Plants That Make All The Difference In A Baby's Nursery
Plants can add a special touch to a baby's nursery while offering various benefits. For example, they can provide the space with a natural aesthetic, thanks to their green leaves, colorful flowers, and unique shapes. Plants can also make the area healthier by cleaning the air, moderating temperature, reducing humidity, and giving off oxygen. Beyond that, they can act as a buffer to hinder noisy sounds and as a mood booster, too, which is ideal for mental health. Indeed, certain plants can make all the difference when setting up a special spot for your little one.
Of course, for your baby's nursery, you want to ensure you're opting for appropriate plants. You'll obviously want to stay away from any overly prickly varieties of cacti and place any pointy plants out of your baby's reach. You also don't want the child to be able to grab (and possibly eat) leaves, so be careful about choosing plants that can be picked apart by tiny hands. If you choose a hanging plant, be sure it doesn't reach low enough for a little one to get a hold of and pull down. On top of that, double (and triple) check that you don't accidentally opt for a toxic plant or one that might aggravate allergies your baby might have.
Although that might make you think that your options are limited, that's not the case at all. There are plenty of beautiful, adorable, and quirky plants that are perfect for a baby's nursery.
Peace lily
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) love (indirect) sunlight, which helps them grow up to 16 inches tall and produce their gorgeous white blooms — blooms that'll first appear when summer begins and can keep coming with the proper TLC. Place them by a window that faces east and ensure the soil stays moist, but keep them out of reach of your baby and pets.
Baby rubber plant
Baby rubber plants (Peperomia obtusifolia) are easy to take care of and don't take up a lot of space. On top of that, they boast bright green leaves, a sweet shape, and are safe for pets to be around. That's not to mention the fact that they're adorable, which makes them perfect for a nursery.
Bird of paradise
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia) may look like something out of a children's storybook, however, they're a real plant with flowers that mimic vibrant tropical creatures in mid-flight. To keep them thriving, give these plants lots of light and rich soil that isn't too wet. Also, keep them away from nibbling pets.
Polka dot begonia
Teeny, tiny dots are a classic and cute accent to a child's room, which is why a polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata) is such a great choice for a baby's nursery. With dark green leaves that feature white spots, you simply need to give this plant indirect sunlight and give its soil a chance to dry before watering.
Baby toes succulent
An easy-to-care-for succulent with the most adorable name, it's clear to see how the baby toes plant (Fenestraria) earned its moniker. A relatively compact option, you could place plenty of these cuties around your baby's nursery. This subtropical desert plant gobbles up the sun and appreciates rough, gravelly soil but doesn't need quite as much water.
Sweetheart plant
Add a reminder of how much your little one is loved by placing a sweetheart plant (Hoya kerrii) in their nursery. A hoya with leaves that grow in the shape of hearts, they can be sold with just one or two snippets. However, if you give them care, they can grow into much larger plants with countless hearts.
Ponytail palm
If you want your baby's nursery to be a fun and playful space, then you might want to pick up a ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata). With wild-looking leaves that can grow to be 3 feet long, the plant usually grows to around 4 feet high while indoors, meaning it's big enough to fill up an empty corner of the room.
String of dolphins
If you want to give your baby's nursery a pirate theme or capture a mermaid-like style, then you surely have to add a string of dolphins (Curio × peregrinus). A resilient succulent with leaves that look like marine animals jumping out of the water, it's an ideal plant to hang or place on a tall dresser.
String of turtles
If you love the idea of a plant that looks like little dolphins, then you might also adore a string of turtles (Peperomia prostrata), a popular slow-growing succulent. Another option that looks like the animal it's named after, your baby may find themselves amused by the leaves that resemble tiny round turtle shells.
Aloe vera plant
You may already have an aloe vera plant at home, but it might not have occurred to you to place one in your infant's nursery. A plant with a playful appearance that doesn't need an abundance of care, the natural gel inside can be used as a topical ointment that's safe for babies.