Pink Princess Philodendron

photo by @plantsbybing

Yes, you read that right, the one true pink plant queen! Everyone is trying to get their hands on one right now. They grow super quick, are easy to propagate, and they have pink variegation! I just got my hands on a cutting from my local plant group, and I can’t wait to pot it up and let it grow up a pole. The Pink Princess Philodendron (PPP) grows best in bright, indirect, filtered light and medium to high humidity. So if you too are an Ikea greenhouse plant parent, the PPP will love you. She likes well-draining, moist soil, but be sure to only water when the top 1-2 inches is dry to avoid overwatering and root rot. Once your PPP starts growing, give her a moss pole to climb!

Tradescantia Nanouk aka Fantasy Venice

photo by @plnt.co

The Tradescantia Nanouk also known as the fantasy Venice is a great starter plant. This pink, purple, and green plant grows really well in bright light! They don’t need much humidity because of their thick leaves. BUT, she will thrive in a humid environment. Bring her into your bathroom while you shower, and she will live her best life. She likes to be in moist soil, so watering once a week is perfect. Place her into a hanging basket and watch her grow!

Calathea Roseopicta Rosy aka Rose Painted Calathea

photo by @lolaflora.roslinna

Okay greenhouse parents, here is a high humidity plant that you will love. Don’t worry if you don’t have a greenhouse, spritzing the leaves throughout the day will work. Most calatheas are very vocal when they need help. Their edges will get crispy, and they will curl up. As for light, they thrive in bright indirect light. Too bright and the leaves will burn. Too dark and they will droop. They really love moist soil, so watering often is necessary. To avoid fungus gnats from wet soil, try mosquito bits and cinnamon. Once you perfect your calathea care routine, you will want every kind you can find.

Pink Rubber Plant aka Ficus Elastica Ruby

photo by @roomwithry

Dear new plant parents, the Pink Rubber Plant is for you! Coming from experience, this plant likes to be neglected. I was over watering and it was struggling. I let the soil dry out, and put her closer to the window, and now she won’t stop growing. So learn from me, and water only when dry. During the winter, wait even longer between waterings. In the summer, add some fertilizer to their watering schedule, and watch her grow!

Polka Dot Plant aka Hypoestes Phyllostachya

photo by @plant.the.town.pink

And last but not least the most famous of all pink houseplants, the beloved Polka Dot Plant! This plant is pink with green (polka) dots, and can grow both indoors and outdoors. For indoors, put her near the window, to catch some bright filtered rays between your blinds. Once the leaves start fading, be sure to move her away from the window. Well-draining soil that is slightly moist will work best. Avoid soggy soil so that the roots don’t rot. Spritz the leaves throughout the day to simulate a humid environment.

Remember that as it gets cool outside, plant care is especially important. Water less, and put your plants closer together to keep them warm. And be sure to check out my last plant post to find some eco-friendly plant supplies!

What pink houseplants do you have your eye on?

The post 5 Beautiful Pink Houseplants And How To Care For Them appeared first on Eco Club.

Am I the only one who just can’t stop buying plants? It has gotten to the point that I come home multiple times a week with a new plant child… And all of these new babies need homes, so my next outing is usually the thrift shop to find unique planters. Then, it’s looking online for sustainable houseplant supplies to keep everything fresh and thriving. Here are a few of my top reccs!

From top to bottom, left to right: Blush Ceramic Watering Can from Eco Vibe, Grow with Noot, Den Sustainable Plant Food, Pot of Gold Hanging Planter from Holistic Habitat, Den Sustainable Cactus Soil Mix, Bloomscape Eco Pot Round Pots, Bloom Plant Nutrient, Eucalyptus Hydroponic Planter from Earth Hero, Paper Bag Planter from Uashmama, Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants, Shell on Earth, TECTLE Plant Based Pot, Propagation Gift Set, Whitewash Planters from Bloomist, Peat Free People Tote Bag

Some of my other interests are roller skating, decorating, and thrifting. Like I said, my favorite things to thrift are planters… On any given day, you can find the most unique, and coolest planters, at your local thrift store. There are also tons of eco-friendly accessories that you will love, and your plants will love even more out there. From fertilizer to totes to the cutest plant stands the picks above are sure to make your at-home jungle even more impressive.

Lastly, I know that it’s important to look into the sustainability of your houseplants themselves! Check out this post to learn more about the most eco friendly plants.

What is your must-have plant accessory? Have you tried sustainable houseplant supplies?

The post Sustainable Houseplant Supplies to Green Your Indoor Jungle appeared first on Eco Club.

But are there pitfalls to this plant revolution? With many species imported from other countries and an increasing desire to be sustainable at home, more and more of us are asking how to ensure our blossoming collections can be as good for the environment as they are for us.

Here are five of the best ways to nurture sustainable houseplants:

Less is more

With so many shops and online subscriptions for houseplants cropping up, and apartment living on the rise (no green space included) it’s no wonder that people want to fill their homes with a little bit of the great outdoors. Just like with any hobby, it’s easy to get carried away as you become more knowledgeable and start to covet more exotic species to plant parent.

Like all consumerism, the best approach is to not buy on impulse and look into the implications of rarer species before making a purchase. We don’t all need a Fiddle Leaf Fig or Variegated Monstera, however beautiful they are. After all, using plants minimally doesn’t alter their impact or mood-lifting qualities. And having less means more time to take care of the ones you do have, instead of becoming overwhelmed when a passionate hobby becomes an obsession.

Plant swap

With so many people now enjoying living plants, why not learn to propagate and start, or join, a plant swapping community? Nothing is quite as sustainable as growing your own, and in doing so you aren’t contributing to the same level of import carbon emissions or uprooting plants from their native home.

Become a plant nurse

With so many stores now boasting houseplants for sale, it’s unsurprising that many end up neglected and on sale. While these plants might not be in great shape, they can almost always be nursed back to health and flourish. The right light and watering schedule can make all the difference alongside careful pruning of any shoots, stems and leaves that are too far gone. A leafless seedling Yucca I purchased for $1.00 now sits in pride of place in my home and is getting ready to move on to the next pot size.

Reuse plastic pots

If you’re lucky, you can find houseplants in biodegradable pots but the majority still come in the mass-produced terracotta or black plastic pots that aren’t suitable for recycling. If you’re into propagation, they’re perfect for growing and nurturing your cuttings once they reach the soil stage. Otherwise, to ensure they avoid landfill, you can ask your local garden centre if they’d like them, or offer them up on freecycle to another avid grower!

Get native

Native plants are vital to gardens as they promote healthy ecosystems. Unfortunately, there aren’t many native North American plants suitable for indoors, except for two and luckily they’re great plant genus: cacti and succulents. Some ferns can also be kept indoors, such as American Maidenhair Fern, but they often require a little more work. 

Overall, successfully caring for any plant, whether in the ground or hanging from a macrame shelf, is infinitely easier if it is native. Much of the hard work has been done for you when caring for plants already evolved to the climate you’re in. They may not have quite the same eco-prowess that a garden native would have, but with a combination of lower carbon footprints and a warm feeling of familiarity, they’re a pretty special thing to have in your home.

Which houseplants do you have? Do you have a favorite local spot for buying sustainable houseplants?

The post 5 Ways To Make Your Houseplant Collection As Green As Their Leaves appeared first on Eco Club.