As the new year comes around, we anticipate the many months full of gardening! At the beginning of the year though, it is hard to realize our gardening dreams in the chilling months of January and February. Although cold, these months are perfect for one of our favorite gardening habits: Houseplants! With houseplants, you can garden any time of the year, no matter the weather. If you are already an avid houseplant gardener, it is always great to pick up a new plant to try for the new year!
We are starting the year off right with two of our all-time favorite houseplants for you to check out and bring home for the chilly months ahead.
The Bird of Paradise:
This tropical beauty is an absolute show stopper and a great replacement for that space the Christmas tree left behind. This plant is highlighted by its glossy, banana tree-like leaves that splay out from its upright center. This hue of dark green, in the right lighting, can be complemented by a beautiful bloom that is shaped like a bird (hence its namesake).
Although the bird of paradise is fairly flexible with indoor lighting, it prefers bright, direct light indoors, which can come from the east or south-facing windows, unobscured by trees or other things that may block the sun. Along with the lighting, watering your bird of paradise all depends on the temperature and humidity of your indoor space. If you live in a drier environment, you may need to water more frequently than someone who lives in a more humid environment. The best way to check if your plant needs water is to stick your finger into the soil. If your finger comes out clean, it’s time to water thoroughly.
Fiddle Leaf Fig or Ficus Lyrata:
Like the Bird of Paradise, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (or Ficus Lyrata), is a tropical plant and is native to a very humid climate. The Fiddle Leaf Fig has large, glossy, stiff leaves that widen out at the ends. These plants can reach 6-8 feet tall indoors depending on the lighting. The fiddle leaf fig enjoys very bright, direct light indoors as well as watering when the top layer of soil is dry. Because of its humid native environment, you may want to get a humidifier for your fiddle leaf fig to get the foliage through the colder, drier months without any browning edges on the leaves.
For a closer look at our house plant collection, check out our houseplants page here.