Keppler, who moved to California from Kyoto, Japan, in her early 20s, is drawn to plants for more than their obvious beauty; she also feels an emotional connection to them. “A plant does so much. It’s amazing how much they provide: food, shelter, energy,” she says. “When you see plants growing and changing, it does something. They can lift our spirits. It’s fascinating.”
Why indoor plants belong in your home.
KIFUMI KEPPLER knows a thing or two about houseplants. For nearly five decades, she has advised customers on how to select and care for indoor plants at her Sacramento shop, Exotic Plants. The verdant storefront is stocked with a host of arresting specimens, from delicate orchids to dramatic fiddle-leaf figs.
Keppler, who moved to California from Kyoto, Japan, in her early 20s, is drawn to plants for more than their obvious beauty; she also feels an emotional connection to them. “A plant does so much. It’s amazing how much they provide: food, shelter, energy,” she says. “When you see plants growing and changing, it does something. They can lift our spirits. It’s fascinating.”
Indeed, indoor plants are a living accessory that can enhance virtually any home. Their foliage softens interior spaces and brightens dark corners. And their unique forms add energy, texture and visual interest to rooms in ways that man-made objects cannot. Plus, plants have been shown to improve indoor air quality and reduce stress.
Keppler insists that, with proper instruction, anyone can care for a houseplant successfully. The key is to choose the right specimen from the outset. “So-called low-light plants are generally less finicky,” she explains. Examples of easy-care plants include dracaena, snake plants, ZZ plants and Chinese evergreens.
“Once you succeed with certain plants, then you can expand into others,” Keppler says. Orchids, for example, aren’t as difficult as their reputation would suggest. “At first I was afraid to care for orchids, but they are just like any other plant.” Adequate sunlight and regular watering will keep them happy.
For larger spaces where sunlight is ample, Keppler suggests plants such as lady palms, fishtail palms and various ficus. Keep in mind, she says, that “in general, the more light it needs, the more water it needs.”
Keppler insists that, with proper instruction, anyone can care for a houseplant successfully. The key is to choose the right specimen from the outset. “So-called low-light plants are generally less finicky,” she explains. Examples of easy-care plants include dracaena, snake plants, ZZ plants and Chinese evergreens.
In addition to consistent watering, houseplants benefit from being rotated on a regular basis so that they don’t grow unevenly toward the sunlight. Keppler also recommends dusting the leaves in order to maintain optimal health and guard against pests and disease. “If you take care of them, they respond to that love and care and they thrive.”
By Catherine Warmerdam
Photography by Wes Davis
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