Paige's Top 5 House Plants of 2018
What. A. Crazy. Year.
Whenever December rolls around I can’t help but think back on the year, does anyone else instinctively do this too? I had some failures, killed a few plants, but more importantly—I overcame many things and learned. Not to mention ‘House Plant Plant Club’ was born, a space to share what I love that I am so grateful for (and showcase many incredible people). Anyway, I often think about many things on my drive to work, and for the past month I’ve been thinking about all the plants I’ve cared for this year—especially my favorite ones. So I want to share with you my top 5 plants of 2018! Shh, don’t tell the others, ok?
Feel free to comment your top 5 plants from this year and include your IG handle! I will pick the best answer and feature it in a feed post.
5. Pilea Peperomioides AKA Chinese Money Plant
The Pilea Peperomioide came in hot this year! If you know, you know. It was one of the IT plants of 2018, and they were quite scarce + quite expensive at one point. Everyone cringed when the bottom leaves would yellow—it’s not the easiest plant but at least it’s not so expensive now. Don’t overwater, don’t pot it too big and give it good bright indirect light! It’ll grow tall and strong if you love it right. To be honest, I’m surprised mine didn’t die. This is a photo of my plant about 3 months after I got it and now it’s pretty tall (almost a year old). This plant makes the cutest babies that are easy to propagate!
It’s such a cute plant, you can’t deny that.
4. Monstera Adansonii
I love trailing plants, and I love the famous Swiss Cheese plant because it’s fenestrations (slits in more mature leaves). The Monstera Adansonii is the best of both—a vining plant (also climbs) that also has the famous holes. I’m having it climb in my home using 3M light clips. I am making sure the roots don’t attach to the wall though, since they can damage it. This plant stole my heart this year, and it is surprisingly easy to take care of (I have heard it’s not always easy).
In this video, I show you how I attached my Monstera Adansonii to the wall.
3. Sansevieria Sayuri
I found this beautiful Sansevieria by chance, and it’s one of the harder ones to come by. I’m going to be completely honest—I thought it was Sansevieria Bantel Sensation, which at the time was what I was looking for. Luckily @heyitsjan corrected me, thanks Jan! Anyway, if you do find this Sansevieria you’ll know: it’s a beautiful light color with striking marks. It was love at first sight, plus it was shooting leaves out the bottom! I really fell in love with Sansevieria this year—and I think the whole pant community did as well. #SansevieriaSunday really popped off, and I absolutely love seeing everyone’s Sansevieria gangs. Plus they’re air purifying, and for that I salute you Sansevierias. Pretty and functional plants are the best.
2. Calathea Orbifolia
I had many Calatheas this year but this one was by far my favorite. Let me just say that this and my Calathea Musaica were the only ones that didn’t get spider mites. They were also the easiest to take care of/least sensitive. I love Calatheas because it’s so satisfying to see/watch new leaves unfurl, and the white-ish markings on the Orbifolia are so gorgeous against the light green of the leaves. It makes a beautiful statement in any person’s plant collection and home. They were somewhat hard to come by at the start of the spring but they started showing up more toward the end of summer. I’m sure they will be highly cultivated next year.
1. Begonia Maculata Wightii
I mean, c’mon, it has gorgeous spots and the leaves are in the shape of angel wings. Plus, the backs of the leaves are this beautiful maroon color. This plant is literally drop dead gorgeous. I feel like I don’t really need to explain anything more than these details. Nature is so dang beautiful.
I battled with mold this year with this guy—probably because I bought it with mold on it without noticing. Make sure that you check your plants for pests and mold when shopping/before buying. I learned that the hard way this year.