Bring Nature Inside: Part 1
Last Spring I delved into gardening more than I ever had before. I planted all kinds of flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs, and more! It was fantastical to dig in the dirt and care for these plants, watching them bloom and grow and stretch toward the sun.
Then winter came and one by one many of my plants began to whiter or stop giving off blooms. This is obviously upsetting but also a reminder to contemplate the nature of life and death and everything in-between.
However, there is a simple way to help bring that joy of plants and growing into the home through houseplants! Below I have provided some house plants that I personally care for as well as both mundane and magical properties of the plant.
Devil’s Ivy is one of the easiest plants to care for in the home.
Mundane Properties (Devil’s Ivy):
Only water the plant every two weeks (over-watering is the most common way to kill a devil’s ivy and under-watering rarely harms the plant).
The plant is toxic to both you and pets. So if you have any familiars lurking about that like to munch on things keep it out of reach!
The plant is easy to propagate and after a while you can have hundreds of them around your home.
If your plant looses a leaf it will never grow back on that part of the stem.
Pothos is fairly slow growing but will live for decades if properly taken care of.
Magical Properties (Devil’s Ivy):
Save stems you trim off to be used in binding or banishment spells.
Like most ivy, growth this plant around the walls or floors of your home can protect it.
Can be used in witch jars as a form of poison magic.
Mundane Properties (Spider Plant):
A spider plant is a great addition to every home!
Although all plants will remove toxins from the air, Spider Plants are one of the most effective house plants and achieving this goal.
Over-watering is the leading cause of death for plants at home.
The plant, when happy, sends off shoots that produce babies which can easily be snipped off and potted to create more plants.
This plant is non-toxic and is safe around familiars and people!
They prefer a bright North or East facing window.
Magical Properties (Spider Plant):
Spider Plants can be used in all kinds or protection magic.
The pups can be cut off and placed in a spell jar to filter out bad spiritual energy.
Long stems and leaves of the plant can be tied into a witch’s ladder for protection.
Placed on your altar the plant can help equalizes the energy of your altar and tools placed upon it.
Mundane Properties (String of Pearls):
The String of Pearls can be a difficult plant to get right, however, once you do you will be happy with the beauty it can bring into your home.
This plant requires a fairly consistent temperature (room temperature or a bit warmer is perfect for this girl).
Make sure to place this plant away from any breezes (windows, fans, and vents can cause this plant to stop growing and possibly die).
Only water this plant when the soil is completely dry, take care to ensure the pot you have it in has good drainage.
You may need to work carefully with the String of Pearls to unravel it’s many creeping tendrils and prevent it from looking a mess.
It may take a few tries but the String of Pearls is a fairly easy plant to propagate and give to friends.
Fairly fast growing in the right conditions.
Slightly toxic when consumed, some people are also receptive to the juice and sap of the plant.
Magical Properties (String of Pearls):
The fairly fast growing tendrils can be snipped (this does not hurt the plant) and be used in love charms and love magic.
Growing in the home, the plant promotes positive energy and happiness.
Pearls which fall from the plant can be used in divination bags once dried.
When the plant flowers the energy surrounding is perfect to use in all magics wishing to draw something to you.
(Disclaimer: This is by no means a comprehensive guide to each of these plants. Doing research on any plant before attempting to grow it yourself is highly advised. The magical properties of these plants are my own interpretations and you may find different or alternative uses for them.)
