Dress Up Your Home with Live Plants

I'm always looking for ways to add a festive and unique touch to my home during the holidays. Rather than rummaging through my basement and attic for holiday decorations or buying yet another centerpiece, I'm going to give live plants a try this year.

Check out these tips from the plant pros at Costa Farms on adding live plants to your home this holiday season.

• Enhance your home’s proportions and style

Whether you live in a traditional stately home or small apartment, live plants add dimension and texture to any space. Long-lasting, indoor plants like the affordable Norfolk Island Pine, fit any lifestyle and décor.

Decorating with live plants like the Norfolk Island Pine is a home trend. These miniature evergreens can work in a container on the mantle, as a centerpiece in the middle of the table or decorated in the kid’s room for fun.

Small enough for a table-top display or large enough to be a dramatic focal point of any room, they tuck nicely into tight spaces in apartments, dorm rooms, patios or cozy corners. From 14 to 44 inches tall, the Norfolk Island Pines come fully decorated, or ready for your creative touch with mini lights and home-made ornaments.

• Instantly change the atmosphere of any room

Think of the impact you want to make in your living room, family, or dining room. Color and the shape of the plants, arranged in simple containers or elaborate planters, can grab attention as a focal point, or be an understated accent for larger pieces.

Mini moth orchids are a great choice for people looking for a dramatic centerpiece for their dining room table. Their exotic shape and stunning colors enhance any size room. These beauties come in a wide range of colors in both 3-inch and 6-inch pots. Use as a standalone or group them under a seasonal table runner for a striking centerpiece. Add a sprig of greens and voila´-- you have instant high impact with a low price tag.

• Select plant-friendly locations

Ever pass by a display of holiday plants and linger over the Christmas cactus? This tropical plant has flattened leaf-like structures with tips of ruffled flowers that range in color from reds and fuchsia, oranges and creams.

Group them in a decorative container and add sprigs of greenery for an instant ornamental display. Place them on your kitchen countertops or windowsills for a cheery touch throughout the holidays and year-round.

• Use color for greater design impact

Do you have a space you want to accentuate, or fill a hollow area that is bare and boring? Poinsettias can add a punch of vivid red, white and pink living color for your holidays. They love bright locations and can liven up any room or space that needs a joyful color accent. And they make a perfect gift!

This seasonal must-have likes humidity but don’t over-water. Display them in mono-color groupings for a bold statement or mix them up like living art.

With these simple tips you can enjoy the fall knowing it’s easy to spruce up your home with festive live plants and share the holiday spirit with friends and family.

Check out Costa Farms for more info on these holiday plants or to find a retailer near you.

-Stacey