Feel like your space is a little stale? A little bit of indoor greenery goes a long way to brighten things up.
Fresh-cut blooms are beautiful and fragrant, but they’ll only last you a few days and look a bit feminine (if that’s something you care about). But hey, if you’ve got the time and means to make weekly trips to the florist, then go for it.
For the rest of us, there are these no-fuss plants that even someone with a black thumb would have trouble killing. They’ll contribute an organic yet masculine touch to whatever area you’re decorating, especially if you use a dark vase (we’re partial to these). And ok, so they're not actually death-proof, but the best part about these is that they’re almost totally hands-off, so even the laziest plant owner can enjoy them.
Succulents
These little guys are closely related to cacti, but come in a huge range of dizzying shapes. They’re small, resilient, and thoroughly masculine, which makes them a good choice for decorating small surfaces like a nightstand or desk without getting too, well, flowery. Just because they’re dry and tough-looking doesn’t mean they’re invincible, though. Water once every week or two, and set them in a place where they can get some sun, even if it’s indirect.
Kalanchoe
Technically, this is a pretty broad genus that comes in lots of different forms. The ones you want have thick, rubbery leaves and lots of tightly grouped buds. The flowers come in all kinds of colors, — white is a good bet if you don’t want to get too feminine — and they’ll slowly bloom to give you a bright and impressive display without much effort. And unlike fresh-cut blooms, these will easily last for months so long as you water the soil whenever it gets dry, usually about once every two weeks. Sunlight helps, but it’s not all that necessary.
Bird's Nest Snake Plant
These can really take a beating. The stiff, pointed leaves have some subtle decoration with streaks of white or pale green, and hardly need any water or sun. They come in larger varieties, but one or two of these smaller "bird's nest" versions are good for putting in tabletop planters to add just a small touch of life to a room.
Moth Orchid
Most orchids are beautiful, but they’re notoriously difficult to grow. Luckily, this variety is easier and can last year-round indoors. They can add a striking, unique hit of color to your pad if you’re ok with the delicate, exotic look and they’re well suited to minimal and modern spaces if that’s your vibe. Keep it in bright, indirect light near a window and just be careful not to over-water it.