5 Indoor Plants to Have for a Warm and Cozy Thanksgiving This Fall 🍂
Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the excitement is real! ✨
It's that time of year when you gather with friends and family, sharing stories, laughter, and good food. But there's a simple way to make these moments even more special: bring in some nature with indoor plants.
Imagine your home, warm and cozy, with beautiful plants that echo the rich hues 💚of Thanksgiving. You can use them in your decor, adding an extra layer of charm to your celebrations. Even better, these plants make thoughtful gifts🎁 , showing your loved ones you care.
In this article, you'll learn about five fantastic indoor plants that are perfect for your Thanksgiving festivities.
Keep reading! 🧐
#1 Croton 🪴
Crotons are a celebration of color, a single plant boasting leaves in blasts of red, yellow, orange, and even purple, truly capturing the fiery essence of autumn right within your home. With their vibrant colors and versatile sizes, they can fit almost any indoor space, brightening every corner they occupy.
- Discovering Croton: Each Croton (scientifically known as Codiaeum variegatum) is unique, with its multicolored patterns; the plant's beauty evolves with its age, as the colors of the leaves intensify, transforming your space into a mini autumnal haven.
- Crotons' tropical origins from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands contribute to their love for warmth and humidity.
Quick Care Guide
To keep a Croton's colors vivid and its growth robust, specific care conditions must be met:
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Light 💡:
- Crotons need bright, indirect sunlight. North-facing windows are ideal, or an east/west-facing window with some shading.
- Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch, while too little light dulls leaf colors.
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Watering 💧:
- The correct watering method is crucial for Crotons.
- Water thoroughly, allowing excess to drain away to prevent root rot.
- Before a new watering session, ensure the top inch of soil is dry.
- Consistency is key, as both over-watering and under-watering can lead to leaf loss.
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Soil 🪴:
- A well-draining, nutrient-rich soil is ideal, with a recommended pH of 6.1 to 6.5 (slightly acidic).
- Good drainage is essential to avoid water standing at the roots.
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Temperature and Humidity 🌡:
- Crotons prefer a temperature range of 60-85°F (15 - 30°C). Don’t let it drop below 50°F (10°C) as it will damage Croton plants.
- They enjoy high humidity, ideally between 40-80%. To increase humidity, consider a humidifier or place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water just below the pebbles' surface.
#2 Autumn Fern 🍂
Autumn Ferns, scientifically known as Dryopteris erythrosora, bring a subtle, elegant charm to any setting with their earth-toned fronds. These ferns, known for their rustic elegance, display a fascinating transition in color from a fresh, vibrant green to a deep, rich bronze, mirroring the nostalgic shift of seasons right within your home.
- Discovering Autumn Fern: This plant is cherished for its delicate, yet striking fronds and its ability to adapt to various indoor environments, making it a versatile addition to your home décor.
- Origins: Native to East Asia, Autumn Ferns have a natural resilience that allows them to thrive in a range of conditions, bringing a piece of serene forest ambiance into your personal space.
Quick Care Guide
Nurturing an Autumn Fern requires a gentle touch and attention to certain environmental factors:
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Light💡:
- These ferns thrive in partial to full shade, making them suitable for spaces with indirect sunlight or shaded by north-facing windows.
- Too much direct sun (more than 1-2 hours of direct sun rays) can scorch their delicate fronds.
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Watering💧:
- Autumn Ferns prefer their soil to be consistently moist.
- Water thoroughly once the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, allowing excess water to drain, as waterlogged soil can lead to root problems.
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Soil🪴:
- They flourish in rich, organic, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 (acidic).
- The use of compost or peat moss is beneficial for added nutrients and maintaining soil moisture.
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Temperature and Humidity🌡:
- Preferring cooler environments, as an indoor plant they do well in temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C).
- High humidity levels of 50-60% are ideal; consider using a pebble tray or humidifier to achieve this in drier indoor climates.
# 3. Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' 🧡
The Philodendron 'Prince of Orange', scientifically known as Philodendron erubescens 'Prince of Orange', presents a majestic display of color transformation, making it a royal contender among indoor plants. Its unique feature is the striking orange tone of the new leaves, which gradually change to a lighter green, creating a lively autumn-like color palette.
- Discovering Philodendron 'Prince of Orange': This rare plant's allure lies in its dynamic color show — a single plant can have a mix of lush green leaves and bright orange new growth, offering a continuous and regal visual performance.
- Origins: Though its precise origins are somewhat of a botanical mystery, the Philodendron genus is known to be native to the tropical Americas. This particular variety adds a touch of exotic majesty to your indoor collection.
Quick Care Guide
Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' thrives under care that replicates its tropical origins:
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Light💡:
- Prefers medium to bright indirect sunlight, making it adaptable to most indoor settings away from direct sun exposure, which can damage the leaves.
- East or west-facing windows are ideal, providing the gentle light it needs.
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Watering💧:
- Requires consistent moisture in its soil.
- Water thoroughly, letting the excess drain out, and only water again when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Avoid water stagnation around roots to prevent rot.
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Soil🪴:
- Enjoys loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
- A pH of 5.0 to 6.0 (slightly acidic) is ideal for this tropical plant.
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Temperature and Humidity🌡:
- Thrives in a temperature range of 65-78°F (18-25°C).
- Prefers higher humidity levels; around 60-70% would be ideal. Achieve this by placing it on a pebble tray with water or using a room humidifier.
# 4. 'Sticks of Fire' or 'Pencil cactus' ❤🔥
The 'Sticks of Fire' (Euphorbia tirucalli), also known as the Firestick Plant or Pencil cactus, brightens any room with its intensely colorful branches. The plant's characteristic feature is its pencil-like branches, which transform from green to fiery shades of orange and red, an illumination of color particularly pronounced during the cooler autumn months.
- Discovering 'Sticks of Fire': This succulent's architectural form and vibrant color mutation make it a modern, artistic statement piece, lending a contemporary edge to your indoor décor.
- Origins: Native to the semi-arid tropical regions of Africa and India, 'Sticks of Fire' is a testament to resilience and adaptation, bringing a unique, global touch to your collection of indoor plants.
Quick Care Guide
'Sticks of Fire' requires particular care to maintain its intense vibrancy and ensure healthy growth:
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Light💡:
- Thrives in full, bright light; south-facing windows are ideal as they allow maximum light exposure.
- Partial shade is tolerable, but the distinctive fiery coloration is most vibrant with ample sunlight.
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Watering💧:
- Being a succulent, it requires minimal watering, thriving on a "soak and dry" approach.
- Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry completely before rewatering to prevent root rot.
- Reduce watering during the winter months.
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Soil🪴:
- Requires well-draining, sandy soil typical of cactus or succulent mixes.
- An optimal pH level would be between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
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Temperature and Humidity🌡:
- Prefers warmer temperatures between 65-90°F (18-32°C).
- Although it tolerates lower humidity, moderate levels are beneficial. Too much humidity can lead to issues with rot.
#5 Bird of Paradise: 🌼
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is renowned for its dramatic, exotic flowers and large, lush foliage, resembling an artist's palette of vibrant colors. It stands as a majestic testament to the beauty of the tropics, with its crane-like flowers symbolizing paradise itself.
- Discovering Bird of Paradise: Known for its strikingly ornate flowers and robust, tropical leaves, this plant brings an immediate wow factor and a sense of luxury to any interior space.
- Origins: Originally from South Africa, the Bird of Paradise has traveled across the globe, gracing the world with its exotic presence and becoming a symbol of natural artistry and sophistication.
Quick Care Guide
A Bird of Paradise thrives with good light and attention to its watering schedule:
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Light💡:
- Requires bright, indirect sunlight, and can tolerate some direct sun rays; however, harsh sunlight can damage the leaves.
- South or west-facing windows are ideal for this plant, providing the lengthy hours of daylight that it enjoys.
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Watering💧:
- Prefers a consistent watering schedule, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
- Water the plant thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain. Wait until the top layer of soil begins to dry before watering again.
- Overwatering or insufficient drainage can lead to root rot, a common issue with these plants.
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Soil🪴:
- Favors rich, loamy, and well-draining soil to provide the necessary nutrients.
- A soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5 (slightly acidic) is ideal for this plant.
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Temperature and Humidity🌡:
- Enjoys warm conditions, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C) during the day and not below 50°F (10°C) at night.
- Appreciates humidity (50% - 70%), so consider placing it on a pebble tray filled with water or using a humidifier to maintain a comfortable environment for the plant.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving surrounds you with family's warmth and love. It's a time for togetherness, enriched by the festive atmosphere that indoor plants bring. These natural beauties, from the vivid Croton to the exotic Bird of Paradise, add a unique, lively spirit to your celebrations.
Each plant we've discussed holds the potential to brighten your space or serve as a thoughtful gift, embodying growth and gratitude. They're not just decorations but expressions of appreciation and care.
But this is just the start.
We'd love for you to share your creative ideas and experiences. How do you blend nature into your Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comment section below!
Happy planting! 🌿