Breathing New Life Into Your Home | Jessica Rose Couture

A Simple Guide to Succulent Decor

— Sweet Desert Rose —

Self-Sufficient Succulents Shine in Any Decor

I’m known as an angel of death in the plant universe. Thankfully, there are house plants that exist in our world that tolerate cloddish care, and flourish in spite of clumsy intentions.

When I set out to conquer my watering-can-of-death syndrome over plants, I sought succulents. I vowed to start small and water less. Succulents are a friendly plant to begin bringing life into your home--Not to mention there are a million ways to fashion them to add interesting decor instantly to your home with some simple creativity. 

Googling succulents reveals a mesmerizing variety of colors, shapes, and textures of hardy plants that do most of the work for you by holding their own supply of water and nourishment in their fleshy leaves. To thrive, succulents seek proper light, nourishment, and attention to temperament preferences.



— The Light, The Heat —

Indirect Light Loving Plants Grow Best in Homes

Succulents require varying degrees of light. Walk around your home and pick a spot or two to start your new indoor plant paradise. I recommend kitchen table centerpieces, windowsills, living area side tables and consoles, and even bathrooms with windows.

Avoid direct light from windows as it can scorch leaves. However, more colorful plants, and those with variegated leaves, need brighter light to boost their unique qualities. When buying new succulents, read the labels to help decide where it will best grow in your home.

Pay close attention to drafts near windows and doors, as well as vents in your home. Dramatic temperature variations can weaken a plant’s level of tolerance to the amount of humidity it can hold in its leaves.

Another helpful tip is to routinely dust your leaves. Dust can filter the light that reaches the leaves, inhibiting growth and health. Simply take a damp rag and gently wipe leaves as needed.

Plants requiring indirect light grow best in homes. The varieties are endless. Start with one of these easy to grow succulents:

Jade, Aloe, Snake Plant, Panda Plant, 

Crassula and Sempervivum Varieties

Hens-and-Chicks, Star Cactus, Zebra Plant,

Dragon’s Tree, String of Pearls, Christmas Cactus

— Drop It Like It’s Hot —

Self-Draining Pots and Soil

Once the proper location in your home has been scouted, and plants have been chosen, it’s time to select the perfect container to drop your new friend into for an instant, gorgeous design freshener. Take some time to find a container that suits the mood of your home. 

If you’re inviting several plants into your home, purchase a variety of containers: tabletop-sized for small groupings of plants, containers with stands, baskets, or even hanging pots. The different heights and characteristics of the containers will help showcase the plant’s character for your living design. 

Select a pot that’s 1-2” wider than the root ball and that’s self draining. That may require a saucer, or create drainage by using pumice, pebbles, or coconut coir in your soil mixture. 

Re-pot your succulent as the plant begins to become rootbound. Many succulents have small root systems and do not need to be re-planted often. Watch for signs of rootbound stress. My Christmas cactus leaves turn red when they need a new home.

— Kiss from a Rose —

Botanical Alternatives

Succulents are quite forgiving, and are tried are true plants that aren’t fussy about light or water. But if tending live plants doesn't bring a sense of a garden of delight, there are alternatives that can brighten your space. 

Bring botanicals into your home through throw pillows, art, wallpaper, fresh cut flowers in vases, and other botanical decor. There are high quality silk plants that can add texture and interest to your decor as well. If you’re looking for another eye for botanicals, our designers are happy to bring nature’s splendor alive for you in your home.

In time, your live plants or alternative botanical decor will become a cheerful spark of interest in the spaces you find respite, and in places you gather with loved ones. Your home and spirit will be warmed and purified by bringing nature inside.