After week after week of being in our house for almost 24 hours a day, even our fave decor is starting to get old.
And while we’re tempted to re-do our entire bathroom, or splurge on a virtual interior design consultation, there’s a much simpler solution: adding some bright house plants. They have the power to totally transform a room by adding a pop of color (and some life) to the space. Here, eight house plants that will instantly brighten your home.
1. ANTHURIUM
Fun fact: Anthuriums are the world’s longest-blooming house plants. Each “bloom,” which is actually a waxy leaf, can last up to eight weeks and there are almost always new ones forming. They like bright, indirect light and only require watering every 1-2 weeks. (If you have kids or pets at home, you might want to opt for a different plant. Anthuriums can be toxic if they’re consumed.)
2. TROPICALI ORCHID
As the name suggests, this purple orchid will bring tropical vibes to your kitchen island, bathroom countertop or wherever you decide it should live. Just make sure it’s a not-too-sunny spot, since orchids prefer indirect light. Bouqs sends its orchids in a clear container within the pot so you can monitor their health and avoid overwatering. As long as it has green roots, you’re doing fine!
3. ALOE PLANT
Anthropologie’s sister retailer, Terrain, offers tons of beautiful floral arrangements and plants, but this one has to be our favorite. It’s quirky and unexpected, which is why we’re just dying to get one for our living room. Best of all? As long as they’re kept in bright, direct light, aloe plants are fairly easy to care for. They only need to be watered once every three weeks—and even less frequently in the winter.
4. TRICOLOR STROMANTHE PLANT
OK, these guys are basically living watercolor paintings. Have you seen those gorgeous leaves?! They’re known to curl in on themselves during the evening, so you can see the leaves from different angles throughout the day. And good news: They’re relatively easy to maintain. They like bright, indirect light and only need to be watered when their soil becomes dry to the touch. They also like humidity, so be sure to mist them during drier months.
5. PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS
The bright green hue and fun shape of this cactus will liven up any room. Senior commerce editor and self-proclaimed plant novice Brianna Lapolla got one a few weeks ago, and she’s been raving about it ever since. “Bloomscape delivered it in a cute grey pot with a saucer that matches my bedroom flawlessly and it brightened up my at-home office instantly,” she says. The cactus is rated with a “carefree” difficulty level on the retailer’s site, so it’s perfect for new (or forgetful) plant parents.
6. WHITE BIRD OF PARADISE
This elegant plant screams “tropical vacation,” which we could all use, considering our reality is “stuck in the house for the foreseeable future.” It can get pretty tall (like more than six feet), so stick it in the corner of a room, so it has space to grow. The textured, paddle-shaped leaves and white flowers make it an eye-catching way to make use of that awkward space.
7. PEACE LILY
The peace lily’s name alone makes us want to pick one up, since we could use a little tranquility right now It’s an ideal addition if you’re looking for a plant that tolerates low light. The peace lily prefers partial shade and can thrive in rooms with no windows at all. They’re also pretty low maintenance: They need to be watered at least once a week, but they’ll remind you by drooping when they need water. Oh, and peace lilies purify your home’s air, too. Just know that they’re not pet-friendly, if that’s something you’re concerned about.
8. MEYER LEMON TREE
As long as you place your lemon tree in a bright spot (preferably near a South-facing window) and keep it adequately watered, it should start producing lemons within the year. Then, you’ll have some cheery pops of yellow and delicious Meyer lemons to use in your next baking endeavor. It’s a win-win. Pro tip: If your tree starts to look a little sad, you can place it outside in the summer to ensure it gets enough sunlight.
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