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ARE LEAVES THE NEW PLANTS?
Don’t get us wrong, we love our succulents. And our fiddle leaf figs… And ALL of our plants that need lots and little of sunlight and water. But sometimes, a single leaf (or two!) just feels right. Whether you’re entertaining and are in need of a no-fuss centerpiece or like to have greenery around the house, but have a black thumb through and through, or travel too often to keep anything alive, know statement leaves are an option… And they fit perfectly with a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Keep reading to learn about a few of our favorites.
written by ALYSSA CLOUGH
New Monstera!
monstera
This little leaf is a crowd favorite—and it’s not hard to see why. It’s modern and tropical all at once. As the Monstrera leaves grow, they develop splits, and then holes. Chances are you’ve probably seen a few variations of them before.
Old Monstera!
split leaf philodendron
Often confused with the Monstera, this plant grows leaves of a more, to put it scientifically, crinkled nature. There are deep splits and no holes in the leaves.
Psssst, frond is basically the fancy way of saying “the leafy part”. Like, not the stem, which can sometimes be long when you’re dealing with larger plants.
areca palm
Style this type of palm fronond solo for a more minimalist feel or in bunches for a more full, tropical vibe. Larger palms also make for a breathtaking, dramatic centerpiece.
fan palm
Ruffled or split—or a little bit of both, we love them all! This leaf has the roundest shape out of all our favorites.
banana leaf
Yes, as in, the infamous Beverly Hotel
. The leaves can grow to be seriously large, like the ones you see here, and work best as centerpieces. That is, if you choose the leaves. You can also keep a smaller plant in your home!
bird of paradise
This leaf is similar to that of a banana leaf, but with a slightly different shape. Though these plants can grow to be just as large as banana plants, the leaves you’ll encounter will most likely be smaller.
fern frond
Most fern fronds are smaller than the tropical leaves you’ll encounter. That doesn’t mean single stems (or handfuls!) aren’t as striking.
italian ruscus
Usually used as flower filler, this understated green is not to be underestimated. Use for simple, minimalist centerpieces or around your home. Style like this branchier green you see here or opt a larger vase for a fuller effect.
Bottom line: ANYTHING WITH LEAVES AND A STEM CAN BE DISPLAYED IN A VASE. USE YOUR IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY, OR EVEN THE LEAST EXPENSIVE GREENERY YOU CAN FIND AT THE FLORIST AND GO FOR IT!