If you don't consider yourself having a green thumb, please raise your hand (*raises hand*). If you love plants but can't seem to get the hang of keeping them alive for long, raise your hand (*raises hand higher*). Well, you are not alone.
Recently, taking care of a plant has been a new way to enhance your home space and a great way for self-care. According to EcoWatch, having plants in your home can improve your mental health, your immune system, your productivity, and your relationship with others. No matter if you have a "green thumb" or not, we all deserve some nature that will improve our health in some way.
6 Easy Plants To Grow Indoors
Air Plants
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These plants have been trending for the past year and they are ideal for easy plant care. Air plants are considered epiphytes. This means that they naturally grow on other plants. No soil needed. That's right, y'all!! Here is a plant that you do not need to pot and repot after a certain amount of time in order for it to blossom. Even though air plants still require water and sunlight just like any other houseplant, they are a top choice.
Spider Plants
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Now the spider plant is a plant I have had some experience with. Spider plants are one of the most adaptable house plants you can find. With well-drained soil and enough sunlight, spider plants produce like no other. They grow little spiderettes everywhere which can be transferred from the mother spider plant to water or soil, where they can start to root. The good thing about spider plants is their resilience. These plants are able to grow in various ranges of environmental conditions and sprout successfully.
Aloe Vera
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Most of us should be familiar with this one. Aloe Vera is not only a plant that is easy to take care of but a plant that you can use its gel-like juice to relieve pain from cuts and burns. You can also use this plant as a natural hair product! For my fellow curly girls, this plant is a great conditioner and it can reduce dandruff. Why shop for a haircare product when you can save money and grow it right in your own living room?
Peace Lily
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Let me just say, the name of this plant makes me feel better already. These beautiful plants can grow up to 16 inches indoors. If they are grown outdoors in a warm climate, they can grow up to six feet tall. Since these are tropical plants, they need bright indirect sunlight and consistent moisture. Outside of the name, these beautiful plants will be great to grow in your home and bring a nice aesthetic.
Christmas Cactus
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We are slowly approaching holiday season, so this one seemed like a good fit. This cacti blooms red, white, pink, or purple flowers at the tips of its branches. Despite its name, you are able to keep this plant around past the holidays with the right temperature (around 55 to 65 degrees) and keep the soil barely evenly moist. This plant will definitely make your home more festive for guests and brighten up your home overall.
String of Pearls
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Last not but least, this cool-looking succulent is a must to add to your list of home plants. They grow fast in warm and cool climates. While this plant looks like tiny little green buds, these buds actually bloom into tiny white flowers that smell like cinnamon! To get your string of pearls to blossom these lovely flowers, you can cut back a little on the watering and keep the temperature a consistent 60 degrees during the winter months.
There are more "easy-to-grow" plants out there that you can add to your home. We can all practice our green thumb with great plants with the right tools. There is one app I found that is really helpful for people who are new to house plants. This app is called Planta. Planta will be able to identify the type of plant you have, get care schedules for each plant to follow, and a special feature that can help you solve possible plant growth problems.
To my beginners and non-green thumbers, WE GOT THIS!
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Featured image by Shutterstock.
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'K' is a multi-hyphenated free spirit from Chicago. She is a lover of stories and the people who tell them. As a writer, 9-5er, and Safe Space Curator, she values creating the life she wants and enjoying the journey along the way. You can follow her on Instagram @theletter__k_.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
There's something about snuggling up in your favorite blanket and watching a comfort show or movie on Netflix, and what better time to do just that than in December? As the weather outside gets cooler, staying in becomes more of the norm. Thus, Netflix and Chill is a go-to. Luckily, Netflix has released new Black films and series on their popular streaming platform.
From Tyler Perry's historical drama The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington, to the Will Packer-produced comedy starring Marsai Martin, Regina Hall, and Issa Rae, Little, this season is looking up.
See the full list below.
Little (12/1)
Regina Hall's character is a bossy tech mogul who has everyone scared of her, including her assistant, played by Issa Rae. However, when she transforms into her younger self (Marsai Martin), she learns how to be more kind to others.
Daddy Day Care (12/1)
Eddie Murphy stars in this film as a father who decides to open a daycare after losing his job.
30 For 30 Collection (12/2)
30 For 30 is an ESPN docu-series highlighting some of sports' legendary figures and moments. Some of the episodes include Winning Time: Reggie Miller Vs. The New York Knicks and Celtics/ Lakers: The Best of Enemies.
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was (12/10)
In this special, the multi-talented Jamie Foxx returns to stand-up to give an unforgettable performance.
Blood, Sweat & Heels S2 (12/13)
The short-lived Bravo reality TV series documented the lives of a group of girlfriends making it in NYC. The show starred model-turned-podcaster Melyssa Ford, author Demetria Lucas, and the late TV host Daisy Lewellyn.
The Equalizer S1-3 (12/16)
The hit CBS show starring Queen Latifah is now available on Netflix. Watch the beloved actress kick ass and take names in this popular drama.
The Six Triple Eight (12/20)
The new Tyler Perry film starring Kerry Washington is a true story about the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color during World War II.
Christmas Game Day Ravens Vs. Texans (12/25)
While many will tune in to watch the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game, others will tune in to watch Beyoncé perform during halftime.
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind At Radio City Music Hall (12/31)
Comedian Michelle Buteau's comedy special will focus on her life with twins, going viral, and much more.
Evil S3 (12/31)
While Evil was unfortunately canceled by CBS, viewers can rewatch the series on Netflix, with season three premiering December 31st.
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