the most rare and luxurious home interior scents around! With a whole flock of unique fragrances from which to choose, the alabaster set is an elevated alternative to incense or diffusers. I guarantee that your Maman will be the only one on her street in possession of this olfactory treasure! (That is, until they inevitably explode in popularity).

Left to right: Officine Universelle Buly Alabaster Set, Léon & George Ruby Ficus, Olo Cedar & Rose Perfume Oil

Léon & George Ruby Ficus

Your Maman is a rare jewel, and deserving of a rare and precious gift! Treat her to the Ruby Ficus. Its sangria-hued foliage and lush texture make the Ruby Ficus truly one-of-a-kind among indoor plants. But don’t wait, readers, because this enchanting variety is Limited Edition! Paired with our hand-finished, high-fire ceramic planter and overflow saucer.

Erica Tanov Lovebird Hand Stitched Cotton Quilt 

George and I have special places in our hearts for San Francisco, and we never miss the latest release from the beloved Bay Area designer, Erica Tanov. Her cotton is as soft as a cloud, and this limited run of bedding featuring her iconic Lovebird print will sell out soon, so now is not the time to catnap! Snap up a piece of this storied textile now— it’s even available in luxe tablecloths and napkins. 

House of Botanicals Watering Can & Mister 

If your Maman is anything like mine, her mantra may be “Simplify, simplify!” And with a to-do list that’s always chock full, your mother will appreciate a treat that’s both streamlined and charming. The House of Botanicals Watering Can & Mister is available in classic black and Robin’s egg blue, and is outfitted with both a traditional spout and a spray nozzle for misting. A perfect addition to any of the plant sets that George and I have painstakingly curated for you, mes amies.

Left to right: Erica Tanov Lovebird Hand Stitched Cotton Quilt, Léon & George Zanzibar Gem, Wary Meyers Mediterranean Fig Candle

OLO Cedar & Rose Perfume Oil   

What is it about the scent of cedar that’s so... transcendent? With its dreamy accord of earthy, arboreal cedar paired with an exceptionally dewy and natural rose note, we think that OLO’s Cedar & Rose is a perfect fit for the force of nature that is Maman. 

Jungmaven Hemp Napkins and Tablecloths

J’adore Jungmaven, and their stylish and elegant hemp goods! Did you know that their hemp has been sustainably sourced by the same partners for over 20 years? Wildly (no pun intended) more sustainable than cotton, hemp is a renewable resource. The hemp-centric Jungmaven is a SoCal mainstay, and their gorgeous tablecloths and napkins make it a no-brainer to say “Environment, Je t’aime,” and choose hemp! 

Léon & George Zanzibar Gem

Get dear Maman a plant that will care for itself! And while you’re at it, why not pair it with our charming Nouvelle planter, hand-finished and made of super-strong stoneware? The Zanzibar Gem is a delight: it needs to be watered only every couple weeks (when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry) and it doesn’t have high-maintenance light requirements- simply provide it with bright-to-medium indirect light, and it will thrive. 

Léon is the co-founder of Léon & George. Along with her feathered business partner, George, she helps reconnect people with nature by offering stylish indoor greenery that fits busy lifestyles and enhances indoor spaces. Léon resides in Paris, France.

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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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What makes a ceramic pot such a high-value object? It’s not just the sensation of luxury and permanence that they imbue an environment with. Functionality and quality are also key, for reasons both pragmatic and aesthetic. 

At Léon and George, we believe that stoneware ceramic pots are the natural choice of vessel with which to pair our plants, and we’d love to tell you why. The history of ceramics is fascinating, and we think you’ll agree that it takes more than a little alchemy to craft the perfect ceramic pot for a beloved plant.

A Little History

Ceramic was first fired in high-heat kilns as long ago as the 1700 BCE in China, during the Shang dynasty period. The pottery from this period was stunning and surprisingly modern— from geometric vessel shapes to incised etching and vibrant glazes, this early pottery feels almost uncannily aligned with current trends. True style never expires, we suppose! As history progressed, ceramics evolved, reflecting the aesthetic trends of their era and serving a host of practical functions. 

The Material World

Léon and George pots are constructed of stoneware, a mixture containing predominantly clay, as well as kaolinite, mica and quartz among other minerals. These ingredients, combined with the process of firing the clay in super-high heat, combine to ensure that stoneware is exceptionally strong, while still being able to maintain stunningly vivid and delicate glazing. 

Stoneware and high-fire clay feature superior waterproofing, and high-fire clay pots are extra-hard and durable. These vessels are resistant to cracking and chipping, and gleam with a gorgeous finish. 

Details, Details

The devil’s in the details, and ceramics have long inspired the creative imagination. From the opulence of porcelain (Miessen, Limoges and so much more) to the fantastically functional and moderne stoneware ceramics of the Mid-Century (we love Gainey, Bauer, Heath and of course Homer Loughlin’s Fiestaware) the lines and shapes that make up a ceramic pot are exceptionally deliberate design details.

Shop our handmade ceramic planters here.

Story and Sustainability

A well-loved object is a talisman, with a value that exists outside of the world of currency and cost. Quality ceramics are made to last (and Léon and George’s pots are no exception). The process of creating ceramics is deeply connected with the earth— after all, at their essence, they are clay. So sustainable manufacturing practices are paramount for a valuable ceramic pot: a luxury, but also a necessity. 

We’re design enthusiasts here at Léon and George, and the meeting of function with form is a constant obsession for us. So we hope you’ll take a look at our collection of hand-glazed, hand-finished ceramics, crafted in our proprietary lightweight and waterproof stoneware.

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Indoor plants, potted & delivered

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

SHOP NOW