Greenery and Plants for Home Decor: Inspiring Ideas and Tips

Cove Interiors / BGD Architects / via House of Turquoise

My new house is calling for plants. I don’t plan to turn it into a jungle, but greenery will be an important part of the decor. Ever since my English Tudor days, I’ve been drawn to elements of British Colonial style. One hallmark of that look is the use of plants—palm fronds, large leafy stems in vases, and lush potted specimens that bring a tropical, relaxed feeling indoors. We get good light here, so I’m excited to bring more living greenery into the rooms.

When I was very young, my mother had a palm that moved from the Midwest to the Northwest with our family in the car. He lived with us for years. Yes, he had a name: Peter Palm. I’ve never named another plant, but now that I’m settling in I suspect plant names might become a thing in this house. You start naming plants when you no longer have small children or new puppies to nickname.

Southern Living

Over the years I’ve had several tropical palms and, I’ll confess, I haven’t always been successful. I once bought a palm for our bathroom right before a move and in the chaos of leaving it was left behind for the new owners. Fortunately I hadn’t named that one or I might feel worse about it.

On the bright side, my fiddle leaf fig is doing very well at the moment. It’s thriving in its current spot, which gives me hope that I’m finally getting the hang of caring for houseplants. If my streak as a “plant killer” is over, I’ll be first in line at the garden center as soon as the walls are painted, filling the cart with a variety of plants. I’ve had my share of fiddle leaf fig failures before, so I’m especially grateful this one is thriving.