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West Elm released a bunch of mid century style planters at the beginning of this summer. My immediate favorite was the chevron planter, I basically ran to West Elm the day it hit shelves, and sadly, it’s been sitting empty in my house ever since! #shame
Here’s my dilemma – there are gazillion plants out there that would showcase beautifully in this planter, but I only have ONE planter. The odds are against me that I will choose the wrong plant, which will end up on the internet somehow and be super sad for the rest of my days!
Whenever I share my dilemmas with my husband, his initial tenancy is to solve the problem for me – “just plant this shrub! (points to a baby succulent)”. After I explain how that won’t work (scale, size, won’t photograph well, lame-ness etc) he helps me break down the look I’m going for, in logical pieces. So, let me do just that a-la my husband’s technique: I want something large scale, sculptural, unique, drought tolerant, and most importantly, non-poisonous. I would like the planter to be inside our house, but we keep our shades closed all day while we’re at work, which really only leaves our sunroom as the option for this plant to get any light source.
Anyway, while I mull over my options, I wanted to share 9 variations of what folks planted in this exact planter:
one* // two // three* // four* // five // six // seven* // eight // nine*
*many of these images were picked up on West Elm’s #mywestelm tag
I’ve been leaning towards planting two tall euphorbia ghost cacti, similar to what Amber planted for her fab client. I also love how the cloud juniper looks, but I’ve had the hardest time sourcing one of those.
Do you guys face the same planter commitment issues as me? If this was your planter, what would you do???
Great planter, I will look forward to it (hopefully) coming the West Elm here in Australia. Succulents certainly fit the description of the plants you are looking to use. I am torn between images 2 and 7. Love the mass planting in 2 but the height is dramatic in 7. Sorry not much h help there LOL!!!
I really like two, five and six! Also, how do you feel about ferns? They can grow in low-light conditions so you maybe could place them somewhere else in the house if you want? Don’t know if they are poisonous though, we have one in our living room: http://noglitternoglory.com/2015/10/13/home-renovation-quick-living-room-changes/
great suggestion! I haven’t had a fern before. are they easy? PS I love your living room! and you’re photography is amazing.
Thanks so much Brittany, means a lot coming from you! Must admit I have killed my first fern, but this one has survived about 6 months in our home so far :) It’s important that they have enough water, humid locations are supposed to be best for them. I guess a plant spray could help, but I must admit I’m too lazy for that!
What about mother-in-law’s tongue? It is an indiginous South African plant and tough as old boots. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansevieria_trifasciata
Yeah! I thought about this one too. I have this in a planter in our sunroom, good idea! I could move it into this bigger planter :)
aHHHHHHHHH…well, that is a dilemma. For some reason I see tall cactus like #5…but that’s my first instinct…that could change if I stay at these lond enough.
I know, #5 is my fave, but i hate copying! sometimes when someone does it right, there’s no reason to re-invent the wheel :)
true, but it’s taller than my little man, and so far he knows “ouch! don’t touch!” haha
It’s such a drag having it sit empty! Keep looking, i’m hopeful that I’ll feel satisfied once I just plant something in it.
I would do something like #7. The planter is beautiful, and you don’t want to overshadow its form with a complicated arrangement. Something like a medium/large cactus is interesting enough, but also simple enough in form to work with the planter instead of against it. I wouldn’t go for one that’s as tall as #5 personally, I think the scale is a little off for your planter (the photo of #5 has a deeper planter than yours I think). My first thought was actually snake plants since they have a simple upright form but a columnar cactus would be even better.
You’re right! Good eye, I did notice #5 has a deeper planter too, it’s one of the other base planters West Elm sells, and the more shallow one wouldn’t hold that tall of plant. I also like the snake plants, but anything the right size costs $$ or time to grow!
This is such a cute post! Your husband sounds SO MUCH like mine. Thanks for sharing :)