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Plant-Inspired Home Decor That's Impossible To Kill

Author:

Emma Loewe

January 19, 2017

By Emma Loewe

mbg Contributor

Emma Loewe is the former Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen. She is the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us" and the co-author of "The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care." Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,500 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes.

Photo by mindbodygreen

January 19, 2017

Filling your space with houseplants is a relatively quick way to boost your mood and lift your spirit. Nobody can speak to the healing power of greenery more fluently than Summer Rayne Oakes, an environmental activist whose NYC apartment is filled with 500 plants.

"My home used to be fairly barren in my terms—eggshell-colored walls, exposed brick, minimal furniture. I noticed when I got my first plant–a fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), it literally changed the energy in my apartment," she tells mindbodygreen. "It lightened up the space, softened the edges, and transformed my mood."

And you don't need a green thumb to welcome these benefits. Lucky for those who don't possess the time or the patience to keep a flourishing indoor garden, plant-inspired home accessories are quickly taking root everywhere (pun very much intended). They may not cleanse the air like a Philodendron or emit the woody smells of junop, but these accent pieces possess the same undeniably bright, cheery energy.

Here are a few options that span every style and price point. Dot a few around your home and see what pops up—no watering required.

Frame your florals.

Photo by Urban Outfitters

Jenny Kirke is the botanical artist behind the wildly popular print shop, Living Pattern. Urban Outfitters now carries a selection of her art, which salutes the beauty of each individual leaf.

Diversify your dinnerware.

Photo by Kate Spade

Check out these bright sunflower plates, because your meal doesn't have to be the only thing that's plant-based.

Play with throw pillows.

Photo by Society 6

This watercolor throw pillow from Society 6 is worlds more comfortable to lean on than its prickly inspiration. We're loving this luxurious indoor/outdoor option from Furbish Studio, too.

Harness fresh scents.

Photo by LEIF

These botanist candles may be hand-poured in NYC but they'll immediately transport you to pristine gardens time zones away.

Watch your walls bloom.

Photo by Steve's

This Bali-inspired wallpaper could bring any bathroom or entryway to life, while this bright floral option from Anthropologie is perfect for an accent wall.

Cozy up with a bold blanket.

Photo by Society 6

Far from your grandma's throw, this bold floral blanket from Society 6 has just the right amount of character.

Hang a nature-infused tapestry.

Photo by Urban Outfitters

Whether you drape them above your bed or hang them on a blank wall, tapestries can make any space feel more regal. We love this banana leaf textile and prickly pear scene.

Give your books an earthy companion.

Photo by West Elm

While not explicitly plant-themed, these agate bookends from West Elm provide a lovely, more subtle nod to the hues and rhythms of the earth.

Bring your coffee table to life.

Photo by Terrain

Books that celebrate the power and beauty of plants make for the perfect coffee table toppers. The imagery in Loose Leaf and Plant: Exploring The Botanical World just begs to be photocopied and pasted on a vision board.