Houseplants on a mission

The other day I was strolling through my garden center packed with perennials, fall decorations, pumpkins and  foodie fav's like apple cider donuts and pumpkin butter. It was a spectacular crisp fall day with a stunning azure sky.

Meandering my way through the crush of the crowd, donut firmly in hand, my eyes rested upon the displays of gorgeous houseplants. I was hooked.

Realizing my home is in need of sprucing up, I reckoned that houseplants are an easy way to add instant beauty to any room. And with my rather "eclectic" mix of furniture, they unify my rooms with a serene nod to Mother Nature. 

Beside adding natural beauty to our indoor spaces, did you know that these 'green heroes' provide oxygen and help remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds found in items like common household cleaning products, paint and ink cartridges, and even carpets?

And there are ongoing studies on the power of plants to lower blood pressure, speed healing, and help us better focus at work and in school!

With so many varieties to choose, it's easy to find houseplants that match your style, mood and taste.

Still stumped? Try orchids.They're easy to grow and a great houseplant that you'll enjoy for months to come.

Even though it's October, 'pink-up' and pick up a beautiful pink Phalaenopsis orchid at Lowe's to help raise funds for the breast cancer movement.

Through the Plant for a Cure (R) program, Lowe's is donating 10 % of the purchase price of orchids bearing the Plant for the Cure tag to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R).

For more fascinating facts on houseplants check out Costa Farms along with their O2 For You campaign and their cool new Growing Style digital magazine - and add some "green" to your life! And let us know your favorite houseplant!

~Lynne

GMG

Take Your Kids to Work Day at Martha Stewart

This Thursday I'll be taking my daughter, Morgan, to the offices of Martha Stewart Living in NYC for their annual Take Your Kids to Work Day.

Now you're probably wondering how this invite fell in my lap since I don't even work at MSL. Well, I really need to thank my client, Costa Farms. They're providing 60 of their beautiful mini-orchids for the gardening activity that day. Kids will re-pot these mini-orchids (pictured here) and then decorate the container with fun stuff like stickers and paint. Plus, they'll learn all about the history of orchids as well as how to care for them from deputy garden editor, Tony Bielaczyc. While Morgan's there, she'll also get to make homemade granola, create her own How-to book and take a tour of the MSL offices.

We're both so excited to take some time off to spend with the generous folks at Martha Stewart Living and maybe do a little sight-seeing!

-Stacey

GMG

No Fear Orchids

Did you know that Phalaenopsis orchids, also referred to as moth orchids, are the most popular orchid for growing inside the home? These little beauties usually bloom in late winter and into the spring, when are homes could really use some color.

According to Justin Hancock editor of Better Homes & Garden online (BHG.com), Phalaenopsis are the perfect choice for beginners. “Besides being the most well-known, they are the easiest to grow rewarding you with months of showy blooms with little to no effort.”

What's so great about these orchids is that they can survive in low light situations as well as moderate light. Direct sunlight is a definite no-no when it comes to these plants. Plus, they're budget friendly and come in wide array of colors making them the perfect decorative choice for any home.

Still not sure about growing orchids? Then check out this great how-to video from the experts at Costa Farms. I think you'll change your mind!

For more tips on growing orchids, visit Orchids Are Easy.com.

-Stacey

GMG