My husband calls me a black thumb. I literally cannot keep any plant alive no matter how big, small or “easy” to keep alive it is. WAH.
I mean, I even managed to kill our wedding succulents that we gave out as party favors. I was told they were OH SO EASY to keep alive. We came back from our honeymoon and they were dunzo.
That’s why, when I was chatting with Elizabeth Rice of Concrete Theory, a company that creates planters and other concrete items, I knew I wanted to ask her some tips on plants and uhhh how to keep them alive.
Grab a booch and read on for my interview with Elizabeth Rice!
ELIZABETH! Thank you so much for letting me interview you. Can you tell the readers a bit about how concrete theory came about?
Elizabeth: Concrete Theory was born out of a weekend project a few years ago while I was living in Austin, TX. I started a plan to work with a different medium every weekend. It turns out, two weeks in, I fell in love with concrete. I started gifting planters to coworkers and friends. Those friends started commissioning pieces for others and from there I started selling at pop-up events & now online and in many shops!
Your planters are truly gorgeous. I have mine on floating shelves in my bed room. Are there specific kinds of plants for your planters?
Elizabeth: The great thing about the concrete planters is that they are porous. A lot of planters and pots need water drain holes but the concrete absorbs any extra water to avoid over watering or drowning the plants (which is one of the main causes of killing plants!). Succulents and cacti do great with very little attention.
Hearty house plants like snake plants, calathea and jade are perfect for my planters. The planters are for both indoor and outdoor plants! If your plant is reaching or bending towards a light source, place it outside provided it is warm enough for a few hours to let it soak up the sun.
OHHH So if my plants are leaning towards the window they may need sunlight?? I kid. lol. What plants do you recommend for the inside of your home? What is the maintenance on these plants?
Elizabeth: I recommend a snake plant, a group of succulents, a pothos, string of pearls, burro’s tail, aloe Vera for a sunny spot. The sun will do a lot of the work in regards to maintenance of these plants & water them when the soil is dry to the touch. Other low-light indoor plants & some succulents are good for offices or spaces with less direct sunlight. I mist my succulents with a spray bottle. Another trick Is to remove or trim dry leaves from any plant when needed.
Such good information! Are there any types of plants you don’t recommend for your planters?
Elizabeth: Most plants work great in my planters. I also try to make sure the roots have enough room to grow or replant them in a larger planter when they get too big!
How do you create your stylish planters?
Elizabeth: A LOT of trial and error. I use a lot of recycled and found objects as molds for my planters and other items. I use a quickset concrete mixture poured into the larger container and then use a smaller container for the inside of the vessel. Many times, they may not work out the way I plan but I also am constantly surprised by how fun it is & with the results.
I am loving all these planting tips. Fingers crossed your planters hold the magic key to helping my plants live! Any other planters tips?
Elizabeth: I love a group of three planters or a variety on different spots of a bookshelf. Plants can really elevate a space & the oxygen they create have great health benefits!
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I don’t know about you but I LOVED learning some healthy housekeeping tips from Elizabeth. If you want to check out her see the links below. She has even offered y’all a coupon code for 20% off! BYOK20 is the code.
Ahh, I guess I’ll have to try those. I have been told the black thumb thing so many times as well….
I totally agree! I love greenery in my decor!
Love this idea! I can’t keep anything alIve but i love greenery inside! i’m definitely gOing tO have to try thIs! 🙂
This is awesome! I’m a black thumb as well, so this is good info!
Another black thumb right here. Only cacti and dragon trees survive under my roof.
Also a super article. In estonia we also have a low maintnance design plants trendidg at the moment. They are called Akriplants and they absorbe most of their moisture from the air. They dont even need soil for growing. In case you are curious: https://www.hali-anntooms.com/products
Great tips! I definitely do not have a green thumb, but would love to be able to have some low-care plants in the house! Her planters sound perfect!
I’LL try since I have a black thumb