Growing up, I remember my best friend’s house as a leafy, green jungle of foliage.  I loved spending time in the living room, surrounded by beautiful, exotic looking plants of all shapes and sizes.  It really did feel like spending time in a jungle, and there were so many plants that some of the windows were obscured.

Over the years, I have occasionally tried to reproduce that effect in my home, but without much success.  I usually end up with a bunch of scraggly plants that look like they could use some serious TLC.  As it turns out, you need more than desire and a watering can to make a beautiful indoor garden like my friend’s mom had.

It never occurred to me before trying that perhaps a person can have too many plants.  I love plants, but they seem to not be so appreciative of my love.  I either overwater, underwater or otherwise nearly decimate just about every plant I take in.  My husband learned long ago to stop buying me plants, because it is inevitable that they will die.

From the nearly 20 plants I had at one point, my living room now boasts a tasteful number of plants – three.  Those are the tried and true survivors who have proven they can handle the love (abuse) I throw at them. 

While I may never be able to attain the jungle look in my own home, the plants I do have now look great, because they are few enough to properly care for without being overwhelmed.  How many plants do you have in your home?