Welcome to the weekly Laurel Plum Online Clutter Scavenger Hunt. If you missed the explanation post, take a minute to read about the scavenger hunt here.
Today we are going to tackle the vegetation inside your house. Grab a laundry basket and line it with a trash bag.
Go into every room and check all of your live plants including bouquets and live arrangements. If they have given up the ghost, put them in the laundry basket. When the basket gets full, add the lost plants to the compost or empty them outside. Set aside the containers for now and keep going through your home. If the plant is still living, remove any dead leaves you find. If they are really dusty spray them down in your sink or shower.
When you get done, grab a watering can and water any plants that need it.
Scrutinize Your Empty Containers
Once you have checked every plant in the house, either wash or discard the containers. Plant containers are like the floral vases under your kitchen sink. Unless you are a green thumb, you should only keep a few on hand. The plastic that most are made from becomes brittle and undependable within a few seasons, so only keep the number that you have used over the past two years if you keep any. Clay pots can be purchased very inexpensively if you are in need of a new one. Consider donating or giving away decorative pots if you have too many. If you are keeping the containers, try to find a home for them and put them away now.
Artificial Arrangements
Now it is time to check all of your artificial arrangements. If you have dried arrangements that shed excessively, it is time to eliminate them. Most artificial stems will need a good dusting. A micro fiber cloth works well without leaving lint behind. Some vacuum cleaners have attachments that work well, but others are too strong and cause more damage than cleaning. A hair dryer on a low setting will get the dust off of the flowers, but you will need to follow up by sweeping/vacuuming the floor. You can find several methods for cleaning your artificial flowers on the internet using everyday household items you may have around the house, if they need more than dusting. Do they look really shabby or you realize they no longer suit your taste? Why keep them? Give them away or donate them.
Look For Forgiving Plant Alternatives
I have slowly replaced many of my artificial arrangements with live plants. In most cases they are less expensive, easier to clean, and they add to the air quality of the house. There are many plants that are very forgiving. Try succulents (my favorites are jades), ivy, cacti, ponytail palms, and many others that can occasionally go for up to a couple of weeks without water and still survive beautifully. You can add stems of cut flowers for additional color every now and then.
Add Plant Maintenance To Your Calendar
Schedule at least one day a week to water all of the plants. Write it down on your calendar as a standing appointment. Remove any dead foliage as you go. Give them a bath when they need it. We water ours on the same night the trash is taken out. Now that the habit is established, we can often remember without waiting for the calendar to remind us.
If the plants need water more often, think about relocating them closer to a faucet or check into a self watering device. If the plant is large enough to hide it, a small plastic drink bottle turned upside down into the dirt should work nicely between the weekly watering. Your local garden shop should have many more decorative choices.
Either make a point to check your artificial arrangements when you dust, or mark a date every four to six months to check them.
Your Vegetation
I absolutely love plants. I wish I had a green thumb, but as of yet I have only achieved a brown to yellow. How about you? Do you love having flowers around your house or is it too much trouble? How long do you leave a dead plant sitting around? Do you prefer real or artificial? Please take a minute to share some of your plant stories with us in the comments.
Subscribing to Laurel Plum Online is free and will ensure that every article will be delivered directly to your e-mail or reader.
Get Laurel Plum Online in your reader
or Subscribe to Laurel Plum Online by Email
{ 0 comments… add one now }