Tag: gardening

Home Decor: Indoor and Outdoor Plant Ideas for Non-Green Thumbs Like Myself

Published on by Krys2 Comments

Up until a few months ago I was terrified of owning plants. Everything I’ve tried in the past died within weeks of me even laying a finger on it.

Then I embraced the succulent life. You can read all about that here.

Balcony Succulent Garden Planters

In fact, I’ve done so well with succulents, the damn things are even thriving and BLOOMING.

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I think my cactus is having babies

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That was once unheard of at Casa Melo.

I was feeling so confident in my new green-ish thumb that I decided it was time to bring some plant life inside. There was an awkward corner in my living room that I felt was missing something.

Apartment Living Room Craft CornerThat something was a plant. I thought some sort of palm would be best since they need very little watering and care. See guys, the secret to my new success is that I’m buying plants that actually fit my lifestyle (AKA not watering or knowing what I’m doing). A-ha! For that reason, I bought a Birds of Paradise and brought it home to live with me.

Apartment Decorating with Indoor Birds of Paradise

Ain’t she a beaut? Here’s the deal, according to the instructions at the plant store, you only have to water this baby occasionally when the soil gets dry. It requires daylight but can be kept in most rooms and moved to full sun when it needs a little extra tan time. Otherwise it’s easy! I mist mine on the leaves with a spray bottle twice per week just to keep it looking glossy and hydrated. Other than that, I barely mess with the thing.

Apartment Decorating with Indoor Birds of Paradise. Perfect indoor plant for non-green thumbs

I can’t believe what a great addition it has made in my living room. . It adds so much life to that awkward corner. If you’re wary about caring for plants, I highly recommend looking for one of these at your local garden center and bringing it home.

Now let’s see if I can learn to keep cut flowers alive for a little bit longer…

Doubt it.

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Apartment Balcony Succulent and Cacti Garden

Published on by Krys14 Comments

I have a confession to make. I am a plant killer. Yes, it’s true, I have murdered many of plants. I wasn’t always a killer though. In fact when I was younger I fancied myself a green thumb, but somehow along the way I became the black widow of gardening. My latest killing spree happened when I attempted to plant herbs and lavender on my balcony. It was pretty for like, a day, and then it all went to hell. I won’t even show you pictures of the crime scene. I’m too embarrassed.

Now that I’ve come to terms with my inability to maintain flowers, and apparently herbs, I’ve decided to attempt and embrace succulents and cacti.

Why succulents and cacti? Because I kill everything else, obviously. Also, because our super cool and hip mayor, Eric Garcetti, suggested it is our civic duty to do so. My hopes are that one day I’ll meet him and bring up my drought tolerant balcony garden and we’ll become friends. *end squiggly line fantasy sequence*

I’m no stranger to native succulents and cacti. I grew up throughout Southern California and in the desert where our lawns consisted of mostly rocks, palms, and some variation of cacti. I don’t want to speak too soon, but I think low-maintenance plants will be the key to my success.

Balcony Succulent Garden Planters

As you can see we used window box style planters from IKEA. We have a tiny balcony and we wanted to see the plants through the window, so these were our best bet. (I’ve had these for over a year, so I can’t find them on IKEA’s website to be able to link you.) The only problem was there were no drain holes, and well draining pots are necessary with succulents and cacti. We ended up drilling holes into the bottom to ensure drainage.

Balcony Succulent Garden PlantersWe took a trip to the nursery and came home with a variety of plants and a couple of cacti. We also picked up specific “well draining cacti, palm, succulent” soil, because I am not taking any chances this time. Don’t ask me the names of any of these because I have no idea. We’ve just been calling them “the yellow-ish one” and “the one that looks like jellybeans”. So scientific.

Balcony Succulent Garden Planters

Balcony Succulent Garden Planters

Balcony Succulent Garden Planters

Anyway, we just plopped them in and filled any empty spaces with succulent-ish ground cover and prayed to Frank the Flamingo to watch over them all.

One thing I did learn the hard way is if you’re going to handle any kind of cacti, WEAR GLOVES. These little jerks sneak up on you with their prickly thorns.

Balcony Garden Planters

We’re also attempting “weed like” herbs with hopes that they’ll grow like weeds and not die a horrible, temperamental, death like my lavender and rosemary of gardens past. I’m actually leaving those up to my husband. I can’t be trusted.

Wish us luck!